S2 Ep1035: Bill Kristol: A Reckless, Tin-Pot President
Trump 2.0 is showing so little concern for his political standing that even Fox made primetime room for Karl Rove to vent about how he's failing at the fundamentals. Our aspiring Gaddafi doesn't care that tariffs aren't popular or that he sounds like Mr. Scrooge when he says kids should have fewer toys. And while belt-tightening is good enough for average Americans, he's throwing himself a giant, ostentatious military parade that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Plus, conservatives in the Anglosphere take another hit, this time down under—and thumbs-up for Maine Gov. Janet Mills, thumbs-down for Gretchen Whitmer.Â
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Today's "Morning Shots"
Jonathan's recent newsletter on Gretchen Whitmer
The Atlantic's recent interview with Trump (gifted)
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49:19
S2 Ep1034: Derek Thompson: Trump's War on Dolls
Just imagine Fox's histrionics if a President AOC had said that American kids have too many dolls and that she's raising the price on them. Now the supposedly pro-family administration is doubling down on 'just pay more’ for toys, while it waits for China to blink on tariffs—an unlikely event given that it makes a lot of the things the world needs and wants. Meanwhile, AI's economic threat may be here for recent college grads, Marc Andreessen has deep thoughts on VC, and the NIH (and future American Nobel Prizes) are being burned to own the libs. Plus, the Dems should zero in on how Trump is making America less affordable—and very much like 2020 again.
show notes
Derek's piece on the job market for recent college grads
Derek's podcast, "Plain English"
The book, "Abundance," by Derek and Ezra Klein
Tim's playlist
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1:05:19
S2 Ep1033: Tom Nichols: The Hollow Opportunists
Marco Rubio was supposed to be one of the only adults in the room, and now he's become a shell of himself executing Trump's unwinding of the US role in the world. Meanwhile, Pam Bondi just can't keep her blubbering sycophancy under wraps. Plus, Mike Waltz's ouster at NSA, our shakedown of Ukraine with a minerals deal, Trump's pettiness is getting lost in the firehose of his revenge, and even the president of El Salvador doubts the criminality of the people ICE is sending to CECOT.Â
Tom Nichols join Tim Miller.
show notes
Tim's interview with Rep. Chris Van Hollen
NYT's recent story on the deportations to El Salvador (gift)Â
The link for tonight's AMA at 8pm ET
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50:12
S2 Ep1032: Tony Blinken: America Alone
For 80 years, the United States built strong economic, military, and political alliances around the world. But in just 100 days, that trust has been dismantled, and our friends are now working without us to forge new relationships. Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken joins Tim to discuss how hard it will be to rebuild after what Trump has done—plus the Biden administration's response to the Gaza protests, and the continuing questions over why Biden did not step aside earlier. And, Alex Wagner joins from Hungary to discuss the mass protests there.
Tony Blinken and Alex Wagner join Tim Miller.
show notes
Alex's "Trumpland" podcast
Tim on Trump's ABC News interview
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1:01:05
S2 Ep1031: Joe Weisenthal: Everything Screams Recession
The markets may be hanging in there but they also held strong in early 2020—right up until Covid hit New York. Meanwhile, tariffs are driving consumer confidence down, firms are talking about cutting back on hiring and investments, and Goldman Sachs is predicting that the U.S. will have the highest inflation and lowest growth of any developed economy this year. Plus, Scott Bessent is not a calming influence, and Trump has a real 'War on Christmas' in the works.
The Stalwart Joe Weisenthal joins Tim Miller.Â
show notes
Joe and Tracy Alloway's newsletter on how the markets can get things wrong (gift)
Recent 'Odd Lots' pod on the coming empty shelves & the War on Christmas
Joe's Bluesky post on the War on Christmas
Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the "both-sides" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy.
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