Rick Wilson&#8217;s The Enemies List

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From FBI Director to Novelist May 22, 2024

Show notes

James Comey writes fiction! On the show today, the former FBI Director joins to discuss his latest novel, "Westport." They explore the inspiration behind Comey's second foray into fiction, drawing from his time at a hedge fund and his experiences in law enforcement. The conversation dives into the current political landscape, focusing on the high-profile trials of Donald Trump and their implications for the rule of law. Comey shares his insights on the importance of the DOJ and FBI's independence, the potential consequences of politicizing these institutions, and his outlook on upcoming legal battles.

Timestamps:

(00:01:42) Inspiration for the book

(00:04:27) Trump's trial

(00:07:58) Predictions on the election case and the documents case

(00:12:43) Experience with DOJ

(00:16:21) What happens if we end up with a politicized FBI

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Another Republican Supports Biden May 20, 2024

Show notes

There were just a few brave Republicans to openly criticize Trump for falsely claiming the election was stolen in 2020, today's guest was one of them. In this episode we welcome former Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, Geoff Duncan, for an insightful conversation about the state of the Republican Party and American politics. Duncan shares his unexpected journey into politics, his vision for a renewed GOP based on policy, empathy, and tone, and his courageous stand for election integrity during the 2020 election. They discuss Duncan's recent decision to support President Biden in 2024 to help the GOP rebuild post-Trump and critique the current divisive and chaotic influence within the party.

Timestamps:

(00:03:37) Policies, empathy, and tone

(00:10:04) Taking sides in 2020

(00:14:19) Why I'm voting for Biden and why other republicans should too

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A History of Political Upheaval May 15, 2024

Show notes

History can be viewed through the lens of political upheaval and revolution. On today's episode Rick is joined by Fareed Zakaria to discuss Zakaria's new book, "The Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present." They explore the historical patterns of cultural and political upheavals, beginning with the Tea Party movement and the cultural backlash during Barack Obama's presidency. Zakaria contrasts the incremental nature of the American Revolution with the more radical French and Russian revolutions. They delve into the challenges faced by modern authoritarian regimes in China and Saudi Arabia, the importance of America's post-war influence, and the need to navigate technological and economic transformations while preserving liberty and human dignity.

Fareed's new book, "Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present", available now.

Timestamps:

(00:01:28) A new era of cultural politics

(00:06:38) Is Trump a dictator?

(00:12:18) The expansion of rights

(00:15:24) Saudi Arabia and China

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The Embarrassing Trump Trials May 13, 2024

Show notes

How do we make sense of the chaos Donald Trump's election interference trial? To help us find clarity Rick welcomes Norm Eisen, a CNN commentator and the author of "Trying Trump." Eisen provides an insider's look into Donald Trump's first election interference criminal trial, offering detailed observations from his frequent visits to the courtroom. The discussion dives into the legal strategies and courtroom dynamics, particularly focusing on the impact of key testimonies and the prosecution's approach. Together they explore the broader implications of the trial on American democracy and the rule of law, discussing potential outcomes and the political landscape.

Timestamps:

(00:01:59) Seeing Trump everyday

(00:11:05) Will he end up in jail?

(00:17:03) How do we undo Trump's example?

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Donald's Hot Mess May 08, 2024

Show notes

Trump is a hot mess, we know this. And while everyone seems to have an opinion, few have the depth of knowledge and insight like today's guest. David Cay Johnston, a seasoned journalist and author known for his deep dives into American politics and economics, joins Rick to discuss the deeply troubling trajectory of Trump’s influence on American politics. Johnston, who has authored several critical books on Trump, shares insights into Trump’s personality, legal troubles, and the broader implications of his actions on the American democratic system. The conversation explores Trump’s history, from his early business ventures to his presidency, highlighting how his conduct in office signaled deeper issues of corruption and potential authoritarianism.

Timestamps:

(00:01:50) The brand of Trump

(00:13:55) A tyrannical administration

(00:15:51) Trump's bullying

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A Fraudulent Claim of Voter Fraud May 06, 2024

Show notes

For years we've heard from the Trump campaign that the 2020 election was stolen via an elaborate scheme of coordinated voter fraud. On today's show, we speak with Ken Block, author of "Disproven: My Unbiased Search for Voter Fraud for the Trump Campaign." Block shares his experiences as a data analyst tasked by the Trump campaign to investigate claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Throughout the discussion, Block details his rigorous process of vetting various allegations, revealing the baselessness of the claims and the internal dynamics among Trump's legal team. He also discusses the broader implications of election denialism and the troubling divide in media coverage. This episode provides a deep dive into the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 election and the challenges of combating misinformation within political and media landscapes.

Ken's book "Disproven: My Unbiased Search for Voter Fraud for the Trump Campaign", available now.

Timestamps:

[00:01:43] Disproven

[00:05:46] Donald.win

[00:14:44] The math isn't there

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Democracy at Stake in American Exurbia May 01, 2024

Show notes

Democracy will be won or lost in America's exurbia. In today's episode, Rick speaks with author David Masciotra, discussing his new book "Exurbia Now! The Battleground for American Democracy." The conversation dives into the transformation of American political life influenced by the migration from urban to suburban and ultimately to exurban areas. Masciotra sheds light on how these shifts reflect broader societal changes, contributing to the rise of authoritarian right-wing ideologies in less densely populated exurbs. They explore historical factors like white flight and infrastructure developments that spurred suburban growth post-World War II and discuss the current political dynamics where exurbs play a pivotal role.

Timestamps:

[00:01:57] A battleground for American democracy

[00:10:11] Generica

[00:17:12] Where do they run to next?

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Apocalyptic Partisanship Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

American political discourse has become more toxic than ever. In today's episode, Rick speaks with Frank Bruni, author of the new book "The Age of Grievance," which examines the pervasive culture of outrage and grievance driving contemporary American politics. Together, they analyze the roots of this phenomenon, tracing it back to historical and media influences, such as the rise of conservative media figures like Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. They explore how social media has intensified this culture, rewarding anger and performative outrage over substantive dialogue. They reflect on the decline of civility and compromise in political discourse, the rise of apocalyptic partisanship, and the erosion of trust in institutions.

Timestamps:

[00:01:30] The Age of Grievance

[00:16:22] Pessimism sells

[00:15:46] Breaking the spell

[00:24:40] Strategies for governing

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The Horror of Trump's Potential Return Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

Trump will be the next president, according to today's guest, if we do not learn the lessons of the past. On this episode Rick connects with author of the book Blowback and a vocal critic of Donald Trump, Miles Taylor. They dive into the potential dangers of a second Trump presidency, particularly focusing on the drastic changes he could impose on American democracy and government functionality. Taylor elaborates on his concerns about Trump's vindictive use of power, the politicization of civil services, and the shift in foreign policy towards autocratic regimes. The episode serves as a warning and a call to action, urging us to recognize and respond to the threats posed by a possible Trump re-election to our democracy.

Timestamps:

[00:01:26] Blowback

[00:12:04] Schedule F

[00:15:46] Breaking the spell

[00:20:05] Foreign policy

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