To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Adam Kinzinger, a former congressman, dives into the contentious Trump-Epstein saga, critiquing Trump's lack of empathy for Epstein's victims. He highlights congressional cowardice and the alarming decay of democratic norms, arguing that today's political climate is a defining moment in history. Kinzinger discusses the rise of enemies lists, media capitulation, and the urgent need for civic engagement among younger generations to combat complacency. He emphasizes the crucial responsibility of this generation in preserving democracy amid escalating challenges.

Charlie Sykes and historian Julian Zelizer tackle the political storm surrounding Donald Trump and the Epstein files, exploring why this controversy has stuck and what it reveals about the MAGA base. They examine the broader collapse of institutional resistance—from the GOP’s silence to media capitulation—and question just how far Trump might go to protect himself. The conversation also touches on Netanyahu’s crumbling international standing, Trump’s shifting tone on Putin, and the enduring power of satire in resisting authoritarianism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim Acosta joins Charlie Sykes for a sobering conversation about Donald Trump’s explosive treason accusations against Barack Obama and what they signal about his desperation over the Epstein case. They explore how Trump’s old tricks—conspiracy theories, culture wars, and media manipulation—may be losing their power, and why this moment feels different. From Ghislaine Maxwell to media complicity, the episode unpacks the dangerous collision of scandal, politics, and truth in a high-stakes summer drama. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes sits down with former Montana Governor and RNC Chair Marc Racicot to discuss "Our Republican Legacy," a new initiative aimed at restoring the GOP’s foundational principles of character, constitutionalism, and limited government. Racicot offers a candid assessment of the current political landscape, acknowledging the uphill battle while defending the idea that the Republican Party can and must return to its roots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes is joined by chess grandmaster and democracy advocate Garry Kasparov to explore how creeping authoritarianism could take hold in the United States. Kasparov warns that fear, normalization of abuses, and erosion of democratic institutions are already pushing America down a dangerous path. Together, they examine the historical patterns of autocratic power, the unique risks posed by Donald Trump’s return to office, and what must be done to defend democracy before it’s too late. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes welcomes David French for a sweeping conversation on MAGA’s unraveling over the Epstein files, Trump’s shaky pivot on Ukraine, and the deeper cultural meaning behind the new Superman film. They examine the growing fractures in Trump’s base, the danger of embedding loyalists in the judiciary, and why even MAGA can turn on its own. With sharp insights and some well-earned skepticism, French unpacks the fragility of Trump’s recent moves and what they reveal about the future of the right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes is joined by veteran journalist and Substack writer Terry Moran for a bracing conversation on Trump’s unraveling Epstein strategy, the deep contradictions within the MAGA worldview, and the terrifying normalization of state-sponsored cruelty. From “Alligator Alcatraz” to 50% tariffs on Brazil, the two dissect how branding, conspiracy, and authoritarian impulses are reshaping American politics. They also explore how legacy media is collapsing under corporate pressure—while independent platforms like this one become the new frontlines in the battle for truth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum joins Charlie Sykes from Warsaw to examine the alarming rise of authoritarian tactics in the U.S., from the militarization of federal agencies to the normalization of political cruelty. They discuss the Trump administration’s embrace of spectacle, the breakdown of truth, and the erosion of institutional guardrails. Applebaum warns that what once seemed unthinkable is now unfolding in broad daylight, and cautions that history shows how quickly democracy can vanish when we stop recognizing the danger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Economist Justin Wolfers joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Trump’s trade war revival, incoherent economic policymaking, and the human cost of political decisions. From tariffs on allies to Medicaid cuts in the latest budget, Wolfers breaks down the real-world impact with clarity, passion, and biting analogies. It’s a crash course in economics—and a warning about what happens when the rules of the game no longer apply. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes is joined by Judge Michael Luttig to reflect on the founding principles of American democracy—and how far we've strayed. Drawing from his powerful essay The Self-Evident Truths of Freedom and of Tyranny, Judge Luttig restates the moral and constitutional bedrock of the United States in a time of national uncertainty. It’s not a political polemic, but a patriotic reaffirmation of the values that have defined America for 249 years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.