Will Big Tech Kill Democracy?

It can feel at times like there's nothing we don't know about Trump. However, there are still a few select people who seem to be able to uncover more and more, giving us critical insight into the former President. In this episode, Rick interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner about their new book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. They delve into Trump’s long-standing strategy of creating an illusion of wealth, his reliance on tax loopholes, and how he used his father's empire to prop up his failing ventures. The conversation also touches on Trump's role in the USFL's downfall, his relationship with banks, and the lasting impact of The Apprentice on his public image. Susanne and Russ' book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success, available now. Timestamps: (00:01:30) Lucky Loser (00:08:31) Trump's properties (00:13:29) The real Trump (00:21:38) The Trump brand Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can big tech and a healthy democracy coexist? In this episode Rick is joined by Marietje Schaake, author of The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley. Together, they delve into the growing influence of big tech companies on global democracy, the dangers posed by unchecked data collection, and the rise of tools like Pegasus spyware. Schaake highlights the need for greater transparency, regulation, and accountability in the tech sector, while addressing the potential threats to privacy and democratic freedoms. They also discuss the weaponization of data by companies like Palantir and Cambridge Analytica, as well as potential solutions to safeguard democratic systems in the face of advancing technology. Marietje's book, The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley, available now. Timestamps: (00:01:26) The Tech Coup (00:05:37) Government against large corporations (00:09:56) Which country's are doing it right? (00:15:05) Palantir Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chapter Two of Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal depicts the personal story of Eve, a nurse struggling with infertility, whose treatment is threatened by the new president's executive order banning certain fertility treatments. The episode explores how the president's policies would impact everyday Americans, particularly women and families, by interfering with reproductive freedom and the right to self-determination. The author of the serialized novel “2025,” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how the fictional story is directly based on the policies outlined in the Trump’s Project 2025 and the president's own words, underscoring the very real and devastating consequences a second Trump term and the implementation of Project 2025 could have. You can read Chapter Two of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel-chapter-2 Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is produced by David Pepper and available on all the podcast apps and at 2025 pod.com. We'd also like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode. J. Smith Cameron read the chapter and audio finishing by Marilys Ernst. This series is produced by David Pepper, Melissa, Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman. Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and the Bill Press Pod. SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7or5... APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... STITCHER: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr... Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're proud to present Chapter One of "Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal" which is a brilliant undertaking by David Pepper and his talented projection team. The podcast starts in January 2025, with Donald Trump as president begins his second term, and the havoc he is already wreaking on America. As much as Donald Trump wants to distance himself from Project 2025. He can’t. Trump and his people are tied closely to the Project and the Heritage Foundation, which quarterbacked Project 2025. In fact, it’s already underway. Project 2025 is busily recruiting thousands of MAGA loyalists and partisans to fill positions once held by skilled civil servants. It's unlikely that most people will look over all Trump’s speeches, or Agenda47 or the RNC Platform, or read the 920 pages of crazy in Project 2025. So pro-democracy activist David Pepper of Ohio has written a novel to engage everyday Americans with the reality of how a Trump victory would turn everyday American lives upside down. These are fictional stories about the future, of course, but the suffering, pain and personal dilemmas people face in them is 100% based on the facts and commitments being spelled out in Project 2025 and Trump’s own words and promises. This podcast series is a close adaptation of the book, I hope you take a listen. It’s powerful stuff, and gives far a better sense than factoids and bullet points about how the worst of these promises would play out in real lives. You can also listen to the series on all of your favorite podcast platforms - and please subscribe and give it four stars to support David's brilliant, important work. SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7or5... APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... STITCHER: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr... Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History is our greatest teacher. In this episode Rick speaks with historian David Brown, author of A Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War. They explore the significance of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, a pivotal moment that led to the collapse of the Whig Party and fueled tensions that made the Civil War inevitable. Together, they discuss the cultural and political shifts of the time, drawing connections to today's political divisions and the rapid pace of change in American politics. David's book, A Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War, available now. Timestamps: (00:02:06) A Hell of a Storm (00:07:51) The signals of a party collapsing (00:10:37) The culture of the civil war Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The framers envisioned a judiciary whose role was to check the power of the executive and legislative branches and ensure constitutional integrity. But what happens if corruption creeps its way into the most powerful court in the land? On today's episode Rick interviews David Brock, a veteran in the political and media landscape, about his new book Stench: The Making of the Thomas Court and the Unmaking of America. They dive into how Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has influenced major rulings like the Dobbs decision and presidential immunity, and explore the broader ethical concerns surrounding the court. Brock discusses the decades-long conservative efforts to reshape the judiciary, Thomas’s entanglement with wealthy donors, and the urgent need for judicial reform to address the court’s corruption and accountability issues. David's book, Stench: The Making of the Thomas Court and the Unmaking of America, available now. Timestamps: (00:01:50) Stench (00:04:04) A vast right wing conspiracy (00:08:53) Clarence Thomas (00:17:18) Corruption beyond Thomas Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democracy is under siege, and state-sanctioned vigilantes are leading the charge. In this episode Rick speaks with Jon Michaels and David Noll, authors of the upcoming book Vigilante Nation: How State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Our Democracy. They discuss the alarming rise of state-backed vigilante activities, particularly through laws like Texas SB8, and how these efforts are aimed at achieving authoritarian political control. The conversation explores the MAGA movement's tactics, the threats to democratic institutions, and the potential dangers surrounding future U.S. elections. It's a chilling analysis of how private actors, with state approval, are shaping America’s political landscape. Jon and David's book, Vigilante Nation: How State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Our Democracy, available for pre-order now. Timestamps: (00:01:45) Vigilante Nation (00:14:56) If we keep on pushing (00:19:07) The spectrum of violent organizations Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Democratic party is changing. In this episode of The Enemies List, Rick speaks with historian Timothy Shenk about his new book, Left Adrift: What Happened to Liberal Politics? They explore the evolution of the Democratic Party, shifting from a working-class base to a more affluent, educated coalition, and the challenges that come with this transformation. Shenk delves into the party's struggle to reconnect with working-class voters and the rise of technocratic approaches in politics, while offering insights on how the party can adapt moving forward. Timothy's book,  Left Adrift: What Happened to Liberal Politics?, available now. Timestamps: (00:01:27) Left to Drift (00:04:54) Divorce from the working class (00:16:07) The democratic party over the last few decades Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick gives a blistering solo reaction to a blockbuster presidential debate. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from TribFest, Rick interviews Harris-Walz Campaign Co-Chair Mitch Landrieu, who was a Senior Advisor to President Biden and also served as the Mayor of New Orleans. They discuss the important role of character in political leadership, the impact of Biden’s infrastructure bill, and the importance of finding common ground in a sharply divided country. Follow Mitch Landrieu on X @MitchLandrieu and learn more about TribFest at http://festival.texastribune.org/. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices