Chapo Trap House

SARAH SQUIRM: LIVE + IN THE FLESH, debuts on HBO and HBO Max December 12th. We command you to tune in! Sarah Squirm joins us once again to speculate on Zohran’s meeting with Trump: is Trump starstruck? In love? Depressed? We also talk about the president’s plan to bring back the Rush Hour movies, the secrets of the White House swimming pool, a reverse Jussie Smollett situation in Ocean City, and shitting yourself. A lot of stories about shitting yourself. Follow Sarah on Twitter/X: https://x.com/SarahSquirm And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahsquirm/?hl=en

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2025

This episode isn’t just great—it’ll revolutionize what you think of AI. Ed Zitron is back in the trap to discuss his recent reporting on just how much money companies like OpenAI have (and how much they’re burning). We talk about the byzantine financing of generative AI and LLMs, the tech world’s dream of recreating the postwar boom with a technology primarily used to make the world’s least legal porn, and the proliferation of data centers across the country. Plus: Bill Ackman teaches you how to pick up girls. Get your Ed at: Better Offline podcast: https://linktr.ee/betteroffline Where’s Your Ed At newsletter: https://www.wheresyoured.at/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/edzitron Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edzitron.com

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2025

As we inch closer to war with Venezuela, historian Greg Grandin returns to Chapo for a history lesson about the War on Drugs as well as Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution. We also talk about the US’s long-running economic interests and petty feuds in Latin America, particularly regarding the region’s oil supplies. We then briefly speculate about just how bad and chaotic a regime change operation against Venezuela might be for the US and Latin America.

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2025

Jasper Nathaniel is back with another report from the occupied West Bank. He tells us about a band of West Bank settlers attacking him and locals in the olive fields of Turmus’ayya, including an old woman who was beaten unconscious on camera. He then talks about the Israeli military and intelligence’s response to the crime, the footage actually breaking through to the mainstream Anglophone press, and various U.S. Senators’ response to the attack. Finally, he closes with speculation about Trump and Netanyahu’s refusal to sign on to an official West Bank annexation. Follow Jasper’s substack: https://substack.com/@infinitejaz Follow Jasper on Twitter: https://x.com/infinite__jaz?lang=en Follow Jasper on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/infinite_jaz/?hl=en And links for Volunteering in the West Bank: To volunteer in the West Bankhttps://palsolidarity.org/join-ism/https://www.defendpalestine.orghttps://cjnv.orgFundraiser for Umm Al-Khair as it faces impending demolition: https://secure.everyaction.com/LYmVAbNl2UOxgBcaP1mkFA2

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025

Candidate for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joins us to catch up on the final few days of the campaign. Will and Zohran discuss Andrew Cuomo’s embarrassing campaign against him, how he plans to protect New Yorkers from Trump’s threatened federal incursions into the city, NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch, and how he intends to implement his agenda in the first 100 days as mayor. Plus, how da Knicks looking this year? Election day in NYC is TUESDAY, November 4th, but early voting is now open. Sign up to canvass or phone: zohranfornyc.com/gotv Find out where you vote: zohranfornyc.com/vote

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2025

It’s a call-in show! We respond to nineteen calls ranging from serious predictions about the Trump era and beyond, the future of the Middle East, Warren Zevon stories, books for kids and high schoolers, and trying to wean a friend off H3H3. Also: gossip about John Fetterman and Jair Bolsonaro. YEAR ZERO: A Chapo Trap House Comic Anthology is back on sale! Buy it at badegg.co/products/year-zero-1. Hurry while supplies last!

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2025

Secret Base’s sports-data auteur Jon Bois is back to preview a new series: a history and analysis of mound charges in baseball, coming this November. We talk a little bit about recent sports news including Dana White’s new boxing league, Shohei Ohtani’s generational run, and the Seattle Mariners (RIP). We then do a deep dive on former Reform Party member Curtis Sliwa, his statements about parades, Hasids, and cats, and his eating competition scandals. Finally, a quick check-in on Jordan Peterson’s recent health woes. Subscribe to Secret Base: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRmGMSgrtZkOsh_NQl4_xw YEAR ZERO: A Chapo Trap House Comic Anthology is back on sale! Buy it at badegg.co/products/year-zero-1. Hurry while supplies last! NEW MERCH IS OUT NOW! Go to https://chapotraphouse.store/ and buy a new hat or shirt, especially our great new “Carousel Club” design. AND be sure to pre-save the date of October 28 for Will and Hesse’s LIVE WATCH PARTY of Re-Animator with Bryan Yuzna! Tickets available now – use the promo code CHAPO20 for 20% off! https://checkout.stagepilot.com/collections/chapo-trap-house

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2025

Drop Site’s Ryan Grim and Jeremy Scahill return to talk more about the ceasefire deal in Gaza. We discuss what finally led to this moment, whether this ceasefire will be any different than the previous ones, and the future of Gaza, Israel, and the Gulf States. We then turn to the media’s coverage of Gaza: Jeremy’s new story on The Free Press’ “debunking” of the photos of malnourished Gazan children, the news that Douglas Murray and David Frum were writing speeches for an Israeli ambassador, a supposed document from Mohammad Sinwar, and Jacki Karsh’s pro-Israel journalism fellowship. Subscribe to Drop Site here: https://www.dropsitenews.com/ NEW MERCH IS OUT NOW! Go to https://chapotraphouse.store/ and buy a new hat or shirt, especially our great new “Carousel Club” design. AND be sure to pre-save the date of October 28 for Will and Hesse’s LIVE WATCH PARTY of Re-Animator! Tickets available now – use the promo code CHAPO20 for 20% off! https://checkout.stagepilot.com/collections/chapo-trap-house

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2025

Séamus joins us to talk about Trump’s proposed “Gaza peace plan” and what horrific policies it would actually entail in practice, as well as the Democratic Party’s desperate attempts to triangulate on the issue. We also wade into the increasing possibility of regime change in Venezuela as well as ICE’s pillaging of Chicago apartment buildings. On the lighter side, we talk about Bari Weiss being given the keys to CBS news and Tyler Cowen’s Humbert Humbert-esque ode to an AI actress. Follow @Turbulence_pod on X for updates about when Séamus’s pod drops. NEW MERCH IS OUT NOW! Go to https://chapotraphouse.store/ and buy a new hat or shirt, especially our great new “Carousel Club” design. AND be sure to pre-save the date of October 28 for Will and Hesse’s LIVE WATCH PARTY of Re-Animator! Tickets available now – use the promo code CHAPO20 for 20% off! https://checkout.stagepilot.com/collections/chapo-trap-house

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2025

Will interviews Los Angeles reporter Memo Torres, whose site L.A. TACO shifted from covering food and culture in the city to some of the most indispensable and horrific coverage of ICE raids available. Memo tells us about what happens to people when they get kidnapped, covering the horrors of fortress America, and practical advice for those who might find themselves in ICE’s crosshairs. Read more at L.A. TACO: https://lataco.com/  And follow Memo Torres on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/el_tragon_de_los_angeles/?hl=en

Transcribed - Published: 5 October 2025

Greetings Horror Sickos, Listener, please light a circle of candles and begin to scrawl out the ancient sigils in salt, and begin the accursed chant … “Let’s All Go to the Lobby, Let’s All Go to the Lobby, and Grab Ourselves a Snack” That’s right! Spooky season is upon us and to inaugurate another edition of Ghoulvie Screamset Horrortober, Will Massacre and Hexa Deni are back with a selection of abominable and morally ruinous films. First up, in Return of the Living Dead (O’Bannon, 1985) an assortment of punks, working stiffs and slobs accidentally expose themselves to zombie gas and help bring out the nuclear bombing of Louisville, Kentucky in this documentary about a real thing that actually happened. This hilarious and goofball horror film asks two existentially terrifying questions: What if you could feel every second of being dead? And, do you want to PARTY???? Then in The Blob (Russell, 1988), a sci fi classic gets a grisly and unforgettable remake that features Kevin Dillon playing an motorcycle riding bad boy who smokes cigs, wears a leather jacket and has to save the small town that rejects him for being too cool from a giant blob that digests and dissolves everything in its path. This episode is free, but the rest of Ghoulvie Screamset Season 3 will be paywalled!

Transcribed - Published: 2 October 2025

Like many things, there used to be a bipartisan consensus that in a disaster, you help as many people get through it as quickly and safely as possible. In the past 20+ years, though, we’ve seen a shift in how the right responds to climate catastrophes — including building out a robust selection of conspiracy theories from chemtrails to Flat Earth. Will Menaker from Chapo Trap House joins us to discuss right-wing conspiracy theories about the weather, the climate, and whether we’re living on a discworld. Our guest is Will Menaker, host of Chapo Trap House. Their Movie Mindset series returns in October for spooky season, and you can also buy their new Year Zero comic book here: https://badegg.co/products/year-zero-1. Want even more Panic World content? Like ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our Discord? There’s still a week left to get your first month for just $0.50 by signing up for our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PanicWorld. Enter “PANICYEAR” at checkout for 90% the first month. And if you want to see this conversation on video, ⁠Panic World is now posting episodes to YouTube!

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2025

Zue Jernstedt joins us live from the Global Sumud Flotilla to talk to us about delivering aid to those in Gaza and weathering attacks from Israel.

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025

It’s Chapo—in person! Will, Felix, and Brendan James of Blowback (formerly Chapo Trap House) gather at Will’s apartment to talk about Eric Adams dropping out of the NYC mayoral race. They then read a profile of Adam Jentleson and his new PAC, Searchlight, and its novel plan to win elections by pulling Democrats to the right. Also this episode: Pete Hegseth’s mysterious all-hands meeting, Trump finally releasing the files, and Peter Thiel’s obsession with the antichrist. And be sure to vote for American Prestige at the Signal Awards: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=signal4_finalists_finalistnotification_092325&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio#/2025/shows/genre/news-politics And check out the new Blowback season! https://blowback.show/

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025

Will Sommer of The Bulwark returns to Chapo to talk about the right’s reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk as well as his funeral proceedings in Arizona. We recap the Groyper War that preceded the assassination and the pressure it put on Kirk to move right, as well as the conspiracies surrounding his shooting. Was Israel involved? Why was there no exit wound? Did Charlie have a late-in-life conversion to Catholicism? And which faction of the right will be able to define the man’s legacy? Follow Will Sommer on Twitter/X: https://x.com/willsommer

Transcribed - Published: 23 September 2025

In today’s two-parter, we start off with more coverage of the assassination of Charlie Kirk: what it means, possible motives, and the tidal wave of right-wing cancel culture it has wrought. Will then interviews journalist Pablo Torre of Pablo Torre Finds Out about recently unearthed collusion in the NFL, with a story that starts with Deshaun Watson and goes all the way up to the Carlyle Group and Hollywood pedophilia. What can a conflict between millionaire jocks and billionaire owners tell us about American labor relations? And why is Kawhi Leonard getting paid $28 million to plant trees? Subscribe to Pablo Torre Finds Out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PabloTorreFindsOut And wherever you get your podcasts: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/68b1d0ea993d10acb9c3fe4f And follow him on Twitter: https://x.com/pablotorre/

Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2025

Chapo Senior Foreign Policy correspondent Derek Davison is back once again to talk about the escalating possibility of war in Venezuela. We discuss the recent strike on a Venezuelan boat by Trump and his newly-Christened Department of War, a botched raid into North Korea, our collapsing relationship with India, China’s SCO summit with Russia, and conflict on the Thai-Cambodia border. Plus: a Matt Christman prediction comes true… Find all of Derek’s foreign policy coverage at: www.foreignexchanges.news www.americanprestigepod.com

Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2025

In 1998, the world was ruled by Rayman. You could not go anywhere without seeing Rayman street art. Thousands of children died attempting to cut their own limbs off and suspend them from midair. All that changed when Solid Snake was brought into the third dimension. Brendan and Felix kick off their journey through the greatest story ever told by surfacing onto Shadow Moses. This is where Solid Snake realized he could be more than just a paid killer, Meryl Silverburgh witnessed the ugly reality of war, Roy Campbell was promoted from uncle to father, and Liquid Snake didn’t actually achieve much of anything besides scoring some sunglasses off of a former member of his dad’s love triangle. Put on your sneaking suit, let some strange woman shoot some crap into your arm, and soak your cardboard boxes in urine. It’s time to fight your brother through various states of undress.

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2025

Alex is back for some speculation about the health of Donald Trump (after his disappearance) and Rudy Giuliani (after his “not targeted” car crash). Then we turn to the weird world of Democratic Party influencers and the dark-money group secretly funding their American Girl Doll memes. Finally, we chat a little about phones in schools and Adam Friedland’s interview with Richie Torres. Follow Alex on Twitter @Lowenaffchen Check out his show Fortune Kit: https://www.patreon.com/fortunekit And stream “Hotel California” by Bob Marley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taTD0NPb8Do And listen to Felix’s new series about video games THE PLAYERS CLUB!

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2025

Zeteo’s Prem Thakker joins us for a look at Trump’s takeover of Washington D.C. We talk about the impetus for the takeover, what day-to-day life in occupied D.C. looks and feels like for its immigrant communities, and the Democratic Party’s impotent response. We then look more broadly at Trump’s Fortress America, ICE’s country-wide renditions, and the continuing case of Kilmar Ábrego García. Finally, we talk about the destruction of Nasser Hospital in Gaza and the Democratic Party’s flip-flopping on the term “genocide.” Follow Prem on X/Twitter: https://x.com/prem_thakker?lang=en And be sure to check out his work at Zeteo: https://zeteo.com/s/subtext-with-prem

Transcribed - Published: 25 August 2025

Journalist and author Seth Harp returns to the pod to talk about his horrifying and expansive new book The Fort Bragg Cartel. We talk with Seth about America’s forever-war machine and the global drug empire it empowers, with a special focus on the case of Delta Force officer William Lavigne, who killed his best friend before turning up dead near Fort Bragg in a still-unsolved murder. We also discuss the rise of JSOC, the third Iraq War and its ongoing ramifications, the US military’s ties with the brutal Los Zetas cartel, and the eternal shadow war waged in the name of empire. Buy Seth’s book here (and give it 5 stars on Amazon!): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/730414/the-fort-bragg-cartel-by-seth-harp/ And follow him on X at @sethharpesq

Transcribed - Published: 19 August 2025

We begin by reading the last will and testament of Anas al-Sharif, a 28-year-old journalist for Al-Jazeera that was among those slain in Gaza by Israel yesterday. We then resume our Epstein coverage, including a look at his Manhattan lair and celebrity dinner guests. Then, two pieces on venture capitalists driven insane by The Computer and a story by Pamela Paul on conservative women…with careers? Stick around until the end for another Stroke of Genius and a special announcement from Chris. Pre-order Seth Harp’s book The Fort Bragg Cartel here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/730414/the-fort-bragg-cartel-by-seth-harp/  And check out his book launch with TrueAnon at the Bell House this Wednesday: https://www.ticketmaster.com/an-evening-with-trueanon-and-seth-brooklyn-new-york-08-13-2025/event/300062F5CD8E3E2D

Transcribed - Published: 12 August 2025

Osita Nwanevu stops by to discuss his new book The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding. Osita leads us through his case that American “democracy” as it currently stands isn’t that democratic at all. We discuss the real intentions of the founders, the actual American revolution of the Civil War, and the stalled re-founding of reconstruction. We also look at the potential for economic democracy, the political reforms needed to re-found the country, the problem of the judiciary, and the challenges of a new media environment to democratizing movements. Yes, today the wacky morning DJ actually does say democracy’s a joke. Pick up Osita’s book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704686/the-right-of-the-people-by-osita-nwanevu/ AND, we’ve secured ONE MORE WEEK to get your pre-order in for YEAR ZERO: A Chapo Trap House Comic Anthology at badegg.co/products/year-zero-1

Transcribed - Published: 5 August 2025

Will welcomes comedian Eddie Pepitone to the show for a bonus interview. They rap on keeping comedy political, celebrity sell-outs, veganism, Bill Maher vs. Billy Joel, trying to calm the rage, and of course, being Just Kids From New York. Check out Eddie’s new special at: https://veeps.com/eddiepepitone It is your last day to pre-order YEAR ZERO: A Chapo Trap House Comic Anthology at badegg.co/products/year-zero-1!

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2025

Will & Felix discuss the dire starvation crisis now gripping Gaza, and the rapidly changing attitudes among certain political & media elites now that this has all apparently finally “gone too far.” We also try to keep up with Trump’s Epstein trouble as the President attempts to drown the whole thing off with old scandals and some showstopping showtunes. Please consider donating to Gaza relief through the Sameer Project: https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject And just three days left to pre-order YEAR ZERO: A Chapo Trap House Comic Anthology at badegg.co/products/year-zero-1

Transcribed - Published: 29 July 2025

TWO WEEKS LEFT to pre-order YEAR ZERO: A Chapo Trap House Comic Anthology at badegg.co/products/year-zero-1 Journalist Jasper Nathaniel joins us to discuss his reporting on the West Bank and Israel’s second front in the war on Palestine. We look at the increasingly violent settler movement, Israel’s flagrant violation of international laws, the use of archaeological warfare in the region, and the constant ubiquitous violence that defines life for Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. And on the domestic front, we have an update on the good professor Davidai and his relationship to the august institution Columbia University. Follow Jasper’s Substack: https://substack.com/@infinitejaz Follow Jasper on Twitter: https://x.com/infinite__jaz?lang=en Follow Jasper on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/infinite_jaz/?hl=en

Transcribed - Published: 22 July 2025

Alex back on the show today to look at the continuing fallout of Trump’s attempts to wash his hands of Epstein. From the baffled & betrayed Trump-curious internet trend-seekers, to the dyed-in-the-wool loyalists, the admin seems to have picked the absolute worst way to disarm this bomb. Plus: Greg Abbott makes a why-even-bother play to cover up Musk’s bribery, and Biden gives a why-even-bother explanation for his diminished capacity pardons. Pre-Order YEAR ZERO: A Chapo Trap House Comic Anthology at badegg.co/products/year-zero-1

Transcribed - Published: 15 July 2025

Tim Faust returns to the show to look at the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its dire consequences for American medicine. We discuss Medicaid as a load-bearing feature of our healthcare infrastructure, how this bill will affect millions of Americans using the program, and the potential ways forward in the wake of its evisceration. We also look at last week’s absolute omnishambles article on Zohran’s college admission, a perfect encapsulation of the Failing New York Times approach to just about everything. Pre-Order YEAR ZERO: A Chapo Trap House Comic Anthology at https://badegg.co/products/year-zero-1

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2025

Will & Hesse sit down with Ari Aster, director of Hereditary, Midsommar, Beau is Afraid, and the upcoming Eddington. They rap on evil movies, mixing stupid slapstick humor with pain & discomfort, creating a contemporary western out of the recent past, some of Ari’s favorite films & filmmakers, and of course…the all-consuming sense of impending doom & lurking doubt that surrounds us. Check out Eddington, in theaters this summer on July 18th.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2025

Comedy legend Larry Charles (Fridays, Seinfeld, Borat, Curb Your Enthusiasm & much more) returns to the show to discuss his new book Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter. We have a wide ranging discussion of Larry’s life in comedy including post-war Brooklyn as a comedy incubator, grinding out avant-garde sketch comedy with Andy Kaufman, the prevalence of coke and other drugs in the comedy writing scene, getting tackled by the Secret Service trying to get a joint to Jimmy Carter’s sister, and the difficulties in comedic creative relationships. Larry also gets candid about his disappointment with the prevalence of zionism among his erstwhile comedy partners, and we talk about the humanizing force of humor in the face tragedy and despair. Pick up Comedy Samurai here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/larry-charles/comedy-samurai/9781538771549/?lens=grand-central-publishing AND: get your pre-order in for YEAR ZERO: A CHAPO TRAP HOUSE COMICS ANTHOLOGY starting today at www.badegg.co

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2025

Will & Hesse sit down with director Lexi Alexander, whose works include Green Street Hooligans (2005), Punisher: War Zone (2008) & the new film Absolute Dominions (2025). We discuss how her experience in combat sports influences her filmmaking, creating comic book movies within the studio system, working as an outspoken Palestinian in Hollywood, and how to stay calm after being stabbed. Plus, an answer to “who she would fight, given the opportunity” that’s sure to entertain many listeners. Absolute Dominion now available for streaming on digital platforms.

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

Libby Watson returns to the show! We discuss the weekend’s limited US strike on Iran and Trump’s baffling behavior around what already may be a winding-down conflict. We also talk Democratic & media responses, and where Iran might go from here. Then: all eyes are on Zohran in the NYC mayoral primary, voting is tomorrow, we discuss Zorhan’s campaign and his chances of bringing this all home. Finally, we celebrate the love & marriage of an old friend of the show with their NYT vows section announcement. Find Libby’s new show “What’s All This Then” wherever you get podcasts, and all her other links here: https://linktr.ee/whatsallthisthen New merch for the summer up at https://chapotraphouse.store

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

LA City Councilmemeber Hugo Soto-Martinez joins Will to discuss ICE raids in Los Angeles, how city government and community groups are responding, the recent protests, and marine deployments to the city. They also discuss the possibilities for a more positive rhetoric and policy around immigration, and the necessity for turning the framing back on the capitalist class. LA rapid response hotline is: 1-888624-4752 Follow Hugo & his district’s socials for updates: @cd13losangeles & @hugopordistrito13

Transcribed - Published: 21 June 2025

Seamus joins us to discuss last week’s “preemptive” Israeli strike on Iran, the damage done to Iranian command and infrastructure, Iran’s retaliation, America’s potential involvement. We also look at Trump’s big birthday Parade, one of the most pathetic & hilarious spectacles of American Military prowess any of us have ever seen.  Read Seamus on the attacks in the Intercept: https://theintercept.com/staff/seamus-malekafzali/Read Seamsu go long on the Axes of Resistance for Parapraxis: https://www.parapraxismagazine.com/articles/axes-of-resistanceSubscribe to Seamus’ Substack: https://www.seamus-malekafzali.com/ New merch for the summer up at https://chapotraphouse.store/

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025

We’re joined by The Nation’s Aída Chávez for her report from WelcomeFest, the abundapalooza dedicated to staking the technocratic claim for the future of the Democratic party. We review the fairly directionless and unenthusiastic vibes of the centrist shindig, but also discuss the explosion of police violence during protests against ICE in Los Angeles over the weekend. All leading us to ask, what exactly do these people think “power” is, and when is it “right” to exercise it? Read Aída’s dispatch from WelcomeFest for The Nation: https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/welcomefest-dispatch-centrism-abundance/ Donate to the Jordan Breen sports journalism scholarship fund - https://gofund.me/837f326c New merch for the summer up at https://chapotraphouse.store/

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025

Host of The Adam Friedland Show Adam Friedland joins us to catch up on today’s news and discuss his new season. We look at the return of Matt Miller, Jake Tapper’s take on Israel/Palestine discourse, the kidnapping of a crypto whale in Manhattan, and new reports of Elon Musk’s rampant drug use. Adam also gives us his takes on engaging with the new right-coded online content sphere through TAFS, teases some guests for the coming season, and generally annoys Felix with delays and requests for refreshments. Find The Adam Friedland Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAdamFriedlandShow New merch for the summer up at https://chapotraphouse.store/

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

Will & Felix catch up on Democrats’ commitment to burning millions of dollars in search of a crumb of clout from the pod-mano-sphere, and John Fetterman’s chronic senate absenteeism as he searches for good vibes. Then, we’re joined by Lever News’ David Sirota & Arjun Singh to discuss their new podcast series Tax Revolt & the “Big Beautiful Bill” working its way through congress. We look at the devastating consequences of GOP tax policies, the increasing unpopularity of such drastic cuts, and how they fit in with the 50 year conservative war against taxes. Find all things Lever News at: https://www.levernews.com/ And listen to Tax Revolt here or wherever you get pods: https://the.levernews.com/tax-revolt/

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025

Drop Site’s Ryan & Jeremy join us for an update on Israel’s war on Gaza. We discuss yesterday’s attack on Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington D.C. and its potential ramifications, Trump’s recent trip to the Gulf and potential shifts in U.S. relations in the region, and the brutal escalations of violence in Gaza over the recent weeks. Ryan and Jeremy also relate some of the stories of the many talented and courageous Palestinian journalists they’ve worked with through the conflict, and how the war has laid bare many of the failings of domestic media. Subscribe to Drop Site here: https://www.dropsitenews.com/

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025

We planned this episode to cover the spate of stories revealing just how out of it and diminished Joe Biden was during his term, and new details about the political flunkies and media stooges who were complicit in covering it up. But yesterday Biden’s team announced an almost certainly life-ending cancer diagnosis. So we’re joined by David Roth to discuss how it’s finally well and truly Joever. Find David’s work at Defector here: https://defector.com/author/david-roth New merch for the summer up at https://chapotraphouse.store/

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2025

Tech reporter Mike Isaac returns to the show for a round-up of the latest AI news. From collegiate cheating to funeral planning, Mike helps us make some sense of how this wonderful emerging technology is reshaping human society in so many delightful ways, and certainly is not a madness rune chipping away at what little sanity remains in our population’s fraying psyche. We’re doing another call-in show with Matt for the midweek, so if you have any questions or comments, send an UNDER 30 SECOND voice recording to [email protected] We also have some new merch going up at chapotraphouse.store this Weds, May 14. So keep your eyes out for that!

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

The Majority Report’s Sam Seder joins us today to share some deep research into American Stupids. We look at Trump’s weekend announcements regarding American film production & re-opening Alcatraz, both seemingly inspired by a TV broadcast of “Escape From Alcatraz” in West Palm Beach last Saturday. We also discuss Sam’s recent debate appearances including the “vs. 20 Conservatives” video, and how it’s not the stupidity but the confidence that’s really astounding. Finally, for the main course for today’s ep, the massive profile on John Fetterman’s deteriorating mental competence, and how the most offensive part of the scandal is the staffers who covered for him now seeking to cover their own asses. Check out Sam on The Majority Report, every Mon-Fri at noon: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMajorityReport

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

Felix speaks with Nora Hilgart-Griff from the TAHRIR Coalition and Liz Jacob from the Sugar Law Center for Social and Economic Justice about the Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel collaborating with the Trump DOJ in a series of raids on pro-Palestine students at the University of Michigan on April 23. Liz and Nora give background on Nessel's previous intimidation campaign at the university, the administration's attempts to repress the student movement against the genocide, TAHRIR Coalition's work on divestment, and much more. You're going to want to hear this whether you're a Yooper, a Detroiter, or even a recently incarcerated jewel thief who assumed the identity of a sheriff so he can stare at his ex-girlfriend in a small Pennsylvania town where everyone is a violent criminal. Update: On Monday, 5/5/25, all charges against the students have been dropped. Legal fund for the students facing charges from Nessel's office https://chuffed.org/project/um-palestine-legalfund Background on the raids https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/24/michigan-attorney-general-dana-nessel-campus-gaza-protests TAHRIR Coalition's campaign to drop the charges https://tahrirumich.org/dtc The demands of the students https://tahrirumich.org/demands Guide to the University of Michigan's economic links to Israeli genocide and occupation profiteers https://tahrirumich.org/research/endowment-guide

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

Fighter jets are just falling off the back of our aircraft carriers now in yet another Keystone Kops-ass bungle in the Red Sea. Gerry Connolly announces he’ll step down from the oversight committee in another moment of glory for the funeral home waiting room of Democratic leadership. Will reads us a profile of a new up-and-coming conservative influencer so annoying it drives Felix to the brink of rage-quitting. Alex Nichols returns to the pod to discuss these stories and more on today’s program. We are putting a limited number of overstock copies of ¡No Pasarán! Matt Christman's Spanish Civil War next Wednesday, April 30th at 8am Pacific Time at: https://chapotraphouse.store/

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

The first episode of this season of Movie Mindset is free for all listeners as always. To listen to the rest of the season, subscribe at www.patreon.com/chapotraphouse When you love movies, you’ve got to watch them. There’s no other way…Movie Mindset Season 3 commences with our first ever single feature on the most referenced movie in Chapo Trap House history: Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece Casino. Will and Hesse are joined by Felix to take a kaleidoscopic and dizzying dive into the inferno of American greed that is Las Vegas. Anchored by a triumvirate of all career great performances from Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci in FULL PSYCHO MODE, Casino is by equal turns hilarious and stomach turning and stands alone as Scorsese’s grandest and most generous examination of evil and the tragic flaws that doom us all. Should you listen even if you haven’t seen this movie? Why take a chance? At least that the way we feel about it.

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2025

Historian and author Greg Grandin joins us to discuss his new book America, América: A New History of the New World, which looks at the five century history of colonization & conquest of the New World, and how North & South America developed their distinct identities through a long history of mutual interaction and opposition.  We also catch up with Greg for his takes on the death of Pope Francis, the state of American empire at the start of the second Trump term, the U.S.’s lack of a forward-looking political horizon, and what possibilities we might see in the future of Latin America.  Buy America, América: A New History of the New World online here, or wherever you get books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747326/america-america-by-greg-grandin/

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

Before addressing the news of the day, Will & Kath catch up with Felix on their re-watch of beloved series BANSHEE, which segues nicely into discussion of the baffling firebombing of the Pennsylvania governor's mansion. We then move on to the increasingly horrific and blatantly illegal renditions of American residents into foreign prisons, and the further construction of Fortress America. We also look at potential democratic responses, from Cory Booker’s filibuster, to Kamala slowly stepping back into the spotlight, and finally Bernie & AOC’s recent rally in LA.  Find EEPHUS streaming on VOD and new Eephus merch at: www.eephusfilm.com

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

Semafor reporter Dave Weigel returns to the show to look at the political angles to Trump’s tariff regime and the global economic shocks. We discuss the various attempts to backfill justifications, responses from GOP and Democrats, and how this is all somehow about wokeness and masculinity or something. We also discuss last week’s special election in Wisconsin, and what it can tell us about Trump (and Elon)’s strength going forward. Find Dave’s work on Semafor here: https://www.semafor.com/author/david-weigel

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

Felix sits down with writer & journalist Peter Korotaev for a wide ranging conversation on the state of the Russo-Ukranian War in the wake of the Trump administration’s spat with Zelensky & attempts at a peace deal, and loads of context on the politics of Ukraine, Russia, various oligarchs, the Atlantic Council, and other non-state actors that have led to this point. You can find Peter’s writing on Ukraine here: https://substack.com/@eventsinukraine And some other writing of note: For al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/1/23/why-is-ukraine-struggling-to-mobilise-its-citizens-to-fight Jacobin: https://jacobin.com/2022/07/ukraine-neoliberalism-war-russia-eu-imf Canada Files: https://www.thecanadafiles.com/articles?author=645e6f082224bb01e8f3f37c Arena https://arena.org.au/ukraines-borderline-disorder/

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2025

Tim “T-Bone” Faust makes a long overdue return to the program to brief us on the series of guerilla town halls on Medicaid he’s been doing in Wisconsin. But first, we start with a brief roundup on one of the most important health issues facing the nation today: Soda, and the role it plays in keeping Americans healthy. Tim then takes us through the current administration’s assault on Medicaid & Medicare, how the failure to push for healthcare reform in the face of COVID paved the way for hucksters like RFK Jr, and how health justice remains a bedrock principle for a left political program going forward. Tim is happy to book a town hall in YOUR neck of the woods if you reach out to him: https://x.com/crulge And here’s a quick flier he put together for Hands Off Medicaid if you want more info: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jusscubmipf5fsd5hob24/national-flyer.pdf?rlkey=b1327wky6zte79m00g8peo8iq&e=2&st=d3dngrl3&dl=0 On Will’s rec, go see “The Encampments” if you have the chance: https://www.watermelonpictures.com/films/the-encampments

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

Delaware state rep Madinah Wilson-Anton returns to the show to brief us on Elon Musk’s attempts to rewrite the state laws of Delaware to help him secure a $50 billion+ compensation package. We discuss the “race to the bottom” in state business laws, and the new wave of assaults on basic legal legitimacy in pursuit of complete oligarchical control. Then, Matt Bruenig joins us to discuss the hot new word on all the wonks’ lips: ABUNDANCE. We review the Abundance Agenda, Matt gives us his takes on the policies, and we evaluate the Abundance potential as a viable organizing principle for the moribund Democratic party. Check out NLRB Edge, Matt’s labor law newsletter: https://www.nlrbedge.com/

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025