Beyond Politics

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Republican Insider's Letter to Trump: You're F$%^ing This Up Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

This week on Political Rehab, we break down one of the worst, most deranged stretches of the Trump presidency yet — and why even Republicans (like Wylie) are saying privately (and sometimes publicly) that the President is “screwing this up.”
We kick things off with our weekly Trump Dump, where the big story is Trump threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy U.S. troops to Minneapolis in response to protests over his ICE crackdown. As Wylie puts it: masked ICE agents dragging U.S. citizens off the street and shooting Americans isn’t “law and order” — it’s a constitutional crisis.
Then we hit:

Trump’s botched attempt to launch a criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which triggered global market panic, GOP backlash, and international condemnation.
A wave of federal prosecutors resigning from the DOJ after being ordered to investigate…the victim of a police shooting and her widow.
A jaw-dropping round of economic gaslighting (no, groceries are not cheaper) and administration messaging blunders.
The latest foreign policy absurdity — including a bizarre conflict brewing over Greenland.
The right-wing crackdown on dissent, from raiding journalists to subpoenaing the Clintons in the Epstein saga.
And Trump’s sudden interest in capping credit card rates at 10% — why it might save consumers money but also why it’s pure political desperation theater.

We wrap with Good Idea / Bad Idea, a brutal new That’s Bullshit segment, and a surprisingly heartwarming Dose of Hope featuring Marco Rubio memes and China’s favorite Trump impersonator.

#PoliticalRehab #TrumpAdministration #ICE #EconomicGaslighting #InsurrectionAct00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks00:45 Political Commentary and Satire01:21 Trump's Immigration Policies03:41 Insurrection Act and Federal Overreach05:52 Economic Gaslighting and Market Reactions13:26 Foreign Policy and International Relations18:23 Good Idea or Bad Idea?20:18 The Importance of Good People in Government21:19 Clintons Subpoenaed: Good Idea or Bad Idea?23:43 Trump's Ford Plant Incident24:39 Capping Credit Card Rates: Pros and Cons26:23 Tall Title Tales: Misuse of Titles27:40 Abolishing ICE: Strategic Trap or Necessary Action?29:24 Democrats' Optimism and Senate Recruitment30:54 Bullshit of the Week: Renee Nicole Goode's Case33:14 Dose of Hope: Marco Rubio Memes and More

#PoliticalRehab #TrumpAdministration #ICE #EconomicGaslighting #InsurrectionAct

Five Ways the World Quickly Turned Against the Worst of Trump This Week Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

We welcome author Shane Almgren (The Trumpland Diary) to unpack a week that feels like it fell out of a dystopian novel: militarized police in Minnesota, deranged propaganda around the Renee Good shooting, a quiet Five-Alarm Fire at the White House involving Big Oil, a sitting U.S. Senator suing the Secretary of Defense, and a full-scale political revolt inside the GOP over Trump’s criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
These five stories, taken together, tell us something essential about the moment we’re in, and also about the growing wave of resistance and pushback that may represent a bright spot ahead.

Referenced articles from today’s stream:
This Is Actually Happening → https://worthknowing.substack.com/p/this-is-actually-happening
Does the Trump Crowd Actually Get Off On This? → https://worthknowing.substack.com/p/does-the-trump-crowd-actually-get
A Five-Alarm Fire at the White House → https://worthknowing.substack.com/p/a-five-alarm-fire-at-the-white-house
The Trumpland Diary → https://trumplanddiary.substack.com/
00:00 Introduction and Today's Agenda01:58 Emerging Police State in Minnesota04:59 Sadistic Lies and Psychological Research07:43 Trump's Cognitive Decline and Public Reactions10:34 Resistance and Pushback Against Trump19:54 Trump's Cruelty and Sociopathic Tendencies30:01 Untrained Officers and Trump's Responsibility30:52 RFK Jr.'s Senate Confirmation and Vaccine Stance31:46 Trump's Greenland Obsession and Geographic Misunderstandings33:41 European Allies and Military Presence in Greenland34:46 Trump's Unhinged Military Speech and Illegal Orders37:27 The Impact of Trump's Policies on Science and Foreign Aid44:00 Technocracy and the Influence of Tech Billionaires52:44 The Future of Trump's Administration and Competing Agendas56:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Trump Overcome with Rage After a Stunning Senate Loss Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Political Rehab: Trump slapped down, Hegseth's total hypocrisy, Trouble in the House. In our latest episode of Political Rehab, Matt and Matt kick things off with the 'Trump Dump,' exploring the controversial moves by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on vaccines and Trump's role, plus the growing friction within the Republican Party surrounding Trump's recent policies including his aggressive stance on Venezuela and the impacts of the shrinking house majority on GOP's agenda.

We also shine a light on tragic events like the killing of a motorist by an ICE agent in Minnesota and discuss the national and political repercussions. The legacy of the January 6th insurrection is another focal point, examining how public perception and political dynamics have evolved over the past five years. How do Mike Pence's actions fit into the grand scheme, and what does this mean for the future of American democracy?

In our lighter segments, we present our 'Dose of Hope' with an intriguing update on dietary guidelines favoring red meat and wine, and an exploration of a new AI tool aiding journalism and transparency. Don't miss out as we dissect the week's bullshit and end on a hopeful note. Join us for 'Smart Politics Without The Hangover.'

#TrumpPolitics #GOP #VenezuelaCrisis #Vaccines #ICE #January6th #MikePence #AI #PoliticalAnalysis #Podcast #CurrentEvents

00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks

01:03 Trump's Impact on Vaccination Policies

03:54 Trump's Influence on Republican Messaging

06:08 Venezuelan Conflict and Republican Response

11:28 Republican Majority Challenges

14:16 Elon Musk and Trump's Bromance

16:42 Tragic Incident in Minnesota

19:12 Political Accountability and Law Enforcement

22:35 Reflecting on January 6th: A Lasting Legacy

24:47 Mike Pence's Role and Republican Reactions

33:03 The Hypocrisy of Trump's Military Actions

35:42 A Dose of Hope: New Dietary Guidelines and AI in Journalism

Venezuela Sneak Attack: Hidden Reasons and What Now? Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Matt Robison (host of Worth Knowing) and Jonathan Larsen (creator and writer of The Fucking News) do a deep dive on the hidden reasons behind Donald Trump’s recent attack on Venezuela, based on Larsen’s reporting and analysis from his Substack. We break down why Trump ordered strikes in Venezuela and the operation that captured Nicolas Maduro — and what’s really driving all of this.📌 Jonathan Larsen brings decades of hard-earned political media experience: TFN creator and writer Jonathan Larsen co-created Up w/ Chris Hayes and wrote for Countdown with Keith Olbermann at MSNBC, helped launch CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360° and Air America Radio, and has also worked at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Young Turks.📌 Your host, Matt Robison, is the founder and host of Worth Knowing, a newsletter and analysis hub focused on politics, big ideas, and power flows. Matt writes for Newsweek and hosts the Beyond Politics podcast, bringing a clear-thinking, evidence-forward lens to the biggest stories shaping our world.

00:00 Introduction and Overview01:16 Trump's Venezuela Attack: Four Explanations01:37 Explanation 1: The Drug Case Against Maduro04:31 Explanation 2: Access to Oil06:36 Explanation 3: Political Distraction08:13 Explanation 4: No Coherent Plan09:44 Interview with Jonathan Larson: Hidden Agendas10:41 The Role of two operatives14:02 Election Denial and Anti-Maduro Campaign19:20 Complexities and Conspiracies22:33 Debating the Justifications and Consequences30:32 Audience Interaction and Final Thoughts31:35 Debating the Legality of Military Actions33:44 Congress's Role and Responsibilities35:56 Media Influence and Public Opinion38:09 Theories Behind the Venezuela Situation47:48 Domestic Political Implications55:15 Future Predictions and Legal Challenges01:01:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Prices Rising, MAGA Drowning: An Unhappy White House New Year Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

Political Rehab: Trump Dump, Israel-Hamas Ceasefire, and the Future of the GOP. Matt and Matt dive into the week's hottest political topics, starting with the 'Trump Dump'. They then dissect the White House's approach to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, followed by an analysis of the Biden administration's science policy cuts. The episode also explores the DEI regulatory witch hunt, the decline of independent media, and makes bold political predictions for 2026. Don’t miss their powerful closing segments on the mishandling of the Epstein files and a hopeful outlook on the resurrection of principled Republican politics. Get insightful, balanced commentary without the hangover – it's Smart Politics at its best!

00:46 Weekly Trump Dump01:18 Marjorie Taylor Greene's Exchange with Trump03:40 Trump's Impact on the Economy06:10 Netanyahu and Trump: Gaza Ceasefire09:33 Trump's Role in the Ukraine Conflict11:09 Assault on Science Policy14:04 DOJ's New Approach to DEI Programs16:47 The Decline of Independent Media19:27 Political Predictions for 202620:57 Predicting the 2026 Midterm Elections21:57 House Retirements: A New Record?23:16 Supreme Court and Trump's Tariffs24:16 Government Shutdown in 2026?25:33 Senate Split After Midterms26:40 First to Go in the Trump Administration27:57 Socialist Mayors in 202629:32 Bold Predictions for 202631:39 The Epstein Files Timeline34:39 A Dose of Hope for the Republican Party36:20 Marjorie Taylor Greene's Transformation39:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Greatest 2025 End of Year Awards Show! Politics! Science! Good News! Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

2025 Balance of Power Awards: The B.O.P.s 🎉 We've got an exciting show lined up as we bring back our annual tradition: the Balance of Power Roundtable Awards, aka the B.O.P.s. Joining Matt Robison are former U.S. Congressman Paul Hodes and Republican political consultant Alicia Preston. We'll be handing out end-of-year awards in categories like 'Most Valuable Democratic Player,' 'MVP for the GOP,' 'Perp of the Year,' and 'Most Interesting Science and Tech Story,' among others. Plus, we take live input from our viewers through the chat. This episode is packed with insightful discussions, humorous moments, and even some surprising nominations. Don't miss out on this engaging end-of-year special!00:00 Welcome to Worth Knowing Live Stream00:18 Introducing the Hosts and Show History01:19 The Return of 'The BOPPIES' - Year-End Awards01:34 Interactive Live Streaming and Viewer Engagement01:47 Special Guest Appearance and Surprise Video03:20 Year-End Awards Categories and Nominees04:19 Most Valuable Player - Democratic Side09:19 Most Valuable Player - Republican Side14:26 Perp of the Year - 202519:58 Best Achievement in Legislation24:59 News Story of the Year - 202529:06 The Role of Free Speech and Media Integrity30:02 AI's Impact on Society and Economy31:49 Public Opinion Research Highlights38:59 First-Time Ever Events of 202542:31 Most Interesting Science and Tech Stories49:32 Best Good News of the Year54:27 Who Won the Year?

Christmas Special: Why Does Media Keep Failing When MAGA is Running Scared? Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

For my Christmas Special:

We had former Associated Press Europe and Middle East editor Dan Perry join to talk about why Bari Weiss and CBS and other major media outlets continue to bow down in fear of Donald Trump even as his power base is straight up evaporating under his feet.
At the very end of the show I talked about a topic near and dear to my heart: Jewish Christmas. It’s a story of Chinese food, sexy camels, and Hannukah Harry.
And I started out with a Spotify wrapped on Donald Trump’s 2025 year in review.00:00 Welcome to the Blue Amp Live Stream00:25 Introducing Today's Show and Guests01:58 Spotify Wrapped: Donald Trump's 2025 Year in Review05:08 Economic Report Card: Trump's 2025 Performance11:39 Deportation and Immigration Policies Under Trump15:45 Media and Government: The Bari Weiss Controversy27:28 Trump's Claims of Ending Wars: Fact or Fiction?30:48 The Psychology Behind Trump's Lies31:40 Trump's Stance on Venezuela35:28 Debating Media Credibility38:24 The Polarization of Politics51:39 Holiday Reflections and Sign-Off

One Huge Political Fire, Trump's New Panic Pivot, and Reiner's Delightful Top Five? Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

It's Political Rehab! This episode, we start with the 'Trump dump' focusing on a chaotic week including Trump's combative speech, then we hit the GOP's EPIC mishandling of healthcare subsidies, and Trump's attempted affordability pivot fail. Then we deep dive the explosive interview with WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. "That's Bullshit" hits cannabis legalization. Finally, we pay tribute to the late Rob Reiner by ranking his greatest films. Join us for another fun, fast, upbeat show where a Republican and a Democrat make news fun again: it's smart politics without the hangover! 00:00 Introduction 00:59 Trump Dump: Weekly Recap03:20 Republican Party As Captives06:44 ACA Epic Fail09:54 Venezuela Blockade and Foreign Policy12:40 Affordability Pivot and Economic Policies18:30 Hypothetical 2028 Matchup21:26 Deep Dive Segment: Wiles wily?32:34 That's BS: Cannabis Policy Shift39:03 Top Rob Reiner Movies

Deals, Prices, Bubbles, and Anger. Is This the Strangest Economy Ever? Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Chris Hill on the Strangest Economy Ever. In this episode of 'Worth Knowing' with Matt Robison, joined by business expert Chris Hill, former host of 'Motley Fool Money' and current host of 'Money Unplugged', they dive into the peculiarities of the current economy. They discuss the potential AI bubble, the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs, and ponder the future of media with the Warner-Netflix-Paramount merger. Hill also shares his cautious optimism about the stock market and economy. 02:14 Eight Points of Light: Good News Stories14:09 Chris Hill Joins the Conversation19:15 Gifts and Financial Anxiety25:29 AI Bubble and Economic Lessons35:53 Tariffs and Supreme Court Ruling40:24 Supply Chain Disruptions and Economic Chaos44:21 Media Mergers and the Future of Content47:47 Streaming Services and Consumer Behavior56:21 Economic Resilience and Optimism58:52 Closing Remarks and Announcements

Who is Up/Down? Plus Trump Gets UGLY, Democrats Drama, and Fake News! Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Our latest episode of Political Rehab--the show that MAKES POLITICS FUN AGAIN--with a Democrat and Republican (both named Matt!) breaking down the week’s most pressing political stories.

This week: we hit the strange Supreme Court catch-22, fake news about fake news, a Democratic Tea Party?!? another Republican speaker meltdown, and an ugly, ugly Donald Trump political moment.

Plus our fun segments ‘Up or Down’ and ‘That’s Bullshit,’ which this week hits the Republican “alternative” to ACA subsidies. And our weekly Dose A’ Hope covers SNL’s refreshing humor and the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team.

00:00 Introduction
00:57 Trump Dump: Weekly Trump Critique
01:39 Trump’s Rally and Biden Blame Game
03:23 Economic Critique and Affordability Tour
05:31 Trump’s Immigration Rant
08:11 Republican Leadership and Dysfunction
13:59 Democratic Tea Party Revolt
16:53 Supreme Court Showdown
19:47 Up or Down: Quick Takes on Current Events
23:14 AI and Instacart: Price Manipulation
23:54 Kevin Hassett: Potential Fed Chair
24:54 Kamala Harris: Book Tour and Political Future
26:11 Gavin Newsom: Rising Favorability
27:12 The White House Ballroom: Trump’s Latest Project
28:09 US Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tanker
29:44 That’s Bullshit! Affordable Care Act: Republican Alternatives
40:46 Political Humor: SNL’s Pentagon Sketch
42:57 US Men’s National Soccer Team: World Cup Hopes

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