The Al Franken Podcast

Catherine Rampell, an opinion writer and economist for The Bulwark and MSNBC, dives into the recent government shutdown. She shares insights on how the Trump administration manipulated SNAP benefits during this crisis. Rampell discusses rising prices impacting Americans, contradicting Trump’s economic claims. She also critiques the idea of a 50-year mortgage for first-time homebuyers, emphasizing its potential dangers. Join them as they dissect tariffs and their chaotic consequences for consumers and businesses.

Molly Jong-Fast, an opinion writer for The New York Times and host of Fast Politics, dives into the recent off-season elections, highlighting Democratic wins and voter sentiment shifts. She discusses NYC's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, and his ambitious focus on affordability. Molly also explores the implications of Trump’s influence, the impact of ICE raids on voter mobilization, and the ongoing government shutdown. With sharp insights into redistricting battles and the irony of Trump's recent lavish party, she offers a comprehensive look at the political landscape ahead.

Political reporter David Weigel from Semafor dives into the looming government shutdown and its implications. He discusses how the Trump administration seems out of touch with economic realities, all while indulging in extravagant spending, like a lavish ballroom. Weigel critiques Republican messaging towards SNAP, and highlights dissent within the Democratic party about leadership and image. He warns of the potential consequences of a prolonged shutdown, including harm to voters in red states and the risk of losing public trust.

Harry Litman, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Attorney General and host of Talking Feds, provides a deep dive into the weaponization of the justice system by Donald Trump. He discusses the politically charged prosecutions of figures like Comey and James, emphasizing their potential illegality. Litman also addresses the controversial deployment of the National Guard in Democratic cities and its constitutional implications. Additionally, he analyzes the Louisiana case that could threaten the Voting Rights Act, forecasting dire consequences for minority representation.

John Fugelsang, a comedian and bestselling author, contrasts Jesus' teachings with modern political rhetoric, exposing the disconnect between Christ's message of love and compassion versus right-wing agendas. He shares insights from his book, discussing how Evangelicals misuse scripture to justify oppressive policies. With anecdotes from his upbringing and experiences, Fugelsang emphasizes the importance of civil discourse in addressing inconsistencies in faith-based arguments, particularly on issues like immigration, gun violence, and social justice.

We're thrilled to welcome David Hogg to the podcast. Hogg is a co-founder of March For Our Lives and his PAC, Leaders We Deserve. He shares about how the tragedy in Parkland, FL launched him into the political fray. Hogg notoriously served as a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee for a brief time. He tells us about some of the inner workings of the DNC and then what happened when shit hit the fan. He argues that too many long-serving Democrats in Congress are "asleep at the wheel" and believes that backing younger primary challengers is the solution. We also lay out what kind of messaging Democrats need to focus on to win back young voters and improve their brand. Donald Trump and the Republicans are wildly unpopular, but the Democrats are often even less popular. The answer? Be the party who fights for affordable healthcare and lowering everyday costs.  LEARN more about David's Political Action Committee: https://leaderswedeserve.com/ 

This week features Norm Ornstein, a political scientist and emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He dives into the chaos of a federal government shutdown and its implications for healthcare policy. Norm discusses Trump's controversial Gaza peace proposal and the complexities surrounding its implementation. He also critiques recent political maneuvers, including a high-cost military address and the broader implications of current policies on democracy and public health. Expect both insight and humor as he navigates today's turbulent political landscape.

Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC Director and head of Resolve to Save Lives, and Brandy Zadrozny, an investigative reporter at NBC/MSNBC, dive into the chaos sparked by RFK Jr.'s rise in health policy. They discuss serious public health risks stemming from vaccine skepticism and misinformation. The guests highlight Trump and RFK Jr.'s troubling claims about Tylenol and autism, explore the impact of political interference on CDC morale, and unpack the dangers of eroding vaccine access and protections under new leadership.

Hear a teaser for The Global Story, the daily BBC news podcast that covers the intersection where the world and America meet. Find The Global Story on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

We are joined by Randi Weingarten, the President of the American Federation of Teachers, to discuss her new book, “Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy.” In the book, Weingarten details how there has been a systematic demonization of teachers and public education in America. She argues that one of the pillars of public education is critical thinking, which prevents fascism from flourishing in society - so fascists (and wannabe fascists) hate it. We explore a variety of topics facing schoolchildren and their parents today, including charter schools, artificial intelligence, phones in schools, and the treatment of LGBTQ+ students. We also discuss Trump’s proposed elimination of the Department of Education, attacks on teachers unions, and how we may have kept the schools closed for too long during Covid-19. READ Randi's new book: https://sites.prh.com/whyfascistsfearteachers