This is America: Checked In for the Checked Out

• Episode 07: Trumpcession

  As the Trump administration tanks the stock market and sends prices soaring even higher, Rachel and Aaron examine the stupid in “it’s the economy, stupid.” Europe reconsiders a new world leader while here at home, Republican politicians become snowflakes. Plus, a chilling observation from The New York Times’ chief White House correspondent. And how would Rachel have responded to Trump’s boring Joint Address to Congress?LINKS:The Cycle on Substack (Rachel): Here's Why Democrats Can't Meet This MomentThe Daily Beast: GOP Senator Calls Audience ‘Rude’ and Flees Town Hall After DOGE GrillingMSNBC: ‘A gift to Putin’s regime’: Russian Media and the Kremlin celebrating Trump’s Oval Office ambushKaja Kallis on Twitter: “The free world needs a new leader”Ontario Premier Doug Ford hits U.S. states with 25% electricity hikeNSFW: Women protesters take to ParisHBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime with Jon Tester

  --------  

  25:44
• Episode 06: Chainsaw Massacre

  This week Rachel and Aaron cut through the noise as Elon's "Chainsaw for Democracy" cuts thousands of federal jobs, and as Steve "Prison Toady" Bannon massacres the Constitution--surprising even a fellow neo-Nazi. Trump's honeymoon is over though, according to public polling (surprise! Americans don't seem to care about DEI). And members of Congress face the music at public town halls, even in deep red districts.LINKS:NPR: DOGE released data about federal contract savings. It doesn't add upWashington Post poll: Many of Trump’s early actions are unpopularCNN Poll: Americans worried by Trump’s push to expand powerWyomingite gives master class in pivot, belittle, attackAlarming scene from Republic of Gilead (Coeur d'Alene, ID)Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

  --------  

  25:38
• Episode 05: Napoleon Dynamite

  This week Rachel and Aaron go behind the Resolute Desk with Elon, Donald and "X Æ A-XII." They untangle a "very weird 20 minutes" from failed comedian JD Vance in Munich, start the clock on Marco Rubio's tenuous tenure as Secretary of State, and shine light on the plain-sight quid-pro-quo between Trump's Justice Department and NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Oh... and how does Trump's controversial "Napoleon Dynamite" compare to Hitler's rise in Fascist Germany?LINKS:Danielle Sassoon's eight-page resignation letter to AG Pam BondiBBC: JD Vance's "very weird" speech in MunichFormer RNC Chairman Michael Steele's praise of our book, Hit 'Em Where It Hurts

  --------  

  28:04
• Episode 04: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

  This week, Rachel and Aaron keep up with Trump 2.0's strategy of flooding the zone, resulting in a chaotic political and media environment that can be described as "everything, everywhere, all at once." They explore the parallels of what's happening now to the rise of Nazi Germany, particularly the "golden age of culture"--which MAGA America desperately wants to control. Rachel and Aaron also discuss the threat of democracy falling apart when the Executive Branch refuses to listen to the Judicial Branch... at the encouragement of Vice President Vance. Buckle up!

  --------  

  28:33
• Episode 03: A Knife in the Back

  This week Rachel and Aaron take a tumble through the spin cycle of Donald Trump's second full week in office, which included chaos and confusion, a stock market nose-dive, another off-the-rails news conference, pissed off allies, economic uncertainty and threats of a new consumer tax. They also take the temperature on batshit crazy Senate confirmation heatings and share some thoughts about the incoming leader of the DNC.Links:Letter to senators from Caroline Kennedy re: her cousin BobbyOur Book: Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game (Crown, 2024)The Cycle on Substack

  --------  

  27:28

More History podcasts

Trending History podcasts

About This is America: Checked In for the Checked Out