logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
1h 26m

Is Elon a Drag on Trump?

Crooked Media
About this episode

Elon Musk holds a rambling Oval Office press conference and admits that he and DOGE will make mistakes as they rampage through our government, even as congressional Republicans move forward with a budget that promises massive cuts to healthcare, education, and food assistance to pay for Trump's tax cuts for billionaires. Jon and Dan discuss whether Musk's antics could undermine Trump's agenda, what the Senate's confirmation of RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard means for the GOP, and the White House's attacks on the press. Then, they debut a new segment: "Wait, Did That Really Happen?," featuring this week's most absurd scenes. Later, Lovett sits down with Rohit Chopra, recently forced out as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to discuss why Trump and Musk are so determined to shut down the CFPB, and what it means for the rest of us.

 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Up next
Oct 7
Trump's War on Blue America
Donald Trump orders National Guard troops to Chicago and Portland, making good on his promise to generals to use American cities as "training grounds." Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss the court order—issued by a Trump-appointed judge—that blocked the deployment in Portland, the mi ... Show More
1h 26m
Oct 5
Roxane Gay on the Myth of Civility
What is civility? Who does it serve? When, if ever, is incivility called for? New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay joins Alex Wagner to discuss the right's recent calls for political civility and why Roxane believes those calls are based on a fantasy of our politics. The ... Show More
1h 6m
Oct 3
Affordable Healthcare is Worth Fighting For
After Republicans refuse to negotiate with Democrats on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, the government shuts down. Dan and Alex Wagner, Pod Save America's newest contributor, discuss what Democrats will need to do to hold the line; Project 2025 architect Russ Vought's at ... Show More
1h 22m
Recommended Episodes
Jul 3
Trump v Musk round 2: One Big Beautiful Bill
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trading blows again after Musk criticised the President’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax and spending bill. Trump has threatened to deport the world’s richest man and set his Doge 'monster' on him. So why does Musk hate the bill, and could this push him to se ... Show More
25m 38s
Jun 2024
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Elon and Trump
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s felony conviction for fraud, his followers scrambled to be first to reaffirm their fealty to the twice-impeached Republican. But for some reason, Trump’s new status as a convict also was accompanied by a resurgence of stories about another right ... Show More
34m 56s
Jun 2025
ICYMI: Uncertainty at NASA After Trump Pulls Musk Ally's Nomination
President Donald Trump said he would name a new nominee for NASA administrator, just days before billionaire Jared Isaacman, the current pick and a close ally of Elon Musk, was to face his planned Senate confirmation vote. It wasn’t immediately clear why Trump was dropping the no ... Show More
11m 32s
Mar 2025
Trump Harnesses Government To Put Critics On Defense
First: Settling the score. Using threats, retribution and the levers of presidential power, Donald Trump unleashes the federal government on his critics. While Elon Musk pushes the limits. What guardrails remain? Plus: Revolt. Democrats itch for a fight. My new reporting on House ... Show More
43m 18s
Oct 2024
Uncovering Elon Musk's Secret Political Donations
Elon Musk's financial support for Republican causes has been much more extensive and started earlier than previously known. WSJ’s Dana Mattioli reports on Musk’s rightward political shift and explains how he hid his donations.  Further Listening: - Elon Musk and Silicon Valley Tu ... Show More
20m 24s
Dec 2024
The First 100 Days
First: President-elect Trump has an audacious agenda and a plan to carry it out. But did the divide we saw last week inside the GOP signal big problems ahead? Plus: Trump's pick for FCC chair writes what's been perceived as a vaguely threatening letter to Disney boss Bob Iger, pr ... Show More
45m 1s
Feb 2025
Elon Musk's DOGE Takes Control Of Federal Spending
Elon Musk is keeping his campaign promise of trying to cut $2 trillion of federal spending through his unit, DOGE. After some questions about his role, the White House announced that he is now a "special government employee." What has Musk been able to accomplish thus far? This e ... Show More
15m 3s
Feb 2025
Elon Musk Is Reshaping The Government, But Is It Legal?
First: Trump takeover. The president takes a sledgehammer to the government. Now, judges are saying not so fast. The news overnight, and what's next. My panel weighs in. Plus, my new reporting and how Democrats are responding. And: The Elon effect. I'll talk to a close ally of mu ... Show More
43m 10s