Nobody Knows Anything

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse break down the halfway point of Trump-a-palooza, the RNC's Trump-branded midterm convention, and ask why vulnerable Republicans like Mike Lawler are lining up to be seen next to a president who's deeply underwater in his own party's target states. They dig into the GOP's $49 million midterm ad blitz, the states where Republicans are playing defense versus quietly writing off the map, and whether any candidate can actually escape Trump's unpopularity this cycle.

From there, they turn to Texas, where Ken Paxton's AI-generated attack ad against James Talarico reignites the debate over deepfakes in political advertising—Rob and Jesse spar over where the line sits between satire and deception, and whether Congress should step in. That leads into the week's biggest AI story: an Anthropic alignment researcher's viral resignation and warnings about existential risk, which Rob and Jesse use to unpack the industry's murky safety debate, the odds of a catastrophic AI event forcing Washington's hand, and why neither party seems ready to legislate any of it.

Back on the campaign trail, they cover Chris Pappas' surprisingly competitive Senate race against John Sununu in New Hampshire and why Democrats are quietly nervous about a state that wasn't supposed to be in play. Then it's a 2028 whip-around covering Gavin Newsom's swing through the South, Wes Moore's not-quite-a-denial about his future plans, and J.B. Pritzker's new $20 million PAC targeting vulnerable House Republicans. Finally, Rob and Jesse close out with Stock Up, Stock Down, crowning campaign merch's latest questionable trend and delivering a definitive verdict on Vivek Ramaswamy's batting cage form.

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On today’s BIG INTERVIEW, Rob sits down with political creator Jack Cocchiarella to pull back the curtain on the rapidly growing business of political influencing—and why creators could become one of the most important forces in the 2028 election. From YouTube’s rise as a new political media ecosystem to the enormous audiences creators can build outside traditional newsrooms, Jack explains how he went from shitposting on Twitter to making content full-time after his channel exploded from hundreds of subscribers to 100,000 in just over a week.

They dive into what actually drives the creator economy, including YouTube AdSense, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, audience growth, and the pressure to constantly produce more content. Jack explains why the financial incentive isn't necessarily to make increasingly outrageous videos, but simply to keep publishing—and how maintaining credibility with an engaged audience ultimately matters just as much as maximizing views.

The conversation then turns to the complicated relationship between creators and political campaigns. How should campaigns work with influencers? Should creators be paid to promote candidates? When does political outreach become advertising, and how important is disclosure? Jack argues that campaigns should treat creators differently from traditional reporters, emphasizing direct relationships, targeted clip distribution, and streamlined communication rather than massive group chats and generic briefings.

Rob and Jack also explore the darker side of creator monetization, including undisclosed political promotion and the growing role of gambling and prediction-market sponsorships. Jack explains why he has become increasingly uncomfortable with creators taking money from gambling companies, particularly when their political values clash with the economic consequences of promoting addictive products to young audiences.

Finally, they examine the growing “creator bubble,” the limits of social media algorithms, and whether political creators are actually reaching new voters—or mostly talking to an increasingly engaged audience that already follows politics. With 2028 approaching, the big question is whether this new media ecosystem can break beyond its existing audience and fundamentally reshape how campaigns communicate with voters.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse sit down with Democratic strategist Guy Cecil to unpack the latest battles reshaping the Democratic Party—and what they could tell us about the road to 2028. They start in Massachusetts, where Ed Markey decisively defeated Seth Moulton, sparking a bigger debate over whether Democratic voters care more about ideology, experience, or generational change—and whether simply being younger is enough to unseat an incumbent.

From there, they head to Texas, where the fallout from the Democratic primary continues to expose tensions within the party. They examine Jasmine Crockett’s complicated relationship with James Talarico, the importance of endorsements, the increasingly toxic online environment surrounding primary politics, and what the race could mean for control of the Senate.

The conversation then turns to the rapidly changing world of political influence, as creators and influencers become an increasingly important force in campaigns. They discuss how political creators are operating differently from traditional journalists, the growing importance of direct access to candidates, and what an influencer-driven political landscape could look like heading into 2028.

Speaking of 2028, Rob, Jesse, and Guy dig into the coming scramble for Democratic campaign talent. With dozens of potential candidates preparing for a presidential primary, they explore the competition for staff, where campaigns might establish their headquarters, whether fully remote campaigns could become the norm, and just how chaotic the race for political talent could become.

Finally, they tackle one of the most unexpected political issues emerging from the AI boom: data centers. They debate Trump and JD Vance’s positions on data-center expansion, the backlash over rising electricity and infrastructure costs, the growing tension between local communities and the AI economy, and why data-center politics could become a major issue for both parties by 2028.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are joined by guests from the Democratic Governors Association to break down the 2026 political landscape and the races that could reshape the country heading into the midterms. They start with Donald Trump's escalating feud with the media, including his threat to have the FCC go after Kristen Welker, and debate what his record on political endorsements actually says about his influence within the Republican Party.

The conversation then turns to the governors' map, where the DGA guests lay out the races Democrats are defending, the states where they're going on offense, and why the party believes it has a real opportunity to regain a majority of governors' mansions for the first time since the Obama era. They dig into key contests in Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Florida, discussing the candidates, the political environment, and why Democrats are increasingly optimistic about their chances in several traditionally difficult states.

From there, they head to Georgia for a closer look at the Senate race between Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins, including Collins' increasingly controversial ties to figures associated with Nazi and white nationalist movements. They ask whether Collins' "Nazi problem" could derail his campaign, why Ossoff is currently in such a strong position, and how Georgia's gubernatorial race between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican opposition could give Democrats an even bigger opportunity in the state.

Finally, the episode looks ahead to 2028, with a discussion of Kamala Harris' potential presidential ambitions, AOC's recent staff shakeup, and the growing competition over the future direction of the Democratic Party. They debate whether Democrats should embrace a wide-open presidential primary and why the next cycle could bring a much more consequential fight over what the party actually stands for.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are joined in studio by Pat Dennis, president of Democratic superPAC American Bridge, for a wide-ranging look at the political battles shaping the 2026 midterms. They start in South Carolina, where Darline Graham’s primary victory raises questions about just how vulnerable Republicans may be in states that looked safely red—and whether Democrats should be competing everywhere the numbers give them even a narrow opening. 

The conversation then turns to Donald Trump’s plans for the midterms, including his push to put himself at the center of Republican campaign advertising and the GOP’s unusual upcoming midterm convention. Pat explains why Republicans may be making a mistake by nationalizing races that could otherwise be fought on local issues, while the group digs into the messages that are actually resonating with voters—especially the cost of living and corruption. They also examine Trump’s tariffs, the fight over beef prices, and the growing frustration among Republicans with the direction of the party.

From there, they get into one of the Democratic Party’s most persistent internal fights: Hasan Piker’s role in the Michigan Senate race and whether Democrats are helping Republicans by turning a controversial Twitch streamer into a national political figure. That leads to a broader debate over how Democrats should handle provocative voices on the left, before they tackle the party’s approach to Israel and Gaza and Jared Moskowitz’s appointment to a key House foreign policy subcommittee.

And for the political nerds, there’s plenty in the weeds: Pat breaks down a consequential campaign-finance ruling over television advertising rates and why it could give Democratic candidates with strong small-dollar fundraising a major advantage. They also discuss Rob Sand’s refreshingly blunt approach to Democratic politics, why candidates might benefit from simply answering questions honestly, and whether the Iowa Democrat is an early name to watch for 2028. 

Finally, the group gets into the increasingly complicated politics of AI and data centers, debating whether voters’ opposition is really about technology—or something much more local and straightforward: not wanting a giant data center in their backyard.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are joined by Lauren Hitt and South Carolina Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews to unpack a rapidly shifting political landscape heading into the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race. They dig into whether Democrats can actually compete in deep-red South Carolina, the Republican runoff between Darline Graham and Ralph Norman, and why Andrews believes Democrats have a real opening in a state where Trump remains deeply influential.

From there, they examine Donald Trump's role in the midterms, including his push to campaign for Republican candidates, his focus on the White House ballroom, and whether his involvement is ultimately helping or hurting the GOP. They also break down the Senate map and debate whether Democrats are genuinely positioned to retake the Senate in 2026, with races in Michigan, Maine, Ohio, Texas, Iowa, Alaska, South Carolina and beyond potentially reshaping the balance of power.

The conversation then turns to Hakeem Jeffries' private meeting with Jared Kushner, the Democrats' struggle to articulate a compelling affordability agenda, and the growing tensions around outside spending in Democratic races—including AIPAC's involvement in the Michigan Senate contest. Finally, the panel looks ahead to 2028 and the growing buzz around Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, asking whether his ability to win over voters in one of America's reddest states could make him the next Bill Clinton—and whether his brand of Democratic politics offers a path back to the White House.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse unpack a wild week in Democratic politics, from a stunning Florida Senate primary upset to growing backlash against data centers and the early battle for the 2028 presidential nomination. They break down how Angie Nixon, a card-carrying DSA member, defeated heavily funded establishment candidate Alex Vindman, and what the result says about the Democratic Party's ongoing struggle between its establishment and socialist wings.

They then turn to Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, where Mary Peltola's strong primary showing, a surprise Democratic special-election win in a deep-red Pennsylvania district, and the messy Ed Markey–Seth Moulton Senate primary offer clues about the political environment heading toward the midterms. They discuss whether Democrats are genuinely positioned for a strong 2026, and whether Republicans should be worried about their performance in traditionally safe districts.

From there, the conversation shifts to one of the biggest emerging political fights: data centers. They examine Josh Shapiro's dramatic shift from promoting AI and data-center investment to imposing some of the nation's strictest restrictions, and why Republicans are now warning that the backlash against data centers could cost them Senate seats. The discussion explores the growing political collision between Big Tech, AI, local communities, and voters.

Finally, they look ahead to 2028, including the growing anti-DSA push within the Democratic Party and the early positioning of Pete Buttigieg and Mark Kelly. They debate whether Democrats should distance themselves from the socialist left or find a way to bring an increasingly influential part of their coalition into the fold, before turning to Jon Ossoff, Natalie Harp, and the bizarre political story surrounding Trump's so-called "human printer."

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse unpack the latest Democratic primary fallout in Wisconsin and Michigan, the growing political fight over data centers and AI, and what these battles could reveal about where voters are headed in the 2026 midterms. They break down the aftermath of Wisconsin’s razor-thin primary, the role of late-deciding voters, and why Democrats and Republicans alike are suddenly scrambling to take an anti-data-center position.

From there, they turn to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the extraordinary amount of attention surrounding her, from her decision to publicly document her egg-freezing journey to the backlash over her comments about “woke” politics. They discuss AOC’s unusually direct relationship with voters, why her authenticity continues to set her apart from other politicians, and whether she is prepared to handle the intense spotlight of a potential 2028 presidential campaign. 

The episode then takes a deep dive into the state of political polling with Jane Rayburn, principal and co-founder of Workbench Strategy and a pollster for Zohran Mamdani. Rayburn explains what really happened with the recent polling in Wisconsin and Michigan, whether the polls were actually “wrong,” how late-deciding voters can reshape a race, and why public polling and internal campaign polling serve very different purposes.

Finally, Rayburn shares lessons from Mamdani’s campaign, including how the campaign used polling to identify and mobilize key groups of voters, why affordability needs to be more than just a Democratic buzzword, and what Democrats and progressives can learn from Mamdani’s focus on concrete policies, constituent service, and communicating a clear vision for government.

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Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse stay up late for an absolutely chaotic night of Democratic primary results, breaking down David Crowley’s stunning upset over Francesca Hong in Wisconsin and what the race reveals about the fight between progressives and the Democratic establishment. With Wisconsin’s returns coming in slowly and the outcome swinging wildly by the minute, they unpack the polling misses, Tony Evers’ late endorsement of Crowley, Hong’s campaign strategy, the impact of the data-center issue, and why the state’s Democratic electorate proved so difficult to predict.

They also look beyond Wisconsin, discussing Peggy Flanagan’s Minnesota primary win, Luke Bronin’s defeat of longtime incumbent John Larson in Connecticut, and the broader anti-establishment and generational-change forces reshaping Democratic primaries. Along the way, they debate what “electability” really means, whether Democrats are too quick to label candidates as establishment or unelectable, and how campaigns should balance grassroots organizing, paid media, persuasion and turnout.

The conversation then turns to Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan victory and what his performance could mean for AOC, the future of progressive politics, and the 2028 presidential race. They examine whether candidates on the left can win in swing states, how progressives need to adapt outside places like New York and California, and why communication, coalition-building and electability may matter more than ideological labels.

Finally, they dig into the Democratic coalition itself, including the role of Black voters, young voters and college-educated voters, before the night descends into election-night chaos involving recount rules, missing USB drives, delayed Milwaukee results, and the very real question of whether anyone will ever get to bed. Through it all, the hosts are joined by Holly Otterbein, Sam Cornale, Quentin Fulks, Dan Kanninen, Devin Remiker and Addisu Demissie for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the strangest primary nights of the cycle.

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Jesse looks ahead to another big night of primary results while taking stock of where the Democratic Party stands after Abdul El-Sayed’s stunning Michigan Senate primary victory. After a bruising campaign, El-Sayed is getting an increasingly unified show of support from across the Democratic coalition, with Haley Stevens, Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, and others helping rally behind his general election campaign. But Jesse asks whether El-Sayed has learned the right lessons from his unexpectedly narrow victory—and whether his shift toward a more welcoming, big-tent message can help Democrats hold together heading into November.

He also breaks down the Republican response to El-Sayed, including what he describes as an overtly racist campaign focused on his Muslim identity, and why that attack could ultimately help bring Democrats and the broader progressive coalition together behind him. The conversation then turns to one of the most unexpected political issues emerging from this year's primaries: data centers. From Michigan's 7th District to Kansas and Wisconsin, opposition to data center development has become a surprisingly powerful grassroots issue, helping progressive candidates defeat well-funded establishment-backed opponents and reshape Democratic primaries.

Finally, Jesse previews the races to watch on the upcoming Election Night Live, including the South Carolina Senate special primary to replace Lindsey Graham, the Minnesota Senate showdown between Peggy Flanagan and Angie Craig, the bizarre Minnesota governor's race involving Mike Lindell, and Francesca Hong's closely watched Wisconsin gubernatorial primary. With establishment Democrats increasingly nervous about the direction of the party—and candidates discovering new ways to build grassroots momentum—the next round of primaries could offer another revealing look at where Democrats are headed.

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