The Takeout with Major Garrett

Director and writer Michael Kirk joins Major this week to talk about his upcoming FRONTLINE documentary, "Democracy on Trial," which premieres on January 30th across all PBS stations and streaming on demand and YouTube. The film explores January 6th and the Congressional hearings investigating the insurrection, and the criminal cases against former President Trump. Kirk discusses his approach to making the documentary, the challenges of getting people to talk with investigations underway and concerns about Trump's influence over the Republican party, and the 2024 presidential election. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's "So Much More" to Fat Joe, our special guest this week, than his legendary career in hip-hop music. The "Lean Back" rapper joins Major for a light lunch at Santa Rosa Taqueria in D.C. to discuss Power to the Patients, the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to raise awareness on the need for prices and transparency in healthcare. During his recent visit to Washington, he went "All The Way Up" to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers in Congress and advocate for "people in America that are wobbling across the street that are afraid to walk in the hospital because they gotta pay their bills." Joe also explains how hip-hop "saved" his life, and he offers his take on what's changed about the music industry (there's a Taylor Swift mention or two) over the course of his career. We're "So Excited" to share this week's episode with you! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Major sits down with Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Casey said, “There has to be a lot more transparency," surrounding Defense Secretary's Lloyd Austin's hospital stay. “No one should say that this is acceptable." Casey also weighs in on immigration and the funding fight for aide to Ukraine and Israel. This episode was recorded on January 9th at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C. Join us! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as Surgeon General under former President Donald Trump, joins Major this week to discuss the lessons he learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of mixing politics and public health. His new book, "Crisis and Chaos," chronicles his successes and failures trying to communicate accurate medical information to an often skeptical public and how we can improve next time. Dr. Adams now serves as Executive Director of Purdue University's Health Equity Initiatives. Join us! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Gambal left behind his family's successful real estate and parking garage business in 1993 to pursue a dream: making wine in France. His new book, "Climbing the Vines in Burgundy," chronicles his experience working the land and selling wine as an American vinter in the Burgundy region. Join us for a conversation that also includes wine recommendations for your New Year's Eve celebration. We're at Brasserie Beck in downtown Washington, DC. Join us! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What did you do in 2023? Publish a book? Produce and star in an hourlong comedy special? Both? That's what this week's guest Gary Gulman did in 2023. His new special "Born on 3rd Base" debuted this week on MAX and his book, "Misfit," was released this fall. Join us at The Lambs Club on in Midtown Manhattan for a very funny chat. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alongside the CBS News investigative unit, Major visited Dekalb County, Georgia, recently to look at why there has been a sharp increase in the number of voter registration challenges since the last election. Citizens can now legally file an unlimited number of challenges in their own county if they believe there is an error in the voter rolls. Proponents of the practice argue it will help make the rolls more accurate. Critics fear it could lead to legitimate voters being struck from the rolls. In a state as closely contested as Georgia, every vote could decide the next election.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger describes himself as politically “homeless,” at odds with a GOP he views as “anti-constitutionalist.” He believes former President Donald Trump will be the 2024 Republican nominee - and if that’s the case, Kinzinger intends to vote for President Biden. Kinzinger was one of two Republicans who served on the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. His new book, "Renegade," is an account of what he saw that day and what it means for democracy. Join us! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Major sits down with Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH), a devotee of religious text and...pop star Taylor Swift! Their conversation - recorded at one of our Capitol Hill favorites, Santa Rosa Taqueria - begins with T-Swift "conspiracies theories," and then pivots effortlessly to talk of Landsman's Masters degree in theology from Harvard Divinity School. The freshman lawmaker says that the Israel-Hamas conflict has prompted him to turn to scripture, "because this war has been so disorienting." And when it comes to how Americans are digesting the news out of the Middle East, Landsman thinks the terms 'Islamophobia' and 'antisemitism' aren't understood well enough. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Thanksgiving week, we're giving thanks for 1963's March on Washington and the key architect of that peaceful demonstration, activist Bayard Rustin. The new Netflix film "Rustin" tells the true story of the openly-gay Black civil rights leader, an oft-overlooked figure in the quest for racial equality. Actor Colman Domingo, who portrays Bayard Rustin, tells Major he thinks the film "charges [viewers] to believe that [they] can make a difference." Co-stars Glynn Turman and Aml Ameen, along with composer Branford Marsalis, also stop by to discuss the lasting legacies of Black activists A. Philip Randolph, Martin Luther King, Jr. and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices