The Bill Press Pod

It's Election Day but we won't know the outcome for many hours, or even days. After we voted, there's not much more we can do. So today we're offering an alternative to politics, an interview with one of the most prolific spy novelists in history. He was Bill's producer at CNN and now Daniel Silva is the internationally acclaimed novelist whose main character Gabriel Allon, has captured the imagination of people all over the world. This episode is for you to relax and enjoy and get your mind off politics for just 1/2 an hour. Here is a link to Daniel Silva's page on Amazon which has all of his 27 best sellers. We'll be back on Friday with our Reporters Roundtable to figure out just what happened today.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, the workers we meet in our daily lives at our supermarkets drug stores and even cannabis dispensaries. More information at UFCW.org.

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Hate Fest at the Garden. Harris at The Ellipse. Trump: Shoot Liz. Women’s Secret Ballot. Which Issues Matter? Michelle Addresses Men. Who Will Win? With Philip Bump, Washington Post National Columnist and author of the How To Read This Chart newsletter, Lynn Sweet, Columnist and Washington Bureau Chief at the Chicago Sun-Times and David Jackson, National Political Correspondent for USA TODAY.

Today’s Bill Press Pod is supported by The Laborers' International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chapter 12 chronicles the demise of our fictional magazine, Capital Monthly. The pressure from the White House, from advertisers and from Social Media algorithms kills the independent journalism that was documenting what life was like under Donald Trump's second term guided by Project 2025. As our host, Bill Press, of The Bill Press Pod says in the episode:

“It’s not too late to change some minds. The election is a few days away and still most people have not voted. If you have a friend or family member that has not decided whether to vote, or whom to vote for, this is your chance to make a difference. If this series frightened you, made you even more fearful of a Trump second term, perhaps it can have the same effect on someone you know. Please share this series or even a single episode that might speak to that person's special interests. All twelve episodes are in your podcast app and available for sharing. Or you could direct them to go to 2025 pod.com. If we all do something, as Michelle Obama says, even small things like this, we can make a difference and save our Democracy from Donald Trump and Project 2025.”

We’d like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this series. Especially the talented sound designers Marilys Ernst and Jonathan Moser who worked on every episode. Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is written by David Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.

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In Chapter 11, set in November in Tallahassee, fictional Florida, Governor Buck Bryce confidently addresses the press regarding Hurricane Timothy, initially predicted to be a manageable Category 1 storm. However, the hurricane unexpectedly strengthens to a devastating Category 4 upon landfall, causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life. The governor, previously assured by Washington that all preparations were sufficient, is confronted with the reality of inadequate storm forecasting due to recent cuts to federal meteorological services as proposed by Project 2025.

As emergency response efforts falter, Bryce grapples with the new federal policies under Trump that make it difficult to declare emergencies and provide immediate assistance to affected businesses and citizens. The narrative highlights the consequences of disregarding climate science and federal data, resulting in death and destruction

As always, the series author, David Pepper ties the fiction to the facts in Project 2025 and Trump’s own words.

We'd like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode:

Mark Ruffalo who read the chapter and others who contributed character voices. 

Sound design by Jonathan Moser.

Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is written by David Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The two leading mental health professionals, Dr. John Gartner, formerly a Visiting Professor at Johns Hopkins Medical School and the man behind the Duty to Warn Twitter feed and Dr. Vincent Greenwood, Founder and Executive Director of The Washington Center for Cognitive Therapy, warn that Donald Trump exhibits signs of serious mental and cognitive decline, including malignant narcissism and early-stage dementia. They argue that Trump's deteriorating mental state poses an existential threat to American democracy if he were to be re-elected, as he would be incapable of carrying out the duties of the presidency and could make erratic and dangerous decisions. The experts emphasize that Trump's mental and cognitive issues have worsened significantly in recent months and that his re-election would be highly concerning given the rapid acceleration of his decline.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The American Association of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.org

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Focus on Georgia. Trump to NYC. Harris to TX. Who’s Gonna Win? Kelly: Trump Fascist. Trump Sex Scandal. Trump Threatens Press. With Maya King, Politics Reporter covering the south for The New York Times, Gabe Debeneddetti, National Correspondent for New York Magazine and Jeff Dufour, Editor in Chief of The National Journal. 

Today’s Bill Press Pod is supported by the American Federation of Teachers. More information at AFT.org

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The first part of Chapter10 introduces the fictional character Dr. Joy Brewer, a dedicated researcher focused on studying cancer clusters affecting Black Americans. Joy learns from her colleague, Dr. Matthias Kunz, that all federal grants linked to race or gender are being canceled, jeopardizing her life’s work. Despite her attempts to advocate for her essential research, the political climate forces her into a corner where she must reconsider her direction. This part of the chapter closes with Joy’s resolute decision to remain true to her mission, suggesting a significant personal and professional loss amidst the disaster of Trump and his ideological allies.

In the second part of chapter, the fictional Webster "Web" Powers, addresses a packed ballroom in Washington, D.C., on a day he considers pivotal for his political ambitions. Web, who has transformed from a simple condo salesman into a powerful figure opposing what he sees as “woke” ideologies in education and government, relishes the fear among his audience—representatives from universities and research institutions.  

He recalls how his concerns about a lack of patriotic historical education for his children led him on a crusade to eliminate anti-American content from schools, which in turn propelled him into politics. After achieving success in Florida by banning critical race theory and related concepts from education, he is ready to extend his efforts nationally. During his speech, he unveils plans to remove references to race, gender identities, and diversity from federal policies and grants, branding the funding of such initiatives as “racism.”  

His announcement indicates that billions in federal research funds supporting various racial and gender-focused studies will now be terminated, causing dread among established academics who relied on these grants. Web takes pleasure in exerting control, sensing that his audience, once dismissive towards him, is now subservient to his newfound authority.

Ultimately, both narratives illustrate what happens when a Trump second term guided by Project 2025 destroys the lives and work of dedicated individuals committed to social justice and scientific integrity.

We'd like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode:

Danai Gurira and Joel Hurt Jones who read the chapter and others who contributed character voices. 

Sound design by Jonathan Moser and Marilys Ernst. 

Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is written by David Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The story follows fictional Private Troy Marquis, who attends a tense early morning briefing at a military reserve base in Philadelphia. Troy is told that a radical group, Antifa, has invaded the city, prompting a second-term President Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act.  US law currently prohibits the military from operating on US soil. However, the Insurrection Act of 1807 gives the president broad and sweeping authority to use the military to quell domestic violence or conspiracy that the president thinks is a domestic rebellion or insurrection. Donald Trump tried use the Insurrection Act against Black Lives Matter protests in his first administration and has threatened use the U.S. Military to shut down protests against him if he is re-elected.

As the soldiers in Troy Marquis company advance towards City Hall, tensions rise with the conflict between what the soldiers were told and what they see with their own eyes. In the midst of a peaceful protest against police violence, the situation escalates when one soldier purposely makes up a perceived threat, leading to gunfire. The chaos results in the deaths of dozens and many injuries, including their own soldiers. Overcome with horror and guilt, Troy grapples with the aftermath of their actions and the brutal reality of their mission.

In a view from the other side, the fictional Julie Brown joins that protest in Philadelphia calling for justice after the police killing of two Black students. Despite her parents' concerns about the increasing hostility towards protesters, she feels compelled to stand up for her beliefs. The protest initially unfolds peacefully, filled with songs and chants, until military forces arrive with orders to disperse the demonstrators. As the military's authoritative tone becomes increasingly menacing, panic ensues when gunfire breaks out, resulting in casualties among the protesters. Julie is injured in the chaos and wakes up in the hospital, facing a representative of military intelligence who informs her that the protest group is being investigated for allegedly attacking the military. Once again in a trump administration up is down and down is up.

We'd like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode:

Mark Hamill and Andrea Guidry who read the chapters and others who contributed character voices. 

Sound design by Jonathan Moser and Marilys Ernst. 

This episode of Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal was jointly written by Daniel Miller—lawyer, writer and democracy advocate—and David Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today's guest on the Bill Press Pod is veteran journalist and presidential historian Jonathan Alter. His new book, American Reckoning: Inside Trump’s Trial―and My Own is out today.

Alter believes this election is the most pivotal since the Civil War, with democracy itself at stake. A Trump victory could lead to the establishment of an authoritarian, even fascist government. The conviction of Trump on 34 felony counts earlier this year was a major "reckoning" for him, but for Bill, the lack of consequences so far has been disappointing. Alter argues this conviction should still be a major factor for voters. Alter recounts how Nancy Pelosi maneuvered to replace Biden with Harris on the ticket, which he views as a "black swan" event that could save American democracy if Harris wins.

Alter expresses disillusionment with the media's failure to adequately inform and warn voters about the stakes of this election and the threat posed by Trump. He urges voters, including those who dislike both candidates, to recognize the gravity of the choice.

Alter maintains a sense of cautious optimism that the "angels of our nature" will ultimately prevail, even if Trump wins this election. But he emphasizes the critical importance of this vote for the future of American democracy. Jonathan’s Newsletter is here: OldGoats.substack.com/

Jon referenced this eye-opening video with Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. You can see it here: https://x.com/4_the_babies/status/1847700427342819376

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the Laborers' International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump’s “Music Fest.” Trump Going Silent? Harris Everywhere. Trump: Use Military vs Political Foes. MD Senate Race Close. TX Senate Race Close. Sinwar Killing. Biden to Europe Now? With Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief at CQ Roll Call, Sarah Wire, Senior national political correspondent for USA TODAY, Tom LoBianco, National Politics Reporter 24sight News, and John Bennett, White House Correspondent & Editor-at-Large at CQ Roll Call.

Today’s Bill Press Pod is supported by the IronWorkers Union. More information at IronWorkers.org

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.