Matt Lewis Can't Lose

By Matt LewisNews

Matt Lewis Can't Lose episodes

August 13 Polls Miss Big & Trump’s Grip on GOP Is Loosening. Maybe.
On today’s podcast conversation, Chris Cillizza and Matt discuss:
— Massive polling misses in Michigan and Wisconsin. One reason this happened?: Under-sampling middle-aged Black voters and rural Democrats
— Clear evidence that DSA and DSA-aligned candidates are underperforming with Black voters — the same coalition that blocked Bernie Sanders
— Why 2026 is likely a referendum on Trump and the economy, but 2028 could see the “socialism” label stick and drive voters back to Republicans
— Trump’s recent endorsement flops (Darlene Graham runoff, Mike Lindell, Tennessee) are signs his iron grip on the GOP is loosening (or are they???)
— Jeff Flake’s arc from pure conservative to endorsing a Democrat Jon Ossoff, and the death of the anti-Trump lane in GOP primaries
— Hunter Biden’s Tucker Carlson interview, fathers-and-sons dynamics, and the complicated human side of political families
— Trump’s secret catering-truck plane switch amid Iran threat concerns: security necessity vs. bad optics and press deception
— Speculation on the next White House press secretary (Kari Lake, Spencer Pratt, or Scott Jennings?)
— 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
50 min
August 12 Wisconsin Primary SHOCKER: DSA Candidate Who Wanted to Cancel Thanksgiving LOSES
On today's podcast, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:
—Why DSA member and failed Wisconsin candidate Francesca Hong was an “absurdly bad candidate” (and why Bernie and AOC stayed away)
— How Dems realized they were about to blow a winnable race and hand Wisconsin to an election-denier, so they voted for David Crowley, a candidate who had previously dropped out of the race
— Charlie says there are three things every candidate must prove to voters (Hong went 0-for-3)
— Matt says 2026 is largely “baked in the cake” as a blue-wave year driven by Trump fatigue, overreach, tariffs, ICE, etc. But! Dems better not take 2028 for granted.
— An Independent / Centrist / Unity-Ticket surge has Katie Hobbs (Arizona Democratic governor) picking a Republican running mate, and David Jolly (former Republican Never Trumper congressman) picking a prominent Democrat as running mate in Florida.
— Can we trust the polls?
— Plus: Trump’s catering-truck Air Force One escape, the independent/unity-ticket surge, Minnesota, Michigan, and more.
— 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
50 min
August 10 Killing Baby Hitler: Can You Change History Without Changing Human Nature?
What if you could go back in time and kill baby Hitler? Michael Tomasky’s new satirical novel Killing Baby Hitler explores nature vs. nurture, time travel gone wrong, and whether one monster really explains the world’s evil.
In this conversation with Matt and Tomasky (editor of The New Republic) discuss:
• Why democratic socialism is rising (and what popular policies like child care and data-center limits have to do with it)
• Rooting for a young Adolf Hitler in fiction
• How tragedy can create monsters
• The hilarious botched kidnapping scene
• Alternate history where there’s no Holocaust… but human nature still produces plenty of darkness
• Literary influences (Milan Kundera, Kurt Vonnegut) and writing a political novel in today’s publishing world
Get the book: Killing Baby Hitler by Michael Tomasky https://www.amazon.com/dp/1682194752?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback 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
33 min
August 06 El-Sayed’s Michigan Win, the DSA Surge, and Trump’s Lasting Damage to Politics
On this week's podcast, Chris Cillizza and Matt discuss:

— Abdul El-Sayed’s Democratic primary win in Michigan despite being outspent roughly 9-to-1

— The growing power of Democratic Socialist (or DSA-adjacent) candidates

— Controversies around Hassan Piker, guilt-by-association risks, and how they could hurt progressive nominees in general elections

— Multiple House Republican scandals — and whether Trump has permanently lowered the bar for character in politics

— Speculating on the 2028 Republican field — JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Tucker Carlson’s potential run, and the rise of the attention economy over traditional campaign metrics

— A candid digression on the MLB trade-deadline deals, and why analytics culture is draining the fun from both baseball and politics

— And MUCH more!
57 min
August 03The Most Consequential Race of 2026 is in Michigan Tomorrow
In a deep and thought provoking conversation, veteran journalist Ron Fournier explains why Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary between Rep. Haley Stevens and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is the true bellwether of 2026 politics — and a microcosm of the Democratic Party’s identity crisis.

According to Ron, there are six important dynamics currently playing out in this race:

Status Quo vs. Change
Moderate vs. Liberal
Israel vs. Palestine
Christian vs. Muslim
Women vs. Men
Grit vs. Charisma

We spent time on all six!

Don’t miss this terrific conversation.

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
55 min
July 30 MI Senate Primary Shock: El-Sayed SURGES as Ground Energy Explodes
It's a NOTUS on NOTUS conversation, as Matt welcomes veteran columnist Dana Milbank to the podcast to discuss:

— Is Donald Trump pulling the Todd Blanche Attorney General nomination... for now?
— Fresh Michigan reporting: Dana finds all the energy and enthusiasm behind Abdul El-Sayed, not Haley Stevens
— Wildly conflicting polls: Stevens led by 7, now El-Sayed up by 14 — turnout models are the wild card
— Why El-Sayed isn’t the DSA radical disaster conventional wisdom claims: “I’m not a socialist, I’m a capitalist”
— Israel divide looms large: $30M AIPAC money for Stevens vs. El-Sayed’s call for full aid cutoff
— Broader signal: Is this Democrats’ Tea Party moment as left-wing energy overwhelms the establishment?
— Implications for the general election against Mike Rogers and the entire Senate map
— Plus, Ross Douthat's move to "60 Minutes," Dana's battle against rumble strips, and 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
30 min
July 28 DSA’s Extreme Platform Exposed: Abolish Senate, SCOTUS, Prisons & ICE — Dems’ Self-Inflicted Wound?
On today's podcast, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:
— DSA co-chair Megan Romer outlines an agenda that would abolish Senate/presidency/Supreme Court, ICE, borders, prisons; defund Pentagon; mass amnesty
— Wisconsin governor primary flashpoint: far-left DSA candidate Francesca Hong risks handing the state to election-denier Tom Tiffany — with 2028 consequences
— Gerontocracy crisis: Mitch McConnell’s second “proof of life” photos, and the August 3 deadline for a special election
— Sen. John Thune’s rare pushback on the filibuster and Trump’s “Save America” bill as scapegoat theater
— Elon Musk crash-out: SpaceX/Tesla valuation free-fall, that Economist interview, and DOGE hypocrisy (“money won’t matter in 10 years”)
— White House Correspondents’ Dinner disaster: predictable humiliation, Trump’s ugly attacks on Kaitlin Collins, and the bad Kristen Welker/Stephen Miller optics:
— Matt's broader warning: Democrats must focus on winning the House, Senate, and key governorships — or risk losing the Republic
— 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
54 min
July 23 Why Haley Stevens’ Viral Meltdown Made Her a Star (Michigan Senate Primary Breakdown)
During today's podcast discussion, Chris Cillizza and Matt discussed:
— Rep. Haley Stevens was ambushed by TMZ. She leaned hard into her Matt Foley / “van down by the river” energy — and it worked!
— Why leaning into the turn (and her real Michigan accent) is smart politics in the authenticity era
— The upcoming Michigan Senate Democratic primary (Aug 4): Stevens vs. Abdul El-Sayed — who actually wins?
— The Wisconsin DSA primary threat — and what it signals nationally
— Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff’s breakout as the fighter Democrats NEED.
— The generic ballot reality check (thanks to viewers who informed me that Dems are back up BIGLY in the generic ballot), Trump’s low approvals, and why midterms will punish the White House— Ben Sasse’s grace, Tim Russert has alrady been forgotten by Gen Z, and MUCH more.
*** PLUS: Matt's latest NOTUS column, “In Defense of Nixonmaxxing.” https://www.notus.org/perspectives/in-defense-of-nixonmaxxing
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
58 min
July 21 Trump May Shield Tate Brothers from Rape/ Trafficking Extradition — Dark Turn for MAGA Masculinity
On today's podcast, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:
— Andrew and Tristan Tate accused of choking women unconscious then raping them — will Trump block extradition to UK?
— Why young men (and Barron Trump?) are drawn to these man-o-sphere “dominance” influencers
— Trump’s pattern: protecting allies, flirting with pardons for Diddy/Maxwell, and his own E. Jean Carroll liability
— Democratic 2026 Senate primaries imploding in Michigan & Wisconsin — socialism vs. electability
— Those John Fetterman party-switch rumors could flip Senate control
— Lindsey Graham’s sister running for his seat
— Trump plays golf and gets booed at World Cup while Middle East war escalates with U.S. deaths
— Todd Blanche confirmation fight, DOJ weaponization fears, and post-truth corruption
— 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
56 min
July 16 Trump’s Primetime Address on The 2020 Election Is a Miss — Why It Could Cost Republicans in 2026
On today's podcast conversation, independent journalist Chris Cillizza and Matt Lewis of NOTUS discuss:
— Why Trump’s planned primetime speech on election integrity and the Save America Act is the wrong message right now
— Wild 2020 conspiracy theories revisited (Italygate, Dominion, etc.) and why they’re a political dead end
— What he should be talking about: the big beautiful bill, housing, inflation, and Iran
— Decision Desk HQ Senate forecast: A 50-50 most likely outcome in the Senate, with Michigan & Maine as must-wins!
— Michigan Democratic primary: Abdul El-Sayed vs. Haley Stevens. Stevens is up in the latest poll, but who really has the edge?
— Confirmation hearing drama, Pete Hegseth’s testosterone testing, and more
— Book recs: Joan Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem, underrated Stephen King novels.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
57 min