Jonathan Rauch, contributing writer at The Atlantic and a senior fellow in the Governance Studies program at the Brookings Institution, explains why he now believes it's fair to call Trump's policies "fascism."

Read Jonathan Rauch's piece in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/america-fascism-trump-maga-ice/685751/

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

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 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 © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

In this timely Substack LIVE discussion, Charlie Sykes and Matt Lewis break down the horrifying Minneapolis shootings by federal agents under the Trump administration.

They discuss:

-- The Trump administration’s pattern of killing + immediate smears

-- How video evidence destroys the ICE narrative, and the potential for mischief when no cameras are around

-- Why this feels like a true breaking point for many Americans.

-- Risks of escalation to Insurrection Act (Is this the tipping point against authoritarian tactics? Or will the chaos ladder continue?)

-- Second Amendment hypocrisy, & the NRA’s surprising response

-- And MUCH more!

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 © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

In this powerful discussion, Jonathan Taplin (author of Move Fast and Break Things and The End of Reality) talks about his new essay for Rolling Stone.

Taplin argues that healing America's broken spirit requires a new counterculture — rooted in physical scenes, liberal arts revival, and bold artistic resistance — before political reform can happen.

From Bowie at the Berlin Wall to Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another,' he explores how culture has historically triumphed over repression... and whether it can again.

Is this the end of the American creative spirit, or the dawn of a new renaissance?

Watch/read along and decide.

Full essay link: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/how-trump-big-tech-killed-counterculture-1235500716/

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 © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

Trump marks one year back in power with Davos threats on Greenland, erratic tariffs, and a "might makes right" worldview.

Bill Scher breaks down why much of it won't last — and what it means for America's global role. Trump just told Davos he "won't use force" to take Greenland — but insists the US must own it for security.

On the one-year anniversary of his second term, Matt Lewis and Bill Scher dissect Trump's power games: erratic threats, unilateral tariffs that could vanish overnight, the fading US-led world order, Starship Troopers-level "might makes right" vibes, and why his legacy might be more ephemeral than it seems.

In this DMZ episode:

-- Greenland obsession: Psychological win or strategic folly?

-- Tariffs as childish leverage vs. real legislation

-- Venezuela ops & domestic overreach

-- Has Trump permanently broken alliances? Or is recalibration inevitable?

-- Democrats' path forward amid Electoral College shifts

-- And MUCH more!

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 © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

In this explosive episode, Charlie and I react to President Trump’s stunning message to Norway’s Prime Minister: because Norway “decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 wars,” he no longer feels “an obligation to think purely of Peace” — and now demands “Complete and Total Control of Greenland” from Denmark.

From petty whining about the Nobel snub to threatening 10% tariffs (rising to 25%) on eight European allies (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, UK) unless they hand over Greenland — this is peak Trump chaos.

We also discuss:

-- Trump’s childish, un-American pettiness

-- Parallels to appeasement and loss of U.S. moral authority

-- Hypotheticals: What if Trump actually invades Greenland?

-- Domestic fallout: Minnesota ICE brutality, Insurrection Act threats, and normalizing cruelty

-- Why appeasing authoritarians (at home or abroad) never works

-- And MUCH more!

Is America becoming the “ugly American”? Are we losing our exceptionalism?

Watch as two NeverTrump conservatives grapple with the reality of Trump 2.0.

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 © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

In this explosive Substack LIVE discussion, Charlie Sykes and I dive deep into the chilling events of early 2026 under Trump’s second term.

We cover:

— A weaponized DOJ, mass deportations turning violent, and warnings that the “resistance libs were right.”

— Trump’s aggressive threats to seize Greenland, a move that would effectively end NATO.

— FBI raiding a Washington Post journalist’s home in a classified leaks probe.

— Disturbing DHS/DOL slogans echoing Nazi propaganda (“One Homeland, One People, One Heritage”).

— The fatal ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old American mom and poet in Minneapolis — called “domestic terrorism” by the Trump administration despite video evidence.

— And much, MUCH more!

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

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 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 © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

Dive into the latest episode of The DMZ with Matt Lewis and Bill Scher, breaking down Donald Trump's bold foreign policy moves in 2026.

From the dramatic arrest of Maduro in Venezuela and claims of U.S. oil interests, to Trump's persistent Greenland ambitions and comparisons to Teddy Roosevelt's imperialism – is this a coherent "Donroe Doctrine" or ego-driven adventurism?

We explore the through lines: spheres of influence, interventionism beyond the Western Hemisphere (like bombing Iran), and the risks of resurrecting great-power conflicts.

Plus, insider analysis on Marco Rubio's rising influence as Secretary of State, his potential motivations tied to Cuba, and how Venezuela is shaking up the 2028 GOP race against JD Vance.

Bill draws historical parallels to Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and the post-WWII order, warning of long-term instability.

Could Trump's "points on the board" make him historically great – or lead to disaster?Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

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 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/0316383937Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLCSubscribe 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 © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

On this week's Substack LIVE conversation, Charlie Sykes and Matt Lewis discuss:

- January 6th anniversary

- Venezuela operation & Trump's ambitions

- Stephen Miller's CNN comments: Imperialism & power- Greenland threats & historical parallels

- The broader implications for U.S. identity and the loss of moral authority- The Minnesota corruption scandal, and Gov. Tim Walz's decision not to seek re-election

- Whether JD Vance is the inevitable GOP nominee in 2028

- And MUCH more!

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

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 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 © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

On this week's Substack LIVE, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:

— Elise Stefanik Schadenfreude: The latest example of someone who fully embraced MAGA only to be discarded.

— Turning Point USA (TPUSA) AmericaFest drama: Explosive infighting, including Ben Shapiro attacking Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly, and others over antisemitism and conspiracy theories.

— Bari Weiss and 60 Minutes controversy: Accusations that Weiss spiked a major story on abuses in El Salvador’s CECOT prison related to Trump deportations, seen as political censorship.

— Potential 2028 contenders: Speculation on Ted Cruz considering a run (dismissed), JD Vance’s challenges, and the unlikelihood of a smooth succession.

— All the Epstein files redactions

— The Trump-Kennedy Center — and the desecration of institutions

— And much MUCH more

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

On this episode, Matt talks with Nick Troiano, the Executive Director of Unite America. Nick is a civic entrepreneur, author, speaker, and commentator with over a decade of experience bridging divides and improving American democracy.

In a time of deep division, Troiano explains how reforming primaries and adopting ranked choice voting could restore competition, accountability, and better governance — without needing Congress or a constitutional amendment.

During this conversation, Matt and Nick also discuss:

— Indiana Republicans standing up to Trump pressure on mid-decade redistricting and gerrymandering— Why party primaries fuel extremism and how open primaries can create more representative leaders— The power of ranked choice voting (RCV) and top-four systems, with real-world success in states like Alaska and Louisiana— Structural reforms to reduce gridlock, encourage bipartisanship, and align politicians with the majority of voters— And MUCH more!

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