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To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes — News Commentary
To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

You are not the crazy ones.

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Copyright: © Charlie Sykes

Latest Episodes:

David French: Free Speech, Cancel Culture, and the Kimmel Moment Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes welcomes David French back to the podcast to unpack the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s viral monologue and Donald Trump’s failed attempt to cancel him. Together they explore why government pressure on speech crosses a bright constitutional line, how cancel culture has backfired across the political spectrum, and why Americans must return to first principles of free expression. The conversation also dives into Trump’s shifting stance on Ukraine, evangelical politics, and the national security stakes of the TikTok fight.

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Julian Zelizer: Power and Punishment Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes and historian Julian Zelizer take a hard look at a whirlwind week of political intimidation, weaponized investigations, and the GOP’s muted response. Zelizer explains how public commands to the Justice Department, lawsuits used as tools of intimidation, and attacks on the press fit into a broader pattern that risks normalizing authoritarian tactics. The institutions that once restrained excess still matter, but they will only hold if citizens and leaders insist on enforcing them.

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Daniel Drezner: Trump 2.0, Free Speech, and Foreign Policy Failures Sep 21, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes talks with Daniel Drezner, academic dean and distinguished professor at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, to discuss the evolution of Trump from “toddler-in-chief” to something far more troubling. They explore how Trump’s “Pence-proofed” administration is reshaping American democracy, his escalating attacks on the media, and the international fallout from his foreign policy blunders. From strained alliances in Asia to emboldened adversaries in Europe,

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Adam Kinzinger: Free Speech Under Siege Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes is joined by former Congressman Adam Kinzinger to unpack the mounting threats to free speech in America. They examine Donald Trump’s escalating lawsuits, the dangerous conflation of criticism with “hate speech,” and the broader culture of intimidation that chills dissent. Together, they reflect on the lessons of history, the hypocrisy of cancel culture, and why this is a pivotal moment to defend democratic principles.

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Tom Nichols: Into Darkness Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes and Tom Nichols return to “the gloom” for a conversation about political violence, creeping authoritarianism, and the weaponization of tragedy. They explore how figures like Donald Trump and Stephen Miller are openly embracing rhetoric and policies with fascist undertones, while allies and opponents alike struggle to respond. From propaganda to the weakening of America’s “democratic immune system,” the discussion confronts how fragile democracy has become—and why speaking plainly about the threats is more urgent than ever.

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Garry Kasparov: Putin, Poland, and the Peril of American Democracy Sep 14, 2025

Show notes

Former world chess champion and democracy activist Garry Kasparov joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Russia’s escalating war, including the deliberate drone strike on Poland. He warns how Vladimir Putin thrives on testing NATO’s resolve while Donald Trump’s response further weakens Western unity. Kasparov also explains why America’s fragile democratic norms face their most dangerous test yet.

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Jonathan Rauch: The Rise of the Woke Right Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes is joined by Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution and The Atlantic for a conversation recorded just as news of the shooting of Charlie Kirk broke. The conversation touches on the rise of political violence, the collapse of civic norms, and the spread of postmodern thinking on the right. Rauch explains how truth is being replaced by narrative, why patrimonialism defines Donald Trump’s style of governance, and how religion’s bargain with politics has left democracy weaker. They also look ahead at whether Democrats can seize a prosperity message to counter Republican overreach.

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Garrett Graff: America Tips Into Fascism Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes sits down with historian and journalist Garrett Graff to examine his recent warning that America has entered a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism. From federal occupations of U.S. cities and extrajudicial killings abroad to the intimidation of business leaders and the hollowing out of Congress, Graff argues the guardrails of democracy are collapsing. They talk about whether the nation has already crossed the tipping point into fascism—and what it means for the future of American politics.

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Paula Kerger: PBS is Not Going Anywhere Sep 07, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes sits down with Paula Kerger, the longest-serving president and CEO of PBS, to discuss the unprecedented defunding of public broadcasting. Kerger explains how the loss of federal support threatens hundreds of local stations, particularly in rural communities, and why this moment is a critical test for the future of public media. They also discuss the stakes for children’s programming, emergency alerts, and cultural projects as PBS seeks to survive on viewer and foundation support.

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Tara Palmeri: A Pivotal Week in the Epstein Cover-up Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Tara Palmeri and Charlie Sykes discuss a pivotal week in the Jeffrey Epstein case, as dozens of survivors gathered on Capitol Hill demanding the release of long-secret files. They examine the political maneuvering in Congress, the surprising alliances forming around transparency, and the intense pressure victims face in speaking out.

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