What A Day

The Supreme Court announced Monday it will hear a challenge to Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ kids. It’s the latest example of how Democratic state attorneys general are fighting a multi-front fight right now. They’re the top law enforcement officials in their respective states, responsible for protecting their laws and policies. At the same time, they’re pitched in a near-daily battle against the Trump administration’s push to upend the federal government. Colorado Democratic Attorney General Philip Weiser talks about how he’s managing both tasks.And in headlines: Ontario’s premier announced a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S. in response to President Trump’s tariffs, Elon Musk blamed Ukraine for outage problems at X/Twitter, and the White House revamps a government app to help undocumented migrants self-deport.Show Notes:Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/reliefWhat A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Nicholas Wu, a Congressional reporter at Politico, dives into the high-stakes negotiations to prevent a government shutdown. He highlights the slim chances of bipartisan support amidst funding controversies, particularly those favoring the Pentagon while cutting social programs. The conversation also touches on Trump's recent cuts to Columbia University grants and escalating violence in Syria. Wu sheds light on the spread of conspiracy theories and their societal implications, making for a compelling discussion on the current political climate.

Dozens of Democratic governors across the country are facing a nearly impossible task: Manage the day-to-day operations of their state while also playing wack-a-mole with the waves of awful federal policies coming out of Washington right now. From tariffs to mass government layoffs to threats to shutter the Department of Education, it's a lot! New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul talks about how she's navigating Trump 2.0 and the ways she's taking 'the gloves off' with the administration.And in headlines: Trump considers revoking deportation protections from nearly a quarter million Ukrainians, the president puts a pin in tariffs on a wide range of products from Mexico and Canada, and California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom says it's 'unfair' to let trans athletes play women's sports.Show Notes:Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/reliefWhat A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dealt one of its first blows to President Donald Trump’s aggressive agenda to reshape how the federal government works. It was a minor decision: The justices rejected an emergency request from the administration to keep frozen some $2 billion in foreign aid payments. Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Chief Justice John Roberts joined the three liberals, raising questions about how the court will handle the waves of litigation crashing against the White House with Trump back in office. Jessica Levinson, a constitutional law professor at Loyola Law School, helps us read the SCOTUS tea leaves.Later in the show, Missouri Farmers Union Vice President Richard Oswald joins us to talk about how Trump's tariffs will hurt farmers.And in headlines: The Trump administration puts a one-month pause on auto tariffs for Canada and Mexico, some fired federal workers go back to work, and climate change might be making allergy season longer.Show Notes:Check out Jessica's podcast – passingjudgementpod.com/Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/reliefWhat A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump gave his first speech to the American people since taking office Tuesday night, and it was long. The president's address to Congress lasted more than 90 minutes breaking Bill Clinton’s 2000 State of the Union record. Trump talked about everything from tariffs to immigration to trans kids to the economy. Pod Save America’s Jon Lovett joins us to debrief the president’s rambling speech.Show Notes:Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/reliefWhat A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Tonight, President Trump will give his first major address to the nation since the inauguration of his second term. He’ll probably talk about how great of a job he's doing, the Gulf of America and deporting undocumented immigrants. Who knows, he might even rant about the Russian influence investigation some more. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut tells us why he won’t be attending Trump's address — and why the president is vying to become Russian President Vladimir Putin’s new best friend. And later in the show, California Democratic Representative Lateefah Simon is set to deliver the Working Families Party response to the president. She previews her speech for us.In headlines: Trump’s 25-percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports are set to take effect today, First Lady Melania Trump made her first public appearance since Inauguration Day, and the Senate confirmed Linda McMahon as Education Secretary.Show Notes:Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/reliefWhat A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia and Stanford professor, delves into the fallout from a notable meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy. He discusses how Trump’s criticism bolsters Russia’s position while weakening U.S. influence. The tensions of U.S.-Russia relations and the support for Ukraine from European leaders are examined. McFaul warns about the ideological alliances between the far-right in America and Putin, highlighting the broader implications for global stability.

Join Sam Sanders, host of KCRW’s ‘The Sam Sanders Show’ and ‘Vibe Check,’ as he delves into the Oscars and their cultural relevance. He critiques this year’s nominees, questioning the Academy's decisions amid ongoing scandals and marketing shenanigans. From the fall of a once-promising Best Picture contender to the creeping influence of AI in filmmaking, the conversation highlights the Oscars' struggle to keep pace with modern societal issues. Prepare for insightful commentary mixed with a dose of humor as Hollywood's flaws are laid bare.

Lindsay Owens, an economist and executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, dives into the complex world of tax policy and economic inequality. She discusses the fallout from the Trump administration's decision to cut IRS workers just as tax season begins. Lindsay explains potential Republican tax cuts and highlights the negative impact of budget cuts on low-income healthcare. The conversation also touches on rising economic uncertainty and the implications of misinformation surrounding recent health crises.

Matt Yglesias, a seasoned journalist and author of the Substack newsletter 'Slow Boring', discusses the precarious position of the Democratic Party in a landscape dominated by Trump and Musk. He dives into the party's struggles with clear communication and regaining voter trust after recent electoral defeats. Yglesias emphasizes proactive steps to expand the party's influence and encourages political engagement among citizens. Additionally, he touches on the pressing issues of consumer confidence and the impact of contentious policies in today's political climate.