The Lincoln Project

Mary Clare Jalonick, an AP reporter and author of 'Storm at the Capitol,' delves into the chaos of January 6, exploring the trauma faced by Capitol police and the radical motivations behind the rioters. She emphasizes how power corrupted principles, leading to a moral decline. Then, veteran commentator Chris Matthews shares insights from his book 'Lessons from Bobby,' highlighting Robert F. Kennedy's approach to leadership rooted in empathy and responsibility, contrasting it with today’s toxic politics. Together, they illuminate the urgent need for decency in leadership.

James Talarico, a former Texas state representative and public school teacher, is shaking up the political landscape as he runs for U.S. Senate. He highlights how Texas is transforming from a bright red to a competitive purple state, driven by Gen Z and Latino voters. Talarico discusses addressing real issues instead of culture wars, the need to reconnect with South Texas voters, and the importance of corruption awareness. His vision advocates for a big-tent coalition and a focus on local needs to revive democracy and support working-class Texans.

The podcast dives into how the U.S. is edging towards a police state, driven by ICE's intimidation tactics and surveillance technologies. It highlights the misuse of mass surveillance tools that undermine civil liberties and the alarming politicization of justice within the DOJ. The discussion exposes ICE's function as a weapon for political control rather than public safety, revealing the propaganda machinery aimed at stifling dissent. Listeners are encouraged to take local action against invasive surveillance practices, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability.

Ken Casey, frontman of Dropkick Murphys, dives deep into how Trump misled the working class with false populism. He discusses the role grievance and misinformation played in securing working-class support for Trump, and how economic policies hurt farmers and small businesses. Casey champions punk rock as a voice of resistance against fascism and highlights the importance of class consciousness in music. Updated protest songs, like 'Citizen ICE,' showcase how artists can confront injustice and reclaim their narratives.

The podcast dives into the shocking death of Renee Good, exploring how MAGA leaders attempted to smear her posthumously. It critiques J.D. Vance’s disturbing defense of federal agents, advocating for their impunity. The discussion highlights the disinformation that follows state violence and how authoritarian movements create enemies. It also examines ICE's role in suppressing dissent and using visible brutality as propaganda. Ultimately, the hosts call for accountability and a reassessment of political cruelty in modern America.

The capture of Nicolás Maduro opens a troubling new chapter for Venezuela. The discussion reveals the pitfalls of viewing military interventions as simple solutions, with past failures looming large. Trump's motivations are scrutinized, highlighting a profit-driven approach to foreign policy over genuine democratic goals. Challenges of post-capture governance, regional repercussions, and the potential for prolonged conflict are all explored. Ultimately, the consequences of U.S. actions may inadvertently strengthen rivals like China and Russia.

Giving you an extra special bonus episode of The Lincoln Project podcast, Rick Wilson is joined by special guest Chris Whipple of Vanity Fair, the reporter who just detonated Trumpworld with his explosive reporting on Susie Wiles. Whipple doesn’t just recap the headlines—he reveals new secrets, pulls back the curtain on how power actually operates inside Trump’s inner circle, and explains why Wiles may be the most important—and least understood—figure in modern MAGA politics. As more breaking news unfolds, Rick and Whipple connect the dots between loyalty, control, fear, and the machinery driving Trump’s 2025 operation. If you want to understand who really runs Trumpworld—and why this story keeps getting darker—this is the episode you can’t miss. • • • • • You can find Chris Whipple on X @ccwhip, and on his website https://chriswhipple.com/.  VANITY FAIR PIECE PART 1: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/trump-susie-wiles-interview-exclusive-part-1 VANITY FAIR PIECE PART 2: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/trump-susie-wiles-interview-exclusive-part-2 Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. 

As the holiday season hits full throttle and millions of Americans flood airports during record-breaking Christmas travel week, this episode takes a clear-eyed look at what real holiday cheer means in a year dominated by nonstop headlines. From winter storms snarling flights and causing massive travel delays to violence interrupting festive gatherings and global tensions refusing to pause for Christmas, this week's news cycle offered little comfort—or quiet. Breaking down the biggest stories -- from Susie Wiles' Vanity Fair expose to Trump's deranged, coke-fueled speech while he gripped the podium to the close-up photos of Trump's admin -- it's been a week...and Rick will guide you through it all.  Rick Wilson cuts through the noise with sharp humor and grounded perspective, breaking down the biggest stories of the week while reminding us that optimism doesn’t require denial. This is holiday cheer with a backbone—fact-based, reality-tested, and stubbornly alive in the middle of headline fatigue, end-of-year chaos, and a world that refuses to slow down just because it’s Christmas. • • • • • Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.  #HolidaySeason #ChristmasCheer #YearEndNews #TopHeadlines #HolidayTravel #WinterStorms #BreakingNews #PoliticalPodcast #RickWilson #LincolnProject

Rick Wilson is joined by Scott Galloway—NYU professor, bestselling author, and unapologetic truth-teller—to talk about lonely young men, collapsing purpose, and a culture pretending the crisis isn’t real. Drawing from Scott’s newest book, ‘Notes on Being a Man,’ they cut through culture-war bullsh*t to explain how isolation, economic pressure, and algorithm-fed rage are pushing men toward the worst possible answers. This isn’t grievance politics—it’s a blunt conversation about reality, responsibility, different strengths, and what happens when society ignores the meteor until impact. • • • • • You can find Scott Galloway @profgalloway.com on Bluesky and @profgalloway on Instagram. His new book, ‘Notes on Being a Man,’ is available now, wherever fine books are sold.  Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.  Go to https://ground.news/TLP for a better way to stay informed. Subscribe for 40% off the Vantage plan for unlimited access to world wide news coverage through our link. #ad  Enter code ‘LINCOLNPROJECT’ for 20% off at takelean.com. #ad 

In this blistering episode, Rick Wilson breaks down why MAGA absolutely sees the future coming — and is reacting like a herd of political dinosaurs staring straight at the meteor and insisting it’s a hoax. With Trump's historically unpopular presidency (at a 36% approval rating), the desperate need for "affordability" (hitting the MAGA base the hardest), the movement shrinking, and GOP leaders screaming into the void, MAGA is pretending the shaking ground and the bright light in the sky are just “deep state weather balloons.” Rick lays out how the economic reality, unmistakable corruption, shifting demographics, and sheer exhaustion among voters are accelerating MAGA’s extinction — and why their refusal to adapt only speeds up the impact. This is a sharp, snark-filled autopsy of a movement so trapped in denial that they’re actively choosing meteor impact over evolution. Buckle up: the asteroid is coming, and Rick brought the popcorn. • • • • • Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to Superpower.com to decode, track and take control of your health with Superpower. Go to Superpower.com/gift to receive a free $49 premium gift box with your gifted membership. #ad