Impolitic with John Heilemann cover image

Impolitic with John Heilemann

Latest episodes

undefined
8 snips
Feb 10, 2025 • 1h 16min

Laurence Tribe: God Save This Dishonorable Court

Laurence Tribe, a renowned constitutional scholar and Harvard professor, dives into the threats posed by Donald Trump and Elon Musk to the legal landscape and democracy. He argues we are witnessing an inside coup and emphasizes the courts as vital safeguards against these assaults. Tribe reflects on the Supreme Court’s changing legitimacy and its crucial role amid political chaos. He also discusses how recent events challenge both constitutional integrity and political accountability, leaving audiences with a mix of concern and cautious optimism about the future of democracy.
undefined
Feb 7, 2025 • 1h 18min

Ezra Klein: Don’t Call It A Coup — Yet

Ezra Klein, a prominent New York Times columnist and insightful podcaster, dives into the political chaos of Trump's administration. He highlights how Trump's executive actions reflect political weakness rather than strength, framing a complex view of power struggles in today’s landscape. Klein also compares the influence of Elon Musk to Trump and questions the Democratic Party's strategies under Chuck Schumer’s leadership. The discussion paints a picture of contemporary governance challenges and the risks posed by autocratic shifts in power.
undefined
Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 19min

Jonathan V. Last: Bullet Train to the Dark Place

Jonathan V. Last, Editor at The Bulwark, dives deep into the current political landscape, asserting we're already facing a constitutional crisis under Trump 2.0. He critiques the administration's strategies to undermine the legislative branch and questions if it will heed judicial rulings. Last argues Democrats should conserve their political efforts instead of mitigating Trump's policy excesses. The conversation also tackles the media's failure, particularly The New York Times, in addressing urgent democratic issues while reflecting on political extremism and public perception.
undefined
7 snips
Jan 31, 2025 • 58min

Brian Schatz: Signal v. Noise in Trump 2.0

Brian Schatz, the senior U.S. senator from Hawaii, is known for his candid political insights. He tackles Trump's tactics, criticizing the politicization of recent tragedies and cautioning Democrats against getting sidetracked. Schatz discusses the ramifications of potential appointments like RFK Jr. to HHS and the challenges of vaccine skepticism on public health. He also shares fascinating tidbits about attending the same high school as Barack Obama and emphasizes the necessity for genuine leadership during crises in today's tumultuous political landscape.
undefined
9 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 16min

Jennifer Palmieri: Deja Vu All Over Again

Jennifer Palmieri, a seasoned Democratic communications strategist who has worked with high-profile political figures like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, joins the discussion. They delve into the implications of Trump 2.0 and reflect on the recent Democratic loss, comparing it to 2016. Palmieri highlights notable Democratic performers for 2028 and draws intriguing parallels between AOC and MTG. They discuss the backlash against #MeToo, debunking myths about its decline, and explore how women in politics are reshaping dynamics in a post-Trump era.
undefined
30 snips
Jan 24, 2025 • 1h 14min

Beschloss & Meacham: We Don't Have the Words for What We're Seeing

Michael Beschloss and Jon Meacham, two renowned presidential historians, dive into the cultural and political chaos of the Trump era. They discuss the chilling implications of Trump’s pardons linked to the January 6 insurrection and compare it to Biden's last-minute family pardons. The duo also explores the intriguing promise of declassifying assassination files of iconic figures like JFK, revealing which documents excite their historical curiosity. Their engaging banter offers both analysis and a dose of humor amid today's political turmoil.
undefined
15 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 1h 20min

Joe Scarborough: A Tale of Two Speeches – and Two Trumps

Joe Scarborough, co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, brings his sharp political insights to the table. He dives into the contradictions in Trump’s two inaugural speeches—one scripted and hopeful, the other filled with grievances. Scarborough discusses Trump’s struggle between seeking establishment approval and energizing his base, the lingering effects of January 6, and Biden’s pardons. He also delights listeners with commentary on 'Severance', Liverpool's Premier League hopes, and Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Bob Dylan.
undefined
Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 16min

Mike Schmidt: If Past Is Prologue, Buckle Up

Mike Schmidt, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for The New York Times, dives deep into the machinations of Donald Trump's past and future political actions. He explores Trump's tactics to weaponize government entities against critics and scrutinizes key figures like Trump's AG nominee, Pam Bondi. Schmidt also shares insights on his upcoming Netflix series 'Zero Day,' featuring Robert De Niro, which touches on a global cyberattack. The conversation highlights the intricate connections between journalism, politics, and storytelling.
undefined
Jan 17, 2025 • 1h 20min

Scott Galloway: Oligarchy Or Bust

Scott Galloway, a professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business and bestselling author, joins to discuss America's grim path toward oligarchy and kleptocracy. He argues that the dangers posed by Mark Zuckerberg's rollback on content moderation far exceed those of Elon Musk's changes to X. Galloway shares insights on the responsibilities of tech moguls in a society plagued by income inequality and misinformation. Plus, they musingly relate the joys of Great Dane parenthood and the genius of David Lynch, tying personal anecdotes to broader societal critiques.
undefined
Jan 17, 2025 • 1h 16min

Mallory McMorrow: Women Are (Still) Pissed — But Also Patient

Mallory McMorrow, Michigan State Senator and Majority Leader known for her viral Senate speech, discusses the evolving landscape of gender politics in the Trump era. She delves into why women are reacting differently to Trump's second term, the importance of focusing on actions rather than rhetoric, and the challenges faced by the Democratic Party. Mallory reflects on her rise to prominence and expresses her love for classic video games, while advocating for a renewed political passion to engage younger voters and drive meaningful change.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode