Thom Tillis finally showed some backbone and opposed Trump—because of the giant Medicaid cuts in the Big Fugly Bill—but now he has to self-deport from the Senate. Meanwhile, the bill funds a giant internal police force for Trump, and gives a handout to the Dr. Strangeloves of Silicon Valley who don't want AI regulated. It would also cripple wind and solar energy, which even the ex-shadow president says is insane and destructive. Plus, ICE's racial and ethnic targeting, the plutocrats are the biggest suck-ups, and Peter Thiel—the man who gave us JD Vance—isn't sure he wants the human race to continue.Â
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" interview with Tom Joscelyn
Douthat's interview with Thiel
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55:12
Nicholas Kristof: Gratuitous Cruelty
A miracle food paste that fights malnutrition in children, that taxpayers have already paid for, is collecting dust in warehouses. Donated drugs for parasitic infections remain undistributed and are nearing their expiration dates. American-purchased ambulances sit idle because they have no gas. USAID was shut down in the name of government efficiency, but instead, we've spent at least $6 billion to dismantle it—and we've killed a lot of kids in the process, despite what Elon and Marco Rubio say. Plus, Elissa Slotkin on her 'Economic War Plan,' and the challenges for Dems on housing, and connecting with the working class.
Nick Kristof and Sen. Elissa Slotkin join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes
Nick's piece on the waste Elon created
Nick on the elegant and cheap solutions to global hunger
The response to readers upset that Nick writes about dying kids in Africa
"Chasing Hope," Nick's memoir
Kristof Farms
Tim's playlist
Organizations to support
Helen Keller International
Edesia Nutrition in Rhode Island
Mana Nutrition in Georgia
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1:13:16
Michael Weiss and Jonathan Cohn: Animal House at the Pentagon
Trump was so awestruck by Israel's intel infiltration and air supremacy over Iran that he just had to give himself an executive producer credit. And he's casting his appointees to help create a Hollywood ending—including using his Val Kilmer-esque SecDef to spike the success of the long-teased, "secret" military operation. At the same time, Trump is having trouble leveraging the intelligence community's confirmation of what happened in Iran since he's spent a decade undermining its credibility among his supporters. Plus, NATO gets a little cringe toward Daddy Trump, Ukraine doesn't get the same credit as Israel, and the low-down on the Republican bill that would close rural hospitals and cut healthcare for 11 million people.
Jon Cohn and Michael Weiss join Tim Miller.
show notes
Jon's latest on the reconciliation bill
Michael on Israel's intel infiltration and air dominance over Iran
The Dutch queen mocking trump
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1:12:24
Derek Thompson: Winning Without Anger
A DSA candidate winning a Democratic primary in New York City is not an ideal laboratory for other Dems to draw lessons from, but Mamdani sounded authentic, he successfully juggled our fragmented media environment, and he had the right message for this cost-of-living moment—as well as the proper amount of party heresy for this anti-establishment age. Meanwhile, the Republican tax and budget bill is shockingly out of step with the affordability crisis we are living through. Plus, the dangers of the coming AI wave, Ozempic may be one of the most astonishing medical breakthroughs in the last 100 years, and would shortening the NBA season reduce player injuries?
Derek Thompson joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Derek's Substack
Derek's and Ezra's book, "Abundance"
"Plain English," Derek's podcast
Tim and Bill on the NYC mayor's race
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1:04:32
Nicolle Wallace: The Silence of Republicans Is the Bigger Threat
While Trump and his administration are the ones politicizing the rule of the law, ignoring due process, and annihilating democratic norms, it's Republicans leaders saying and doing nothing in response that poses a bigger threat to our country and democracy. Meanwhile, when it comes to the Middle East, we don't know who Trump is talking to—or listening to. Plus, when Bush 43, McCain, and Jeb pushed for immigration reform, the romantic idealism of Aaron Sorkin, and the sounds of kids and dogs.Â
(An unfiltered) Nicolle Wallace joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Nicolle's new pod, 'The Best People'
Matt Gaetz arguing with his mom via text
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Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the "both-sides" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy.
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