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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 Frum: Trump’s Costly Failures Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes sits down with David Frum of The Atlantic to unpack the mounting costs of Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions. From alienating India and Australia to emboldening China and Russia, Frum explains how short-sighted vanity and corruption are leaving the United States increasingly isolated. The conversation also covers Trump’s entanglement with the Epstein story, the misuse of tariffs, and the growing risks of authoritarianism at home.

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Ali Breland: Nick Fuentes and the Far Right’s Rising Influence Aug 31, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes is joined by Ali Breland of The Atlantic to discuss his recent article, America’s Next Top Racist. They examine how Nick Fuentes has built a devoted following, pushed the GOP further right, and influenced both rhetoric and policy despite his openly racist views. The conversation explores why Fuentes’ rise matters, how mainstream figures have failed to contain him, and what this means for the future of American politics.

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Sarah McLaughlin: Authoritarians in the Academy Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes speaks with Sarah McLaughlin, senior scholar at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, about her new book Authoritarians in the Academy. They explore how foreign governments and domestic pressures alike are eroding free expression on U.S. campuses, from disinviting speakers to surveilling international students. McLaughlin warns that universities face a crisis of values—and that protecting academic freedom requires courage, consistency, and a willingness to resist political and financial pressure.

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Zee Cohen-Sanchez: Beating Charlie Kirk at his Own Game Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes sits down with organizer Zee Cohen-Sanchez, founder of National Ground Game, to talk about the fight for young voters on America’s campuses. They dig into why conservative groups like Turning Point USA are outpacing Democrats in building infrastructure and community for Gen Z, and how online influencers from Charlie Kirk to Nick Fuentes are shaping the landscape. The conversation also explores the challenges of progressive infighting, the rise of extremist voices, and what it will take to build a real counter-movement.

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What Makes You Think They Won’t Come for You? Aug 24, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes unpacks a week of extraordinary events—from the FBI raid on John Bolton’s home to Trump’s humiliating summit with Vladimir Putin and the alarming expansion of visa surveillance. He warns that these actions aren’t isolated but part of a broader campaign of intimidation and authoritarian drift. Sykes argues that if the government can weaponize its powers against critics and outsiders, it’s only a matter of time before it comes for the rest of us.

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Chris Cillizza: The Rubber Band Theory Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes sits down with journalist Chris Cillizza to unpack his "rubber band theory" of American democracy and how Trump-era politics may stretch institutions beyond repair. The two also debate Gavin Newsom’s political future, Elon Musk’s latest pivots, and why the Epstein files refuse to fade from the headlines.

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Ben Wittes: Five Alarm Fires Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes and Lawfare’s Ben Wittes unpack the fallout from Donald Trump’s Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, a meeting that left America humiliated and Ukraine on edge. Wittes shares his own surreal run-in with the Secret Service after chalking a Ukrainian flag outside the Russian embassy, and together they trace how symbolism, appeasement, and bad faith are reshaping U.S. foreign policy. The conversation widens to the crumbling Department of Justice and the troubling militarization of Washington, D.C.

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Conor Lamb: Democratic Messaging, Crime, and the Trump Threat Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Former Pennsylvania Congressman Conor Lamb joins Charlie Sykes for a wide-ranging conversation on the challenges facing the Democratic Party. They discuss how Democrats can regain credibility on crime, counter Trump’s “law and order” narrative, and present a clear vision to voters. Lamb also weighs in on gerrymandering, the state of the 2026 midterms, foreign policy under Trump, and the curious case of Senator John Fetterman.

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Tony Gilroy: Yes, Andor Does Rhyme with Our Political Moment Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes sits down with Andor creator Tony Gilroy for a conversation about the show's record-breaking Emmy nominations, its historical inspirations, and its unintentional political resonance. Gilroy discusses drawing from centuries of rebellion and authoritarian playbooks, the banality of evil, and why some institutions willingly surrender to power. They also explore the moral tradeoffs within resistance movements—and why the lessons of history still feel so urgent today.

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Harry Litman: The DOJ Turned Upside Down Aug 10, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Sykes and Harry Litman break down the sweeping politicization of the FBI and Department of Justice under Donald Trump, from purging veteran agents to elevating January 6 rioters into senior roles. They explore the administration’s push to rewrite history, weaponize investigations against political opponents, and erode the rule of law. With Congress cowering and the courts wavering, they ask whether America’s institutions can hold the line.

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