Matt Lewis Can't Lose

On today's podcast, David Drucker, Senior Writer for The Dispatch and MSNOW contributor, talks with Matt about:

— Trump tells Republicans at the Dallas midterm convention: pretend he’s on the ballot. Smart strategy or crazy?

— The $5,000 “dividend” promise if GOP keeps the House and Senate — incentive or bribe?

— Why the strategy may fire up MAGA voters but alienate regular Republicans

— Sen. John Fetterman’s convention video and whether he has a future in the Democratic Party

— What to expect from JD Vance’s speech and the 2028 Vance vs. Rubio picture

— Texas Senate: Can James Talarico beat scandal-plagued Ken Paxton?

— David Drucker on covering politics daily on Morning Joe

— 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 today’s podcast, Charlie Sykes and I discuss:

— After Labor Day is when the campaign dynamics are “baked in”

— Trump MAGA PAC finally spending hundreds of millions — why late money is weaker than early money

— "Trumpalooza” midterm convention in Texas: turnout play vs. highlighting an unpopular president

— Susan Collins on Liz Cheney and the “doom loop of relevance”

— Trump AI slop and imperialism memes (U.S. swallowing North/Central America, Canada “governor,” hockey-stick clip) and blowback from allies

— JD Vance’s says he’s fine if his work “leads to the end times” (and if the world goes on, that’s OK, too)

— John Fetterman WSJ/aide reports, possible party switch scenario

— Ivanka sunset horse-ride video

— 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 today's podcast, Chris Cillizza and Matt discuss:

— Every traditional midterm indicator points to a Democratic year, so why do the individual races look dicey?

— Why toss-up Senate races (Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Texas) almost never split 50-50 — they move together

— Michigan: Tucker Carlson says he wouldn’t vote for Mike Rogers “at gunpoint.” Serious question: Is Rogers actually a good candidate?

— 2028 Democratic calendar: South Carolina going first, what it does to Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, AOC, and everyone else

— Ted Cruz’s 2028 theory: the last mainstream-ish Reagan Republican standing if Vance and the rest crash

— Texas: James Talarico leading or tied with Ken Paxton for months; Karl Rove, John Cornyn, and John Kennedy all sounding alarms

— Trump’s midterm strategy: “Pretend I’m on the ballot” — but is this strategy smart or dumb?

— Milo Yiannopoulos goes on on Piers Morgan after being deported: hypocrisy, the veil of ignorance, and why “there but for the grace of God go I” matters more than ever.

— And a LOT 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

On today’s podcast conversation, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:

— Why Elon Musk’s midterm cash is both a Republican windfall and a political liability

— Hasan Piker vs. Elon Musk: the huge asymmetry Democrats keep ignoring

— How Musk’s Wisconsin Supreme Court spend spectacularly backfired

— “The richest bigot in the world” — documented racism, antisemitism, and why GOP candidates should have to own it

— Tech oligarchs, DOGE, data centers, and the populist backlash to billionaire politics

— Milo Yiannopoulos deported: when the MAGA revolution eats its own— Pete Hegseth 2028 rumors, Pentagon purges, Stars and Stripes firings, and wartime secrecy

— Trump threatens the FCC over Kristen Welker and “Meet the Press”— Mail-in voting rules, chaos as strategy, and laying the groundwork to reject 2026 results

— Washington Post ordered to reinstate columnist Karen Attiah after Charlie Kirk posts — plus the larger problem of celebrating political violence

— 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

During today's podcast, The Atlantic's David Frum and I discuss:

— Why Trump’s tariffs on Canadian aluminum are raising costs for everything from airplanes to toilet paper

— Why this trade war is “picking up a hammer and hitting yourself in the head."

— How America is pushing Canada and others toward “equidistance” from the U.S., China, and India instead of closer partnership

— David's conversation with Michigan AG Dana Nessel: What are Jewish voters supposed to do when progressive Democrats treat concern for Israel as a threat to their safety?

— Data centers, AI risks, and why the tangible nuisances distract from the real governance problem

— Frum’s warning to Democrats about misreading a 2026 “mandate” on borders, cultural issues, and the ability to say “no”

— Climate reality vs. political disappearance

— 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

On this week's podcast conversation, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:

— Abdul El-Sayed’s association with Hasan Piker derails Michigan Senate unity after Piker’s comments blaming American Jews for antisemitism and violence

— Democratic critics (including Jeremy Moss) refuse to endorse; Republican Mike Rogers capitalizes

— Cultural landmines: Transgender issues in girls’ sports (close to an 80-20 public opinion), Seth Moulton’s apology, and the risk of learning the wrong lessons from a strong midterm

— Economic populism that works (Medicare for All, taxing billionaires) vs. toxic cultural/“socialism” branding that turns off middle America

— Trump administration rolling back protections for military families — arrest of a Nicaraguan father of a sailor on the USS Abraham Lincoln and similar cases

— Are data centers the sleeper 2026 issue Republicans own while Trump cheers them on?

— Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic minority leader, met privately with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and top outside adviser. But why???

— 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 today's podcast, Bill Scher and Matt discuss El-Sayed's challenges in Michigan, the internecine GOP battle between Marco Rubio and JD Vance, and Natalie Harp's "Love Letters" to Donald Trump.

Next, Matt talks with Jackie Gingrich Cushman about the need for a John Adams memorial in Washington, DC.

Read Bill Scher's columns in The Washington Monthly https://washingtonmonthly.com/author/bill-scher/

And help support a John Adams memorial here https://www.theadamsmemorial.org/

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 today's podcast, Chris Cillizz and Matt discuss:

— Sen. Jon Ossoff’s comment about Trump and Natalie Harp (the “human printer”), the viral speculation, her unusual rise, the fawning notes, and why her role as gatekeeper of information is more consequential than pure personal gossip.

— The debt is out of control. Why doesn’t anybody care???

— The Florida primary results, including Alex Vindman’s surprise loss and what it says about the limits of NeverTrump celebrity candidates, the rise of DSA energy in Dem primaries, and the need for more than just anti-Trump messaging.

— Darlene Graham’s South China Sea / national-security gaffe in the South Carolina Senate runoff and how timing plus pre-existing doubts can turn a moment into a real problem.

— Bill Clinton turning 80, his complicated legacy, how his scandals and the political response helped shape later norms around character.

— 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 today’s podcast, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:

— Reuters poll: Trump approval sinks to 33%, disapproval 64% — lowest of current term, matching December 2017 low

— Sen. John Ossoff’s sharp speeches: calls out golfing, stock trading, Qatar “flying palace,” and Natalie Harp, while the U.S.S. Lincoln fights his war

— The one big Democratic warning: Abdul El-Sayed underwater in Michigan (Fox poll)

— Foreign-policy chaos: Trump scales back South Korea joint exercises, cites “good relationship” with Kim Jong-un (who supplies missiles to Iran and Russia)— Simultaneously withdraws the last U.S. carrier from the Pacific and threatens to “bomb the shit out of” ally Oman if it interferes with Iran talks

— Closing question for 2026/2028: Do Democrats choose electable fighters like Ossoff who win swing states, or ideological purity that loses independents?

— 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

Washington Monthly writer Bill Scher returns to the pod to talk about what's up with the poll misses in recent Democratic primaries. Then, the new film, “The Brink of War,” in theaters August 14 (today!) and I sit down with Michael Russell Gunn (writer/director/producer) and John Logan Pierson (producer) to talk Ronald Reagan and the making of the movie.

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