Chris Matthews is a journalist and political commentator, columnist, author, television host and professor. His 15 years in politics and government includes speechwriter for president Jimmy Carter. Administrative assistant to House Speaker Tip O’Neil. Columnist for the San Francisco chronicle. Syndicated columnist and Washington bureau chief for SF Examiner. Host of MSNBC’s Hardball. His books include 2011’s Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero and his 2021 memoir This Country: My Life on Politics and History.

Few people understand politics as well as Chris does. He and I discuss the mounting chaos of Trump 2.0; Musk, DOGE and the massive spending cuts and terminations; Republican buyers' remorse; and the challenging road ahead for Democrats as they focus on the 2026 midterms.

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