Lever Time

Annie Jacobsen, an acclaimed investigative journalist and author focusing on national security and nuclear issues, discusses alarming scenarios that could lead to nuclear conflict. She highlights the chilling possibility of a nuclear winter just 72 minutes after a launch. The conversation addresses the concentration of power in nuclear decisions and critiques Hollywood's portrayal of nuclear crises. Jacobsen emphasizes the urgent need for public engagement on nuclear risks and the importance of international communication to avert catastrophe.

Donald Trump just launched America into a war with Iran, and he’s done so without any authorization from Congress. A growing group of lawmakers says this is illegal and unconstitutional, and they are calling for an emergency session of Congress to force a vote to stop him. Sirota talks to U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who is currently leading the fight to stop Trump’s escalation and pressure his fellow Democrats to follow his lead. The big question: Will there be enough votes from Democrats and MAGA Republicans to halt a conflict that could escalate into World War III?

Zohran Mamdani, a young progressive Democratic socialist and New York Assembly member, discusses his innovative campaign strategies against corporate-backed interests, especially former Governor Cuomo. Joined by Bill de Blasio, the former mayor, they dive into the political schism within the Democratic Party and the implications for the upcoming mayoral race. Topics include tackling affordability, navigating campaign financing, and the crucial role of grassroots movements in shaping a fairer New York City.

Just when it seemed the geopolitical horrors in the Middle East couldn’t get worse, Israel went from leveling Gaza to launching a war against Iran. The offensive started while President Donald Trump was pressing for an Iran nuclear deal that would limit the country’s capacity to build nuclear weapons — and yet still Trump reportedly greenlit Israel’s attack. Today on Lever Time, editor-in-chief David Sirota speaks with Matt Duss, former Senate foreign policy aide for Bernie Sanders and current executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, to explore what triggered this new offensive and what role the U.S. government is playing. Is the endgame here World War III? 

The national deficit usually feels like an abstract talking point: America’s permanent credit card bill that just keeps getting bigger, without ever coming due.But suddenly, our national debt has a real cost. As President Donald Trump’s proposed tax cuts threaten to add trillions to the deficit, every major credit rating agency has now downgraded the United States’ credit rating, suggesting that the U.S. is no longer a reliable borrower — a move with potentially disastrous, far-reaching consequences for the global economy.To unpack what’s at stake, David Sirota sits down with Stephanie Kelton, a world-renowned economist and pioneer in Modern Monetary Theory, to ask her big questions: What does a credit downgrade mean? Should we really be thinking about America’s spending and debt like it’s a household budget? And how exactly could too much national debt bankrupt the country? The answers, argues Kelton, necessitate transforming our perception of money itself.

There’s a new evil genius on Capitol Hill, one that privacy experts warn could empower tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to issue their own private currencies. The Senate is poised to pass the GENIUS Act, which would give so much free rein to such “stablecoins” that it could destabilize the rest of the economy.Today on Lever Time, Arjun Singh sits down with Lever reporter Luke Goldstein to understand the GENIUS Act, how it could turn Big Tech companies into unregulated banks, and why this should be a concern for the rest of us.You can read Luke’s full story on the GENIUS Act and the future of “ZuckBucks” here.

He came in with a bang but is going out with a whimper. After his 24/7 role on Trump’s election stage and his high-profile rampage through the federal government, billionaire Elon Musk says he’s scaling back his work for the administration and ramping down his political spending. With his image tarnished and businesses facing turbulence, is Musk down for the count — or planning his return as America’s most infamous oligarch?Today on Lever Time, David Sirota talks to Michael Scherer, a reporter for The Atlantic who has the inside scoop on what happened to Musk and what kinds of ticking time bombs he and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency may have left inside the federal government.

As part of the Tax Revolt series, Arjun Singh appeared on the podcast "Why is this Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast" to breakdown the latest developments of Trump's tax cut, which recently passed the House. This is a preview of the discussion, for the rest of this conversation, download Why Is This Happening wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube at msnbc.com/withpod. 

Grover Norquist, the head of Americans for Tax Reform, dives into the world of anti-tax activism and its influence on the Republican Party. He passionately defends his stance against perceived traitors contemplating tax hikes and discusses the powerful Taxpayer Protection Pledge's role in aligning politicians with anti-tax ideals. Norquist reflects on the evolution of the movement, the delicate dynamics within the center-right coalition, and the ongoing battle for limited government. His insights reveal the complexities of navigating tax policy in today's political landscape.

Nicole Hemmer, an Associate Professor of History at Vanderbilt and author of 'Partisans,' joins to unravel the depths of supply-side economics and its impact on American politics. She discusses how George H.W. Bush’s unexpected tax hike shaped his presidency and the Republican Party’s future. The conversation dives into the rise of anti-tax pledges and the ideological split within the GOP, led by figures like Newt Gingrich. Hemmer illustrates how these political maneuvers set the stage for modern populism and economic policies that resonate today.