Off The Record With Paul Hodes

Political Rehab: Trump Dumps, GOP Chaos, and Vaccine Controversies.Join hosts Matt and Matt on this week's episode of Political Rehab as they dissect the latest political turmoil, including Donald Trump's controversial actions, Marjorie Taylor Greene's retirement, and the ongoing GOP internal conflicts. It all adds to up one big question: is this all a sign that the actual, long-promised GOP meltdown is here?They analyze key issues like the economy, healthcare, and the dubious changes to the CDC's stance on vaccines and autism. This episode also features viewer mailbag questions and a deep dive into the impact of mysterious 'secret plans,.'00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:51 Trump Dump: Weekly Segment06:34 Doge Disbanded: A Disaster That Will Echo for Years09:29 Ukraine Peace Deal Controversy12:43 DOJ Incompetence and Legal Blunders15:25 Trump's Secret Healthcare Plan18:28 Economic Woes and Consumer Confidence20:36 Political Fallout from Trump's Policies21:37 Mailbag: Viewer Qu

Trump’s Incompetence, Sedition Accusations, and Surprising Legislative MovesMatt Robison stars out today with a preview of his next Newsweek piece, tentatively titled “Trump Built His Own Trap—Now He’s Caught in It.” Then, Matt and Paul Hodes delve into how the Trump team's incompetence is crushing all his plans, from the collapse of key prosecutions to the convoluted Texas redistricting plan. They also address Trump's baseless accusations of sedition against Democrats, the supposed ACA replacement plan that never emerged, and the chaotic handling of the Ukraine peace deal. Matt Wylie joins for a preview of their upcoming political rehab show.00:00 Introduction and Show Overview02:32 New Article Sneak Peek04:47 Trump's Mirage and Trap10:15 Incompetence in Trump's Administration16:26 Legal Missteps and Prosecution Issues27:10 Texas Redistricting and Judicial Challenges32:27 Obamacare Vote and Political Sacrifice37:40 Trump's Sedition Accusations47:56 Trump's Incompetent Appointments51:1

Political Rehab: Fixing Politics and Making It Fun In thispremiere episode of Political Rehab, hosts Matt Robison and Matt Wylie hit the horrible week that Trump never wanted, including the Epstein files release, Marjorie Taylor Greene's recent 180 degree turn, the giant "Wag the Dog" maneuver underway, and hit segments like "Trump Dump" and "That's Bullshit!" Our new show aims to make engaging with politicsenjoyable, informative, and awesome again. Listeners are encouraged to provide feedback and join the conversation on Substack.00:00 Introduction to Political Rehab03:20 Trump Dump: Weekly Grievances07:38 Epstein Files and Political Implications09:58 Marjorie Taylor Green's Political Strategy13:09 Trump's Wag the Dog Tactics16:09 Democratic Party Dynamics19:13 DOJ Controversies and Political Weaponization21:28 Republican Ideals and Political Hypocrisy22:28 Burning Questions with Matt GPT33:05 That's Bullshit: Affordability and Walmart Thanksgiving33:33 Dose of Hope: Positive Political Changes

***NEW SHOW COMING FRIDAY! Subscribe to this pod and https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Trump’s Epstein Files Debacle and the Brewing Democratic Divide. Matt Robison discusses the latest twists in the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files. Matt also provides insights into the broader implications of this scandal on Trump's political decline. The episode further explores the infighting within the Democratic Party, featuring a conversation with Michaeleen Crowell, former chief of staff to Bernie Sanders, about the party's challenges and potential solutions. AND Matt announces an exciting new show, 'Politics Rehab,' aimed at re-engaging the politically exhausted and making politics fun again.01:01 The Epstein Files Debacle13:43 Trump's Political Decline15:57 New Show Announcement: Politics Rehab18:21 Interview with Michaeleen19:07 Challenges Within the Democratic Party30:13 Addressing the Disconnect in Politics35:30 Economic Challenges and Affordability39:07 Redistributio

Today, I had 15 minutes, So I set out to tackle the one question that’s breaking the brains of Democrats right now: why did those eight Senate Democrats make THIS deal to end the government shut down? I wanted to answer three basic questions.What happened here (i.e., why did they do this)? Could they have actually done better? (and I know that one seems obvious but I want to put some shape to that with one suggestion). Where are we going from here? And I really want to get to this third part because it’s in our DNA as Democrats to get really dejected and down on ourselves…and I don’t think we should, because getting consumed by anger and depression and recriminations plays into the hands of the Trump MAGA authoritarians.00:00 Introduction and Unusual Format03:37 Perception Battle and Polling Insights08:00 Concerns and Reactions to the Deal12:11 Possible Alternatives and Final Thoughts14:45 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** Election Day Insights and Policy Debates with Matt Robison and Dan Perry. We started with Ohio House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn on the deal he just helped broker on redistricting on Ohio. Was it Republicans getting away with more predatory gerrymandering, or a sneaky win for Democrats? Then, Dan Perry joined to ask was Trump’s big Asia trip and trade deal-a-palooza really just smoke? And we got into Zohran Mamdani, Dick Cheney, and whether Trump thinks people seeking asylum are actually from asylums.0:00 Introduction and Election Day Overview02:30 Ohio Gerrymandering Deal Explained04:24 Interview with Ohio House Minority Leader08:36 Challenges and Criticisms of the Deal19:33 Strategies for Democratic Success in Ohio24:22 Transition to Foreign Affairs Discussion41:54 Respect for Democracy and Rule of Law47:25 The Future of Trump and Republican Politics55:10 Economic Pain and Progressive Policies01:05:31 The Challenge for

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Trump's Military Maneuvers and the Radical Right's AgendaGuest Jonathan Larson of 'The Fucking News' discusses a series of concerning developments surrounding Donald Trump's recent actions with America's military. The discussion delves into Trump's angry, partisan speeches to service members, his illegal attempts to finance military pay through a secretive billionaire during the government shutdown, and questionable military activities aimed at Venezuelan vessels. Larson reveals the involvement of right-wing figures in supplying Trump with dubious intelligence, and examines how these actions could signal a dangerous shift towards using the U.S. military for personal political gain. The conversation further explores the National Prayer Breakfast's problematic connections and changes in the leadership of ICE, providing a comprehensive look into the nefarious underpinnings of current political man

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Things got even more absurd in Donald Trump's Washington this week: leaked Nazi-loving group texts, an unending government shutdown, and an insane decision to fire most of the people who guard our nation's nuclear stockpile. Joined by guest Andrew Heaton of The Political Orphanage, we delve into the culture within the Republican Party, the debate over centrism versus polarization in American politics, and whether an errant artillery shell in California was a message to Vice President J.D. Vance.00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview05:28 Nuclear Stockpile Negligence11:47 Republican Extremism and Nazi Allegations22:31 The Future of the Republican Party27:45 The Dilemma of Democratic Centrism32:11 The Kiss of Death and Moderation39:28 Inflation and Kitchen Table Issues43:12 Government Shutdown and Gridlock51:07 Rescissions and Government Spending57:51 Military Mishap in California

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***This isn't just another breathless AI conversation. Cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier joins host Matt Robison to discuss the truly transformative things that are not just on the horizon, but actually starting to happen today, as artificial intelligence bleeds into politics and government. They look at the hidden upsides for fixing many of our deepest problems, but also some of the staggering problems we could increasingly encounter. They explore some of surprising ways AI is already being used in opinion polls, political campaigns, and voter engagement. Schneier's new book is Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship02:21 AI in Opinion Polls04:50 AI Voting Assistance13:32 AI as a Consensus Builder17:00 The Dark Side of AI in Democracy23:33 Concerns About AI and Dystopia29:48 AI Avatars in Politics33:28 AI in Fundraising and Campaign Efficiency38:19 Challenges and Ethical Con

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** Is the Clock Ticking for Trump? Analyzing Political Dynamics with Fred Wellman. Former Lincoln Project Executive Director Fred Wellman joins to explore whether the walls are closing in on Donald Trump and his Republican allies as various pressures--including economic woes and legal challenges--keep piling up. The conversation delves into recent polling data, the impact of economic policies, and legal problems. Wellman also talks about his just-launched bid for Congress, emphasizing the importance of fighting for the public and the energy and strategy required to win challenging races. 00:25 The Clock is Ticking on Trump04:41 Desperation Moves in Politics06:30 Shutdown and Political Strategy13:50 Marjorie Taylor Greene and Political Dynamics21:42 Fred Wellman's Campaign and Personal Story31:54 Constitutional Conservatism and Federal Power35:49 Redistricting and Candidate Challenges41:01 The Importance of Running Everywher

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Revealing the Reality: Analyzing Trump's Unhinged Militarization On Tuesday this week, Matt was a guest on the morning show hosted by the legendary radio host Howard Monroe, and he threw Howard bit of a curve ball. Howard asked about the unhinged performances from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and US President Donald Trump last week, in which they dragged hundreds of generals and admirals across the world--to a meeting that essentially had no purpose--so that Hegseth could harangue them about personal grooming habits and Trump could go on a meandering campaign rally diatribe. But Matt made the case that what unfolded next was actually good news. And it's connected to Trump's military incursions into U.S. cities. 00:00 Introduction: Silver Linings in Unlikely Places08:33 Trump's National Guard Deployment Controversy16:23 The Legal Battle Over Militarization25:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***  The one election race that gives the most insight into the state of politics in America right now is the campaign for Bucks County District Attorney in Pennsylvania. Bucks County is the true swingiest of swing counties in one of the few--and biggest--swing states in the country. Donald Trump won it by 0.07 percentage points in 2024...less than 300 votes out of more than 400,000 votes cast. We're joined by the Democratic candidate Joe Khan (https://www.bucksunitedpa.com/joe-khan), to talk about what he's seeing, what's resonating, and why, right now, he's winning.00:00 Introduction: The Bellwether Election02:35 Interview with Joe Khan: The Campaign Journey08:14 National Implications and Local Impact12:10 The Role of Courts and Future Prospects33:06 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** Matt is joined by former prosecutor and former NBC legal analyst Glenn Kirschner. They discuss why, amid the critical state of American democracy, Kirschner is seeing evidence of positive movement. Kirschner shares insights on legal battles, judicial integrity, and the importance of civic engagement. The episode also delves into the recent Supreme Court term, the importance of economic, legal, and political power in safeguarding democracy, and the controversial Pam Bondi hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.05:33 Legal Developments and Optimism18:08 Judicial Pushback Against Trump27:56 Integrity in the Judiciary34:53 Pam Bondi's Senate Judiciary Committee Appearance38:27 Trump's Criminal Enterprise43:39 Accountability and the DOJ51:30 Supreme Court and Trump's Legal Battles55:38 Call to Action: Engaging for Justice01:01:19 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** With a shutdown looming, Democrats are in a desperate fight to make a stand against President Donald Trump's attack on the rule of law, not to mention his perceived political enemies, universities, law firms, science, and our health. Stanford political scientist and prolific Substack author Adam Bonica (https://data4democracy.substack.com/) joins political analyst Matt Robison (https://worthknowing.substack.com/) to talk about some of the common threads of the shutdown, corruption, and political campaigns. Are Democrats pursuing the right fight? What would a winning approach be? And how are the money wars destroying politics?00:58 The Deeper Implications of the Shutdown04:43 The Right Fight for Democrats?10:04 Polling Data and Shutdown Impact14:57 Democrats as the Anti-Corruption Party33:33 The Ineffectiveness of Campaign Ads43:43 The Impact of Fundraising on Polarization49:41 Unethical Fundraising Practices57:12 Conclus

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Matt Robison hits his conservative Republican friend Matt Wylie with the toughest question for Republicans right now: when is all of this too much? When do you have to start fighting your own party? Wylie's answer was... surprising. They also address the erosion of rights and liberties under Trump and the necessity for core conservative Republicans to reclaim their party.04:30 Trump's UN Speech and Its Implications09:17 The MAGA Base and Political Strategy15:46 Challenges Within the Republican Party27:26 Republican Party's Identity Crisis34:10 Trump's Authoritarian Moves37:10 Democrats' Strategy and Future Elections40:30 Free Speech and Government Overreach46:57 The Role of Free Enterprise51:06 Concluding Thoughts on Political Landscape

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** Is the Backlash the Beginning? Matt Robison is joined by author Greg Olear to discuss how blatant corruption and abuses of power by Donald Trump might be opening the door to the rise of a more focused opposition. From manipulating law enforcement to target his enemies, attacking free speech, financial corruption tied to his cabinet, the collapse of economic policy, and the erosion of U.S. soft power, the public's increasing disapproval of Trump might also mean an opportunity, if the nearly 50% of Americans who strongly disapprove of him can mobilize and target their energy.00:00 Introduction and Overview05:46 Discussion on Trump's Actions and Consequences12:20 Economic Policies and Public Discontent27:47 Midterms and Gerrymandering Concerns33:18 Trump's UN Speech and Global Reactions40:19 Trump's Corruption and Financial Ties56:12 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Beyond Politics: The Rapid Shifts in Trump's AmericaMatt Robison discusses the swift changes in the political landscape, focusing on Trump's increasing authoritarianism and its implications. Taken from Matt's recent interview on Howard Monroe's radio show, where they discussed the assassination of Charlie Kirk and Trump's reaction. Plus, Trump's takeover attempts in different sectors, the role of the courts, and the critical state of freedom of speech. 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene00:34 The Charlie Kirk Assassination03:39 Discussion on Robert Redford06:30 Trump's Authoritarian Tactics19:51 The Role of Courts and Media27:17 Future Challenges and Conclusion

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** Navigating the Kirk Crackdown: Democracy, Protests, and Vengeance. The Kirk crackdown has started. The shock and outrage that President Donald Trump and his orbit felt after the killing of Charlie Kirk has transformed into an all-out attack on political opponents, media, and people who dare offer any criticism of the administration. Former Congressman, prosecutor, and Obama National Co-Chairman Paul Hodes and political analyst Matt Robison hit provocative questions like whether institutions made a fundamental mistake early in Trump's term that led to disaster; if Americans need an "I Am Spartacus" moment; whether Democrats are walking into a shutdown trap; and will this show and all non-MAGA media get hit in the MAGA crackdown.00:00 Introduction 07:58 Gun Violence and Political Manipulation18:13 Economic Focus and Legal Battles35:14 Government Shutdown Debate49:48 The Role of Age and Experience in Politics57:15

**Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** The Judicial Branch Is Our Last Line of Defense Against Trump. Is It Holding?Join Matt Robison and legal expert Kim Wehle as they explore the judiciary's role in countering the unprecedented consolidation of power and abuse of the law by the Trump administration. Amid the collapse of checks from the executive and legislative branches, the conversation delves into whether the judicial branch can stand firm or if it's on the brink of collapse. This episode is a deep-dive into recent rulings, constitutional law, and the imperative for collective civic engagement to uphold democracy.00:00 Introduction and Overview06:26 The Supreme Court's Abdication of Duty18:25 Emergency Powers and Presidential Overreach26:34 The Role of Lower Courts32:53 The Importance of Rule of Law38:31 Supreme Court Rulings and Their Implications44:47 The Need for Constitutional Protections49:20 Engaging in Constructive Dialogue54:33 Final Though

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** The Complex Web of Trump's Global Mess: Unpacking the DamageThe focus starts on the potential for lasting damage from President Trump's mounting failures around the world. Matt Robison is joined by former AP Editor for Europe, Middle East, and Africa Dan Perry to break down the implications of the thorny relationship dynamics exposed at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, and the fallout from Trump's trade policies. But then, as Trump's press conference unfolds live while they were on air, the conversation turned to Trump's five-day disappearance and obvious health struggles, and what that means for the future. 00:14 Trump's Disappearance and Reemergence02:29 Trump's Trade Wars and Consequences07:22 India's Shift Towards China and Russia19:07 Internal and External Damage Under Trump32:06 The Original Sin and Economic Impact40:37 Israel, Gaza, and US Influence52:30 Trump's Health