To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

By Charlie Sykes

You are not the crazy ones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

... more

4.9

610610 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes:

How many episodes does To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes have?

The podcast currently has 124 episodes available.

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes episodes:

December 04, 2025 Ed Luce: Xenophobia, Murder on the High Seas, and Europe's Moment of Truth
In this episode, Charlie speaks with Ed Luce, US national editor and a columnist for the Financial Times. They discuss Trump's latest racist comments, the US military murderous boat strikes, and the decision that Europe has to make soon on whether to seize Russian assets and turn them over to Ukraine. Also, are we finally starting to imagine a post-Trump world?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
47min
December 02, 2025 Paul Rieckhoff: Trump, War Crimes, and the Afghan Betrayal
Charlie Sykes sits down with veteran advocate and Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff for a conversation about the escalating crises surrounding Donald Trump’s cabinet, the alleged “kill them all” order, and the looming threat of war with Venezuela. Rieckhoff breaks down the moral and national-security fallout of Trump’s shutdown of Afghan visas, arguing that America’s treatment of its wartime allies will shape our future on every battlefield. He also highlights the growing independent movement among veterans through Independent Americans (https://IndependentAmericans.us) and Independent Veterans of America (https://IndependentVeteransofAmerica.org), where new leaders are stepping up to challenge the political extremes.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
48min
November 28, 2025 Tom Nichols: Black Friday Blues
Charlie Sykes and Tom Nichols unpack a chaotic stretch in American politics that includes Trump’s fixation on loyalty, his escalating rhetoric, and his increasingly erratic behavior. They discuss the fallout from Trump’s attack on Sen. Mark Kelly, the strain inside the Pentagon, and the surreal spectacle of a president intervening in Hollywood sequels. From GOP dysfunction to Ukraine negotiations, they explore how an aging, insular Trump world is colliding with real-world crises—and why it all feels so much more dangerous this time around.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
57min
November 25, 2025 Michael Scherer: Inside RFK Jr.’s Rise
Charlie Sykes speaks with The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer about his in-depth cover story on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now one of the most influential—and divisive—figures shaping American science policy. Scherer discusses Kennedy’s complicated personal history, his fraught relationship with scientific institutions, and his unexpected alliance with Donald Trump. The conversation explores what Kennedy’s ascent reveals about a country losing trust in expertise—and why understanding him matters, even for his critics.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
46min
November 23, 2025 Terry Moran: Patriotism, Power, and a Perilous Moment
Charlie Sykes and journalist Terry Moran examine a week that showcased two starkly different Americas—from Dick Cheney’s solemn, apolitical funeral to the president’s public calls for executing political opponents. They discuss the escalating authoritarian rhetoric, the Ukraine “surrender plan,” the White House’s embrace of MBS, and the alarming signals around a possible conflict with Venezuela. Moran argues that beneath Trump’s projection of confidence lies a democracy under strain, institutions under pressure, and a country struggling to remember what normal governance looks like.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
51min
November 19, 2025 Susan Glasser: Lame-Duck is Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose
Charlie Sykes and Susan Glasser break down a stunning Oval Office moment in which Donald Trump defended Mohammed bin Salman and derided a reporter for asking about Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. They explore Trump’s escalating attacks on the press, the gold-plated symbolism of his Oval Office, and the deepening corruption and impunity shaping his presidency. Plus, growing fractures inside MAGA world including Marjorie Taylor Greene’s unexpected revolt, and what these shifts reveal about a movement in turmoil.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
45min
November 18, 2025 Matt Bennett: Lessons Democrats Can’t Ignore
Charlie Sykes sits down with Third Way’s Matt Bennett to break down why Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s New York City victory is not a roadmap for Democrats in swing states. Bennett argues that national Democrats must prioritize persuasion over ideological purity—and avoid language and policies that alienate working-class voters. Centrists like Mikey Sherrill, Abigail Spanberger, and others offer a more realistic path to defeating Donald Trump and winning elections that matter.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
45min
November 16, 2025 The Streisand Effect Cover-Up
Charlie Sykes breaks down why Donald Trump appears increasingly panicked over the Epstein files—and why the attempted cover-up is only making the story bigger. In a solo Q&A episode, he tackles subscriber questions on everything from GOP fractures to the role of the military, free speech, pardons, and the future of accountability.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
49min
November 13, 2025 Harry Litman: The Epstein Files Fallout
Charlie Sykes and legal analyst Harry Litman break down why the newly released Epstein files have Donald Trump and his allies unusually on edge. They discuss the political stakes behind the looming House vote on releasing the full Epstein cache, as well as Trump's sweeping pardons and efforts to rewrite the narrative of January 6th. The conversation also explores recent legal pushback against Trump-era overreach and the shifting public sentiment revealed in the latest elections.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
48min
November 11, 2025 Nicholas Grossman: No, The Dems Did Not Win The Shutdown
Charlie Sykes talks with political scientist Nicholas Grossman about the Democrats’ sudden surrender after weeks of holding the line against Trump’s budget demands. They break down why the timing baffled strategists, what the fold reveals about the party’s “normal democracy mindset,” and how it may reshape Democratic leadership. The conversation also explores Trump’s latest wave of pardons, the Heritage Foundation’s hard-right turn, and rising fears of another performative foreign war.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
49min

FAQs about To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes:

How many episodes does To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes have?

The podcast currently has 124 episodes available.

More shows like To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Conversations with Bill Kristol by Bill Kristol

Conversations with Bill Kristol

1,983 Listeners

The Atlantic Interview by The Atlantic

The Atlantic Interview

2,132 Listeners

The Michael Steele Podcast by The Bulwark

The Michael Steele Podcast

3,411 Listeners

The Bulwark Podcast by The Bulwark

The Bulwark Podcast

12,516 Listeners

Talking Feds by Harry Litman

Talking Feds

4,641 Listeners

Hacks On Tap by Vox Media

Hacks On Tap

8,051 Listeners

The Mona Charen Show by The Bulwark

The Mona Charen Show

1,338 Listeners

Impolitic with John Heilemann by Audacy | Puck

Impolitic with John Heilemann

4,705 Listeners

The Lincoln Project by The Lincoln Project

The Lincoln Project

9,245 Listeners

The Focus Group Podcast by The Bulwark

The Focus Group Podcast

2,582 Listeners

Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast by iHeartPodcasts

Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast

2,296 Listeners

The Next Level by The Bulwark

The Next Level

3,108 Listeners

Rick Wilson's The Enemies List by Black Pearl Studios

Rick Wilson's The Enemies List

4,062 Listeners

George Conway Explains It All (To Sarah Longwell) by The Bulwark

George Conway Explains It All (To Sarah Longwell)

3,528 Listeners

Bulwark Takes by The Bulwark

Bulwark Takes

946 Listeners