Mea Culpa

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by my good friend Lev Parnas, a Soviet-born businessman and former associate of Rudy Giuliani, who has also chosen to speak out against Donald Trump. In this explosive episode, Lev lays out a jaw-dropping theory: Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu may be coordinating a global power play with devastating consequences. We discuss the confusing conflict in Iran, Trump’s manipulation of foreign policy for personal gain, his grip on the National Guard, the weaponization of ICE, and a disturbing network of loyalists tied to Russia. This episode is a warning about the erasure of truth and who profits when democracy breaks down. Subscribe to Michael's NEW 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 Deja Foxx, the 25-year-old Gen Z activist now running for Congress in Arizona’s 7th district. Deja began her political journey a decade ago after a viral moment confronting Senator Jeff Flake about access to Planned Parenthood. Since then, she’s devoted herself to organizing and advocating for her community. In this episode, we have a powerful conversation about Gen Z resistance, political survival, and what it means to fight for the future in the face of rising authoritarianism. Alongside her personal story, we unpack Trump’s disastrous policy decisions, the weaponization of ICE, and the growing disconnect between political institutions and the people they claim to represent. Subscribe to Michael's NEW 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 Maria Cardona, Democratic strategist, CNN commentator, Principal at the Dewey Square Group, and founder of Latinovations, for a critical look at Trump’s chaotic foreign policy as the Middle East teeters on the brink of war. With his isolationist rhetoric unraveling into global instability, we unpack the fallout from Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, the GOP’s civil war over war powers, and the terrifying implications of a nuclearized Iran. Cardona also addresses the ICE detention of elected officials, including Senator Alex Padilla, as a political warning shot. Subscribe to Michael's NEW 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 Ally Sammarco, political strategist, consultant, and content creator, to break down Trump’s accelerating authoritarianism. After staging a flop of a multi-million-dollar birthday parade and threatening protesters with “massive force,” we examine the chilling implications for democracy, free speech, and the rule of law. We dive into the forcible removal of Senator Alex Padilla from a press conference, the weaponization of law enforcement, and Trump’s hollow, performative foreign policy. From dystopian political theater to the rising suppression of journalists and dissenters, this episode is a warning shot for anyone who still believes it can’t happen here. Subscribe to Michael's NEW 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 fellow Meidas Mighty member Michael Popok, host of MeidasTouch’s Legal AF podcast and YouTube channel, and founder of The Popok Firm. Together, we do a deep dive into Trump’s authoritarian power grab as he falsely brands peaceful protesters in California as “insurrectionists.” With Trump mobilizing the National Guard, deploying Marines, and pushing the limits of executive authority, Popok explains how Trump is testing constitutional boundaries and using manufactured crises to silence dissent. From violations of the Posse Comitatus Act to plans for military parades on Trump’s birthday, Cohen and Popok expose how MAGA is hijacking patriotism, crushing civil liberties, and laying the legal groundwork for a dictatorship 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 NEW 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 my friend Miles Taylor, the former DHS chief of staff who exposed Trump as a danger to our country. Taylor initially spoke out under the pseudonym “Anonymous,” and since revealing his identity, he, like me, has become one of Trump’s top targets. In April, Trump signed an executive order calling for a federal investigation into Taylor, a blatant example of his second-term revenge campaign and the weaponization of government power. In this episode, we unpack the brewing civil war between Trump and Elon Musk, the risks of surveillance abuse, and Trump’s terrifying plans for mass detentions, military crackdowns, and even torture tactics at the border. Taylor exposes how Trump is using federal agencies to destroy lives, silence dissent, and push an authoritarian agenda that could spiral out of control if not stopped. 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 NEW 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 Andy Ostroy, filmmaker, political commentator, and host of The Back Room with Andy Ostroy. Known for his honest and unfiltered takes, Andy and I break down Trump’s latest wave of economic chaos and GOP dysfunction. From Elon Musk’s fiery exit, condemnation of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” and ensuing X war to skyrocketing tariffs, failed trade deals, and ICE raids sparking national outrage, we expose the fiscal recklessness and cruelty defining Trump’s second term. We also unpack the unraveling MAGA alliance, the ballooning deficit, and the party’s dangerous embrace of authoritarian spectacle over substance. Hims: Start your free online visit today at Hims.com/COHEN. Subscribe to Michael's NEW 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 John Dean, former White House counsel to President Nixon during Watergate, to break down the constitutional crisis unfolding as Trump defies judicial orders, expands executive power, and monetizes the presidency. Dean brings a unique perspective, having witnessed Nixon’s cover-up firsthand before testifying against him. From the court ruling against Trump’s misuse of emergency tariffs to new threats against Harvard and ICE deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, Dean and I trace the parallels between Watergate and today’s brazen attacks on checks and balances. We also unpack Project 2025, Trump’s shadow government-in-waiting, and why the next showdown between the judiciary and the presidency could decide the fate of American democracy. Thanks to our sponsors: L-Nutra: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEACULPA to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift. Subscribe to Michael's NEW 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 Nick Akerman, former federal prosecutor, Assistant Special Watergate Prosecutor, and Assistant United States Attorney in the SDNY. Nick is a sharp critic of Trump’s abuses of power, and together we unravel his shady international money deals, his dodgy crypto scheme, and the billion-dollar real estate hustle with foreign investors. We also unpack how Trump’s executive orders and the new “Big Beautiful Bill” threaten to permanently shred checks and balances, turning the executive branch into a personal tool of authoritarian power. Thanks to our sponsors: Graza: Take your food to the next level with Graza Olive Oil. Visit https://graza.co/COHEN and use promo code COHEN  today for 10% off of TRIO! Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: https://shopify.com/COHEN Subscribe to Michael's NEW 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 Maz Jobrani, an Iranian-American comedian, actor, and political commentator known for using humor to address race, immigration, and authoritarianism. We unpack the dizzying spectacle of Trump’s foreign policy and domestic chaos, breaking down how his so-called multi-trillion-dollar deals in the Middle East are more about showboating than substance. Maz and I also dig into how Trump’s obsession with authoritarian optics is endangering democracy at home, from ICE agents acting like a secret police to tariffs designed to benefit billionaires. This episode exposes the dangerous collision of propaganda, racism, and corruption fueling Trump’s playbook. Thanks to our sponsors: Graza: Take your food to the next level with Graza Olive Oil. Visit https://graza.co/COHEN and use promo code COHEN  today for 10% off of TRIO! Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: https://shopify.com/COHEN Subscribe to Michael's NEW 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