THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent

In this discussion, political journalist Paul Waldman dives into the dark tactics of the MAGA movement under Trump. He highlights how sadism manifests in administration messaging, particularly with Trump’s recent dehumanizing comments about Somali immigrants. The two also tackle the troubling excitement within MAGA circles over extrajudicial killings, showcasing the disturbing imagery used in their social media strategies. Despite the grim topics, Waldman finds hope in the public backlash against these depravities, suggesting a potential shift in political sentiment.

Jennifer Rubin, co-founder of The Contrarian and political commentator, joins to dissect troubling revelations regarding President Trump’s boat bombings. She analyzes potential war crimes linked to the attacks, emphasizing the legal ramifications for those involved. The conversation reflects on the GOP's growing unease and its implications for oversight. Rubin stresses the need for accountability and warns of serious legal exposure for military leaders, probing the ethics behind the administration's justifications and the historical parallels to past war crimes.

David Lurie, a lawyer and political analyst for Public Notice, joins the discussion on Trump's intense reaction to a New York Times article highlighting his mental decline. Lurie argues that the portrayal of Trump as a 'lame duck dictator' emphasizes how his desperation to maintain an image of strength is fueled by actual political weakness. They explore the authoritarian aspects of his behavior, the dangers posed by his consolidation of power, and how community organizing has pushed back against his influence, ultimately revealing the fragile nature of his political mystique.

Monica Potts, a political journalist from The New Republic, dives into the chaotic state of the GOP as Trump unleashes a tirade about the 2026 elections. They explore the potential fallout of extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, revealing how rising premiums could spark a crisis. Amid low morale within the House, Potts discusses GOP's ideological aversion to the ACA despite the risk of losing support. The conversation also touches on Trump's populist rhetoric and the party's shift towards tactics like gerrymandering to maintain power.

This weekend, President Trump raged over a video from Democrats that warned against carrying out “illegal orders.” That led him to get his Defense Secretary to launch an investigation of one of those Democrats, Senator and former Navy captain Mark Kelly. But things kept spiraling downward for Trump when a judge tossed out his corrupt prosecutions of James Comey and Letitia James. The ruling—that his appointment of a stooge U.S. Attorney was illegal—shows that his slapdash targeting of enemies is what backfired. In all these stories, Trump is corruptly weaponizing the system to get revenge on enemies for corrupt purposes, and it’s running aground for him. We talked to David Kurtz, who covers legal issues for Talking Points Memo’s excellent Morning Memo newsletter. We discuss how Trump’s own corruption is blowing up in his face, how the failing prosecutions are connected to his vile effort to get revenge on Kelly, and why we’re going to need another post-Watergate-scale reform effort to salvage the system once all this is over.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amanda Marcotte, a journalist at Salon specializing in MAGA and media analysis, discusses Trump's plummeting popularity and the shift in media narratives around him. They explore recent polling data that reveals Trump's severe unpopularity and the GOP's internal rifts. Amanda highlights how Trump's culture war tactics are backfiring, especially seen in school board losses. The conversation also covers voter backlash over economic issues and how immigration enforcement is alienating ordinary citizens, suggesting Trump may be in a deep political tailspin.

U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan, an Air Force veteran, delves into the alarming implications of Trump’s recent tweets calling for violence against Democrats. She emphasizes the importance of military personnel recognizing their duty to refuse unlawful orders, advocating for accountability in the armed forces. Houlahan highlights the growing concerns within the military regarding Trump’s legal boundaries and opens up a vital debate on the implications of his rhetoric for democracy and the Constitution. Her insights underscore why public discourse on these issues is crucial.

Timothy Noah, a staff writer at The New Republic, dives into the troubling decline of President Trump's approval ratings amidst rising inflation and tariffs. He critiques Trump's denial about economic hardships and his bizarre rants against the Fed. Noah explains the potential repercussions of a recession and how Trump's refusal to acknowledge mistakes may alienate voters further. They also discuss how fear within Trump's administration stifles honest governance, potentially setting the stage for a political downward spiral.

Heather Williams, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and a seasoned advocate for state legislative battles, dives into the turmoil surrounding Trump's 2026 midterm plans. Discussing recent judicial setbacks for GOP gerrymandering in Texas, she reveals how Trump's frustrations are growing. Williams highlights the shifting dynamics in Indiana's Republican caucus and the strategic importance of state legislative races. She emphasizes that voter engagement at the state level is critical, as the political landscape remains fluid leading up to 2026.

Zack Beauchamp, a Vox journalist and author, dives into the escalating civil war within the MAGA movement, spurred by Donald Trump's controversial support for neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes. He explores Fuentes's growing influence among young conservatives and the pressures facing JD Vance as he navigates extremist factions. Beauchamp highlights the ideological flexibility of MAGA and predicts potential future fractures or re-unification in the movement post-Trump, emphasizing the complexities of today's political landscape.