Countdown with Keith Olbermann
iHeartPodcasts
“Countdown With Keith Olbermann,” the landmark news and commentary program that reordered the world of cable news, returns as a daily podcast. Olbermann’s daily news-driven mix will include his trademark “Special Comment” political analysis, the tongue-in-cheek “Worst Persons In The World” segment, and his timeless readings from the works of the immortal James Thurber. The man who turned SportsCenter into a cultural phenomenon will broaden the content to include a daily sports segment, a daily call for help for a suffering dog, and a remarkable series of anecdotes covering a career that stretched from covering the 1980 Olympic Miracle on Ice a month after his 21st birthday, to anchoring the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and the 2009 Super Bowl pre-game show in a span of just twelve days, to rejoining ESPN as a “rookie” baseball play-by-play man at the age of 59.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 7min
NOW IT'S MAGA THAT CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH TRUMP - 11.24.25
The political spectrum unites in bafflement over Trump's unpredictable behavior. Recently, he appeared oddly smitten with Mayor-Elect Mamdani, leaving MAGA supporters uneasy. Conservative commentators express disillusionment and confusion about Trump's trajectory. Meanwhile, a Ukraine proposal written in Russian has embarrassed the right, exposing internal fractures. A new theory suggests Trump might have anosognosia, complicating his understanding of his own actions. It's a captivating mix of political drama and unexpected alliances!
7 snips
Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 10min
TRUMP IS A LAME DUCK NOW - AND THE (LATEST) OLIVIA NUZZI STORY - 11.20.25
Trump's status as a lame duck is dissected, highlighting the surprising coalition against him in the Epstein fallout. Mainstream media rushes to call him out, while polls indicate growing distrust among the public regarding his knowledge of Epstein's activities. Olivia Nuzzi’s controversial book excerpt sparks a fiery critique from multiple angles, revealing a tangled web of accusations and misunderstandings among journalists. The dynamic legacy of Trump's foreign policy decisions and his misogynistic behavior towards female reporters also evolves into pivotal discussion points.
11 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 6min
WILL TRUMP DESTROY THE EPSTEIN FILES? - 11.17.25
The discussion dives into Trump's strange comments about MRIs and how they might relate to his mental state. There's speculation about the potential contents of the Epstein files and what Trump might be hiding. Tensions rise within his circle, notably with Marjorie Taylor Greene's pushback. The show explores whether Democratic strategies can leverage the Epstein cover-up in the upcoming midterms. Historical comparisons to Nixon’s Watergate situation highlight the risks of destroying evidence, while the looming threat of authoritarianism within the MAGA faction is also examined.
17 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 46min
HOW MUCH TIME DOES TRUMP HAVE LEFT AFTER EPSTEIN ACCUSATION? - 11.13.25
The discussion centers on explosive allegations linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, featuring potentially damning emails from 2011. Four key 'smoking guns' are detailed, suggesting Trump’s deep involvement and a panic-driven cover-up response. Trump's frantic attempts to influence House Republicans in the wake of these revelations are scrutinized, highlighting a significant GOP rebellion. The conversation also touches on Ghislaine Maxwell's privileged prison conditions and hints at darker material yet to be uncovered.
8 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 59min
8 DEMOCRATIC SENATE QUISLINGS CAVE. EXPEL THEM. AND CHUCK SCHUMER - 11.10.25
A fiery discussion erupts over eight Democratic Senators, labeled as quislings, who voted to cut Obamacare in a weak government deal. The call for their expulsion and primary challenges echoes loudly. Keith also slams Chuck Schumer for failing to maintain party discipline, while questioning Trump's cognitive state with alarming anecdotes. On a lighter note, he dives into sports gambling scandals and rips apart Dr. Oz’s grocery blunder. The episode wraps with a critique of media coverage and a tongue-in-cheek take on FIFA's new award for Trump.
18 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 59min
LANDSLIDE LESSON: DEMS CAN RUN SIMULTANEOUSLY ON MONEY ISSUES AND TRUMP - 11.6.25
This discussion dives into the recent Democratic landslide, highlighting how candidates effectively coupled economic issues with a strong anti-Trump message. It emphasizes the misconception that socialism played a central role, revealing that practicality won voters. The podcast also critiques Trump's oblivion regarding his impact on the election, while pushing for stronger Democratic leadership. Keith reflects on the need for effective messaging, urging a focus on key voter blocs to avoid past mistakes, and wrapping up with engaging thoughts on the Baseball Hall of Fame.
21 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 51min
IF ANDREW CAN'T BE PRINCE BECAUSE OF EPSTEIN, TRUMP CAN'T BE PRESIDENT BECAUSE OF EPSTEIN - 11.3.25
The discussion kicks off by arguing that if Prince Andrew's association with Epstein affects his royal status, then Trump should also face consequences for his ties. It dives into Trump's provocative Gatsby-themed Halloween party amid the scandal, questioned alongside Andrew's legal challenges. Olbermann highlights the potential impact of releasing Epstein files on Trump's support and critiques Republican stalling on crucial funding. There's also a curious tangent about Trump's cognitive fitness that raises eyebrows while sharing humorous behind-the-scenes dugout stories.
10 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 39min
WHY DO THEY KEEP GIVING TRUMP COGNITIVE TESTS? - 10.30.25
Why do cognitive tests keep popping up for Trump? Keith dives into Mary Trump's insightful question and examines the odd pattern of these tests being scheduled every six months. He ponders the significance of associated MRIs and critiques Trump's boastful comments about his cognitive abilities. The discussion spans Trump's past screenings and perplexing language errors, leading to a chilling analysis of potential extra-constitutional scenarios that could keep him in power. It's a blend of political inquiry and psychological exploration.
23 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 16min
DE-FUND THE TRUMP DICTATORSHIP - 10.27.25
A call to action emerges as one speaker demands blue states to halt federal tax transfers until Trump resigns. He highlights numerous illegal actions taken by the Trump administration, likening them to a dictatorship. Concerns about voter intimidation arise with plans to deploy election monitors in Democratic areas. The controversy continues with critiques of Trump's extravagant proposals and their economic implications on Social Security. Additionally, he scrutinizes the involvement of celebrities in normalizing problematic figures.
13 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 55min
TRUMP DOCTRINE: DESTROY THE WHITE HOUSE, DESTROY AMERICA, GET DEMOCRATS KILLED - 10.23.25
Trump's latest antics signal a dangerous new phase, framing policies that encourage violence against Democrats. Olbermann connects GOP rhetoric to actual threats, including an attempted assassination against Hakeem Jeffries. He explores stochastic terrorism and highlights the DOJ's inaction on these threats. A vivid Twilight Zone analogy illustrates Trump's destructive mindset. Additionally, he critiques Trump's financial motives, while touching on straightforward political missteps and polling insights that challenge Democratic self-criticism.
