Countdown with Keith Olbermann

Dive into the unsettling behavior of Donald Trump during public appearances, likening it to a dissociative fugue state. Explore how his recent actions resonate with cult leaders who manipulate emotions through music. Delve into the challenges media face in accurately covering such figures amidst rising political extremism. Reflect on the absurdity of contemporary politics and the fragility of democracy while sharing personal anecdotes. The discussion also highlights the connections between music, mental health, and the upcoming presidential election.

Kamala Harris’s upcoming interview on Fox has everyone buzzing, revealing the fragility of Trump’s ego. His furious reaction to her appearance underscores a chaotic political landscape. The dialogue delves into media ethics and wild fundraising events. Sports blunders add humor, featuring misidentified teams and nostalgic tales from Yankee Stadium. As the 2024 election looms, the podcast critiques the intertwining worlds of politics, sports, and media, showcasing how tightly they bind us together.

The podcast dives deep into Trump's alarming plan to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, sparking fears of racial profiling and mass deportations, particularly targeting Hispanic communities. Historical parallels with the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII illuminate the dangers of such policies. The discussion highlights shifts in political dynamics and voter sentiments within the Latino community, raising critical questions about civil liberties and media accountability in the face of escalating racial rhetoric.

Larry David, the beloved actor and comedian known for his iconic roles in "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm," shares a humorous anecdote about hearing the podcast's theme music at a Yankees game. The discussion turns serious as they confront Trump’s explicit threats to press freedom, emphasizing the chilling implications for democracy. They delve into Trump's incoherent speech that highlights inaccuracies and cognitive decline while critiquing media portrayal of extremist rhetoric and its normalization in political discourse.

Vladimir Putin casts doubt on Trump’s narratives about COVID tests, exposing political inconsistencies. Kamala Harris's stunning fundraising eclipses Trump’s efforts, hinting at shifting voter loyalties. The conversation dives into the implications of Trump's diplomatic ties with Putin, alongside critiques of media ethics and historical parallels to fascism. The chaos of a Trump event is contrasted with humor, and personal anecdotes reveal the absurdities of today’s political landscape. It's a lively blend of satire and serious reflection.

SERIES 3 EPISODE 45: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN A-Block (1:44) SPECIAL COMMENT: It is safe to extrapolate that Donald Trump killed at least one American in order to instead send the Covid testing machine that might have saved them to Vladimir Putin. Bob Woodward’s book says Trump "secretly sent Putin what were then rare Abbott Point of Care test MACHINES for the Russian’s personal use.” From the supply meant for American citizens then faced with a rapidly-spreading virus for which there was no vaccine, no cure, and next to no treatment. To save Putin and his fellow scumbags, even if it killed Americans. May Donald Trump burn in hell – and the sooner the better. We know with certainty that Trump stole American testing machines from American hospitals and other crisis health facilities to give to Russia’s dictator between March 31st 2020 and May 7th 2020. The earlier date is when Abbott says was “we began distributing our rapid point-of-care Covid-19 tests for our ID NOW system.” On May 7th officials in Russia and Russia’s branch office at the Trump White House said “some (Covid) testing equipment as well as ventilators” had been sent to Russia. March 31st. That was the day Doctors Fauci and Birx tried to warn the country that the best case scenario was between 100 thousand and 240 thousand American dead. By April 10th there were more than 18 thousand Americans dead and more than half a million cases – 160,00 of them here in New York state. Our outside date on this window of infamy is May 7, by which point there were 72-thousand dead. 10-thousand more Americans would die in the next week… the latest possible date that someone could not get a test because Trump prioritized Putin’s life over yours. AS TO THE OTHER BIG WOODWARD HEADLINE: We know Trump is STILL Putin’s asset. Woodward quotes an unidentified Trump aide as saying the two creatures have spoken at least seven times since Trump was exiled from Washington. “In early 2024,” the Washington Post writes, “the former president ordered an aide away from his office at Mar-a-Lago… so he could conduct a private phone call with Russian leader." It got lost at the time, but at the debate against Biden in June, Trump confirmed that he talked to Putin between our exit from Afghanistan (August 2021) and Putin's invasion of Ukraine (February 2022). He has been in contact with an enemy dictator. Were Trump an FBI or CIA agent with such contacts he and his lawyers could at this moment be negotiating a plea deal so he could avoid the death penalty. B-Block (24:00) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: Who's the worst person to speak to the future of legacy news media at The New York Press Club? No - none of my ex-girlfriends. Guess again. Joe Kernen is big mad at me, at Andrew Ross Sorkin, at Frank Luntz, at his own ferret toupees. And news chiefs Cesar Conde and Rebecca Blumenstein at NBC - Nothing But Cowards - now move into Catch-and-Kill mode, burying a movie critical of Trump until AFTER the election. C-Block (33:15) THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: Of all the politicians I've met since I first went into the field in 1997 one stands head and shoulders above the others in terms of the ability to take a joke at his own expense. I thought I'd heard him at the high point of his self-deprecation. Then, last week, he topped himself, making such a joke HIMSELF.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The discussion dives into alarming comparisons between Trump's rhetoric and historical eugenics, evoking echoes of Hitler's ideologies. It highlights Trump's inflammatory statements about race and immigration, framing them as dangerous proposals for societal division. The podcast also critiques Trump's connections with extremist groups and explores the political landscape leading up to the 2024 election. Through humor, it reflects on media failures in political discourse, emphasizing the need for accountability in reporting.

Kamala Harris, the current Vice President of the United States, speaks candidly about the urgent need to reassess Elon Musk's government contracts. She critiques the influence Musk has on public discourse and his troubling ties to Donald Trump. The conversation touches on the ethical implications of such contracts, how misinformation impacts recovery efforts post-Hurricane Helene, and the responsibilities of public figures in shaping political narratives. Harris emphasizes accountability in media and the critical importance of accurate information in these turbulent times.

In this discussion, the host critiques the media's obsession with sensationalism, as serious evidence against Trump fades from headlines. They highlight the shocking claim of three coup attempts rather than two on January 6th. Melania Trump's hefty interview fee from CNN adds absurdity to the media landscape. The talk also explores how journalism often ignores crucial political narratives while fixating on trivial matters, calling for accountability. Satirical observations on election predictions provide comic relief in this serious analysis.

Delve into the shocking revelations of election disruption as a Trump campaign employee, known as P5, incited unrest during the 2020 vote counting in Detroit. Discover the identity of P5 as Mike Roman and his connection to key figures including Mike Pence. Explore the political ramifications and potential legal consequences for Trump while unraveling the power dynamics within the Republican Party. Additionally, enjoy a humorous critique of the absurdities in sports media advertising and the integrity challenges facing journalism today.