Rick Wilson's The Enemies List

Trump loves dictators. For today's episode, Rick discusses Bob Woodward's new book War, which highlights Donald Trump's admiration for dictators, particularly Vladimir Putin. He argues that Trump's transactional nature and attraction to power make him susceptible to autocratic influences. He warns that if re-elected, Trump would likely cut U.S. support for Ukraine, leading to a Russian victory and weakening NATO. Trump's worldview aligns more with authoritarianism than democracy, posing a serious threat to global stability and American values.Follow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a classic Rick rant, he breaks down the politicization of Hurricane Helene, criticizing the usual suspects (Trump, Elon Musk, etc) for spreading misinformation about FEMA's response. He highlights the coordinated, bipartisan efforts of federal and state governments in addressing the disaster and condemns the use of tragedies for political gain.Follow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It can feel at times like there's nothing we don't know about Trump. However, there are still a few select people who seem to be able to uncover more and more, giving us critical insight into the former President. In this episode, Rick interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner about their new book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. They delve into Trump’s long-standing strategy of creating an illusion of wealth, his reliance on tax loopholes, and how he used his father's empire to prop up his failing ventures. The conversation also touches on Trump's role in the USFL's downfall, his relationship with banks, and the lasting impact of The Apprentice on his public image.Susanne and Russ' book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success, available now.Timestamps:(00:01:30) Lucky Loser(00:08:31) Trump's properties(00:13:29) The real Trump(00:21:38) The Trump brandFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can big tech and a healthy democracy coexist? In this episode Rick is joined by Marietje Schaake, author of The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley. Together, they delve into the growing influence of big tech companies on global democracy, the dangers posed by unchecked data collection, and the rise of tools like Pegasus spyware. Schaake highlights the need for greater transparency, regulation, and accountability in the tech sector, while addressing the potential threats to privacy and democratic freedoms. They also discuss the weaponization of data by companies like Palantir and Cambridge Analytica, as well as potential solutions to safeguard democratic systems in the face of advancing technology.Marietje's book, The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley, available now.Timestamps:(00:01:26) The Tech Coup(00:05:37) Government against large corporations(00:09:56) Which country's are doing it right?(00:15:05) PalantirFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 produced by David Pepper and available on all the podcast apps and at 2025 pod.com. We'd also like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode. J. Smith Cameron read the chapter and audio finishing by Marilys 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 and the Bill Press Pod.SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7or5...APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...STITCHER: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr...Follow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Pepper, a pro-democracy activist from Ohio, dives into the unsettling possibilities of Trump's Project 2025. The podcast unveils stories of individuals like Aemon, an Egyptian immigrant, as they navigate a post-election chaos filled with protests and deportation fears. Pepper emphasizes the emotional struggles against bureaucratic threats, highlighting the dehumanizing experiences faced under harsh political measures. These fictional narratives reveal the stark realities that could arise from a second Trump term, urging listeners to stay informed and engaged.

History is our greatest teacher. In this episode Rick speaks with historian David Brown, author of A Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War. They explore the significance of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, a pivotal moment that led to the collapse of the Whig Party and fueled tensions that made the Civil War inevitable. Together, they discuss the cultural and political shifts of the time, drawing connections to today's political divisions and the rapid pace of change in American politics.David's book, A Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War, available now.Timestamps:(00:02:06) A Hell of a Storm(00:07:51) The signals of a party collapsing(00:10:37) The culture of the civil warFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The framers envisioned a judiciary whose role was to check the power of the executive and legislative branches and ensure constitutional integrity. But what happens if corruption creeps its way into the most powerful court in the land? On today's episode Rick interviews David Brock, a veteran in the political and media landscape, about his new book Stench: The Making of the Thomas Court and the Unmaking of America. They dive into how Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has influenced major rulings like the Dobbs decision and presidential immunity, and explore the broader ethical concerns surrounding the court. Brock discusses the decades-long conservative efforts to reshape the judiciary, Thomas’s entanglement with wealthy donors, and the urgent need for judicial reform to address the court’s corruption and accountability issues.David's book, Stench: The Making of the Thomas Court and the Unmaking of America, available now.Timestamps:(00:01:50) Stench(00:04:04) A vast right wing conspiracy(00:08:53) Clarence Thomas(00:17:18) Corruption beyond ThomasFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon Michaels, an author analyzing state actions on democracy, and David Noll, who explores legal and political control intersections, dive into the concerning rise of state-sponsored vigilante activities. They highlight the chilling implications of laws like Texas SB8, discussing how these measures threaten democratic institutions and can manipulate elections. The conversation also addresses the tactics of the MAGA movement and the need for vigilance in protecting civil liberties. Their insights are a warning of the urgent challenges facing democracy today.

Historian Timothy Shenk, author of "Left Adrift: What Happened to Liberal Politics?", discusses the evolving Democratic Party landscape. He highlights the party's shift from working-class roots to a more affluent, educated base, and the struggle to reconnect with alienated voters. Shenk addresses the challenges of technocratic strategies in politics and the need for authentic engagement. He also examines the impact of economic narratives on voter sentiment and the dangers of misinformation in today's political climate.