Deconstructed

Emily Jashinsky discusses Trump's VP pick J.D. Vance and the rise of the 'New Right' in the GOP. They explore stances on tariffs, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, foreign policy, and education policy. Loyalty dynamics in Trump's circle, perspectives on Democrats, RNC atmosphere, and new right's focus on the administrative state are also covered.

Dmitri Mehlhorn is among the most powerful Democratic funders and operatives working inside what can roughly be called the party’s establishment. He’s also been one of the most ardent defenders of Joe Biden as the best Democratic nominee to beat Donald Trump in November. This week on Deconstructed, Ryan Grim speaks to Mehlhorn about why he’s committed to Biden at a moment when more are calling for him to abandon his candidacy.Find full transcript at The Intercept. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto discusses Venezuela's bid to join BRICS, impacts of US sanctions, human rights record, and legal battle over Citgo in a podcast exploring key challenges facing Venezuela.

In a conversation he didn’t know was being recorded, embattled Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito shared his private belief that his movement’s battle with secular forces in the country was a zero-sum contest of irreconcilable values. “One side or the other is going to win,” Alito says in secretly recorded audio. Alito was speaking at a reception for the Supreme Court Historical Society last Monday evening. "I mean, there can be a way of working — a way of living together peacefully, but it's difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really can't be compromised. It's not like you can split the difference.”Alito was responding to a question from Lauren Windsor, a progressive advocacy journalist and activist who regularly records conversations with Republicans and conservative movement leaders. Windsor is my guest on Deconstructed this week. We’re publishing the secret audio in partnership with Rolling Stone.Windsor, who is making a documentary called “Gonzo for Democracy,” which will be out in the fall, reminded Alito that she had spoken with him a year earlier at the same event and wanted to ask him the same question. “What I asked you about was about the polarization in this country, about, like, how do we repair that rift?” she asked.“Asking questions of judges, these are the most discreet people in public life. There’s a huge amount of secrecy around the Supreme Court decisions around justices,” Windsor tells Grim. “I’m asking the questions to try to expose true intent. And given that none of the justices will go to Congress, will make their views more publicly known, I feel that it’s of intense public interest to find out whether their decisions are guided by personal religious convictions that really have no place in our public life.”Find full transcript at The Intercept. If you’d like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/give, where your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference.And if you haven’t already, please subscribe to the show so you can hear it every week. And please go and leave us a rating or a review — it helps people find the show. If you want to give us additional feedback, email us at Podcasts@theintercept.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canada has a vaccine injury support program that has paid out more than CA$11 million to claimants; Ross Wightman was among its first recipients. This week on Deconstructed, Wightman shares his story with Ryan Grim. Days after receiving an AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in 2021, Wightman began to experience pains unlike he had ever experienced before. He was eventually diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the body’s nerves. Grim and Wightman talk about his journey and support network, and whether new reporting from the New York Times about people who have experienced side effects from Covid vaccines signals a shift in serious media attention to concerns. If you’d like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/give, where your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference.And if you haven’t already, please subscribe to the show so you can hear it every week. And please go and leave us a rating or a review — it helps people find the show. If you want to give us additional feedback, email us at Podcasts@theintercept.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., a member of the Squad, and others discuss AIPAC's targeting of progressive Congress members. They highlight the lobby group's efforts in spending millions to influence elections, including focusing on Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Rep. Cori Bush. The podcast explores organizing efforts against campaigns aiming to remove progressive voices from Congress.

Dr. Mohammed 'Adeel' Khaleel, an orthopedic spine surgeon, shares harrowing experiences from Gaza, witnessing children with gunshot wounds. He highlights the dedication of medical personnel amid challenges. The podcast explores the harsh conditions in Gaza, fear among medical staff, and constant surveillance by drones. It reflects on resilience and determination amidst ongoing conflicts.

Progressive commentator David Sirota discusses the Democratic Party's history of suppressing primary challengers, focusing on Biden's low approval ratings and the party's intervention in the 2024 primaries. The podcast explores the importance of competitive primaries, financial struggles of lower-income groups, and past challenges within the party, highlighting the need for open debate and potential alternative candidates for the next election.

Activist and documentarian Astra Taylor discusses transformative solidarity with Leah Hunt-Hendrix, emphasizing its role in addressing global crises. They explore the historical origins of solidarity, its relevance in contemporary movements, and the necessity of collective action to combat societal challenges.

Messaging expert Anat Shenker-Osorio discusses swing state voters' disillusionment with Trump and Biden, exploring undecided voters' dilemmas and the need for non-electoral activism. The podcast delves into challenges faced by the Biden campaign, voter sentiments on abortion rights, perceptions of Biden's age, and insights on voter behavior in battleground states.