Did Sen. Chuck Schumer drop the ball by dodging a government shutdown fight with Donald Trump? On this episode of The DMZ, Bill Scher and Matt Lewis break down Schumer’s punt on the funding bill, the growing backlash from Trump voters blindsided by ICE deportations and DOGE job cuts, and what it all means for Democrats’ 2026 midterm comeback. 

From Elon Musk’s wild influence to Medicaid cuts on the horizon, we’re digging into the political mess. Is Schumer a shrug or a strategist? Can Dems turn Trump’s chaos into House and Senate wins? Hit play and find out!  

Key Topics:  

-- Chuck Schumer’s filibuster fail and government shutdown dodge  

-- Donald Trump’s policies hitting his own voters—ICE, DOGE, tariffs  

-- 2026 midterms: Democrats’ shot at the House and Senate  

-- Elon Musk’s DOGE and the Medicaid cuts threat

Join Matt Lewis and Bill Scher in the DMZ as they dive into:

-- Donald Trump’s latest moves—tariffs, federal workforce cuts, and all-out economic chaos. 

-- Is there a method to the madness, or is Trump risking a recession with no plan? 

-- From West Virginia’s vibe shift to Elon Musk’s DOGE-fueled firings, we unpack the stakes—stagflation, cronyism, and a GOP rooting for the bad guys. 

-- Are Democrats fighting back effectively, or just flailing? 

-- Elon Musk Misunderstood the Film “Office Space.”

-- Remembering blog legend Kevin Drum

-- And MUCH more!

Join Matt Lewis and Bill Scher on DMZ as they dive into the latest political analysis. In this episode, Bill discusses his provocative Washington Monthly article, "Trump’s Historically Bad First Month of Polls Should Terrify Republicans." 

With Trump's approval ratings dropping 7 points in just one month — starting stronger than his first term but already treading water — these early numbers could spell disaster for congressional Republicans facing the 2026 midterms. 

From unpopular tariffs and Elon Musk’s growing unpopularity to potential economic missteps like inflation and job cuts, is Trump governing as advertised, or is he overreading his mandate? Matt challenges Bill’s optimism, questioning voter expectations, poll reliability, and whether Republicans can break from Trump’s grip. Are Democrats poised to capitalize, or will Trump’s chaos reshape the political landscape? Watch now for expert insights on Trump’s presidency, GOP strategy, and the road to 2026!

Bill and Matt assess Trump's first three weeks of his second term

On this episode of The DMZ, Bill and Matt discuss...

-- Why they decided to take a break from recording, and how they are planning to professionally manage a second Trump presidency.

-- Mike Johnson winning enough votes to remain Speaker of The House

-- Whether Trump's administration will face problems with inflation and a debt ceiling crisis

-- Why Matt believes in "The Great Man" theory of campaigns

-- Bill's theory that Kamala Harris could be the Democratic nominee in 2028

-- And MUCH more!

On this week's DMZ, BIll and Matt discuss the seven reasons Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump. 

Bill revises his predictions, adding a new state into the Kamala Harris column. Matt and Bill discuss why there are two very different scenarios that could play out, based on different assumptions having to do with the electorate.

On this week's DMZ, Bill Scher and Matt Lewis make their 2024 presidential and U.S. Senate predictions. They also discuss...

-- Which candidate would get more done as president

-- Whether Senate Republicans would blow up the filibuster

-- Donald Trump's lousy record on deporting illegal immigrants

-- Why Joe Biden's stupid "garbage" gaffe hurts Kamala Harris, and changes the subject from the Puerto Rico controversy

-- Who Matt's voting for in 2024

-- The Dodgers beat the Yankees!

-- And MUCH more

On this week's DMZ, Bill and Matt discuss:

-- Kamala Harris's CNN town hall meeting

-- Is the media's double standard helping Donald Trump and hurting Kamala Harris

-- Matt asks: Will sexism doom Kamala Harris?

-- Kamala Harris and John Kelly agree: Trump's a fascist!

-- Bill lists the three 'known unknowns' that will decide the 2024 election 

-- Why does Tucker Carlson want Daddy Trump to spank naughty America?

-- Bill explains why Trump's longing for an 1890s-style regressive tariff system is stupid.

On this week's DMZ, Bill and Matt discuss...

-- Should you move to Canada if Trump wins?

-- Why pollsters have a hard time saying who will win this race — or how close it even is

-- Trump's comments about the "enemy within," and why they should be getting more attention than Hillary Clinton's "Deplorables" gaffe. 

-- Why Kamala Harris is smart not to blame the voters for a tied race.

-- And MUCH more!