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
Mar 10
Trump Says War Is Over, Vows to Keep Fighting
The war in Iran enters its second week and Donald Trump declares that it's about to end — and also that it's going to last a very long time. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett react to the president's conflicting statements, the cascading global energy crisis he created, and the way Republic ... Show More
1h 18m
Mar 8
Gavin Newsom Is Finally Comfortable with Himself
California Governor Gavin Newsom sits down with Jon and Tommy before a live audience in Los Angeles to discuss Trump's war on Iran, the crowded California gubernatorial primary, and his new book Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery. The governor talks about his close child ... Show More
1h 9m
Mar 6
Trump Deports Noem
Trump abruptly fires Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Dan and Jon discuss the Congressional hearings that led to her dismissal, Trump's announcement that Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin will replace her, and the future of DHS. Then they react to the admini ... Show More
1h 40m
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