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The progressive blowout in Wisconsin Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Joe Sudbay, the host of “State of the States” on SiriusXM Progress, dive deep into Tuesday’s massive wins for Wisconsin progressives with Dan Shafer, publisher of The Recombobulation Area, a must-read newsletter for all things Wisconsin.

You can subscribe to Dan’s Substack right here:

The three discuss:

* How liberal Judge Chris Taylor ran up the score with an astounding 20-point victory in the marquee race for the state Supreme Court.

* How Democrats made major inroads into the once-impregnable GOP bastion of Waukesha County.

* What the results mean for Democrats’ chances of flipping the state legislature this November.

And much more. Folks who are paid subscribers to either of our publications can participate in our Q&A!

Nir & Rupar goes live every Friday at 2 PM ET. The easiest way to participate is by downloading the free Substack app.

You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

If you missed Friday’s livestream, you can watch it by clicking above!

Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe

Trump’s back-to-back-to-back setbacks Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice catalog an extraordinary series of setbacks for Donald Trump in just the last few days.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below:

David and Aaron discuss:

* Trump’s disastrous national address on the Iran war, which stood out as particularly atrocious even by his debased standards.

* Trump’s humiliating morning taking in oral argument at the Supreme Court, where even arch-conservative justices openly signaled their hostility to ending birthright citizenship.

* Who’s next after Trump’s firing of Pam Bondi?

* Why the pending TSA funding deal is such a humiliating climbdown for the GOP.

And much more. Folks who are paid subscribers to either of our publications can participate in our Q&A!

Nir & Rupar goes live every Friday at 2 PM ET. The easiest way to participate is by downloading the free Substack app.

You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

If you missed Friday’s livestream, you can watch it by clicking above!

Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe

A blue wave hits Mar-a-Lago Mar 28, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice discuss why the GOP is in a shambles — whether it comes to funding the TSA or special elections down in Florida.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below:

David and Aaron discuss:

* Why the TSA funding deal that the Senate passed unanimously was a real win for Democrats.

* Why the House GOP’s instant rejection of that deal puts all the blame for the mess at our airports on Republicans.

* How Democrats were able to flip not one but two districts in special elections in Florida — including the seat where Mar-a-Lago is based.

And much more. Folks who are paid subscribers to either of our publications can participate in our Q&A!

Nir & Rupar goes live every Friday at 2 PM ET. The easiest way to participate is by downloading the free Substack app.

You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

If you missed Friday’s livestream, you can watch it by clicking above!

Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe

Dire Strait Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice discuss why there’s no apparent off-ramp to Donald Trump’s war with Iran—because he doesn’t even know what one looks like.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below:

David and Aaron discuss:

* The many reasons Trump failed to anticipate Iran would retaliate by closing the Strait of Hormuz—all of which are on Trump.

* Why the political fallout could make an already-unpopular Trump even more so.

* How GOP leaders seem to think their chief goal is just surviving each news cycle rather than surviving the midterms.

And much more. Folks who are paid subscribers to either of our publications can participate in our Q&A!

Nir & Rupar goes live every Friday at 2 PM ET. The easiest way to participate is by downloading the free Substack app.

You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

If you missed Friday’s livestream, you can watch it by clicking above!

Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe

Nir & Rupar: Paul Waldman on Trump's Iran debacle Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

The latest Nir & Rupar features Aaron and special guest Paul Waldman going deep on how Trump bungled his way into a way of choice that’s becoming more and more of a political albatross as it becomes clear he has no idea what he’s doing.

Waldman — who does fantastic work as a Public Notice contributor, including a piece from last month that has already aged extremely well about Trump’s failure to sell the public on his Iran misadventure — explains Trump’s failures in the context of George W. Bush’s propaganda efforts surrounding the Iraq War (which look sophisticated by comparison). We also discussed what Waldman thinks about how low Trump’s approval numbers could go this year, the political media landscape in light of Pete Hegseth’s disconcerting comments about CNN’s ownership situation, Democratic strategy heading into the midterms, and much more.

I hope you enjoy the conversation, and if you’d like to ask us questions live during next Friday’s Nir & Rupar — we took a number of them this week — please become a paid subscriber.

Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe

Trump’s illegal war of choice Mar 07, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice try to wrap their heads around Donald Trump’s berserk war on Iran.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below:

David and Aaron discuss:

* Why it’s important to say aloud that Trump’s actions and motives are insane — and resist the urge to place him in any “normal” political boxes.

* How the latest grim economic news can only further undermine the already low support for Trump’s war.

* How one of the vilest MAGA warriors is holding Trump back from endorsing his more electable opponent in the Texas Senate race.

And much more! Folks who are paid subscribers to either of our publications can participate in our Q&A!

Nir & Rupar goes live every Friday at 2 PM ET. The easiest way to participate is by downloading the free Substack app.

You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

If you missed Friday’s livestream, you can watch it by clicking above!

Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe

Trump keeps cratering Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and guest-host Joe Sudbay, the host of “State of The States” on SiriusXM Progress, count off the many ways in which Donald Trump is crashing — and crashing out.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below:

David and Joe discuss:

* Why Trump’s State of the Union address got so little traction, despite a desperate GOP attempt to make it go “viral.”

* How Trump’s polls on his signature issue of immigration keep getting worse — and what Democrats must do to reverse public perceptions that they’re weak.

* A pair of primaries next week in Texas that vividly showcase the GOP’s bitter divide between MAGA and whatever remains of the establishment.

And much more!

Nir & Rupar goes live every Friday at 2 PM ET. The easiest way to participate is by downloading the free Substack app.

You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

If you missed Friday’s livestream, you can watch it by clicking above!

Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe

ICE’s failure in Minnesota and the looming DHS shutdown Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice explain why, whatever BS the Trump administration may be spewing now about Minnesota, ICE is on the run.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below:

David and Aaron discuss:

* Why Kristi Noem may be the first Cabinet secretary to get the axe in Trump 2.0

* Why congressional Democrats have a stronger hand heading into the DHS shutdown

* How a recent election shows just how much anger the Democratic base feels about ICE’s terror campaign

And much more! Folks who are paid subscribers to either of our publications can participate in our Q&A!

Nir & Rupar goes live every Friday at 2 PM ET. The easiest way to participate is by downloading the free Substack app.

You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

If you missed Friday’s livestream, you can watch it by clicking above!

Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe

The GOP has learned to love Trump’s delusions Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice examine why some top Republicans are now embracing Trump’s most disgusting conspiracy theories after years of stiff-arming him.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below:

David and Aaron discuss:

* Why House Speaker Mike Johnson recently echoed Trump’s stolen election claims— even as some other Republicans hammered Trump for his racist social media post about the Obamas.

* Why Democrats have the upper hand in negotiations over ICE funding, and it’s not just because of the polling.

* Why Republicans are freaking out after a stunning special election upset in Texas last weekend — and why they’re right to do so.

And much more! We also took several questions from viewers, which we love to do. Folks who are paid subscribers to either of our publications can participate in our Q&A!

Nir & Rupar goes live every Friday at 2 PM ET. The easiest way to participate is by downloading the free Substack app.

You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

If you missed Friday’s livestream, you can watch it by clicking above!

Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe

The Pretti murder and its fallout Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice talk about the fallout from ICE’s killing of Alex Pretti, both in Minnesota and nationwide.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below:

David and Aaron discuss:

* Why any talk of a “drawdown” in the Twin Cities or a “softening” in Donald Trump’s approach is sheer nonsense — as anyone who lives in the area, like Aaron, can tell you

* How Trump refuses to react like a normal politician in the face of horrific polling numbers — but why the media still (wrongly) expects him to

* Why a thunderous special election victory in St. Paul just days after Pretti’s death shows voters are willing to defy the risks to send a message

And much more!

If you missed our livestream, you can watch it by clicking above.

Nir & Rupar goes live every Friday at 2 PM ET. The easiest way to participate is by downloading the free Substack app.

You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.

Folks who are paid subscribers to either of our publications can participate in our Q&A!

Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe

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