To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Harry Litman, a former U.S. attorney, deputy assistant attorney general, and legal analyst, joins the conversation on looming election turmoil. They examine possible interference involving federal agents, courts, voting machinery, and certification, plus record early voting and Democratic momentum. They also spotlight key races in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Kansas, while questioning billionaire influence and media distractions.

Jeremy Fogel, a retired federal judge and founding executive director of the Berkeley Judicial Institute, discusses mounting threats to judicial independence. He addresses intimidation of judges and their families, the DOJ’s eroding standards, partisan state courts, Supreme Court credibility, presidential immunity, and the creeping defiance of court orders. The conversation asks what happens when a pillar of democracy comes under sustained attack.

David French, a New York Times columnist, author, and former attorney, joins the conversation on MAGA’s mounting backlash. They examine Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial ad, Texas Republicans’ corruption troubles, the DOJ’s Alaska lawsuit, and Pete Hegseth’s Senate prospects. They also explore voter anger over self-enrichment, JD Vance’s falsehoods, billionaire political bubbles, and Trump’s alignment with autocrats.

Tara Palmeri, an American political journalist and author of The Red Letter newsletter, joins the conversation on Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad targeting Amy Acton. They discuss the backlash, Epstein survivors facing political silence, women’s anger, and Republicans bracing for a midterm wipeout. The conversation also explores possible fall guys, Jared Kushner’s alleged Middle East funding, Lindsey Graham, Elon Musk, and election challenges in Alaska.

Justin Wolfers, University of Michigan economist and creator of Platypus Economics, explores why consumer confidence is collapsing despite stronger headline numbers. He discusses tariffs, immigration crackdowns, labor shortages, and the erosion of trust in economic leadership. Wolfers and Charlie Sykes also examine whether October giveaways, subsidies, and campaign checks can repair the damage or merely spotlight deeper policy failures.

Molly Jong-Fast, journalist, author, political commentator, and Fast Politics podcaster, joins the conversation on Trump’s Putin alignment, Elon Musk’s political spending, and Republican infighting. They explore election-night fallout, MAGA’s unraveling alliances, Democrats’ governing dilemmas, populist anger at billionaires, and rising Democratic figures to watch for 2028.

Tom Nichols, an American political scientist and Atlantic writer focused on foreign policy and democratic norms, joins a wide-ranging discussion of Trump’s Ukraine policy and deference to Putin. They explore MAGA infighting, controversial loyalist appointments, the movement’s fading energy, vulnerable Senate races, Democratic risks, gender double standards, and ominous concerns about election turmoil and Pentagon leadership.

Adam Kinzinger, former Illinois congressman, Air Force officer, and January 6 committee member, discusses the 2026 midterms, Elon Musk’s political spending, billionaire influence, and culture-war messaging. He condemns Trump’s Ukraine policy, explores Republican inaction, and examines intimidation targeting figures such as Cassidy Hutchinson. The conversation also probes why so few Republicans defended constitutional norms.

Daniel Drezner, Tufts professor and author of Drezner’s World, joins a sharp pre-midterm discussion. They examine Trump’s Russia fuel deal, Marco Rubio’s “Western civilization” rebrand, and the officials rationalizing Trump’s foreign policy. The conversation turns to America First’s isolationist roots, MAGA’s future, Democratic polling anxiety, weak Republican candidates, and whether Trump could obstruct a Democratic congressional victory.

David Frum, a Canadian-American political commentator and Atlantic staff writer, joins the conversation on America’s economic and political risks. They examine shaky midterm polling, rising borrowing costs, Trump’s approach to Russia and Ukraine, corruption allegations, a possible Iran strike, extremist media, and the growing pressures reshaping American politics.