Nervous Republicans Praying No One Sees the Ugly Hidden Things in Their Budget

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Dissecting the Trump Budget Giveaway: Hidden Perks and Pain Points. Matt dives deep into the recent controversial Trump budget bill. Joined by policy expert Ryan MCConaghy, they uncover the hidden perks for big businesses and special interests, along with devastating cuts to programs for the working and middle class. They discuss the political implications, economic impacts, and the subtly embedded ‘sludge’ designed to make life harder for millions of Americans. The conversation covers surprising provisions, like tax breaks for Alaskan whaling captains and gun silencers, while highlighting the omissions that threaten the affordability of healthcare and the future of higher education. 00:17 The Trump Budget Giveaway Disaster05:08 The Injury: Impact on Americans09:14 The Insult: Hidden Republican Agendas16:12 Dissecting the Bill's Hidden Provisions32:48 The Sludge Strategy in Policy Making35:36 Student Loan Repayment Changes39:10 Political Motivations Behind Policy Decisions42:28 Obnoxious Provisions in the Bill54:35 The Importance of Basic Science Investment56:28 Concluding Thoughts and Audience Interaction

Unpacking the Far-Reaching Impacts of Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill'. Matt dives into the newly passed Republican budget bill alongside communications expert Mark Bergman. The bill's controversial health and food assistance cuts are set to significantly affect millions of Americans, including the loss of healthcare for 17 million people. With a handful of Republican Senators saying the quiet part out loud--that this is a human and political disaster--the big question is: are they right? 00:34 Introducing the Guest: Mark Bergman04:15 Political Implications for Republicans12:47 Trump-Musk Feud and Campaign Dynamics16:08 Democratic Messaging and Strategy20:42 Social Media Influence in Politics29:23 Navigator Research Insights33:43 Healthcare and Messaging37:05 Cliff Joins the Discussion38:39 Introducing the Soundcheck Fund42:30 Critique of Republican Policies48:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Recent weeks have made deep-seated schisms in both parties explode to the surface. Whether the parties can figure out how to bridge them -- not to mention the larger chasm between the Democratic and Republican parties -- will determine what happens in the 2026 midterm elections and beyond. On the Democratic side, the split between mainline Democrats and progressives erupted after Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City mayoral primary. For the Republicans, the conflict pivots around Donald Trump's influence and the emerging tensions between traditional political conservatives and the MAGA faction.Matt Robison is joined by Matt Wylie, a top Republican political consultant, to explore these intra-party conflicts, the role of ideological and affective polarization among voters, and the potential impact on future elections. 00:00 Introduction: Political Schisms05:55 Strategic Implications for Democrats23:06 The Role of Ideological and Affective Polarization35:39 The MAGA Dilemma43:05 The Dysfunction in Congress53:03 The Abdication of Responsibility58:22 The Need for Coherent Opposition01:04:08 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions

***Please Subscribe to www.worthknowing.substack.com***One of the hottest conversations in politics, especially for Democrats, is what the heck is happening with young voters, who shifted dramatically toward Trump in 2024. Obama and Biden campaign veteran Amanda Litman has been working with younger voters and candidates for years with her breakthrough organization Run for Something. Now, she says there's a deeper problem in America that's become ingrained in how we work, live, and even how we run political campaigns. In her new book "When We're in Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership" takes a look at how younger leaders can break through and change some of the most broken aspects of working and living in the U.S. Host Matt Robison of the Worth Knowing Substack (https://worthknowing.substack.com/) and Amanda talk about burnout, taking back America from Trump from the bottom up, and what the next ten years will look like as the next generation starts to take over.00:14 The Puzzle of Younger Voters in American Politics08:05 Amanda Litman on Leadership and Authenticity22:57 Challenges and Opportunities for the Democratic Party32:34 The Crux of the Question: Are We Losing Young Voters?44:54 The Role of Government and the Concept of Abundance53:15 The Power of Local Government and Nonpartisan Elections57:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

***Subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Navigating the Complexities of the Iran-Israel Conflict with Dan Perry Dan Perry joins Matt on Substack Live from Tel Aviv to discuss the spiraling conflict between Israel and Iran, and the potential for U.S. involvement. They explore the logistical and geopolitical challenges of dismantling Iran's nuclear capabilities, the resulting economic and global security implications, and the internal and external pressures faced by the involved nations. Perry provides insights into the possible outcomes and the stakes of the situation, culminating in a detailed analysis of recent events and future prospects.00:32 The Complexity of Iran's Nuclear Threat05:43 Israel's Military Response07:58 Historical Context and Current Events16:06 US Involvement and Global Implications19:48 Potential Outcomes and Strategic Analysis31:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Analyzing Authoritarianism, Trump's Tactics, and the PathForward. It's been a tumultuous, unprecedented three weeks in America. Matt is joined by Lauren Goldstein, polling expert and social psychologist, to discuss the psychological underpinnings of Trumpism, the challenges ofmaintaining democratic values, and how Democrats can effectively combat authoritarian overreach. Do protests work? What do voters need to hear now? And what's the one thing Democrats need to do above all else?  00:34 Recap of Recent Events06:12 Discussion on Authoritarianism09:15 Psychological Insights and Voter Behavior22:28 Impact of Protests and Social Movements25:15 Media Influence and Public Perception36:55 The Evolution of YouTube Content42:06 Protests and Effective Messaging48:42 The Importance of Authenticity in Politics53:32 Trump's Tactics and Public Perception01:06:00 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

***Please subscribe to Matt's Substack at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***There's no denying it: Donald Trump is much better off than he was a week ago. Last week, he was getting pummeled by former ally Elon Musk, getting stiffed by wily figures like Putin and Netanyahu, and losing on tariffs, prices, and corruption. This week, the focus has turned entirely to immigration and unrest. So, did he set a trap that we all fell into? Could it have been avoided? And what about the underlying--and now back burnered--disaster of his "big beautiful bill": can anything be done to soften or stop it? Matt is joined on his Substack Livestream by Michaeleen Crowell, former chief of staff to Bernie Sanders and legislative director for civil rights icon John Lewis, to talk about the power and risks of protests, Senate strategy, and some great behind the scenes moments with notable leaders.00:18 Trump's Media Manipulation04:12 Trump's Immigration Strategy10:24 Discussion on Protests and Political Capital18:42 Legal and Political Responses22:20 Debate on Protest Effectiveness32:41 Democratic Party Dynamics and Healthcare Focus34:28 Discussion on the Big Beautiful Bill38:21 Medicaid Expansion and Political Irony47:19 Economic and Social Impacts of Legislation53:48 Behind the Scenes with Michaeleen

***Please Subscribe to Matt's Substack at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Revitalizing the Democratic Party: A Path to Embracing Change. Matt Robison joins podcaster and former State Senator Burt Cohen to delve into what the Democratic Party must do to regain momentum and connect with voters, especially recapturing the theme of "change." The episode explores the historical and economic factors contributing to the current political climate, critiques the party’s strategies, and highlights the importance of addressing middle-class concerns such as healthcare, childcare, and housing costs. The discussion also touches on the Democratic Party's challenges with messaging, overreach in cultural issues, and the need for more grassroots, local engagement.00:00 Introduction: The Democratic Party's Dilemma04:15 The 2024 Election and Democratic Challenges09:01 The Democratic Leadership's Missteps13:10 The Economic History of the United States17:07 The Disconnect Between Economic Indicators and Public Perception30:02 The Democratic Party's Path Forward40:52 Corruption and Public Disillusionment49:37 Addressing Wokeness and Public Perception54:52 Economic Programs and Cost Reduction

*** For all of my articles, podcasts, and videos, PLEASE subscribe to my Substack at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Most people have only a foggy recollection of Donald Trump’s lifetime of dirty-dealing, crimes, swindles, and con-jobs. Not ⁠Greg Olear⁠ of Prevail! He’s literally written the book (several) on it.⁠We just had a fascinating discussion about the incredible trail of corruption hiding in plain sight that Trump has left over more than four decades, and what new polling says needs to happen in order for Trump to start paying a price for all of this.And we got a bonus pop-in from Cliff Schecter, who had a great tagline that Democrats should run on in 2026.00:20 The Paradox of Trump's Immunity to Corruption05:14 Interview with Greg Olear: Trump's History of Corruption14:27 The Media's Role and Public Perception33:06 Is Crypto a Scam?39:45 Crypto and Organized Crime45:55 The Dark Side of Trumpism57:23 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

Four Major Foreign Policy Failures: In this episode of the Worth Knowing Livestream, Matt discusses a long weekend where President Donald Trump is having to confront how wrong he was on four major world crises. From Ukraine to Gaza to European trade, to attempts to renegotiate a nuclear deal with Iran, the campaign rhetoric is smacking up against the harsh reality of complicated problems that can't just be wished away. He is joined by guest Dan Perry, former Middle East editor for the Associated Press. They analyze Trump's disconnect between bluster and reality.00:13 Trump's Recent Struggles and Media Reactions04:00 Interview with Dan Perry: Trump's Four Critical Issues08:02 Deep Dive into Ukraine19:12 Middle East and Gaza Conflict30:15 Trump's Iran Nuclear Deal Dilemma36:08 Trump's Tariff Troubles42:42 The War on Elitism and Expertise49:35 Closing Thoughts