Beyond Politics

The biggest right-wing news sites are seeing cratering traffic and influence. But why? And is that all good news for the rest of the anti-Trump world? Veteran reporter Paul Farhi joins to discuss his recent blockbuster article in The Atlantic on what's happening, and why it's significant.

00:59 How Big is the Collapse of Right-Wing Media Traffic

03:46 Exploring the Causes

10:38 The Financial Impact and Future of Right-Wing Media

18:17 The Broader Implications: Misinformation, Fracturing, and the Future of Media

22:33 The Controversy Around NPR's Alleged Leftward Shift

35:13 Analyzing the Impact of Conservative Media

What would you say is the biggest threat to America today? It might not be what you think. Many of America's senior leaders, especially the ones in the Democratic Party, believe that it's the insidious, intentional assault on our brains, from people using technology to pump them full of misinformation and disinformation. The torrent of lies may be making it impossible for democracy to function anymore, and is putting some of the worst possible people in power.

Journalist Sasha Issenberg takes us inside this world in his new book The Lie Detectives, and joins us to explain what they've found out about how to fight this new war for information, truth, and democracy.

01:13 The Oh Gosh Moment: Realizing the Scale of Disinformation

16:18 Jiore Craig's Mission: Adapting Political Strategies for the Digital Age

30:49 Understanding the Ecosystem of Disinformation

41:25 The Future of Fighting Disinformation: Challenges and Optimism

Former prosecutor Paul Hodes walks us through one of the most important jury selection processes ever, as jurors are added - and removed - from trump's fraud trial in New York. We also probe the impact of having two lawyers on the jury, and is the Biden White House taking the right approach politically by staying totally silent about the trial.

Also, the sham Mayorkas impeachment. And is Mike Johnson actually doing a GOOD job? And a wild closing story that involves escaped zoo animals and a huge metaphor for politics in America.

00:53 The Trump Trial: Jury Selection and Legal Drama

05:27 The Role of Lawyers in the Jury

14:51 Biden's White House: A Silent Strategy on Trump's Trial

17:13 The Mayorkas Impeachment: A Partisan Stunt Dismissed

20:12 The Impact of C SPAN on Politics

25:21 Mike Johnson: Good Leadership on Ukraine?

34:41 Closing Segment: The ACTUAL Political Circus

The dramatic decrease in value of Donald Trump's Truth Social stock has already erased billions in ill-gotten gains from the former President. Why the major fall, and more important, how bad could this ultimate get for Trump? We asked stock market expert Chris Hill, former host of Motley Fool Money.

00:00 The Crash of Trump's Truth Social Stock

02:03 The Meme Stock Phenomenon Explained

04:35 The Intricacies of SPACs and Their Impact

09:21 The Financial Mechanics Behind Truth Social's Strategy

20:53 Predictions and Implications for Trump

Did the basic elements of the OJ Simpson trial give us a preview of Trump's America? The comparison isn't as far-fetched as it might seem. Also, the impliations of the recent Arizona ruling implementing a total abortion ban, and how did that lead to Lindsay Graham being called a Republican in name only (RINO). Also... Lenny Kravitz's fashion choices?!?

00:17 The OJ Simpson Saga previewed the age of Trump

09:02 Exploring the Impact of Arizona's Abortion Ban

12:26 The MAGA Conundrum: Logic, Loyalty, and Lindsey Graham

20:30 FISA Controversy: National Security vs. Political Allegiance

29:54 Lenny Kravitz's Leather Pants

The implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be profound, wonderful, and maybe terrifying. Eric Daimler -- a former AI advisor to President Obama -- helps us sort through the good, the bad, and whether the AI apocalypse is actually a risk (hint: yes, sort of).

01:36 The Real Concerns and Misunderstandings of AI

08:04 The Surprising Origins and Current Challenges of Cybersecurity

13:50 The Ubiquity of AI: From Everyday Anxieties to Real-World Applications

17:32 Flipping the Script: The Positive Side of AI

23:47 The Power of Data in Government and Business

26:37 The Future of AI

31:28 Debating the AI Apocalypse

38:52 Empowering Individuals in the Age of AI

We're talking about the best movie about politics ever today, and we'll bet it's not what you think. Maybe you brought to mind Mr. Smith goes to Washington, or the American President. Maybe even the Reese Witherspoon classic Election? NOPE. We want to make a case today that the most accurate, the most insightful, the most hilarious movie about politics ever made is this amazing classic from 30 years ago that not only captures real truths about how the system does and doesn't work, but is also downright hilarious, and even predicted the rise and fall of George Santos. We bring in the writer and Executive Producer of the film to discuss.

00:00 Introduction: Unveiling the Best Political Movie Ever

02:34 The Making of a Political Satire Masterpiece

10:38 Insider's View: The Realism Behind the Comedy

15:35 The Lobbyist System Exposed

21:17 The Art of Political Speechwriting

23:04 Breaking Down the Best Political Speech Ever

27:09 Navigating the Complex World of Congress

31:15 The Challenge of Satire in Today's Political Landscape

33:50 Envisioning a Sequel

40:26 Reflecting on the Impact and Legacy of the movie

Marjorie Taylor Greene's is trying to remove Mike Johnson as House Speaker, supposedly over his government funding deal, but really over his proposal for Ukraine aid. But it's really a sign of how Trump's small MAGA sect -- and their patron Vladimir Putin -- continue to exercise leverage over the rest of America. Then, was there a critical shift in the Israel-Hamas war this week? Also, Trump's legal and financial maneuvers, and we highlight the most bizarre far-right conspiracy theories related to Monday's eclipse.

00:00 Diving into Trump's Political Maneuvers and House Speaker Drama

00:17 Exploring the Complex Dynamics of US and Israel Politics

00:50 Unpacking the Intricacies of the Ukraine Conflict and US Support

08:37 Analyzing the Political Landscape and Public Perception in Israel

15:17 Shifting Perspectives on Israel and the Impact on US Politics

19:36 A Lighter Take: This Week in Trump and Legal Battles

27:05 Navigating the World of Conspiracy Theories and Eclipse Madness

32:33 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Greek Independence Day

One thing to notice today is a news story in Politico about how the anti-abortion movement is scheming to turn the Republican party and ultimately all of America against in-vitro fertilization. What's amazing is that this is actually just the latest result of an intentional cynical, carefully calculated project begun in secret 50 years ago, it's sort of a Frankenstein monster of political power that's changed the face of America. And since it's broken lab containment, I may continue to affect all of us for decades to come.

***This mini-episode is part of a pilot project to try short, daily, focused episodes focusing on one key idea, number, or news item. We really want to know what you think of it. You can answer the poll question (on Spotify), or email us at [email protected].***

On the surface, the day's big headline was about Republican dysfunction. Underneath, it really revealed something that's been going wrong with all of American politics for a long time. One polling number, and one long-forgotten episode of a television science fiction series, help illustrate the problem.