The Al Franken Podcast

Latest Episodes:

172: Frank Foer of The Atlantic and David Rothkopf of The Daily Beast Jun 09, 2024

Show notes

The war in the Middle East continues, but is a ceasefire in sight? The Biden administration has an outline of a plan. Two of our leading foreign policy experts join us to discuss. Plus, now that Donald Trump is a convicted felon, what could that mean for this election? And how does the Biden administration sell the undeniable success of the economy to the American people?

Read Frank's latest work in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/franklin-foer/

Read David Rothkopf in The Daily Beast: https://www.thedailybeast.com/author/david-rothkopf

171: Dan Balz - Washington Post Chief Correspondent and Former US Attorney Harry Litman Jun 02, 2024

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Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 charges in his NYC hush money trial. What does that mean for his future? We get the latest from our legal expert Harry Litman. Plus, longtime political reporter Dan Balz from the Washington Post joins for a wide ranging political discussion! Will these convictions help or hurt Trump? We also discuss the state of the Presidential race and what President Biden's strengths and weaknesses are as election season ramps up.

Read Harry's coverage of the Trump trial for the LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/people/harry-litman

Read Dan Balz' latest in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/dan-balz/

170: In Remembrance of My Friend Bill Walton May 28, 2024

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My friend, basketball legend Bill Walton died this week after a private battle with cancer, I wanted to share our interview with Bill from March of 2022, You will hear the unbounded life force of his generous spirit. RIP Bill.

169: Harry Litman on the Trump Trial May 26, 2024

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Former U.S. Attorney and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Harry Litman joins to discuss the Trump hush money trial. Both sides have rested. Harry has been in the courtroom watching the trial. With closing arguments coming next week, we break down what has transpired and all the possible outcomes Trump could expect as his verdict looms.

Harry has been covering the trial for the Los Angeles Times. Read his reporting here:

https://www.latimes.com/people/harry-litman

168: Comedian Trae Crowder – The Liberal Redneck May 19, 2024

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Trae Crowder, the viral Tennessean comedian joins to discuss his upbringing in a red state, why rednecks are Trumpies and what happens to a community when the jobs leave. Learn why he understands Trump's appeal to rednecks, and how and why they transitioned from not liking Trump to supporting his every move.

167: Judd Legum on How Elon Musk is Helping Trump May 12, 2024

Show notes

In the two years since Elon Musk bought Twitter, he's turned irt into a leading source of right wing propaganda. He spreads hateful rhetoric, platforms white nationalists and engages with unfounded conspiracy theories. He lies about President Biden, promotes racist ideology and pushes his own commentary onto X users whether they follow him or not. All of this is working to do get Donald Trump elected President again. Judd Legum from the very popular newletter Popular Information explains the damage Elon could be doing in this year's elections.

Subscribe to Judd's newsletter, Popular Information! https://popular.info/

Al has a brand new stand-up comedy tour! Check the dates to see if he's coming to your town! https://www.alfranken.com/appearances

166: Molly Jong Fast, Host of the Fast Politics Podcast May 05, 2024

Show notes

Molly Jong-Fast, special correspondent for Vanity Fair and host of the Fast Politics podcast joins us for a wide ranging conversation covering Congress, abortion, the protests happening around the country and the Presidential election. She also discusses the ongoing Trump hush money scandal happening in NYC. She says the trial is "over-delivering," which could mean a guilty verdict for Trump.

Read Molly's latest pieces for Vanity Fair! https://www.vanityfair.com/contributor/molly-jong-fast

Al is on tour! Catch him in your city: https://www.alfranken.com/appearances

165: Ari Berman on His New Book, Minority Rule Apr 28, 2024

Show notes

The GOP is undermining democracy all over the country. The will of the people is being subverted for a loud and active minority. In his new book, guest Ari Berman explains how and where this is happening in America. And, more importantly, what we can do to fight back.

164: Melissa Murray & Andrew Weissmann on the “Hush Money Trial” Apr 21, 2024

Show notes

The first criminal trial for Donald Trump is underway. The hush money trial over Stormy Daniels might be the first, but it won't be the last. But will we see the other trials before the election? And what are the consequences if Trump is found guilty? We talk to The Bestselling Authors on The Trump Indictments Andrew Weissmann and Melissa Murray!

163: Battleground States: Wisconsin: Ben Wikler – Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Apr 14, 2024

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The Republican Party has spent years undoing the will of the people in the state of Wisconsin. With gerrymandered voting maps, they've been able to lose the popular vote and still have a huge majority in the state legislature. But things are changing thanks to Ben Wikler and the Wisconsin Democratic Party! In our first Battleground State episode, Ben explains the work that is being done to preserve democracy in this critical swing state and how they are organizing to secure a win for Joe Biden in November.

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