To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Charlie Sykes talks with Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, authors of Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, to unpack their explosive behind-the-scenes reporting on the 2024 election. They discuss a Democratic Party in disarray, a media landscape accused of complicity, and the pivotal moments that helped reelect Donald Trump. From Biden’s final days to Harris’s uphill battle, this conversation offers a revealing look at how we got here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Wehner, a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum and former White House aide, dives deep into the psychological grip of Donald Trump on his supporters. He analyzes the normalization of authoritarian rule and the failures of institutions to counteract this trend. Wehner discusses the pervasive fear in civil society and how it impacts partisan integrity. Together, they dissect the shift toward populism within the Republican Party and the urgent need for both political sides to confront uncomfortable truths in this turbulent landscape.

Charlie Sykes is joined by David French for a wide-ranging conversation about the alarming trajectory of Trump’s second term—from potential appointments like Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel to the chaos of $6 trillion in new tariffs. They explore the rise of authoritarian instincts, the collapse of due process, and the moral rationalizations enabling Trump's grip on power. Plus: big law caves, Laura Loomer ascends, and Paula White offers angelic blessings—for a price. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes is joined by Josh Kraushaar to unpack the political aftershocks of Elon Musk’s failed $26 million intervention in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race. They dig into the GOP’s internal frustrations with Musk, the Trump administration’s growing disregard for due process, and the Democrats’ unexpected resurgence. Plus, the two discuss the rise of Cory Booker, the collapse of institutional resistance, and the dangers of cruelty as political theater. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes and former Congressman David Jolly explore the unsettling prospect of Donald Trump pursuing a third term and the broader implications for American democracy. They examine the collapse of congressional power, the growing influence of Elon Musk in Republican politics, and the corrosive impact of money on elections—including a $100 million Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Jolly also hints at a potential gubernatorial run in Florida and offers sobering insight into the dangers posed by RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine agenda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes welcomes CNN veteran and Substack writer Jim Acosta for a weekend conversation on fear, power, and political pushback in the Trump era. They discuss the administration's performative authoritarianism, from mass deportations and censorship to threats against institutions and the judiciary—while also spotlighting signs of resistance, electoral shifts, and green shoots of hope. With humor and urgency, Acosta argues that while Trump wants America to be afraid, the cracks in his facade are beginning to show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Atlantic staff writer Anne Applebaum joins Charlie Sykes to unpack the shocking revelations of the "SignalGate" scandal—an alarming breach of national security and a window into the chaos of the second Trump administration. Applebaum explains how the use of unsecured messaging apps, bizarre bravado among senior officials, and a deep-seated hostility toward Europe signal a broader collapse of institutional norms. The conversation also explores how modern autocratic tactics are taking hold in the U.S., and why the erosion of resistance in American institutions should be sounding alarm bells. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes and national security expert Olivia Troye react to The Atlantic's bombshell report detailing how Trump administration officials accidentally included a journalist in a Signal group chat revealing real-time U.S. war plans. They also examine the chilling erosion of institutional norms—from the revocation of security clearances for dissenters to the shuttering of Voice of America—and question what happens when authoritarian tactics meet amateur hour governance. Plus, they discuss the bizarre return of Trump’s Greenland obsession and the dismantling of Social Security without a single vote. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes is joined by Tom Nichols of The Atlantic to discuss the growing normalization of authoritarianism and the failure of America's institutions to push back. They cover everything from Trump’s war on the judiciary to Elon Musk’s growing influence, the alarming capitulations by law firms and universities, and Vladimir Putin's manipulation of global power dynamics. It’s a wide-ranging, sobering, and often darkly funny conversation about why, even after all this time, we’re still capable of being shocked. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes for a candid discussion on the state of American democracy, Donald Trump's threats, and the exhaustion of fighting political chaos. Kinzinger reflects on the lessons he's learned since leaving Congress, including the importance of resilience in the face of intimidation and the need to maintain a sense of humor. Together, they break down Trump’s continued fixation on revenge, the GOP’s deference to Vladimir Putin, and why strong leadership is essential for Democrats navigating this critical moment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.