American Fever Dream

We're back this week talking about more disinformation, this time coming from massive a DOJ indictment which include several Russian nationals and entities, all working to influence 2024 election. The report calls out fake social media profiles, bots, and a front company based in Tennessee, all with the goal to create more division and suppress voter turnout.To wrap up the episode, we're joined by Symone Sanders-Townsend, co-host of MSNBC’s The Weekend, to make predictions on Tuesday night's Presidential debate, including how Harris can counterpunch and pivot effectively. Sanders-Townsend also talks about what a "win" would look like for the Harris team, and we all wonder how low Trump will be willing to go in his attacks against Harris.“Black Women in America: The Road to 2024,” airs on September 29th at 9pm ET on MSNBC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sami sits down with co-authors Emmanuel Acho & Noa Tishby to talk about their book, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew. Acho speaks about how his friendship with Tishby developed, and how that friendship allowed them to have constructive conversations with each other about race. Their conversation also highlights the struggles of the Jewish and Black communities and the importance of unity in fighting against oppression. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we have a classic American Fever Dream episode for you! Let's break down some of the weirdest, fever dreamiest stories of the last week.TEMP CHECK5:45 - Starting off, we break down why Trump's photo op at Arlington National Cemetery was so disgraceful. V also fact checks Trump's statement that no military members died under his presidency, when the numbers show a very different story.27:30 - Next, we cover the Twitter/X ban in Brazil. A Supreme Court Justice in Brazil has taken action against the app because of far-right accounts and disinformation. Musk could have avoided this if he had just hired a lawyer that lived in Brazil... so why didn't he?35:10 - You may have heard from the NY Post that a Venezuelan gangs is taking over Aurora, Colorado. While the story is still unfolding, V and Sami are highly doubtful that a gang is taking over three specific apartment buildings owned by a company based outside of Colorado.AMERICAN'T45:15 - A Chase Bank "glitch" let's people take out thousands of dollars without actually having the money in your account. Aka wire fraud. Please don't do this.49:22 - We end the episode talking about Donald Trump's interesting choice of stops on his campaign trail -- Majority small towns that all happen to be Sundown towns, including Howell, Michigan, which held a KKK rally in July 2024.Have a question for V & Sami, or want to give your fave Philly recommendations? Email americanfeverdream@betches.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the giant Project 2025 book to her viral speech on the Michigan Senate floor in 2022, Sen. Mallory McMorrow and Sami talk about all of it. Although many call her a communications guru, McMorrow says she's just authentic in the way she talks to people, and that's what people connect with. Sami and McMorrow also discuss ways you can be engaged with politics, even if you don't want to run for office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

V & Sami are back from the DNC and they're ready to recap a very busy week. Still unhappy with trad media, they point out the double standard in the way Harris' speech is being fact checked versus the way the media is treating Trump. V also explains why there were no trans speakers at the DNC, and what was going on with the Uncommitted delegates. V & Sami also celebrate the joy and hope that was displayed at the DNC, along with Democrats reclaiming camo and the American flag.Then we share an interview at the DNC where Sami sat down with Senator Laphonza Butler, where Sen. Butler talks about brokering power, and explains why she's not running for reelection.Listen to our episode with Vice President Harris here:  Is The Bodily Autonomy In The Room With Us? Ft. Kamala HarrisHave questions for Sam & V? Email us at americanfeverdream@betches.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything that's wrong at the DNC is because of the 200 creators, according to traditional media outlets, and V & Sami are getting fed up. V debunks the prime rib sandwich and yacht party rumors, and we have to ask -- are traditional media outlets just jealous, or are the creators ruining the experience for everyone?While previous days were all about looking forward to a hopeful future, day 3 speeches from Tim Walz, Oprah and others seem more somber and reflective, reminding us about January 6th and what else could happen under another Trump presidency. And yes, the giant Project 2025 book makes a return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Armed with their credential badges, Sami & V are ready for the Day 2 at the DNC. Today, they break down the difference between the music at the DNC vs the RNC, and recap the Obama's messages of hope and community. (And yes, their speeches made us cry, again.) Plus, the Republican's that spoke in support of Kamala, showing us you don't have to be a Democrat to vote blue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

V & Sami start their week off at the DNC with comedian Alex Pearlman. They commiserate on how long it took them to get into the convention and talk about why it's so important to have media creators involved in politics.Then, a very tired Sami & V go over their favorite speeches of the night, the differences they noticed between the DNC and RNC, and Senator McMorrow's giant Project 2025 book.Follow Alex on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@pearlmania500Have a question for Sami & V about the DNC? Send us an email: americanfeverdream@betches.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

V talks with board certified gynecologist Dr. Karen Tang about informed consent, how social media has helped women's healthcare, and the impact of new laws on the healthcare industry. Dr. Tang's latest book, It's Not Hysteria Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told) aims to debunk myths and misconceptions about women's health issues that often get dismissed as "normal." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TEMP CHECK7:00 - Let's break down Australian B-girl, Raygun's....interesting performance in breakdancing, including her signature boomerang moves.12:45 - Five days after gymnast Jordan Chiles won the bronze medal in the individual floor competition, the IOC sided with a challenge from Romania and wants Chiles to give back the medal. Will Chiles return the medal with a frowny face note? Or will the US counter challenge be successful?MAIN NEWS19:15 - Sometimes it seems like folks are so creative in their hate, but in fact, no, they aren’t. They’re simply repeating the decades old talking points, ideology and strategies of olde. Today we dissect the John Birch Society. Founded in 1958 by a man who did not trust outsiders and shares Donald Trump’s fear of being poisoned. (In addition to being the creator of the Sugar Daddies candy)33:00 - Is Mr. Beast, famous YouTuber, running a real life Squid Games? There are some allegations around his reality TV show’s inhumane practices including withholding clean clothes, water, and proper medical attention.38:45 - New reporting on Donald Trump’s $10M windfall in 2016 from Egyptian dictator Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and what he did for Egypt in return. And you’ll never guess who shut down the FBI investigation into it two years later.DOWN BALLOT ERA44:30 - Dissecting Cori Bush’s primary loss to Wesley Bell, and how she was defeated by a mix of AIPAC funding and messaging that effectively painted her as someone more concerned with foreign policy than district issues. Today is also Ilhan Omar’s primary race against Don Samuels, who she defeated in the 2022 primary by just 2 points. Samuel’s campaign looks a lot like Bell’s, but without the support from AIPAC, but he’s also highlighting Omar’s husband’s...interesting business practices and questionable income. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices