State of the Union
State of the Union features video podcasts by independent media.
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One-On-One With Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Rep. Stansbury: Trump and the GOP are infighting & Speaker Johnson shut down the House again
Surprise, surprise! Trump and the GOP are infighting and the Speaker has shut down the House…once again. Here’s the latest on all of the drama.
Stop Vought. Save Science. - A Call To Action With Dr. Colette Delawalla
Russell Vought is trying to destroy American science & federally funded research as we know it.
OMB’s latest proposed rule, “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,” would require all scientific grants to be approved by political appointees, stealing approval power from career experts in their fields. Funding would be required to align with “Administration policies and priorities.”
Political appointees selecting or approving research proposals destroys the scientific process, which is exactly what this Administration wants.
This a direct threat to scientific independence, public health, and evidence-based decision-making. Please join with Stand Up for Science to demand Congress stop this attack on science with direct and intense pressure on Trump and even legislation if that’s what it takes.
Scott Pelley on Bari Weiss and His Last Days at ‘60 Minutes’ | The Interview
Lulu Garcia-Navarro writes: It’s hard to overstate the impact of “60 Minutes” on journalism. It’s the most-watched television-news program in America. Since its debut on CBS in 1968, it’s been the home of some of the most-storied broadcast journalists, from Mike Wallace and Ed Bradley to Lesley Stahl, Anderson Cooper and, until this past week, Scott Pelley.
Pelley, who was at the network for 37 years, including as White House correspondent, anchor of the “CBS Evening News” and “60 Minutes” correspondent, was fired after an explosive series of events and much turmoil over the past few years at CBS. These events include a controversial financial settlement with President Trump over a “60 Minutes” segment; the sale of the network to David Ellison; and the appointment of Bari Weiss, a former New York Times Opinion staffer and founder of The Free Press with no television-news experience, to lead CBS News.
Pelley’s firing came after Weiss dismissed several of his colleagues and hired a new “60 Minutes” boss, Nick Bilton, whom Pelley then clashed with in a staff meeting. Pelley, along with a number of other “60 Minutes” correspondents who were fired, have now accused Weiss of editorial interference and bias, charges that CBS News and Weiss deny.
In his first sit-down interview since he was fired, Pelley told me about the specific incident he viewed as interference, about his experiences at CBS News over the past weeks and months, and about what he hopes will come of this very tumultuous time at the network where he spent most of his career.
Articulating This Messy Moment in American History | Explainer
Is Trump Finally Losing The True Believers?
Rich Logis once defended Trump. Now he's helping people leave MAGA behind. On this episode of The Lincoln Project Podcast, Rick Wilson sits down with the founder of Leaving MAGA to discuss the growing number of former Trump supporters who have simply had enough. From the Epstein scandal to the fallout from Trump's tariffs and the chaos surrounding Iran, the excuses are getting harder to make and the consequences are getting harder to ignore. Rich explains what finally broke the spell for him, why more Republicans are questioning Trump than ever before, and whether we're witnessing the beginning of a real MAGA crackup. When reality starts showing up with receipts, even the most loyal believers have to make a choice.
“We Closed Our Account”: Advocates Call for Boycott of Citizens Bank for Financing ICE Jails
We look at a growing boycott against Citizens Bank amid a campaign to pressure the corporation to divest from financing CoreCivic and GEO Group, two of the nation’s largest private operators of ICE jails. An interfaith coalition of dozens of religious groups in Boston said Citizens Bank has failed to adequately address its concern about financing private prisons, so the group has withdrawn $1 million from its estimated $14 million account with the bank and threatened to keep removing funds until its demands are met.
Ossoff: Something is happening in Georgia
Can Trump Be Stopped? Actually, Yes.
Miles Taylor is a former DHS official during Trump's first term and the founder of Defiance.org. He joins Charlie to discuss how the administration's changes to the green card process reveal that Trump's immigration stance was never about those who entered the country illegally — but about all immigrants. They also cover artists pulling out of the Freedom 250 concert and Trump's potential role in the 60 Minutes shake-up.
American Conversations: Senator Andy Kim
YouTube (23:26)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WUYCw4eLNoGet full, free access to Letters from an American here:
heathercoxrichardson.substack.
American Conversations: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
YouTube (43:08)
The Andy Borowitz Show: Predicting the End of Trump?
As Stephen Colbert Says Goodbye, My Favorite Moments
As Stephen Colbert takes his final bow on The Late Show, I reflect on my favorite moments with him and some of my favorite sketches from his show. We'll miss you on our TV screens, Stephen. Can't wait to see what you do next.
Ken Burns on Trump 'Authoritarianism': We will repair and restore but 'can’t be complacent'
Legendary award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns joins Nicolle Wallace for a special episode of "The Best People" talking about the venality and virtue of America at 250. As our nation's 250th anniversary approaches, he joins Nicolle at the famed 92nd Street Y for an intimate conversation about the American experiment — how its failures and its successes inform each other and nudge the country forward. Ken understands that political turmoil is a hallmark of our democracy; fundamentally, we’ve been here before. He shares why he believes Trump's "authoritarianism" will be defeated and why we’re going to make it, by looking at history. It's a conversation you don't want to miss.
Heather Cox Richardson: Politics Chat
Topics covered in today’s Politics Chat: JD Vance's Maine visit to talk about fraud, accusations used by the guilty party, Rick Scott's $1.7 billion Medicare and Medicaid fraud settlement, Trump pardons for fraud-convicted donors and allies, Trump family wealth gains since January 2025, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff’s negotiations, World Liberty Financial and untraceable crypto revenue, no-bid contracts and cost inflation on DC vanity projects, Trump's China trip with billionaire delegation, Crédit Mobilier scandal, Teapot Dome scandal, Viktor Orbán corruption precedent, and Republican fraud accusations as political counter-messaging ahead of the midterms.
Tom Nichols Noticed Something About Trump That Nobody In The Media Will Say Out Loud
Tom Nichols of The Atlantic joins Jim Acosta with a warning the mainstream media won't touch. He's seen these behavioral patterns before — up close, in someone he loved — and what he's watching from this president has him alarmed. There's a war happening. Decisions are being made. And the person making them may not be who you think they are. If this was someone in your family, you'd already know what to do.
YouTube (18:50)
U.S. Congressional District 8 Candidates’ Forum
The Swampscott Democratic Town Committee, along with Town Committees from Nahant and Marblehead, in association with Swampscott Government Access Television, sponsored a District 6 Congressional Candidate's forum on May, 7, 2026 at the Swampscott High School Auditorium.
Heather Cox Richardson: Today in Politics
Topics covered in today’s Politics Chat: Tennessee congressional redistricting, the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais ruling and the Voting Rights Act, mid-decade Republican remapping in Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, and South Carolina, Operation REDMAP and one-party state concerns, CIA assessment contradicting administration claims on Iran, War Powers Act and the 60-day deadline, Project Freedom and Saudi Arabia airspace denial, U.S.-Iran renewed hostilities, Shell profits and national gas prices, Whirlpool recession warning, Tom Homan immigration raid escalation, ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention costs, Trump-Pope conflict and Rubio's Vatican meeting, Fulton County grand jury transcripts, state Supreme Court elections in Georgia and North Carolina, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act cuts.
YouTube (53:27)
Elon's Baby Mama Spills The Tea on MAGA's Pay-To-Play Influencer Campaigns
Elon Musk’s ex and former MAGA social media influencer Ashley St. Clair joins Rick Wilson to expose the truth behind the MAGA influencer ecosystem—how it works, who profits, and why it’s starting to fall apart in real time. From clout-chasing grifters to coordinated messaging and manufactured outrage, this episode breaks down the business model behind right-wing social media and the hypocrisy fueling it. As the MAGA movement fractures and influencers turn on each other, this is the inside story of a political media machine built on clicks, cash, and chaos—and what happens when the audience finally sees through it.
Trump's Fed Pick is a Spineless Disgrace
In today’s “To the Contrary” Podcast, Justin Wolfers does not mince words. Come for the rage, stay for the economics lesson. In today’s podcast, Wolfers also reminds us that the threat to jail the Fed Chair is the kind of thing that you see in tinpot dictatorships — not something that is done in any serious industrialized country.
Trump’s Failed, Illegal War Is Breaking His Presidency, And The Republican Party Too
Polling and mid-term prospects darkened for Republicans this week. How long will their 2026 candidates keep blindly following a failed, corrupt, and deeply unpopular President?
YouTube (28:24)
The complete podcast includes Q and A and is posted on Hopium Chrononicles:Hopium Chronicles (54:49)
Heather Cox Richardson: Today in Politics | Explainer
Topics covered in today’s Politics Chat: Instability in the Trump administration as (female) cabinet departures continue, Kash Patel Atlantic story and FBI leadership concerns, Wall Street Journal reporting on Trump's conduct during Iran crisis, U.S.-Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz closure, Trump approval ratings at historic lows, 2026 election war chest and voter roll manipulation efforts, Christian nationalist Bible-reading campaign, UAE financial backstop talks and World Liberty Financial ties, FISA Section 702 renewal fight in Congress, Haitian TPS discharge petition and Republican defections, Tucker Carlson breaks with Trump, Democratic governors and 2028 presidential candidate activity.
YouTube (46:09)
LIVE: Pete Buttigieg BRINGS DOWN The House in RED STATE!!
Meidas Touch, April 18, 2026Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg hosts a Win the Era town hall in Tulsa, bringing together a packed crowd for a conversation on unity and community action. The event focuses on empowering people to get involved locally and make a real impact where they live.
YouTube (1:11)
Visit https://meidasplus.com for more!
What Americans should learn from Hungary’s rejection of authoritarianism
After 16 years of authoritarian rule, Hungary's pro-democracy opposition crushed Viktor Orban's party and won a supermajority in parliament. Leah and Ezra break down the early lessons — building a new opposition movement, driving massive turnout, and preparing for election sabotage. If they can do it, we can do it. Plus: a red-district Indivisible group in Colorado showing what effective grassroots organizing actually looks like. And yes, bad dad puns and live Q&A with the movement.
YouTube (1:00)
Why Orbán’s Fall Should Worry Trump and MAGA
Timothy Snyder on Viktor Orbán's election loss, Trump, MAGA authoritarianism & lessons for democracy. The historian and "On Tyranny" author joins Preet Bharara to break down what Orbán's stunning defeat by Peter Magyar means for Trump, MAGA, and the global far-right — and what it reveals about how democracies can fight back. Snyder explains why "democracy" alone doesn't rally voters and what message Democrats must actually run on, while unpacking his provocative warning that some form of terrorism may be Trump's best electoral bet in 2026. They also why Snyder's most urgent lesson from "On Tyranny" — do not obey in advance—matters more than ever.
The Trump Regime Is Rotting, Decaying, Crumbling, Unraveling, Falling Apart
Friends, last night I got together with members of our proud, plucky, and patriotic community at Hopium Chronicles for a special edition of our weekly gathering, something I called The Fall Of Orban Dance Party. While there wasn’t a lot of dancing there was plenty of celebration. For Orban’s dramatic fall is major blow to Trump, Vance, Putin, and the Greater MAGA project, and another sign of the decay, rotting, crumbling and weakening of the Trump regime.
That’s the major message in my talk this week - the Trump project is failing, floundering, and falling apart. Trump was already in a weakened position due to the failure of his economic strategy, the harms he has brought to farmers and small businesses across the country, the rejection of his ICE terror regime/mass deportations, our collective revulsion at the Trump-Epstein scandal, his unprecedented corruption, and his cuts to health care and food assistance programs while giving his friends enormous tax breaks. He was already historically unpopular, and Democrats have been overperforming and winning elections of all kinds across the country, even in red states. Then he launched an illegal, unpopular, and failed war in Iran, one that has thrown the whole world and our own economy into a profound crisis.
YouTube (28:12)| Hopium Chronicles
Heather Cox Richardson: Politics Chat, April 16, 2026
Topics covered in today’s Politics Chat: Hungary's Magyar election victory and democratic opposition theory, Biden vs. Magyar approaches to political legitimacy, MAGA Republicans as illegitimate political party, House Joint Resolution 140 on Boundary Waters copper sulfide mining, Saudi sovereign wealth fund pullback, House War Powers Resolution on war with Iran fails by one vote, Lina Khan's new antitrust center at Columbia Law, House Democrats' corruption committee, 25th Amendment legislation, Russell Vought's congressional testimony, what Moms for Liberty local school board losses signal on a national scale.
We’re live here on YouTube and Facebook every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 pm Maine time (3 pm PT).
YouTube (46:31)
The Pope vs. Trump's Evil
Donald Trump has doubled down on his fight with Pope Leo. Steve Schmidt breaks down why Trump and MAGA keep digging the hole deeper.
YouTube(9:18)
How America Is Losing the World | Lunch Money with Paul Krugman
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman and historian Heather Cox Richardson are joining forces for Lunch Money, a new monthly conversation series. Krugman writes the popular Substack newsletter bearing his name; Richardson's Letters from an American reaches over 6 million readers every day. Join them for a wide-ranging, thoughtful, and provocative conversation about whatever is on their ever-curious minds.
Find Heather's Letters from an American here.
Find Paul's Substack here (33:18)
The Real Reason America Is In Such Danger Right Now…and the Solution
The ceasefire with Iran and subsequent peace talks have taken a predictably disastrous turn. JD Vance has utterly failed as a negotiator. Trump has returned to his maximalist aggression and threatens to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. It’s clear that America, and the world, are in danger. Joe Cirincione and Jon Wolfsthal join David Rothkopf to take a look at what makes the President’s latest moves so perilous and why a fundamental change in the way we perceive our democracy is needed to right the ship.
Dead Air with Steve Schmidt & Dean Blundell: The "Balloonacy" of It All
On this episode of "Dead Air," Dean Blundell and I break down this past week's top stories. From the bizarre "balloonacy" surrounding Kristi Noem's husband to the sudden firing of Pam Bondi, the hypocrisy is reaching a breaking point. But beyond the political theater lies a darker reality: the systemic medical neglect of children at the ICE detention center in Dilley, Texas. Dr. Angela Rasmussen and Dr. Anita Patel joined us for this part of the discussion.