Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast

The Good Liars Jason Selvig stops by to talk about all the lies the GOP is telling about the Iran war and Mitch McConnell.The Midcoast Villager s Alex Seitz-Wald joins us to discuss the fascinating twists in the race for the Democratic Senate nomination in Maine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Molly Jong-Fast welcomes The Good Liars Jason Selvig back and they jump into a wide-ranging discussion about misinformation and political accountability, focusing first on swirling rumors about Mitch McConnell s health and what transparency elected officials owe their constituents. They then pivot to claims that the Trump administration is withholding or manipulating information particularly around casualties connected to Iran drawing parallels to COVID-era tactics of managing perception by limiting data. Jason shares observations from regularly interviewing Trump supporters at rallies, noting signs of waning enthusiasm like smaller crowds, fewer flags, and growing frustration over rising costs and broken promises such as no new wars, while also describing how quickly new talking points (from Greenland to election denial) spread through the base and harden into deeply held beliefs.Subscribe to Fast Politics and listen 4x a week for interviews just like this on your favorite podcast app: https://episodes.fm/1645614328See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson joins us to discuss Trump’s new hate-election strategy to win the midterms.Former Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler joins us to talk about his new book, This Is the Plan: How to End America’s Meltdown and Save Democracy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Conway stops by to talk about Trump’s deranged speech and election lies.Dr. Ashish Jha joins us to discuss RFK Jr.’s gross negligence leading to an outbreak of explosive diarrhea.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NOTUS’s Evan McMorris-Santoro stops by to talk about Trump needing nearly $100 billion more for his war adventures.Dr. Annie Andrews joins us to discuss her run to become the Democrat challenging for Senator Lindsey Graham’s seat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jim Acosta Show’s Jim Acosta stops by to talk about continuing his ill-advised war against Iran.Run for Something’s Amanda Litman joins us to discuss how Democrats can recruit better candidates and avoid mistakes like Graham Platner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson joins us to discuss Trump’s bad math for getting the SAVE Act passed after Lindsey Graham’s death.Author Michael Blanding joins us to talk about his new book, The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby: Inside a Billionaire Family’s Quest to Craft a Christian Nation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. stops by to discuss his new book, America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation’s Anniversaries.Jesse Wegman joins us to talk about his new book, The Lost Founder: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People’s Constitution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liberal Currents’ Adam Gurri stops by to talk about how Democrats can try to fix our broken government.Futurist Martin Ford joins us to discuss the updated edition of his book, Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part three of Project 2029: A Reimagining, host Molly Jong-Fast convenes leading advocates ( including Abortion Everyday’s Jessica Valenti, The Center for Reproductive Rights Nancy Northup, UCLA’s Mary Ziegler and The Guttmacher Institutes Kelly Baden) and experts to examine the post–Roe v. Wade landscape and the far-reaching consequences of abortion bans, from criminal penalties and “bounty hunter” civil enforcement to threats against medication abortion, telehealth, travel, IVF, and even miscarriage and emergency pregnancy care. The episode outlines how these policies have increased medical risk and uncertainty for patients and providers, expanded surveillance and litigation, and empowered crisis pregnancy centers while undermining access to contraception and reproductive health services. Looking ahead, the conversation focuses on what Democrats could do when they regain power: pursue comprehensive federal protections, repeal legal tools like the Comstock Act that could enable backdoor national restrictions, strengthen state-level shield laws, address affordability through insurance and Medicaid reforms, and build an agenda that treats reproductive freedom as an urgent, durable national right rather than a temporary compromise. Subscribe to Fast Politics and listen 4x a week for interviews just like this on your favorite podcast app: https://episodes.fm/1645614328See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OpenSecrets’ Hillary Braseth stops by to talk about how her organization is shedding light on money in politics.Former Bernie Sanders chief strategist Tad Devine joins us to discuss his new book, How the Democrats Screwed Bernie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of Project 2029: A Reimagining, Molly Jong-Fast explores how regulation and antitrust enforcement are crucial tools for defending the American public against unchecked private power. Featuring interviews with prominent policymakers and legal experts like Lina Kahn, Alvaro Bedoya, Doha Mekki, and Elizabeth Wilkins, the episode delves into how monopolistic corporations use their power to raise prices, suppress wages, and stifle competition—hurting workers, consumers, and small businesses alike. The discussion highlights how regulation is not an abstract burden but a set of rules that can ensure fairness, protect individual rights, and preserve economic freedom. It also underscores the political and institutional challenges regulators face, from lobbying influence to overly cautious governance, while making the case that bold, timely, and targeted action by government can restore trust and deliver tangible benefits to everyday Americans. Subscribe to Fast Politics and listen 4x a week for interviews just like this on your favorite podcast app: https://episodes.fm/1645614328See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Isaac Butler stops by to discuss his new book, The Perfect Moment: God, Sex, Art, and the Birth of America’s Culture Wars.Katie Gaddini joins us to talk about her new book, Esther’s Army: The Christian Women Who Power the American Right.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the premiere episode of “Project 2029: A Reimagining,” host Molly Jong-Fast explores the critical role of campaign finance reform in reviving American democracy and redirecting the Democratic Party's future. Featuring expert voices such as Lawrence Lessig, Tiffany Muller (End Citizens United), Michael Waldman (Brennan Center) and Tom Moore (Center for American Progress), the episode details how decisions like Citizens United have enabled unchecked corporate influence and created a deeply corrupt political environment, where billionaires and super PACs drown out the voices of ordinary voters. It also examines how this broken system undermines public trust, outlines promising legal and grassroots strategies for reform, and makes the case that no meaningful progress on climate, healthcare, or civil rights is possible without first confronting the corrosive role of money in politics. Through historical parallels and potential state-level solutions, the conversation pushes toward a future where political power is rebalanced and truly representative of the people. Subscribe to Fast Politics and listen 4x a week for interviews just like this on your favorite podcast app: https://episodes.fm/1645614328See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside Elections’ Jacob Rubashkin stops by to talk about the Democrats’ chances of taking back the House and Senate. Author Justin Ellis joins us to discuss their new book, The Cruelty of Nice Folks: Why Minneapolis Is the Story of America.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Origin Story Podcast’s Ian Dunt stops by to talk about the sorry state of British politics.The States Project’s Daniel Squadron joins us to discuss his new book, The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As The World Churns’ Andy Levy stops by to talk about the latest chaos in American politics.Senator Chris Murphy joins us to discuss his new book, Crisis of the Common Good: The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman stops by to talk about the blockbuster revelations in her new book, Regime Change.Former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade joins us to discuss her new book, The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson joins us to discuss why Trump is in hiding.The New Republic’s Michael Tomasky joins us to talk about his new book, Killing Baby Hitler. You can find it here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about President Trump declaring his power has no limits.Ettingermentum’s Josh Cohen joins us to discuss how he’s seeing the midterms shape up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talking Feds’ Harry Litman stops by to talk about Trump’s latest illegal behavior.Better Offline’s Ed Zitron joins us to discuss the latest AI news. Where's Your Ed At Newsletter: https://www.wheresyoured.at/ Better Offline Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/2dBPt1j2DoNij1kVdx8Ig6See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NOTUS’s Evan McMorris-Santoro stops by to talk about Trump’s half-cooked deal with Iran.Former California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer joins us to discuss the strange things he saw during his run for governor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson joins us to discuss the White House melting down over leaked tapes of their meetings on the Epstein files.New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham joins us to talk about the diverse challenges of governing the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Good Liars’ Jason Selvig stops by to talk about Trump turning America into Las Vegas.Semafor’s Max Tani joins us to discuss the influencers shaping voter disinformation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MSNOW’s Steph Ruhle stops by to talk about Trump’s love of inflation.Heatmap’s Robinson Meyer joins us to discuss the growing opposition to data centers and AI in America.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hunter Biden stops by to talk about Trump not getting hit hard enough in the press.The Midcoast Villager’s Alex Seitz-Wald joins us to discuss why Maine voters are sticking by Graham Platner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson joins us to discuss Trump melting down on Meet the Press.ProPublica’s Robert Faturechi joins us to talk about Trump’s doomed choice for DNI, Bill Pulte.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Platypus Economics’ Justin Wolfers stops by to update us on Trump’s economy.The Economist’s Steven Mazie joins us to discuss the Supreme Court’s terrible instincts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jim Acosta Show’s Jim Acosta stops by to talk about Trump’s latest bumbling.Wired’s Hugo Lowell joins us to discuss what he’s seeing inside Trump’s chaotic White House.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about Trump wanting out of Iran and his slush fund.Comedian Rosebud Baker joins us to discuss how Trump has changed America and her new memoir, Fully Baked: A Messy Memoir.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson joins us to discuss Trump kneecapping JD Vance presidential aspirations. Then we'll talk to The Center For American Progress Tom Moore about his plan to overturn Citizens United that one state has already passed.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Phang joins us to talk about her lawsuit to get more of the Epstein files released, as well as the latest in Trump’s vendetta against E. Jean Carroll.Wired’s Daniel Boguslaw joins us to discuss the DOJ going after anti-data center activists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MSNOW’s Ali Velshi stops by to talk about Trump heading into another election year of picking bad candidates.Semafor’s Dave Weigel joins us to discuss the trends he’s seeing as the primaries shake out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Nation’s Jeet Heer stops by to talk about Trump’s Vietnam problem in the Middle East.NBC News’ Joanna Stern joins us to discuss her new book, I Am Not a Robot: My Year Using AI to Do Everything. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson joins us to discuss the latest chaos surrounding the Trump administration.Pod Save the World’s Ben Rhodes joins us to talk about his new book, All We Say: The Battle for American Identity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Republic’s Meredith Shiner stops by to talk about our ungovernable Congress not governing.MSNOW’s Andrew Weissmann joins us to discuss his new book, Liar’s Kingdom: How to Stop Trump’s Deceit and Save America.Plus, as a bonus, Theo Baker joins us to talk about his new book, How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jim Acosta Show’s Jim Acosta stops by to talk about Trump’s reckless spending.Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joins us to discuss his run for governor.Plus, we have a special bonus interview with Yale’s Ian Shapiro about his new book, After the Fall: From the End of History to the Crisis of Democracy, How Politicians Broke Our World.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve Had It’s Jennifer Welch stops by to talk about how the swing voters who gave Trump a chance are now the most likely to have Trump remorse.Representative Jason Crow joins us to discuss Trump’s MAGA slush fund and the new levels of robbing the federal government he has reached.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson joins us to discuss Senator Cassidy losing his seat and what it means for Trump’s support.Assemblyman Micah Lasher joins us to talk about why he’s the candidate to choose in New York’s 12th District’s crowded congressional race.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about Trump using the Iran war to enrich himself with stock tips.California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer joins us to discuss his plan to make California a better place to live.Plus, as a bonus, Elevate Utah’s Gabi Finlayson and Jackie Morgan stop by to talk about Mr. Wonderful accusing them of being Chinese agents and their work against data centers in Utah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NOTUS’s Evan McMorris-Santoro stops by to talk about the Trump administration considering classifying Tucker Carlson as a terrorist.Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn joins us to discuss his independent run in the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York’s 12th District congressional candidate George Conway stops by to talk about Trump’s deranged mental state.Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins us to discuss why he believes he’s the right candidate for Michigan’s Senate seat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson joins us to discuss Trump’s golden calf. Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand joins us to talk about his run for governor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Platypus Economics’ Justin Wolfers stops by to talk about Donald Trump’s continued demolition of the American economy.314 Action’s Shaughnessy Naughton joins us to discuss their work recruiting, training, and electing Democrats with scientific backgrounds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jim Acosta Show’s Jim Acosta stops by to talk about Trump’s unlawful aggression against his enemies. Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper joins us to discuss his run for the Senate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Latino Vote Podcast host Mike Madrid stops by to talk about Republicans seeming to have no plan to address Trump’s lack of popularity.Civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw joins us to discuss her new book, Backtalker: An American Memoir.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson joins us to discuss Trump trying to govern while being the most unpopular president of modern times. Justice Anita Earls joins us to talk about her crucial judicial race in North Carolina.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zeteo’s Mehdi Hasan stops by to talk about the propaganda around political violence in America today.Matt Maasdam joins us to discuss his run for Congress in Michigan’s 7th District.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MSNOW’s Steph Ruhle stops by to talk about what record-low consumer confidence is going to do to Donald Trump’s economy.Bale Dalton joins us to discuss his run against Congressman Cory Mills.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about Trump using political capital for the stupidest reason possible.The New York Times’ Jodi Kantor joins us to discuss her new book, How to Start: Discovering Your Life’s Work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.