Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast

The Atlantic’s Anne Applebaum examines how our authoritarian rise is actually happening faster than usual. The Apprentice producer Darryl Silver shares what we can learn from his experience working with Trump. Plus, we have a special bonus from our YouTube channel featuring The Lever’s David Sirota on what Democrats can learn from Trump’s tariffs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025

Evil Geniuses author Kurt Andersen examines Trump crossing new lines of lawlessness. Documentarian Alex Gibney details his latest documentary, The Dark Money Game, which explores the money that influences our politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2025

The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson joins us to discuss Trump’s erosion of public confidence in his plans to "Make America Great Again." Then we’ll talk to Senate Minority Leader and Antisemitism in America author Chuck Schumer about the Democrats’ plans to fight the SAVE Act.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

To The Contrary newsletter author Charlie Sykes examines Trump’s attacks on his political opponents. Democracy Americana’s Thomas Zimmer examines America’s continued lean toward authoritarianism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2025

The New Abnormal’s Andy Levy skewers the market chaos caused by Trump’s temperamental tariffs. Rep. Gregory Meeks details how Congress can stop Trump’s tariff madness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

Risk Reversal’s Dan Nathan examines the business reaction to Trump’s insane tariffs. NBC’s Jon Allen and The Hill’s Amie Parnes detail their new book Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2025

The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson skewers Trump for crashing the economy. Kat Abughazaleh details her run for Congress in Illinois' Ninth District.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

The Center for American Progress’s Neera Tanden skewers Trump’s disastrous first 100 days. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich details how Democrats fight back. Then we’ll have a special bonus from our YouTube channel with economist Justin Wolfers, who explains why tariffs aren’t the answer to our economic woes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2025

Civil Discourse Substack author Joyce Vance examines the Constitution's checks and balances keeping Trump in check. Professor Laura Gamboa examines her article for Foreign Affairs, "How to Save a Democracy," and the lessons from other countries' authoritarian crises.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2025

The Atlantic’s George Conway examines Trump’s lawlessness and how our institutions hold up to it.The Economist’s Simon Rabinovitch details how Trump’s tariffs will actually affect the global economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2025

The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson dissects Signalghazi’s continued fallout.The New York Times' Annie Karni details her new book Mad House: How Donald Trump, MAGA Mean Girls, a Former Used Car Salesman, a Florida Nepo Baby, and a Man with Rats in His Walls Broke Congress.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

Talking Points Memo’s Josh Marshall surveys the fallout of Signalghazi. Poet and writer Anthony Walton details his new book The End of Respectability: Notes of a Black American, His Life, and His Nation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2025

The Nation’s Jeet Heer examines Signalgate and Republicans' failure to brush it off. Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow details her new book Hate Won't Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

Charlie Sykes examines Pete Hegseth’s little group chat problem. The Shadow Docket author Stephen Vladeck details the dynamics of when the Supreme Court rules against Trump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2025

Rick Wilson examines Donald Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education. Wesleyan University President Michael S. Roth details Trump’s attempts to bully universities into adopting his policies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick examines the Supreme Court’s mixed messaging. Legendary economist Paul Krugman analyzes Trump’s continued crashing of the markets. Plus, we have a bonus from our YouTube channel where I discuss how Democrats can effectively lead with The Bulwark Daily podcast host Tim Miller.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2025

The Al Franken Show’s Al Franken discusses how changing leadership in the Senate would play out and his role in Netflix’s The Residence, which is out now! Ettingermentum editor Josh Cohen details the Democrats’ future strategy to regain power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2025

The Atlantic’s Ron Brownstein examines the odds of Trump’s unpopular policies leading to his midterm demise. Author Jason Stanley details what he sees beneath the veil of Trump’s authoritarian moves. Plus, we have a bonus from our YouTube channel where Molly debates Democratic strategist James Carville on how Democrats should fight against MAGA’s agenda.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2025

The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson examines the Democrats' handling of the CR and their leadership’s strategies. Comedian Trae Crowder discusses his new comedy special, Trash Daddy, which is out now on YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

The Mary Trump Show’s Mary Trump skewers the Democrats' lack of leadership. Rep. Robert Garcia details the real-world cost of Donald Trump’s tariffs. Plus, we’ll have a bonus clip from our YouTube channel featuring an interview with NY Governor Kathy Hochul about protecting citizens from Trump’s aggressions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2025

The New Abnormal co-host Andy Levy examines the state of American democracy. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, the congressman representing the district with the most federal workers cut by DOGE, details the impact on his community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025

On The Tape’s Dan Nathan explains the stock market’s very, very bad reaction to Donald Trump’s policies. The New York Times David Enrich details his latestest book Murder the Truth: Fear, the First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful. PLUS! Harvard Professor Lawrence Lessig explores how a populist DOGE could benefit the Democrats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2025

The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson examines the infighting inside Trump’s White House. Amanda Zurawski discusses the life-threatening consequences of strict abortion bans, even in cases of inevitable miscarriage. PLUS! We have a clip from our YouTube channel where Molly interviews American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten about why fascists hate teachers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

Zeteo’s Mehdi Hasan examines the deep dissonance between what Trump promised the American people and his current presidency. Congressman Jared Moskowitz details his complicated relationship with Rep. James Comer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 8 March 2025

Legendary campaign manager Stuart Stevens examines how Trump shifts the goalposts to create the perception that his policies are popular. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey details the real-life implications of Trump’s careless cuts to the government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson reacts to Trump’s mess of a Joint Address to Congress. The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank examines Trump’s trade wars and how badly they are going for him. Justice Allison Riggs details the continued chaos with the NC Supreme Court denying her a seat on the bench.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2025

The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson examines Elon Musk’s actual motives for constantly hanging around the Capitol. Wisconsin Democrats Chair Ben Wikler details how the Democratic Party can improve its messaging. PLUS! A bonus excerpt from our interview on YouTube with Labor Secretary Robert Reich, which you can watch in full here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

MSNBC contributor Charlie Sykes takes the temperature on Trump’s Unified Executive Theory and his aggressions against our Constitution. Author Michael Wolff details his new book All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2025

The Atlantic’s George Conway examines illegality of Trump’s administration and how it will play out. Pro Publica’s Lizze Presser detailshe horrifying rate of sepsis in woman post Texas abortion ban.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

Governor Tim Walz examines some of the messaging errors of the 2024 election. The Nation contributor Jeet Heer details the chaos inside the Trump administration. Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe examines his protests against aggression against gay rights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2025

The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson examines Elon’s profoundly dumb email to federal workers. The Brennan Center’s Michael Waldman details how to counter Trump’s offenses against judges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

Think Like an Economist podcast’s Justin Wolfers examines the “fuzzy math” behind DOGE’s supposed savings for Americans. The Eurasia Group’s Ian Bremmer details the new global alignments in a post-Trump 2.0 world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 22 February 2025

Media Matters’ Angelo Carusone examines the missed opportunities to push back against Trump’s agenda. Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse details how the Senate can counter DOGE and Trump’s aggressions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2025

Talking Points Memo’s Josh Marshall stops by to discuss Trump taking a sledgehammer to our government. Author Katherine Stewart talks about her new book, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 19 February 2025

The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson skewers Trump’s latest dictator-like language. Former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau head Rohit Chopra details the accomplishments of the organization and why Trump dismantled it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

Talking Feds host Harry Litman stops by to discuss the insane amount of chaos in the Justice Department. Congressman Eric Swalwell talks about protecting citizens from DOGE’s unlawful aggressions on their data.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 15 February 2025

Charlie Sykes examines the continued erosion of law and order in America. Congresswoman Becca Balint details the Republicans' attempts to rewrite American culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Substack's The Jim Acosta Show host Jim Acosta examines Trump’s strategy to exploit the weak points in our government. Wired’s David Gilbert details the threats Elon’s DOGE-obsessed teenagers pose to U.S. national security.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2025

The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson examines Trump’s voters learning what his agenda actually is. More Perfect Union’s Josh Miller-Lewis details the lobbying firm funneling massive influence into Donald Trump’s White House.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara examines the legal obstacles that can keep Trump in check. Citation Needed’s Molly White details the tech bro oligarchy’s plans for America.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 8 February 2025

The Nation’s Jeet Heer tries to make sense of Trump’s plans to expand America across the globe. Democracy Forward’s Skye Perryman examines the lawsuits they are filing to stop Trump and Musk’s agenda.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2025

Historian Thomas Zimmer parses the inner workings of why Trump and Musk are rushing through their demolition of government institutions. Harvard’s Theda Skocpol examines what helped shape the right’s urge to dismantle government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 5 February 2025

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson details Trump’s many assaults on the rule of law. What's the Matter with Kansas author Thomas Frank examines why Democrats fear embracing populism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

Media Matters’ Angelo Carusone examines the media's reaction to Trump’s shock-and-awe legislation strategy. Eoin Higgins details his new book, Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 1 February 2025

The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank examines Republicans' chaotic confirmation hearings. MSNBC’s Alex Wagner details Trump’s immigration shock and awe and her new show, Trumpland with Alex WagnerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

Talking Points Memo’s Josh Marshall examines how Trump’s spending freezes impact everyday American life. California Attorney General Rob Bonta details how AGs can fight back against Trump’s aggressions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2025

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson examines Trump’s first week back in office. Bloomberg’s Davey Alba and Leon Yin detail how Trump’s outreach to YouTubers helped him win the presidency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

Garbage Day’s Ryan Broderick details how Democrats are navigating the new governing order, while Vanity Fair’s Nick Bilton examines Trump’s pardon of Silk Road’s Ross Ulbricht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 25 January 2025

Semafor’s Dave Weigel analyzes President Trump’s first days back in office, while More Perfect Union’s Faiz Shakir discusses his bid to lead the DNC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2025

MSNBC contributor Charlie Sykes analyzes the shock and awe of Trump’s first day back in office. Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson outlines strategies to protect reproductive rights in this new era.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 22 January 2025