Mea Culpa

Today on Mea Culpa, I welcome back Dr. Steven Hassan, mental health expert, author, and host of the Cults, Culture & Coercion podcast, for a chilling look at how MAGA operates like a mind control movement. Drawing from his own experience in the Moonies and decades of studying coercive psychology, Hassan explains why Trump’s followers remain loyal despite scandals, how repetition and fear fuel authoritarian obedience, and why MAGA loyalists must be seen as victims of psychological warfare. We dig into the overlap between cult tactics, Christian nationalism, and Trump’s constant attacks on the press, as well as how the ongoing Epstein revelations expose the lengths to which the powerful will go to protect themselves. From Putin’s playbook to Supreme Court rulings, this episode reveals how authoritarian influence spreads and how we can break its grip before it’s too late. Thanks to our sponsors: Ethos: Get your FREE quote at https://ethos.com/COHEN Prize Picks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/COHEN and use code COHEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After thousands of years, Michael Cohen finally snagged the Mea Culpa guest of a lifetime, the one and only God. In a wide-ranging divine conversation, Cohen and God confront America’s growing epidemic of political violence after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Trump’s reckless push to federalize local police, and the escalating dangers of authoritarianism. God doesn’t hold back on Trump’s lies, Republican scapegoating, or the toxic weaponization of faith for political gain. From school shootings to immigration crackdowns, they explore how fear and division are tearing the country apart, and what moral lessons are being ignored in the process. Equal parts sobering and darkly funny, this episode proves that even God is worried about the state of American democracy. Thanks to our sponsors: L-Nutra: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEACULPA to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift. Prize Picks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/COHEN and use code COHEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by journalist Allison Gill, the powerhouse behind Mueller She Wrote and The Daily Beans, and now a leading voice on the MeidasTouch Network. A U.S. Navy veteran, former federal government employee, and relentless advocate for truth and accountability, Gill has built a reputation for exposing corruption with sharp analysis and wit. Together, we dig into the explosive release of Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday book, how Trump’s DOJ continues covering up for the powerful, and why survivors are still being denied justice. We also unpack Trump’s authoritarian push to federalize local police, the Supreme Court’s shadow docket rulings that erode civil rights, and the dangerous consolidation of power threatening democracy itself. Thanks to our sponsors: Hims: Start your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/COHEN Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: https://shopify.com/COHEN Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Dave Marcus, the infamous Roy Cohn’s cousin, a journalist and author who specializes in education, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning former diplomatic correspondent for the Boston Globe. With reporting experience across Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil, Marcus brings a global lens to Trump’s authoritarian playbook. We dig into the Epstein files and how Trump is weaponizing secrecy around Epstein’s crimes, his dangerous coziness with Putin, and his push to rebrand the Pentagon into a “Department of War.” We also break down GOP hypocrisy on vaccines, RFK Jr.’s disastrous Senate hearing, and the economic chaos Trump is fueling with his attacks on the Federal Reserve. From authoritarian summits abroad to loyalty tests at home, this episode exposes how Trump manipulates national attention while dismantling democracy. Thanks to our sponsors: Hims: Start your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/COHEN Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: https://shopify.com/COHEN Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Jill Wine-Banks, former Watergate prosecutor, legal analyst, podcast host, and author of The Watergate Girl. We unpack the ongoing Epstein cover-up, the survivors demanding transparency, and Ghislaine Maxwell’s cushy prison transfer. Jill and I also tackle Trump’s unlawful federalization of police and the danger it poses to her hometown of Chicago, along with the rise of authoritarian alliances and America’s economic decline under illegal tariffs. From gun violence to Congress’s failure to act, Jill offers a sobering reminder of how fragile justice has become, and what it will take to fight back. Thanks to our sponsor: Prize Picks: Download the app today and use code COHEN to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Nick Akerman, former federal prosecutor, Assistant Special Watergate Prosecutor, and Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. We examine how Trump’s rhetoric and actions verge on aiding and abetting Vladimir Putin while he continues to sell false promises to his voters. We also discuss the aggressive gerrymandering and redistricting battles across the country, along with the GOP’s reckless response to gun violence. In the wake of mass firings at the CDC and subsequent resignations, combined with Trump’s attacks on the Federal Reserve and specifically Lisa Cook, we break down how Trump is weaponizing and politicizing government institutions to consolidate power. Thanks to our sponsor: Prize Picks: Download the app today and use code COHEN to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Mea Culpa, I welcome back JoJo From Jerz, political commentator, activist, and host of the Are You F’ng Kidding Me? and The Siren Podcast for a fiery breakdown of Trump’s escalating power plays. From the absurdity of the Cracker Barrel culture wars to his federal police takeover schemes, JoJo and I tackle gerrymandering in Texas, GOP attacks on voting rights, and how Democrats should fight fire with fire. We also dig into Trump’s hollow “law and order” rhetoric, his self-indulgent cabinet meetings, and the dangerous politicization of institutions like the Federal Reserve and FEMA. With humor and hard truth, JoJo exposes how MAGA thrives on distraction while dismantling democracy in plain sight. Thanks to our sponsors: Hims: Start your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/COHEN L-Nutra: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEACULPA to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift. Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Joy Reid, a longtime political commentator, New York Times bestselling author, and host of The Joy Reid Show. We unpack the FBI raid of John Bolton’s home and office and what it signals for other Trump critics. We also analyze how Trump’s embrace of Russia is pushing the U.S. closer to authoritarianism. As GOP leadership in Texas dismantles voting rights, Joy and I discuss how the DNC can and should respond. Finally, we break down how Gavin Newsom’s sharp trolling of Trump is landing with the president and why humor and ridicule can be powerful tools against creeping dictatorship. Thanks to our sponsors: Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: shopify.com/COHEN Hims: Start your free online visit today at Hims.com/COHEN Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Mea Culpa, I welcome back Andy Ostroy, political commentator, producer, and host of The Back Room with Andy Ostroy. We dig into Trump’s accelerating authoritarianism, from his push to federalize D.C. police and undermine mail-in voting to his casual talk of a third term. We break down the stakes of President Zelenskyy’s recent visit to the White House, Gavin Newsom’s role in countering MAGA’s propaganda machine, and how the DNC needs to prepare for the midterms. Andy and I also discuss Trump’s growing grip on power, his ties to Epstein that continue to haunt him, and how lies, fear, and raw ambition are reshaping American politics in real time. Thanks to our sponsors: Ethos: Get your FREE quote at https://ethos.com/COHEN Dupe: Go to https://Dupe.com today and find similar products for less. It’s 100% free to use. Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with https://Dupe.com today. Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Mea Culpa, I welcome back former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and Justice Matters host Glenn Kirschner for a hard-hitting look at Donald Trump’s latest authoritarian power grabs. From his federal takeover of the D.C. police to his secretive meeting with Vladimir Putin, we break down how Trump is abusing power, undermining the Constitution, and putting national security at risk. We also unpack how the Supreme Court’s sweeping immunity ruling will shape American democracy for decades, and why independent media must step up where traditional outlets continue to fall short. Thanks to our sponsors: L-Nutra: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEACULPA to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift. Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: shopify.com/COHEN Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices