This week Rachel and Aaron unpack the GOP’s framing of thousands of peaceful “No Kings” protests as “Hate America” rallies. How, exactly, did Republicans lose control of the narrative–at least for a weekend? Plus, why House Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to swear-in America’s newest member of Congress. And what do Venezuelan boat strikes have to do with disgraced Congressman George Santos? LINKS:ABC’s This Week: Jonathan Karl interviews Speaker Mike JohnsonNBC’s Meet the Press: Kristen Welker interviews Senator Rand PaulABC News: Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva on ‘delay tactics’ in being sworn into CongressThe Cycle on SubstackHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game
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Episode 27: The F-Word
This week, why we shouldn’t be afraid of using the other F-word: fascism, especially as the Right shatters political norms, turns citizens into public enemies, and politicizes the military. Rachel and Aaron discuss a Democrat who joked about violence, a Republican who preaches it, a billionaire who builds it into the algorithm, and a movement now summoning generals for loyalty oaths. Plus: The political strategies and public polling behind the government shutdown. Who, exactly, is getting the blame?LINKS:France24: Elon Musk: The voice of the far right in Europe?Stephen Miller’s cousin on Facebook: “the face of evil”The Cycle - Substack: We’re Deep in the Shit Now: The Only Way to Win the Shutdown Was Not to PlayHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game
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Episode 26: Thin Red Line
This week Rachel and Aaron discuss the Trump Administration’s reaction to Charlie Kirk’s death, his martyrdom, and what’s next on the march into authoritarianism. Plus, a trip to the front lines of Trump’s tariffs: rural America. Why are farmers feeling the pinch first? And Trump crosses a thin red line by ordering the U.S. Department of Justice to target his political enemies, facts be damned.LINKS:Substack - The Cycle: From Goebbels to Google: Same Shit, Different CenturyTruth Social: Trump says opponents are “guilty as hell” – without evidenceHot Mic: “Our brand is in crisis”Imperial March in Washington, DCHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game
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Episode 25: Dept. of War
With Labor Day behind us, Trump’s honeymoon is over and his march into fascist authoritarianism is in full force. This week Rachel and Aaron look at his latest distraction from a nosediving economy and the Epstein Files: an armed, federal invasion of America’s third-largest city. Plus, market instability rocks America’ farmers as Trump’s tariffs take a toll, a grilling for RFK junior (and no, we’re not talking about his face), and Gov. Newsom’s master class in political mockery looks awfully familiar.LINKS:Substack - The Cycle: A Blue Tsunami is Headed for Virginia and New JerseySubstack - The Cycle: Democrats Want to Run on Affordability: Here’s How to Do it RightAmerican Soybean Association: ‘A trade and financial precipice’Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game
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Episode 24: 'Because We Can'
Why are Republicans trying to give themselves an edge in Congress? In the words of one GOP lawmaker: “Because we can.” This week, Rachel and Aaron separate the facts from JD Vance’s alt reality as some Democrats prepare to fight fire with fire. Plus: Trump takes federal control over Washington DC. And South Park sends up America’s most notorious puppy killer.LINKS:YouTube: President Trump holds news conference on plans to address D.C. crimeGavin Newsom to Trump: ‘You Are Playing With Fire’The Cycle (Substack): Appeasement Didn’t Work Then; It Won’t Work Now
About This is America: Checked In for the Checked Out
From the front lines of protecting democracy, political analysts Rachel Bitecofer and Aaron Murphy, authors of Hit 'Em Where it Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game (Crown, 2024), host a brief, weekly look at "what you need to know" about Trump 2.0. They're checked in for the checked out.This is America is a callback to William L. Shirer's groundbreaking This is Berlin broadcasts from the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s.Subscribe to Rachel's The Cycle on Substack at thecycle.substack.com.Hit 'Em Where it Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game:hitemwhereithurts.com.
Listen to This is America: Checked In for the Checked Out, Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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