Afleveringen
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This week Rachel and Aaron translate whatever Donald “Marie Antoinette” Trump is trying to say about groceries, tariffs and Wal-Mart. Plus, an alarming shakeup in the national intelligence community. How does it compare to Adolph Hitler? And criticism of Trump from his former VP. For Mike Pence, it’s as salty as it gets. And the latest threat from Trump’s DOJ: If you can’t charge ‘em, shame ‘em.
LINKS:
Trump post: Wal-Mart should ‘EAT THE TARIFFS’Associated Press: Gabbard fires 2 top intelligence officials and will shift office that preps Trump’s daily briefNBC’s Meet the Press: Interview with Mike Pence (May 18, 2025)Fox: Sunday Morning Futures: Interview with Kash Patel & Dan Bongino (May 18, 2025)USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on Trump bannerNBC News: DOJ 'weaponization' group will shame individuals it can't charge with crimesCNN: James Comey’s ‘weird’ social media approach lands him in hot waterVIDEO: Rep. Swalwell presses HS Secretary Noem on doctored photoThe Cycle on Subtack: Trump's Executive Orders Serve One Sinister PurposeHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game -
Trump pushes socialist price controls for pharmaceuticals, refugee status for white people and free flights out for everyone else. Rachel and Aaron also dive into the effort to suspend the U.S. Constitution, and compare how Trump’s chaotic presidency parallels the rise of Vladimir Putin. Plus… the Da President thinks he invented a brand new word, and Da Pope offers inspiring words for the world.
LINKS:
Trump wants drug price controls (Trump bashes price controls on Truth Social (August 2024)White House: TO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS: BOOK YOUR FREE FLIGHT NOWCardinal Prevost (Pope Leo XIV) tweet re: JD Vance (Feb 3)Bannon’s War Room: Marjorie Taylor GreeneRachel on white South African refugeesOANN on TwitterPope Leo XIV: “Evil will not win”Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own GameThe Cycle on Substack
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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This week Rachel and Aaron investigate the three words that hit hardest from Donald Trump’s recent interview on NBC's Meet the Press, and the one word missing from the New York Times’s editorial criticizing his first 100 days. Plus: Jews and fascism? An eye-opening comparison between Trump’s “Lord of the Shadows” and the rise of the Third Reich.
LINKS:
NBC’s Meet the Press: Full interview with Donald TrumpNBC News: Fact-checking Donald Trump’s May interview with ‘Meet the Press’60 Minutes: How law firms targeted by Trump are responding to White House pressureMarc Elias: Democracy DocketSNL: ‘Lord of the Shadows’Stephen Miller: ‘Children will be taught to love America’New York Times: Editorial: There Is a Way Forward: How to Defeat Trump’s Power GrabMike Pence Receives JFK Profile in Courage AwardHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own GameThe Cycle on Substack -
As another texting scandal jolts the Pentagon into “full-blown meltdown,” Rachel earns national attention for her internet sleuthing skills and gets vindicated in the aftermath of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Plus, she and Aaron take a close look at the first rule in fighting tyranny… and share a masterclass from a European internet troll.
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Politico Opinion: Former Top Pentagon Spokesperson Details ‘Month From Hell’ Inside the AgencyThe Daily Beast: Rachel catches bad White House photoshop jobGeorge Carlin: Methods of ExecutionSplitTicket.org tweet: The story of Wisconsin's Supreme Court election was turnoutTimothy Snyder on Substack: Obeying in AdvanceEuropean Parliament Member Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy trolls Trump’s New YorkHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own GameThe Cycle on Substack -
This week Rachel and Aaron change up the format to take a deep dive into the arrest and deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, imprisoned in El Salvador without due process despite a U.S. Supreme Court order to “facilitate” his return. The case has chilling parallels to what happened in Germany between 1933 and 1945. This is a warning from history worth understanding.
LINKS
The Persecution and Murder of the European Jews by Nazi Germany, 1933–1945Full news conference: Trump and President Bukele of El SalvadorRep. Steven Horsford blasts U.S. trade rep after Trump tariff pauseHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game -
Trump’s planned destruction of America’s economy is a pivotal political moment. This week Rachel and Aaron offer advice for “normies” who are just now waking up to the mess. Plus, a reading of the tea leaves after the recent special elections, how to send us your best signs for this month’s next nationwide protests, and why was this week’s show a little late? We’ve got an exciting reason!
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The 50501 Movement (April 19th protests)Sen. Rand Paul’s resolution to “Reassert Congressional Authority Over Tax Policy”Project 2025 Tracker -
It's Election Day! Will it be a difficult one for MAGA in Wisconsin and Florida? Plus, Rachel and Aaron get into the nitty gritty over Third Term Gate… and Signal Gate. The Trump Tax, er “Liberation Day,” prompts Aaron to move up his car shopping timeline. Musk gives away millions. And what's the one issue voters associate most with the Democratic Party? The answer may surprise you.
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NBC News: Trump won’t rule out seeking a third term in the White HouseThe Intercept: In Trump’s America, You Can Be Disappeared for Writing an Op-EdThe Tufts Daily: Op-ed coauthored by Rümeysa ÖztürkThe Cycle on Substack: Voters Have No Idea What Democrats Stand ForThe New York Times: Marine Le Pen Barred From French Presidential Run After Embezzlement RulingHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game -
This week Rachel and Aaron chase the firetrucks to the dumpster fire of the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress who’re trying to defend it. How do you explain an unprecedented security breach involving secret war plans accidentally shared with a news editor? Where do voters draw a line in the sand? Plus, a closer look at why Elon Musk is trying to break the Overton Window. And are spring breakers really this… dumb?
LINKS:
The Atlantic: The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War PlansNew York Times: Musk Is Positioned to Profit Off Billions in New Government ContractsCampaign Website: Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme CourtGreenland’s Prime Minister: “Taking over our country over our heads”CNN: Angry voters confront GOP lawmaker at town hall in WashingtonLibertyHangout.tv on YouTube: Spring Breakers Fail American History TriviaRachel at The Cycle: What is the Overton Window and Why is Elon Musk Breaking It?Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game -
This week Rachel and Aaron explore the good, the bad and the ugly. Why is Schumer’s vote to keep the government open an important political move? What prompted a pissed-off federal judge to issue an order from the bench? And what do the latest poll numbers mean for Trump 2.0? Plus: adios, habeas corpus. And we drop into a fiery town hall meeting in North Carolina’s bright red 11th Congressional District.
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Rachel on The Cycle: Never Interrupt Your Enemy When They Are Making a MistakeMSNBC: ‘A sham: Federal judge blasts Trump admin on improper firings of federal workers; orders rehiringQuinnipiac University Poll: Voters’ Ratings on Economy and Trump DipNBC March 2025 PollHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game -
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?
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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 -
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.
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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 -
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 -
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!
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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 -
This week Rachel and Aaron dive into the deliberately exhausting 'shock and awe' strategy by Trump 2.0, drawing comparisons to the "Working Toward the Fuhrer" strategy of 1930s Germany. They also discuss a powerful warning from the New York Times, coffee, inflation, shrinkflation, what you need to know about ongoing confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate, and some tough love from... The Daily Show.
Links:
The New York Times: Lessons on Authoritarianism from Around the WorldOur Book: Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game (Crown, 2024)The Cycle on Substack -
"Oh Sh!t! There goes the neighborhood!" Episode 01 of This is America launches on the first full day of Trump 2.0. Join political analysts Rachel Bitecofer and Aaron Murphy (authors of Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game) as they report from the front lines of protecting democracy. This first episode explores the Great Indoor Inauguration of 2025 and calls back to William L. Shirer's "This is Berlin" broadcasts from the 1930s .and how the rise of Nazi Germany is echoing throughout MAGA America today.
