In the season finale of Master Plan: The Kingmakers, we ask Democratic leaders what the next U.S. president should do with the expanded executive powers that Trump will leave behind. 
Featuring exclusive interviews with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y), Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I), Sen. Michael Bennet (Co.), and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
TRANSCRIPT & BONUS MATERIALS: <a href="https://www.levernews.com/the-kingmakers-ep-8-the-inheritance/?utm_campaign=master-plan">Click here</a> to read a transcript and to explore bonus archival documents related to the episode.
Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit <a href="http://levernews.com/upgrade?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=master-plan">levernews.com/upgrade</a>
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In the season finale of Master Plan: The Kingmakers, we ask Democratic leaders what the next U.S. president should do with the expanded executive powers that Trump will leave behind. Featuring exclusive interviews with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y), Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I), Sen. Michael Bennet (Co.), and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. TRANSCRIPT & BONUS MATERIALS: Click here to read a transcript and to explore bonus archival documents related to the episode. Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit levernews.com/upgrade To leave a tip for The Lever, click here. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the season finale of Master Plan: The Kingmakers, we ask Democratic leaders what the next U.S. president should do with the expanded executive powers that Trump will leave behind.&nbsp;
Featuring exclusive interviews with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y), Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I), Sen. Michael Bennet (Co.), and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
TRANSCRIPT &amp; BONUS MATERIALS: <a href="https://www.levernews.com/the-kingmakers-ep-8-the-inheritance/?utm_campaign=master-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here</a> to read a transcript and to explore bonus archival documents related to the episode.
Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit <a href="http://levernews.com/upgrade?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=master-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">levernews.com/upgrade</a>
To leave a tip for The Lever, <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lever-time-donate?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=post&amp;utm_campaign=lever-time" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Episode 8: The Inheritance | The Kingmakers

A little-known conservative operative spends years figuring out how to bend the machinery of government to a president's will. By the time Donald Trump returns for his second term, a shadow government is ready to seize control.
TRANSCRIPT & BONUS MATERIALS: <a href="https://www.levernews.com/the-kingmakers-ep-7-the-kings-man/">Click here</a> to read a transcript and to explore archival sources related to the episode.
Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit <a href="http://levernews.com/upgrade?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=master-plan">levernews.com/upgrade</a>
To leave a tip for The Lever, <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lever-time-donate?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=lever-time">click here</a>. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism. 
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

A little-known conservative operative spends years figuring out how to bend the machinery of government to a president's will. By the time Donald Trump returns for his second term, a shadow government is ready to seize control. TRANSCRIPT & BONUS MATERIALS: Click here to read a transcript and to explore archival sources related to the episode. Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit levernews.com/upgrade To leave a tip for The Lever, click here. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A little-known conservative operative spends years figuring out how to bend the machinery of government to a president's will. By the time Donald Trump returns for his second term, a shadow government is ready to seize control.
TRANSCRIPT &amp; BONUS MATERIALS: <a href="https://www.levernews.com/the-kingmakers-ep-7-the-kings-man/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here</a> to read a transcript and to explore archival sources related to the episode.
Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit <a href="http://levernews.com/upgrade?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=master-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">levernews.com/upgrade</a>
To leave a tip for The Lever, <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lever-time-donate?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=post&amp;utm_campaign=lever-time" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism. 
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Episode 7: The King’s Man | The Kingmakers

Before Trump, there was Nixon. His attempts to seize the power of the purse and secretly expand the Vietnam War forged a constitutional crisis, a backlash, and a template for an imperial presidency.
 
TRANSCRIPT & BONUS MATERIALS: <a href="https://www.levernews.com/the-kingmakers-ep-1-after-the-fall-of-the-imperial-president/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=master-plan">Click here</a> to read a transcript and to explore bonus historical documents related to the episode.
Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit <a href="https://masterplanpodcast.com">masterplanpodcast.com</a>.
Want the Master Plan book? <a href="https://www.levernews.com/master-plan-the-hidden-plot-to-legalize-corruption-in-america/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=master-plan">Members save 20%</a>, and new Lever Leaders can <a href="https://www.levernews.com/account/#subscriptions">get a free signed copy</a> while supplies last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Before Trump, there was Nixon. His attempts to seize the power of the purse and secretly expand the Vietnam War forged a constitutional crisis, a backlash, and a template for an imperial presidency. TRANSCRIPT & BONUS MATERIALS: Click here to read a transcript and to explore bonus historical documents related to the episode. Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit masterplanpodcast.com. Want the Master Plan book? Members save 20%, and new Lever Leaders can get a free signed copy while supplies last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Trump, there was Nixon. His attempts to seize the power of the purse and secretly expand the Vietnam War forged a constitutional crisis, a backlash, and a template for an imperial presidency.
 
TRANSCRIPT &amp; BONUS MATERIALS:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.levernews.com/the-kingmakers-ep-1-after-the-fall-of-the-imperial-president/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=master-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here</a>&nbsp;to read a transcript and to explore bonus historical documents related to the episode.
Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit <a href="https://masterplanpodcast.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">masterplanpodcast.com</a>.
Want the Master Plan book? <a href="https://www.levernews.com/master-plan-the-hidden-plot-to-legalize-corruption-in-america/?utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=master-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">Members save 20%</a>, and new Lever Leaders can <a href="https://www.levernews.com/account/#subscriptions" rel="noopener noreferrer">get a free signed copy</a> while supplies last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Episode 1: After The Fall | The Kingmakers

Emboldened by a landslide election, the president’s men began to see themselves as 1980s action-movie heroes, willing to break the law to get what they want. The result was the Iran-Contra affair, a secret arms deal that ignited a constitutional crisis. Would Congress roll over and play dead — or actually do something? 
 
TRANSCRIPT & BONUS MATERIALS: <a href="https://www.levernews.com/the-kingmakers-ep-3-president-rambo/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=master-plan">Click here</a> to read a transcript and to explore bonus archival documents related to the episode.
Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit <a href="http://levernews.com/upgrade?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=master-plan">levernews.com/upgrade</a>.
Want the Master Plan book? <a href="https://www.levernews.com/master-plan-the-hidden-plot-to-legalize-corruption-in-america/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=master-plan">Members save 20%</a>, and new Lever Leaders can <a href="https://www.levernews.com/account/#subscriptions">get a free signed copy</a> while supplies last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Emboldened by a landslide election, the president’s men began to see themselves as 1980s action-movie heroes, willing to break the law to get what they want. The result was the Iran-Contra affair, a secret arms deal that ignited a constitutional crisis. Would Congress roll over and play dead — or actually do something? TRANSCRIPT & BONUS MATERIALS: Click here to read a transcript and to explore bonus archival documents related to the episode. Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit levernews.com/upgrade. Want the Master Plan book? Members save 20%, and new Lever Leaders can get a free signed copy while supplies last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emboldened by a landslide election, the president’s men began to see themselves as 1980s action-movie heroes, willing to break the law to get what they want. The result was the Iran-Contra affair, a secret arms deal that ignited a constitutional crisis. Would Congress roll over and play dead — or actually do something? 
 
TRANSCRIPT &amp; BONUS MATERIALS: <a href="https://www.levernews.com/the-kingmakers-ep-3-president-rambo/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=master-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here</a> to read a transcript and to explore bonus archival documents related to the episode.
Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit <a href="http://levernews.com/upgrade?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=master-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">levernews.com/upgrade</a>.
Want the Master Plan book? <a href="https://www.levernews.com/master-plan-the-hidden-plot-to-legalize-corruption-in-america/?utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=master-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">Members save 20%</a>, and new Lever Leaders can <a href="https://www.levernews.com/account/#subscriptions" rel="noopener noreferrer">get a free signed copy</a> while supplies last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Episode 3: President Rambo | The Kingmakers

September 11, 2001 brought chaos and terror to the United States. It also brought an unprecedented opportunity.
After decades of watching what he felt was the erosion of presidential power, Vice President Dick Cheney leveraged a national emergency to shift the balance of power toward the executive branch. We trace Cheney's evolution — from Gerald Ford's chief of staff to George W. Bush's right-hand man — and how his "monarchical" view of the president laid the groundwork for Donald Trump.
TRANSCRIPT & BONUS MATERIALS: <a href="​​https://www.levernews.com/the-kingmakers-ep-5-state-of-emergency/?utm_campaign=master-plan">Click here </a>to read a transcript and to explore bonus archival documents related to the episode.
Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit <a href="http://levernews.com/upgrade?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=master-plan">levernews.com/upgrade</a>
To leave a tip for The Lever, <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lever-time-donate?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=lever-time">click here</a>. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism.
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

September 11, 2001 brought chaos and terror to the United States. It also brought an unprecedented opportunity. After decades of watching what he felt was the erosion of presidential power, Vice President Dick Cheney leveraged a national emergency to shift the balance of power toward the executive branch. We trace Cheney's evolution — from Gerald Ford's chief of staff to George W. Bush's right-hand man — and how his "monarchical" view of the president laid the groundwork for Donald Trump. TRANSCRIPT & BONUS MATERIALS: Click here to read a transcript and to explore bonus archival documents related to the episode. Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit levernews.com/upgrade To leave a tip for The Lever, click here. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 11, 2001 brought chaos and terror to the United States. It also brought an unprecedented opportunity.
After decades of watching what he felt was the erosion of presidential power, Vice President Dick Cheney leveraged a national emergency to shift the balance of power toward the executive branch. We trace Cheney's evolution — from Gerald Ford's chief of staff to George W. Bush's right-hand man — and how his "monarchical" view of the president laid the groundwork for Donald Trump.
TRANSCRIPT &amp; BONUS MATERIALS: <a href="​​https://www.levernews.com/the-kingmakers-ep-5-state-of-emergency/?utm_campaign=master-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here </a>to read a transcript and to explore bonus archival documents related to the episode.
Get Master Plan episodes early and ad-free by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content, and support this show. Visit <a href="http://levernews.com/upgrade?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=master-plan" rel="noopener noreferrer">levernews.com/upgrade</a>
To leave a tip for The Lever, <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lever-time-donate?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=post&amp;utm_campaign=lever-time" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism.
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Episode 5: State of Emergency | The Kingmakers

Ever wonder how America became so corrupt? It didn’t have to be this way. Our series begins in 1971, a time when hot pants were hot, bell bottoms were swinging, and campaign cash flowed like… milk. 

Get ad-free Master Plan episodes by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content and support this show. Visit <a href="http://masterplanpodcast.com">masterplanpodcast.com</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Ever wonder how America became so corrupt? It didn’t have to be this way. Our series begins in 1971, a time when hot pants were hot, bell bottoms were swinging, and campaign cash flowed like… milk. Get ad-free Master Plan episodes by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content and support this show. Visit masterplanpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder how America became so corrupt? It didn’t have to be this way. Our series begins in 1971, a time when hot pants were hot, bell bottoms were swinging, and campaign cash flowed like… milk.&nbsp;

Get ad-free Master Plan episodes by becoming a paid subscriber. Enjoy bonus episodes, exclusive content and support this show. Visit <a href="http://masterplanpodcast.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">masterplanpodcast.com</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

S1 E1: Milk Money | Legalizing Corruption

A secret plot. A public theft. A democracy corrupted.
Discover the truth. The first season of Master Plan, a new podcast from The Lever is avalable now wherever you get your podcasts.
Listen early and ad-free at <a href="https://masterplanpodcast.com/">masterplanpodcast.com</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

A secret plot. A public theft. A democracy corrupted. Discover the truth. The first season of Master Plan, a new podcast from The Lever is avalable now wherever you get your podcasts. Listen early and ad-free at masterplanpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A secret plot. A public theft. A democracy corrupted.
Discover the truth. The first season of Master Plan, a new podcast from The Lever is avalable now wherever you get your podcasts.
Listen early and ad-free at <a href="https://masterplanpodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">masterplanpodcast.com</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

S1 Trailer | Legalizing Corruption

SEASON TWO: THE KINGMAKERS IS HERE

For early access to future episodes and exclusive bonus content, ⁠click here to upgrade to a paid subscription⁠ to The Lever.

Master Plan, the award-winning investigative podcast series from The Lever, reveals the hidden forces behind today’s biggest problems — and how small groups of powerful people engineered those problems to serve their own interests. We are exposing their schemes.  

Narrated by David Sirota, an award-winning investigative journalist and Oscar nominee for his work on the film Don’t Look Up. 

Master Plan has received the 2025 National Press Club Award for Audio Journalism, the New York Festivals Radio Award for Best Investigative Journalism Podcast, multiple Signal Awards for Best News & Politics Podcast and Best Writing. It was an Ambies finalist for Best Politics podcast and was named a Webby Awards Honoree.

Learn more at masterplanpodcast.com

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SEASON TWO: THE KINGMAKERS IS HERE For early access to future episodes and exclusive bonus content, ⁠click here to upgrade to a paid subscription⁠ to The Lever. Master Plan, the award-winning investigative podcast series from The Lever, reveals the hidden forces behind today’s biggest problems — and how small groups of powerful people engineered those problems to serve their own interests. We are exposing their schemes. Narrated by David Sirota, an award-winning investigative journalist and Oscar nominee for his work on the film Don’t Look Up. Master Plan has received the 2025 National Press Club Award for Audio Journalism, the New York Festivals Radio Award for Best Investigative Journalism Podcast, multiple Signal Awards for Best News & Politics Podcast and Best Writing. It was an Ambies finalist for Best Politics podcast and was named a Webby Awards Honoree. Learn more at masterplanpodcast.com

SEASON TWO: THE KINGMAKERS IS HERE

For early access to future episodes and exclusive bonus content, ⁠click here to upgrade to a paid subscription⁠ to The Lever.

Master Plan, the award-winning investigative podcast series from The Lever, reveals the hidden forces behind today’s biggest problems — and how small groups of powerful people engineered those problems to serve their own interests. We are exposing their schemes.  

Narrated by David Sirota, an award-winning investigative journalist and Oscar nominee for his work on the film Don’t Look Up. 

Master Plan has received the 2025 National Press Club Award for Audio Journalism, the New York Festivals Radio Award for Best Investigative Journalism Podcast, multiple Signal Awards for Best News &amp; Politics Podcast and Best Writing. It was an Ambies finalist for Best Politics podcast and was named a Webby Awards Honoree.

Learn more at masterplanpodcast.com

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