logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2025
1h 22m

Affordable Healthcare is Worth Fighting ...

Crooked Media
About this episode

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 attacks on blue states and federal employees; and the Democratic-Republican messaging fight that's devolved into an AI-fueled meme war. Then, the two break down Trump's threats — and Hegseth's grievances — at an unprecedented meeting of the military's top brass, Trump's new political demands for universities, and some much-needed good news about free speech, Fed Chair Lisa Cook, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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
Apr 26
Are Trump Voters Feeling Buyer's Remorse? (With Sarah Longwell)
Polls showing dropping support for Trump are one thing, but what do his voters actually say when you get them together in a room? Tommy talks to Sarah Longwell, host of The Focus Group Podcast and publisher of The Bulwark, to get the latest on what she's hearing in the field: who ... Show More
1h 6m
Apr 24
Trump Loses the Gerrymander War
Virginia voters approve a new congressional map that could net Democrats four seats, dealing what might be the decisive blow to Republicans in the redistricting war — but Republican groups have a huge advantage in money raised. How worried should we be? Donald Trump claims the mi ... Show More
1h 22m
Apr 21
J. Edgar Boozer
FBI Director Kash Patel sues The Atlantic for defamation after they publish a well-sourced article alleging he's frequently drunk on the job. Donald Trump celebrates the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — only to watch Iran close the strait and fire on two ships. The administrat ... Show More
1h 35m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2025
The Fight at the Center of the Government Shutdown
<p>As the U.S. government shutdown enters its second day, Democrats are trying to underline that the growing political fight is all about the rising cost of health care.</p><p>The New York Times journalists Margot Sanger-Katz and Shane Goldmacher explain why the Democrats are bet ... Show More
21m 54s
Mar 2025
The Weekend Democrats Went to War — Against Each Other
<p><i>Warning: This episode contains strong language.</i></p><p>Over the past few days, a routine debate over government funding has exploded into an angry showdown over the Democrats’ identity in the Trump era, and whether their current leadership is right for the moment.</p><p> ... Show More
30m 54s
Oct 2025
Rural Healthcare Is At Stake In The Shutdown Fight
A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s efforts to get rid of roughly 4,000 federal workers during the shutdown on Wednesday. And yet while courts try to stop the Trump administration from axing government workers, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are going wi ... Show More
21m 26s
Oct 2025
A Shutdown Where None of the Normal Rules Apply
<p>Under normal circumstances, the profound pain of a government shutdown compels both parties to negotiate a quick resolution on behalf of the American people. But, so far, nothing about this shutdown is normal.</p><p>Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Tyler Pager, Catie Edmonds ... Show More
32m 53s
Jun 2025
Budget Battles & Conversations With China
Negotiations over President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" continue on Capitol Hill — but now, his former ally, Elon Musk, is criticizing both the legislation and the president himself. How will Republicans respond? Then, we look at ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and ... Show More
23m 45s
Oct 2025
The Health Insurance Fight Fueling The Government Shutdown
At the heart of the federal government shutdown is a fight on Capitol Hill over health insurance subsidies. We discuss the likely impact of not extending those subsidies past their expiration at the end of the year, plus how the government shutdown is forcing some family planning ... Show More
16m 46s
May 2023
Jack Smith INCHES CLOSER as Republican ‘Whistleblowers’ are Exposed
On this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, we cover the latest breaking developments in the world of politics. The Republicans’ latest hearing on the ‘Weaponization of the Federal Government’ backfired, as their so-called whistleblowers were exposed as paid Trump lackeys. Meanwh ... Show More
1h 35m
Apr 2023
Trump Has Never Been MORE SCARED and GOP Collapse Continues
Welcome to the MeidasTouch Podcast, where we bring you the latest news and analysis on politics and current events. In this episode, we cover the latest developments on several fronts. We discuss the latest Republican embarrassment as their hearings backfire. Once again, they dem ... Show More
1h 53m