Rick Wilson's The Enemies List

So you think you've heard it all about JFK? Think again. In this episode Rick is joined by bestselling author Brad Meltzer to discuss his new book, The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy and Why It Failed. Brad uncovers the little-known story of a 1960 assassination attempt on JFK's life by disgruntled postal worker Richard Pavlik and explores its historical implications. Together, Rick and Brad dive into the parallels between the political climate of the 1960s and today, JFK's transformation of American politics, and the pivotal role of Jackie Kennedy in shaping the Kennedy legacy.Timestamps:(00:01:29) The JFK Conspiracy(00:04:56) The recipe for authoritarianismFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This special series is a joint production by David Pepper and Resolute Square. The book, “Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close And Personal” by David Pepper, is available for purchase at https://a.co/d/adWcJ4S.Chapter Two of Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal depicts the personal story of Eve, a nurse struggling with infertility, whose treatment is threatened by the new president's executive order banning certain fertility treatments. The episode explores how the president's policies would impact everyday Americans, particularly women and families, by interfering with reproductive freedom and the right to self-determination. The author of the serialized novel “2025,” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how the fictional story is directly based on the policies outlined in the Trump’s Project 2025 and the president's own words, underscoring the very real and devastating consequences a second Trump term and the implementation of Project 2025 could have.You can read Chapter Two of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel-chapter-2Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is available on all the podcast apps and at 2025pod.com. We'd also like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode. Heather Thomas, J. Smith Cameron, Omid Abtahi, Kirk Acevedo and Bayo Akinfemi. Audio finishing by Marilyn Ernst. This series is produced by David Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman. Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions.Follow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first episode of 2025, Rick takes a hard look back at January 6th, 2021—a day he calls a stain on American democracy. He reflects on the failures of leadership, the lack of accountability, and the enduring dangers posed by Trump and his movement. With unflinching honesty, Rick explores the authoritarian vision of MAGA, the moral compromises of its enablers, and the need to remember and confront the truth of that infamous day.Follow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are entering a new chapter where the children are taking the wheel. In this episode Rick speaks with journalist and author David Corn to discuss the chaotic implications of a Trump administration return, the rise of figures like Elon Musk and RFK Jr., and the dangerous erosion of government institutions. They dive into concerns about unqualified leadership, the dismantling of public health systems, and the weaponization of agencies like the FBI under Trump loyalists.Timestamps:(00:01:10) American Psychosis(00:08:13) How long can Trump and Elon Musk co-exist?(00:18:04) DOJ and Kash PatelFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This special series is a joint production by David Pepper and Resolute Square. The book, “Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close And Personal” by David Pepper, is available for purchase at https://a.co/d/adWcJ4S.Chapter One of Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal depicts how the lives of everyday Americans would be impacted by the policies outlined in Trumps’s Project 2025 and the return of Donald Trump to power. The fictional story follows Ammon Maher, a college student and immigrant, as he is detained and deported without due process due to his involvement in past campus protests. This narrative directly reflects Trump's campaign promises to crack down on student protesters and his administration's policies that target undocumented immigrants, including so-called "dreamers." The author of the serialized “2025: A Novel” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how these policies, if implemented, would violate civil liberties and human rights in an alarming and unjust manner. The podcast series aims to raise awareness of the very real dangers posed by Trump's extremist agenda and the disturbing implications of "Project 2025" for the American people. You can read Chapter One of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novelFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the post election dust begins to settle, we look to the future. On today's episode Rick is joined by political strategist and author David Pepper to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the post-Trump landscape. They delve into the importance of state-level elections, the lessons from past midterms, and the critical need for focused messaging to counteract chaos. David also introduces his compelling Project 2025 series, which uses storytelling to highlight the real-world impacts of Trump’s proposed policies. Together, they explore how to prepare for the battles ahead and inspire proactive action to defend democracy.Timestamps:(00:01:39) The resistance to Trump(00:10:53) Winning state elections(00:15:13) The Wisconsin Supreme Court race(00:24:45) Project 2025Follow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Rick details the chilling effect of ABC's capitulation in a lawsuit brought by Trump, examining its dangerous implications for press freedom and journalism in America. He warns that this decision sets a precedent, emboldening Trump and others to intimidate media outlets into silence through lawsuits, threats, and governmental pressure. He explores how corporate interests, fear of retaliation, and the erosion of trust in the media are undermining the free press—a cornerstone of democracy.Follow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the bizarro world that is Trump's America, Michael Flynn sued Rick. In today's special episode, Rick details the case and how, at long last, he prevailed. A victory for common sense and free speech.Follow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is democracy in decline? Clearly. In this episode Rick sits down with Emily Amick, co-author of Democracy in Retrograde, to discuss the challenges facing American democracy and how to reclaim civic engagement in the age of polarization and outrage. They explore the rise of minority rule, the impact of social media on public discourse, and the erosion of community ties. Emily shares actionable insights from her book, including how individuals can create sustainable civic action plans and rebuild connections to strengthen democracy.Emily's book, Democracy in Retrograde, available now.Timestamps:(00:01:20) Democracy in Retrograde(00:09:17) The outrage politics cycle(00:12:01) Building community(00:16:42) Why Americans are polarized and exhaustedFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is America heading toward a tyrannical, authoritarian system? Taking for granted our basic pursuit of freedom? In today's episode Rick is joined by historian and Yale professor Timothy Snyder to discuss his latest book, On Freedom. Building on the themes of his influential work On Tyranny, Snyder explores the deeper meaning of freedom, its vulnerabilities in modern America, and how to preserve it against rising authoritarian tendencies. The conversation digs into the dangers of "sado-populism," the distortion of free speech, and the seductive appeal of authoritarianism. Snyder offers a powerful case for the value of freedom as a cornerstone of human dignity and creativity.Timothy's book, On Freedom, available now.Timestamps:(00:01:42) On Freedom(00:03:00) Do Americans realize what's at stake?(00:07:17) The elements of freedom that are at risk (00:14:19) Turning away from individual liberty(00:22:33) The future of freedomFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices