Nobody Knows Anything

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are back in the thick of midterm madness, starting in Michigan, where Abdul El-Sayed is getting some high-profile help from Barack Obama as he tries to close out his Senate campaign. They dig into El-Sayed’s struggles with Black voters, his efforts to unify the Democratic coalition alongside Elissa Slotkin, and whether his increasingly unconventional general-election strategy is enough to put the race away. They also debate the value of Democrats taking their message directly to Fox News—and why El-Sayed and Dan Osborn may have figured out something the rest of the party is still reluctant to embrace.

From there, they take a wider look at the midterm map and ask whether a Democratic wave is really building. Donald Trump is hitting the road, but increasingly in some very red states, while Republican spending patterns, Democratic turnout, voter registration, and special-election results are all offering clues about where the battlefield is shifting. In Maine, they break down Susan Collins’ awkward attempt to distance herself from Trump, her debate performance, and whether Troy Jackson can finally knock off one of the Senate’s most resilient Republicans. Then it’s on to Kansas, where devastating opposition research on Roger Marshall appears to be reshaping his race against Adam Hamilton.

The political ad review gets increasingly unhinged as Rob and Jesse examine some of the strangest and most memorable spots of the cycle—from attacks on Katie Hobbs’ teaching reviews, to a bizarrely suggestive Steve Hilton ad, to Mike Rogers’ attempt to convince Michigan voters that he is definitely, absolutely, totally a normal Michigan guy.

Finally, it’s time to look ahead to 2028 with the official Nobody Knows Anything presidential “thirst” rankings. They size up the potential Democratic field, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Kamala Harris, and Jon Ossoff at the supposedly least thirsty end to Rahm Emanuel, Andy Beshear, and the undisputed Thirst King, Ro Khanna. Along the way, they assess who is quietly laying the groundwork for a presidential campaign, who is already making their ambitions impossible to miss, and who might actually be better positioned than the conventional wisdom suggests.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse sit down with Democratic strategist and CNN political commentator Xochitl Hinojosa to dig into one of the biggest questions facing Democrats right now: can they actually win Texas? With Gina Hinojosa running a surprisingly competitive race against Greg Abbott, they explore what is driving the shift in Texas, why Latino voters and the economy could reshape the race, and why Abbott’s massive war chest may not be enough to keep Democrats from breaking through in one of the country’s biggest red states.

They also examine the growing frustration with national Democrats over the party’s decision not to invest heavily in Texas, despite the race’s potential implications for the House, Senate, redistricting, and the party’s long-term path to 270 electoral votes. Xochitl explains why Democrats need to build stronger state-level brands, why candidates like Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico are running on issues that go beyond party politics, and why Texas could become a crucial test of the party’s strategy heading into 2028.

From there, the conversation turns to the emerging 2028 Democratic presidential race, including who could make an early move, how the DNC might handle an overcrowded primary field, and whether candidates will need to get in early to capture the political spotlight. They also discuss Andy Beshear’s role at the DGA, his potential presidential ambitions, and whether the Texas governor’s race could ultimately become a defining test for his national future.

Then the discussion shifts to the rise of AI populism. They unpack Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s push against surveillance technology, the growing backlash over data centers, and why AI could become a defining political issue in the next election. The group debates whether Democrats can turn concerns about AI, corporate power, jobs, privacy, and regulation into a broader populist message—and whether politicians are prepared to deal with an issue that is evolving faster than traditional polling can capture.

Finally, they take aim at Sam Altman and Silicon Valley’s approach to AI after Altman argued that society should accept some bad things happening in exchange for the benefits of AI. The conversation expands into AI safety, corporate self-regulation, Mark Zuckerberg’s influence, and whether the people building increasingly powerful technology can really be trusted to police themselves. And, as always, the episode closes out with Stock Up, Stock Down—including a memorable moment involving Vivek Ramaswamy.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse welcome longtime Democratic strategist Brad Woodhouse for a wide-ranging conversation about election security, the state of the midterms, healthcare, AI, and the increasingly complicated politics inside the Republican Party. They start with the chaotic Jack Smith congressional hearing, including the bizarre “Hawks” mix-up that quickly became one of the defining moments of the testimony, before stepping back to examine the larger fight over election integrity and Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the rules around voting ahead of the midterms.

From there, the conversation turns to “Blue Wave Watch” as the hosts dig into a flood of new polling, competing pictures of Senate races, and whether Democrats are getting carried away by increasingly optimistic numbers. They debate what the polls actually tell us, why some of the margins may be difficult to believe, and whether Democrats should be thinking about the House, Senate, and broader midterm environment as separate contests rather than assuming a sweeping victory is already locked in.

Healthcare then takes center stage, with Brad making the case that affordability is about much more than groceries and gas—and that healthcare could be one of the defining issues of the election. The group looks at the political fallout from changes to Medicaid and ACA tax credits, the rising cost of coverage, and the challenge for Democrats of turning voters’ concerns about affordability into a broader political message.

The discussion then expands into the politics of AI and the future of the MAGA movement. They explore growing concerns around data centers, AI regulation, and the relationship between technology companies and the Trump administration, before asking whether Democrats can make inroads with voters who were attracted to the “Make America Healthy Again” movement but may feel increasingly disconnected from what the administration is actually doing.

Finally, the hosts take a closer look at the White House’s embrace of AI and its new voluntary safeguards for the technology, including the gathering of major tech executives, the push to rebrand AI as “superintelligence,” and the rollout of the AI-powered America.gov website. They wrap up with their signature Stock Up, Stock Down segment before sending Brad off with a little more knowledge about boba tea—and perhaps even less certainty about everything else.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse welcome Christina Reynolds, founder of Break Glass Strategic Communications and a veteran of presidential campaigns, to unpack a chaotic week in Washington and what it could mean heading into the midterms. They start with Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, questioning what the meeting actually accomplished, the strange optics surrounding Trump’s attempts to showcase the White House, and the unusual moment when even China pushed back against the administration’s restrictions on the press.

The conversation then turns to the Trump administration’s use of taxpayer dollars for government advertising that looks remarkably similar to campaign messaging. They break down the ads, the money being spent to put them on television, and the broader political consequences of an administration increasingly tying its message to Trump himself. From there, Christina draws on her experience working on previous Democratic waves to explain how the 2026 midterms are shaping up, comparing the current political environment with 2006, 2010, and 2018 while examining enthusiasm, candidate quality, redistricting, Senate races, and the economic issues that could reshape competitive contests.

Christina also shares behind-the-scenes stories from her time working under Rahm Emanuel, including one particularly memorable campaign-office confrontation, before the group digs into the controversy surrounding Mary Peltola’s treatment of campaign staff and the debate over how much personal conduct should factor into evaluating elected officials. They also discuss the role of women in politics, workplace culture on campaigns, and the unusual scrutiny female politicians can face.

Later, the conversation moves to the 2026 statehouse races, the importance of governors and state legislatures, and what a potential Democratic wave could mean beyond Washington. They also look at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s growing national profile and her recent travels outside New York City, asking what her political future could look like and why building relationships with voters outside her traditional base could matter. Finally, the gang heads to Washington’s newest political hotspot: a crypto clubhouse data-center party, complete with AI photo booths, themed cocktails, and some truly bizarre enthusiasm for America’s rapidly expanding data-center industry.

It’s another wide-ranging episode covering Trump, China, the midterms, campaign war stories, political scandals, AOC, and the strange new social world taking shape in Washington.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse unpack a week of unexpected alliances, Democratic infighting, and the early battle for the 2028 presidential race. They start with the increasingly unlikely relationship between Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, including Trump’s praise for Mamdani, their surprisingly friendly White House press conference, and why the budding bromance has Republicans scrambling to figure out how to make Democratic socialism a midterm issue.

From there, they turn to the growing debate over artificial intelligence and U.S.-China relations, including Trump’s upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping and the question of whether Washington should cooperate with Beijing to slow down the AI arms race. They discuss the national security risks of rapidly advancing AI, the possibility of international guardrails, and the growing tension between competing with China and preventing the technology from moving faster than society can handle.

The conversation then moves to the midterms, with a deep dive into the allegations surrounding Susan Collins, campaign finance, government contracts, and a ProPublica investigation that has reignited questions about corruption in Washington. They also examine the Maine Senate race between Collins and Troy Jackson, and the contrasting approaches Democrats are taking as they try to compete in some of the country's most closely watched races.

Finally, the focus shifts to 2028. Rob and Jesse break down Kamala Harris' political future, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's increasingly open discussion of a potential presidential run, and the emerging Democratic field. They explore why AOC may have a unique opening in the progressive lane, whether Harris will enter the race, and what candidates like JB Pritzker could bring to the contest. Along the way, they discuss the political calculations, risks, and opportunities that could shape the Democratic primary long before the 2028 campaign officially begins.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are joined by Puck founding partner and national correspondent Peter Hamby to unpack a chaotic week in American politics—and what it could mean heading into the 2026 midterms. They start with the enormous sums of money pouring into Senate and governor's races, from the battleground states to the astonishing spending on local TV and NFL advertising, and examine how Democrats and Republicans are changing the way they reach voters.

From there, they dig into Donald Trump's rough week, including Republican lawmakers breaking with the president, the growing signs of political vulnerability inside the GOP, and the question of whether Democrats could be headed for a strong night in November. They also discuss the importance of economic issues like gas prices, housing, groceries, and interest rates—and whether voters' concerns about the cost of living could ultimately matter more than Washington's endless political battles.

The conversation then turns to Trump's decision to restrict media access at the White House and the broader fight over the relationship between the administration and the press. Peter, a veteran political reporter, weighs in on what the move means for journalists, the First Amendment, and whether Trump's attacks on the media should be viewed as a serious institutional threat or another example of the president dominating the political conversation.

The group also takes a hard look at one of the Democratic Party's biggest challenges: winning back young men. They debate whether Democratic campaigns have become too insulated from the voters they're trying to reach, why online culture and political messaging can sometimes feel disconnected from everyday Americans, and whether the party's problems go deeper than social media and campaign staffing.

Finally, they turn to the rapidly evolving politics of artificial intelligence, as Democrats and Republicans scramble to figure out how to talk about a technology that could reshape the economy and society. With Trump proposing a new AI initiative and politicians from AOC to Obama offering very different approaches to the issue, the group asks whether either party actually understands how to communicate about AI—and what happens when nobody seems to know what to say.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse dive into the latest twists in the Democratic Party's 2028 landscape, starting with Gavin Newsom's surprising pledge not to run if Kamala Harris enters the race. They unpack why Newsom made the statement, what it says about his presidential ambitions, and whether the apparent truce between two of the party's biggest California figures can actually last.

From there, they turn to the growing debate over Democrats and artificial intelligence. With members of Congress facing pressure to regulate a technology many of them barely use, Rob and Jesse explore why understanding AI matters for policymakers—and why the party's approach to AI could become a major political opportunity heading into the next election cycle.

The conversation then takes a closer look at Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and his increasingly prominent role in the Democratic Party. His chief of staff explains how Pritzker approached AI regulation in Illinois, why the governor has been pushing back against major tech interests, and what his record on technology, regulation, and other issues could mean for his potential 2028 ambitions.

They also discuss the Democratic Party's prospects in the midterms, the influence of money and the tech industry in politics, and whether Democrats can translate frustration among voters into a broader political comeback. Finally, they look at where Pritzker fits into the party's future—and whether Democrats can embrace a more aggressive approach to governing if they regain power.

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On today’s BIG INTERVIEW, Jesse sits down with independent Senate candidate Todd Achilles, who is taking on longtime Republican Senator Jim Risch in deep-red Idaho. A lifelong Republican who also served as a Democrat in the Idaho legislature, Achilles explains why he believes voters are increasingly fed up with the two-party system—and why an independent candidate can compete in a state Donald Trump carried by 36 points.

They dive into Achilles’ campaign to unseat an 83-year-old incumbent, his push for sweeping congressional reforms, and why he believes term limits, age limits, a stock-trading ban, campaign finance reform, and an end to gerrymandering could help restore trust in Congress. Achilles also explains why he refuses to caucus with either party and how a group of independent Senate candidates could potentially hold the balance of power in Washington.

The conversation then turns to the issues driving voters in Idaho, from skyrocketing housing costs and stagnant wages to the decline of rural hospitals and the changing economics of the state. Achilles discusses his support for unions, the need for more high-paying jobs, and why he believes Washington has failed to respond to the affordability crisis facing Idahoans.

Jesse and Achilles also take a deep dive into artificial intelligence, Big Tech, and the growing concentration of economic power. Achilles argues that the AI industry needs more competition rather than government protection for the biggest companies, while also criticizing the enormous and inefficient data centers being built across the country. They explore the broader antitrust fight, from AI and wireless carriers to the agricultural industry, where a handful of companies control huge portions of the seed and meat markets.

Finally, they discuss Trump's tariffs and their impact on Idaho agriculture, U.S. foreign policy and the war in Iran, and Achilles’ criticism of Senator Risch’s record as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. With the Senate race shaping up as a rare head-to-head contest between an independent and a Republican incumbent, Achilles explains why he believes Idaho voters are ready for an alternative—and why breaking the two-party system could be the first step toward fixing Congress.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse dig into the growing political fight over artificial intelligence, as some of the biggest names in tech—including Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk—warn about the dangers of moving too quickly. They unpack the calls to “pace the frontier,” the debate over AI regulation, and why Democrats are suddenly making AI a much bigger political priority, including Barack Obama’s warning that the party needs a clear plan for AI, jobs, safety, and the economy.

The conversation then turns to the 2026 midterms, where Rob and Jesse are joined by DCCC officials Will Van Nuys and Courtney Rice to get an inside look at the Democratic strategy for winning back the House. They discuss the expanding battlefield, the importance of recruiting candidates who fit their districts, how Democrats are approaching Trump-plus districts, and whether a potential Democratic wave could put dozens of Republican seats in play. They also examine the party’s approach to competitive primaries, the tension between establishment and progressive candidates, and why the DCCC believes Democrats are positioned to take back the House.

From there, they head into the Senate races, including the increasingly competitive contest in Kansas between Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton. They break down Marshall’s brutal reception at the Kansas State Fair, his controversies as a doctor and senator, and why the political environment in Kansas could make an upset more plausible than it might seem. Finally, they look ahead to 2028 and Ted Cruz’s potential presidential campaign, the emerging Republican primary field, and whether the Trump era could begin to lose its grip on the Republican Party after the 2026 midterms.

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In this deep dive, Jesse examines why Democrats continue to struggle to articulate a clear, compelling vision for working Americans — and why the party's failure to define what it stands for could be costing it at the ballot box.

Democrats keep warning voters about Donald Trump, but what are they actually offering in return?

Jesse explores Hakeem Jeffries' proposed midterm platform, the rise of the DSA and the left, and why specific policies can give voters a much clearer sense of what a political movement actually stands for. He also looks back at the Democrats' successful 2006 strategy and its six-point agenda as an example of how clearly defined policies can create a stronger political contrast.

The question is simple: if Democrats don't start standing for something, can they expect voters to stand with them?

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