Mea Culpa

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

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Marcus Flowers, Army veteran, former congressional candidate, and outspoken defender of democracy, for a no-holds-barred conversation on the stakes in 2025. We dig into Trump’s escalating authoritarianism, the GOP’s abandonment of democratic norms, and how MAGA’s culture wars are fueling division across the country. Flowers shares his take on the renewed focus on Jeffrey Epstein, Trump’s upcoming meeting with Putin, and the controversy surrounding the BLS. We also unpack Trump’s push to take over the D.C. police force, contrasting his heavy-handed tactics with the values service members swear to uphold. From ICE roundups to global instability, this episode is a call to stand up, speak out, and fight back before it’s too late. Thanks to our sponsor: 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 former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg for a deep dive into Donald Trump’s mounting legal troubles. While Dave oversaw the county after Jeffrey Epstein committed his crimes, I wanted his take on the Epstein files and the latest developments with Ghislaine Maxwell. We also break down the gerrymandering fight in Texas that escalated after Gov. Greg Abbott called on Illinois to help arrest Texas Democrats. Plus, we discuss Trump’s push to increase federal law enforcement presence in D.C., the grift happening inside the Oval Office, and ICE’s alarming decision to lower its recruiting age. Thanks to our sponsor: 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 am joined by comedian, content creator, and political commentator Maggie Reed for a no-holds-barred conversation on the chaos unfolding behind the scenes of American power. We dive deep into the Epstein files cover-up, Trump's shifting story and secret strategy meetings, and the explosive implications of a weaponized redistricting map in Texas. Plus, we tackle RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine crusade, the mysterious destruction of a weather satellite, and Trump’s immigration stunts in California. As the MAGA machine ramps up disinformation and authoritarian tactics, Maggie explains how comedy can be a tool for truth and survival. Thanks to our sponsor: 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