Political satire can be the most impactful form of storytelling. In this episode of The Enemies List Rick Wilson welcomes comedian Brent Terhune, renowned for his spot-on portrayals of MAGA characters on social media. Rick and Brent dive into the intricacies of Brent's comedic process, discussing how he captures the bluster and contradictions of the MAGA persona with both humor and sharp observational skills. Brent shares his origin story, from performing stand-up in high school to creating viral videos, and the duo explores the cultural phenomena fueling his comedy. This episode offers a compelling look at the intersection of comedy and political satire.Timestamps:(00:02:21) Origin story(00:05:48) Inspiration for the bits(00:14:44) Change in the MAGA water temperatureFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America is at a crossroads, starring potential autocracy dead in the face. As the election inches closer, we are forced to consider the implications of autocrats and their impact on society. In today's episode Rick is joined by acclaimed author Anne Applebaum to discuss her new book, "Autocracy, Inc. The Dictators Who Want to Run the World." Anne shares insights into the modern autocratic landscape, detailing how today's dictators prioritize power and wealth over ideology and support each other to maintain control. The conversation covers the troubling rise of authoritarianism globally and its implications for the United States, the role of technology in repression and manipulation, and the potential consequences of a second Trump administration on international democracy and alliances.Anne's book, "Autocracy, Inc. The Dictators Who Want to Run the World," available now.Timestamps:(00:01:42) Autocracy Inc.(00:07:57) Misplaced belief in America(00:14:33) Strategies against authoritarian movements(00:19:28) NATO and Trump(00:28:32) Predictions for a Trump administrationFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The future of war is a complex mix of public and private, dated hardware and new technology. In this episode Rick speaks with Chris Kirchhoff and Raj Shah, authors of "Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War." They dive into the significant technological shifts impacting modern warfare, highlighting the disparity between military and consumer tech development. The conversation explores the bureaucratic challenges and innovative efforts of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to merge these ecosystems. Real-world examples from Ukraine and discussions on the future of autonomous systems and AI in warfare underscore the urgency for the US to adapt quickly and efficiently.Chris and Raj's book, "Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War," available now.Timestamps:(00:05:22) Unit X(00:17:51) Drones and countermeasures(00:24:19) Weapons and AIFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The darkest corners of American society are bred on the internet. In this episode Rick is joined by journalist and author Elle Reeve to discuss her new book, "Black Pill: How I Witnessed the Darkest Corners of the Internet Come to Life, Poison Society, and Capture American Politics." They dive into the rise of far-right extremism, the origins and impacts of 4chan and 8chan, and the evolution of white nationalist movements. Elle shares her firsthand experiences and insights into the cultural and political influence of online troll communities, the disturbing realities behind QAnon, and the personal toll on individuals drawn into these extremist ideologies.Elle's book, "Black Pill: How I Witnessed the Darkest Corners of the Internet Come to Life, Poison Society, and Capture American Politics," available now.Timestamps:(00:03:37) Black Pill(00:10:22) When did Richard Spencer "hit the wall"?(00:16:14) The far right and hyper masculinity (00:20:17) Q AnonFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of an assassination attempt, we remain clear and resolute. In this episode we welcome Bakari Sellers, prominent political commentator, former South Carolina House Representative, and author. They dive into a range of pressing topics, including the attempted assassination of Trump, the political climate surrounding the 2024 campaign, and the broader implications for American democracy. Bakari offers insights from his latest book, "The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn't and How We Can All Move Forward," discussing the ongoing challenges of race relations in the U.S. and the missed opportunities for meaningful change. Rick also gives us a clear directive, nothing has changed.Bakari's book, The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn't and How We All Can Move Forward Now, available now.Timestamps:(00:09:25) Bakari Sellers(00:17:36) Bakari's new book(00:21:58) Where we are? Where we go?(00:27:23) The shooterFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did conservatism in America become the bizarre mess it is today? To help us explore this question, Rick welcomes Joe Conason, author of "The Longest Con: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Frauds Hijacked American Conservatism." Together, they explore the historical trajectory of the conservative movement in America, from the professional anti-communists of the 1950s and 60s to the rise of the Tea Party and the ultimate grift of Donald Trump. Conason delves into the intricate scams and deceitful tactics used by key figures and organizations, revealing how political manipulation and financial exploitation have shaped modern conservatism.Joe's book, "The Longest Con: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Frauds Hijacked American Conservatism," available now.Timestamps:(00:01:49) The Longest Con(00:07:59) The conservative grift culture(00:18:29) The start of the Tea Party movementFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The old Republican Party is dead. In this episode Rick Wilson welcomes special guest Governor Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey, for a discussion on the current state and future of the Republican Party. They dive into the decline of the party’s principles, the rise of the Forward Party, and the impact of the Trump era on American democracy. The conversation touches on critical issues such as the erosion of the rule of law, the importance of civic education, and the repercussions of the Supreme Court’s decisions.Timestamps:(00:01:16) The decline of the Republican party(00:06:23) Do Trump's convictions change the race?(00:16:58) Dobbs vs. JacksonFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The front lines in the fight for our democracy is taking place at the state level with a battle for the integrity of a system on the brink. In this episode Rick welcomes Jena Griswold, the Secretary of State of Colorado, for an in-depth discussion about the current state of democracy in the United States. They explore the challenges and successes of election security, the rise of election denialism, and the impact of disinformation and deep fakes on the electoral process. Jena shares insights from her experience in overseeing Colorado's elections, highlighting the importance of maintaining a secure and accessible voting system. She also discusses the ongoing efforts to hold bad actors accountable and the resilience of the American people in defending democratic values.Timestamps:(00:02:04) Democracy at code red(00:06:26) Improving Colorado's electoral system(00:09:38) The effects of election fraud(00:23:39) The age of disinformationFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We must not forget the dramatic implications of a 2nd Trump presidency. In this episode Rick interviews Andrew McCabe, former deputy director of the FBI. They discuss the potential consequences of a second Trump presidency, focusing on the threats to democracy and the justice system. McCabe provides insights into the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and reflects on Trump's use of power and influence. The conversation highlights the importance of protecting democratic institutions and maintaining accountability in government.Timestamps:(00:01:34) Promises of revenge(00:09:01) When a President does the right thing(00:10:35) Trump's vendetta against the DOJ(00:20:53) Protecting America in the Age of Terror and TrumpFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a shift taking place amongst black male voters in America. In today's episode, Rick speaks with Leah Wright Rigueur, assistant professor of public policy at the Kennedy School of Government and author of "The Loneliness of the Black Republican." They jump into the current state of the 2024 election, discussing the widespread frustration with the repeat matchup of 2020 candidates and the underlying racial dynamics influencing political behaviors. Leah offers insights into the slow migration of Black men to the Republican Party, the erosion of democratic principles, and the troubling rise of grievance politics. The conversation also touches on the potential implications of having a convicted felon on the presidential ballot and the ongoing struggle for true democratic accountability in the United States.Timestamps:(00:01:36) Leah's take on the election(00:10:27) Minorities moving to the GOPFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices