The Stakes

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Covering Trump and Following The Money for Over 30 Years with guest David Cay Johnston Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist David Cay Johnston joins Tara this week in an explosive conversation about the tangled financial improprieties of Donald Trump and people he's associated with over the last three decades. Is Trump a tax cheat? Who is Felix Sater? How entangled are Trump's business's with Russian money? David reveals what he's uncovered over the years covering Trump. He also discusses his latest multi-part report on "The Koch Papers" focusing on questionable financial dealings of William Koch, brother of billionaires Charles and David Koch. David founded the online journal DCReport.org and is the author of seven books including "The Making of Donald Trump" and "It's Worse Than You Think; What the Trump Administration is Doing to America."

Tara takes on the latest political hot topics.

Enemy of The People with guest CNN's Jim Acosta Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

This week, Jim Acosta-CNN Chief White House Correspondent and author of, "Enemy of the People, A Dangerous Time to Tell The Truth in America," joins Tara to discuss his new book and what inspired him to write it. Acosta shares anecdotes about his reporting experiences fighting for the truth in the era of Trump from his thoughts on the White House Press Secretary to threats against the media to the time the White House revoked his press credentials and much more.

Tara breaks down Trump's recent alarming interview with ABC News, Kellyanne Conway's Hatch Act violations, Sarah Sanders departure and other political hot topics of the week.

What the Hell Happened to the NRA with guest Betsy Woodruff, Daily Beast Political Reporter Jun 11, 2019

Show notes

This week, Daily Beast Political Reporter, Betsy Woodruff joins Tara to discuss the latest turmoil unfolding within the NRA. Lawsuits, accusations of financial impropriety and alleged "coup" attempts have embroiled the nations largest gun rights organization.What role have the Russians played within the organization? Woodruff details what's happening with the NRA and how it all started.

Tara breaks down the Mexican tariff deal, Biden's flip flop on the Hyde Amendment, the John Dean hearing and more political news of the week.

The Petulant President's British Adventure with guest Sam Vinograd Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

True to form, President Trump created controversy before he even stepped foot in the U.K this week for his official state visit with the Royal family. From insulting the Mayor of London to disrespecting Princess Meghan to accusing Britain of "spying" on his campaign, is Trump jeopardizing our "special relationship" with our oldest and most important ally? Former Obama National Security Council Senior Staffer, Biden Institute Senior Advisor and CNN National Security Analyst, Sam Vinograd joins Tara to discuss the implications of Trump's visit to the U.K. and France for the upcoming 75th Anniversary of D-Day. As the daughter of a holocaust survivor, Sam shares her perspective on the importance of D-Day and breaks down the significance of the rise of European nationalism eerily reminiscent of the forces we fought against in WWII. Sam also shares her thoughts on why Jared Kushner's disastrous Axios interview is further proof he isn't qualified to have a security clearance or a job in the White House.

Tara recaps big political stories from the last two weeks including Robert Mueller's surprise press conference and discusses her recent appearance as a guest host on The View alongside the legendary Whoopi Goldberg.

A High Crimes and Misdemeanor Jamboree w/Legal Experts Elie Honig & Glenn Kirschner May 21, 2019

Show notes

As the legal battles over congressional oversight and subpoenas heat up, President Trump is becoming increasingly more defiant as he pushes constitutional boundaries daily. In this week's double episode, Tara brings on two legal experts to discuss the current state of play.

First up, Tara welcomes back CNN Legal Analyst and former federal prosecutor Elie Honig to explain why he now thinks Attorney General Bill Barr has disgraced himself, how the Democrats are mishandling the Mueller Report , what Congress can do to enforce their subpoenas and much more.

With the recent news of Trump considering pardons for servicemen accused of war crimes, Tara talks to Glenn Kirschner, a former 30 year federal prosecutor, former Army JAG Officer and NBC/MSNBC Legal Analyst. He passionately explains why Trump's actions would be an insult to every man and woman who have served our country with honor and the seriousness of charging a fellow soldier. They also discuss the latest report on Deutsche Bank's alleged suppression of suspicious financial transactions involving Trump's companies, Jared Kushner and Russians.

Tara gives her take on Republican Rep. Justin Amash breaking ranks after fully reading the Mueller Report and supporting a case for impeachment. And with Memorial Day upon us, Tara honors her late grandfather, a WWII Veteran, and explains the significance and origin of red poppies honoring the fallen.

Trade Wars are Good, Says The Billion Dollar Loser with guest Greg Sargent May 14, 2019

Show notes

As the trade war with China heats up, President Trump is trying to convince Americans that it's actually a good thing. It's not. This week, Tara discusses the consequences of Trump's tariff increases, his recent twitter rants and the latest in the ongoing Mueller Report saga. She also talks about her recent appearance as a guest host of The View.

This week, Greg Sargent, writer of the Washington Post's The Plum Line blog, joins Tara to talk the dangers of Trump's disinformation campaign surrounding his economic policies, his attempts to manipulate the Mueller Report, the 2020 Democrats and more. Are Trump's lies working? Does Elizabeth Warren stand a chance? What did George Conway recently discuss with Greg? Listen and find out!

Greg is also the author of "Uncivil War: Democracy In an Age of Trumpian Disinformation and Thunderdome Politics."

No, Putin is Not Our Friend Dammit! with guest Prof. Tom Nichols May 07, 2019

Show notes

This week, Tara discusses the continued fallout from AG Bill Barr's Senate testimony, his continued misrepresentation of the Mueller Report and the rebuke of Barr's interpretations by over 370 former federal prosecutors who say Trump would be indicted hands down, if not for the OLC policy protecting him as president. Despite President Trump's insistence on "No Collusion" with Russia, Vol 1 of the Mueller Report outlines a very damning picture of Russian election interference and the Trump campaign's willingness to benefit from it. National Security Analyst, Russian expert and author of "The Death of Expertise," Professor Tom Nichols joins Tara to explain the implications of Russia's meddling, Trump's recent call with Vladimir Putin and why this all poses a threat to our republic.

Fun Fact, Tom is a 5x Jeopardy champ! He talks behind the scenes tid bits and weighs in on current Jeopardy champ phenom, James Holzhauer and whether his high stakes play is good for the show.

Updated-The Soul of the Nation is at Stake with guest Yvette Nicole Brown Apr 30, 2019

Show notes

Former Vice President Joe Biden has officially entered the 2020 presidential race. Tara gives her thoughts on Biden, his announcement, Trump rehashing the Charlottesville incident, and more. This week's episode then switches gears a bit to pop culture with special guest, the talented comedic actress Yvette Nicole Brown. She's best known for her role as Shirley Bennett on NBC's cult classic sitcom Community and currently guest stars on the hit CBS show Mom. Over her 20 year career in Hollywood, Yvette has appeared in numerous commercials and TV sitcoms like The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Mayor, Drake & Josh and guest appearances in movies like Dreamgirls, Tropic Thunder and most recently, Avengers: Endgame, to name a few. Yvette discusses the ups and downs during her journey as a black actress in Hollywood to what it's like to work with legendary actors in the business to her prolific twitter feed and hilarious nickname for President Trump. Her wit, wisdom and inspirational story are a must listen!

Trump Totally Exonerated? Total Bullshit! with guest Asha Rangappa Apr 23, 2019

Show notes

The Mueller Report is finally here! Trump World is claiming No Collusion, No Obstruction! But that's NOT what the Mueller Report revealed. The report specifically says Trump was not exonerated of obstruction and "collusion" isn't a legal term. Did Mueller actually lay out a roadmap for impeachment? Tara discusses damning details in the Mueller Report along with the extent of the Russian election meddling and coziness between the Russians and the Trump Campaign that should alarm every every American. Former FBI Counterintelligence Special Agent, Yale Law School Lecturer and CNN National Security Analyst, Asha Rangappa joins the podcast to break it all down.

Get Ready, It's Mueller Time with guest Natasha Bertrand Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

It's the report the world has been waiting for! With the redacted Mueller Report being released this week, Tara talks to MSNBC Contributor and Politico national security correspondent, Natasha Bertrand about the questions she hopes are answered by the report, the toll Trump's attacks on the intel community have taken, interesting insider tidbits about Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein's reaction after the Comey firing and more! Remember the Russian agent who infiltrated the NRA, Maria Butina? We talk about her too. Before joining Politico, Natasha covered the Trump-Russia investigation and foreign intelligence issues for The Atlantic.

Tara also discusses the controversy over Trump's tax returns, his rage tweeting and the latest border controversy.

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