Mike Pesca (host of the legendary daily podcast The Gist) joins Matt to explain why “affordability” became the Democrats’ killer message in 2024–2025… and why it might become their biggest liability by 2026 and 2028.

They break down:

-- How Democrats laser-focused on “affordability” and actually won elections with it-- Why actually lowering prices (without causing deflation or chaos) is nearly impossible-- The dangerous cycle: win on the word → fail to deliver → voters throw the bums out again-- Tariffs, immigration labor shortages, AI disruption, and data-center energy costs — all making real affordability harder-- Why naming the problem is often enough to win, but solving it rarely gets you credit (the Churchill parallel)-- The deeper voter anger: sports betting explosion, marijuana commercialization, societal chaos — feeling like “we never voted for any of this”-- If Democrats retake power in 2026 or 2028 and can’t show tangible relief on groceries, rent, utilities, and health care, the backlash could be brutal.

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937

Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

In case you missed this morning’s LIVE conversation, Charlie Sykes and I overcame internet obstacles and outages to bring you another terrific conversation. Today’s chat included the following topics:

— Trump’s cave on the Epstein files: The House votes today, but there’s zero trust Trump’s DoJ won’t redact everything incriminating to him.

— Marjorie Taylor Greene’s surprise face-turn: from MAGA firebrand to the one Republican actually forcing Trump to back down on Epstein — is it wrong for Matt to be cheering for MTG?

— The coming MAGA civil war: post-Trump-era succession fights are already exploding — the Groyper wing vs. old-school populists, Heritage Foundation meltdown, Tucker vs. Cruz/Shapiro, and everyone jockeying for 2028.

— Trump 2.0’s loyalty-over-competence disaster: surrounding himself with sycophants and ideologues (Stephen Miller, Russ Vought, stunningly incompetent appointees) guarantees policy train wrecks — and no one to tell the emperor he has no clothes.

— “Bad optics” and the Mar-a-Lago bubble: from gaudy White House ballroom renovations to tone-deaf tariff flip-flops and 50-year mortgages — Trump’s inner circle is completely detached from normal voters.

— Foreign policy amorality on steroids: red-carpet treatment for MBS the “bone-saw murderer,” praise for Putin, and reckless Venezuela/Cuba adventurism that looks more like Marco Rubio’s neocon wish list than “America First.”

— D.C. gossip interlude: What everyone in Washington is actually whispering about this week (plus the lingering “Who is Bubba?” Epstein mystery).

— And MUCH more!

Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFollow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416

Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

As talk swirls about a Republican "civil war," Matt LewisJoins MS NOW's "Way Too Early" to discuss Rep. Marjory Taylor Green's decision to defy Donald Trump over the Jeffrey Epstein files. 

During this segment, Matt contemplates whether MTG's change of heart is sincere, and explains the numerous reasons why Trump is losing his grip over MAGA.

Next, Matt interviews Stephen Rea, author of "Ozzy & ME: Life Lessons, Wild Stories, an Unexpected Epiphanies from Forty Years of Friendship with the Prince of Darkness. 

Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

Follow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416

Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

Ever wonder why your sensible uncle now swears Trump won 2020, ditches every moral principle he taught you, and cheers battlefield tactics against "the enemy"?

Psychologist Dr. Alan Godwin spent 35 years treating victims of manipulative relationships — then spotted the exact same patterns playing out on a national scale in MAGA world.

In this explosive interview, Godwin breaks down the "story-based fortress": how demagogues like Trump tap your tribal instincts, feed you what you want to hear, then lock you in an us-vs-them war where truth dies and "winning" justifies anything.

He reveals Fox News' pivot from "fair and balanced" to full-blown ideological bubble, why some conservatives resisted the pull while others dove in — and most importantly, how to pull loved ones out before it's too late.

Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFollow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416

Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

New Epstein emails drop SAME DAY as Congress forces full file release.

Is Trump hiding something? Matt Lewis & Bill Scher unpack the bombshell timing, Trump’s creepy history, and why even MAGA is cracking.

PLUS: Your health insurance is about to jump $12,000–$22,000/year. A 60-year-old couple earning $85K will pay a QUARTER of their income on premiums. Republicans had 10 years. They have NO plan. MTG (!!) is now louder than Trump on this.

Today's topics include:

– Epstein Files Back from the Dead– Trump’s Epstein Birthday Card & Guilty Vibes– Saddam-Style Cover-Up or Innocent?

– Megyn Kelly’s Wild “Not Pedophilia” Defense

– Trump’s Gatsby Party While SNAP Gets Cut

– $22K Premium Hike Hits Middle-Class Hard

– Dems Offer 1-Year Fix… Trump Rejects

– GOP Still Has No Healthcare Plan

– MTG vs. Trump: Who’s the Real Populist?– Will This Sink GOP in 2026

Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFollow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416

Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

During a Substack LIVE conversation on Thursday, Chris Cillizza and Matt Lewis covered a LOT of ground, including:▶️ Epstein File Shockwaves:The Epstein files are coming — and a cryptic Trump-linked email is being decoded two radically different ways. Predator? Whistleblower? Either interpretation is political TNT. ▶️ Trump’s Economic Iceberg:A brutal –34 approval rating on affordability. Chris calls it: “Deep. Sh*t.” From $5 eggs to Mar-a-Lago Gatsby parties while SNAP gets cut, we dig into why Trump’s rhetoric is starting to sound like Biden-era denial.▶️ The Billionaire Populist Paradox:How did a gold-plated Manhattan mogul become a blue-collar folk hero? And why is the spell breaking now? We unpack the aspirational trap at the heart of Trump’s appeal. Plus, Tucker’s problem with “strivers.” Billionaires who cheer for the poor but side-eye the middle class. ▶️ Democrats Are Quietly Channeling the 2015 GOP’s #War PhilosphyThey want fighters. They’re tired of Schumer. AOC is rising. It’s giving 2015 Republican energy.▶️ Trump’s Secret MRI & Medical Mystery:A “perfect” scan with zero explanation. Chris wants full medical transparency, tax returns, and an end to the presidential pardon power—for everyone.▶️ And much MUCH more!

Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFollow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416

Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

The Atlantic’s David A. Graham reveals how Trump & Project 2025 architects are ALREADY rigging 2026 midterms — gerrymandering, DOJ pressure, military at polls.

Full breakdown with Matt Lewis.

Read the Atlantic piece: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/12/2026-midterms-trump-threat/684615/

Get the book: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America: https://www.amazon.com/Project-How-2025-Reshaping-America/dp/B0DTP85ZG6

Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

Follow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416

Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

During Tuesday's Substack LIVE, Charlie Sykes and Matt Lewis discussed the Democrats' epic cave-in, including:

-- How Dems snatched defeat from victory by folding on the government shutdown after just five days of momentum.

-- Shutdown Leverage Squandered: Why bailing out Trump when polls blamed Republicans was a strategic disaster—handing him a win on hostage-taking tactics.

-- Authoritarian Context Ignored: From troops in streets to DOJ weaponization, this isn’t “normal politics”—treating it as such is malpractice in abnormal times.-- Morale-Killing Surrender: The cave crushed Democratic excitement post-election wins, destroying the fragile coalition built in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York.

-- Chuck Schumer’s Leadership Crisis: Out of touch with the moment—time for generational change; he’s playing “before times” rules in a Thunderdome era.-- Trump’s Madman Theory Works: By scaring moderates like Angus King and Jeanne Shaheen, he proves craziness pays—Dems must stop pre-surrendering.

-- Gavin Newsom emerges as the fighter trolling Trump with memes, blocking gerrymandering, and rallying in Texas — moxie in a party of squishes.

-- Marie Antoinette Optics: Lavish Mar-a-Lago parties amid SNAP cuts and premium spikes—Trump’s out-of-touch hubris is gift-wrapped ammunition.

-- And MUCH more!

Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFollow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis?

–Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416

Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

On this week's episode of The DMZ, Bill Scher and Matt Lewis discuss Tuesday's election results, and look ahead to the 2026 midterms. Bill reveals how Trump’s Texas gerrymander is backfiring as Latino voters swing left — costing Republicans 5+ House seats. Then, Matt breaks down Nick Fuentes on Tucker Carlson, Heritage’s “no enemies to the right” meltdown, and why scandal-plagued candidates like Jay Jones & Graham Plattner still win. Follow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

On the latest Substack LIVE with Charlie Sykes, we discussed:

— Today’s elections in New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia

— The Tucker Carlson/Nick Fuentes/Heritage Foundation blowup, and why everyone seems so shocked SHOCKED! that there is gambling in Casablanca.

— The wild optics of Donald Trump’s ballroom construction and “Great Gatsby” party taking place during a government shutdown.

— Donald Trump’s plummeting approval ratings, and why the economy is likely to get worse.

Trump says he has ‘no idea who’ Binance’s CZ is after pardoning him

— Dick Cheney’s legacy

— And MUCH more!

Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

Follow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416

Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC