The framers envisioned a judiciary whose role was to check the power of the executive and legislative branches and ensure constitutional integrity. But what happens if corruption creeps its way into the most powerful court in the land? On today's episode Rick interviews David Brock, a veteran in the political and media landscape, about his new book…

Democracy is under siege, and state-sanctioned vigilantes are leading the charge. In this episode Rick speaks with Jon Michaels and David Noll, authors of the upcoming book Vigilante Nation: How State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Our Democracy. They discuss the alarming rise of state-backed vigilante activities, particularly through laws like Texas S…

The Democratic party is changing. In this episode of The Enemies List, Rick speaks with historian Timothy Shenk about his new book, Left Adrift: What Happened to Liberal Politics? They explore the evolution of the Democratic Party, shifting from a working-class base to a more affluent, educated coalition, and the challenges that come with this tran…

Rick gives a blistering solo reaction to a blockbuster presidential debate. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesAf Resolute Square

Live from TribFest, Rick interviews Harris-Walz Campaign Co-Chair Mitch Landrieu, who was a Senior Advisor to President Biden and also served as the Mayor of New Orleans. They discuss the important role of character in political leadership, the impact of Biden’s infrastructure bill, and the importance of finding common ground in a sharply divided c…

The American Presidency is certainly among the world's most studied institutions, yet there is always more to learn. In this episode Rick interviews David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group and author of The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency. They explore Rubenstein's deep fascination with the U.S. presidency, stemm…

As we inch closer to this historic election there are many questions to answer. On this episode Rick picks a handful of your submitted questions and gives them a classic hot take. He touches on Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's potential paths to electoral college victory, Trump's declining favorability and the recent criminal charges against him, w…

Historically the democratic party has struggled with clear, direct messaging. It's now clear they are finally getting the memo. In this episode Rick is joined by Leigh McGowan, also known as PoliticsGirl, for a discussion on the current political landscape. They dive into the smashing success of the Democratic Convention, how the dynamics of the el…

Rick recaps a wild week at the DNC. He gives an in-depth reaction to Kamala Harris' speech, noting her ability to appeal to moderate Republicans and independents. He also touches on the cruel attacks from some MAGA supporters and emphasizes the importance of not treating Trump and Harris as equivalent candidates. And finally, we discuss the increas…

Rick gives us a solo episode from the Democratic National Convention. He centers us on what we need to know and why it matters. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesAf Resolute Square

America is infected with a fascist streak that imperils our way of life. In today's episode Rick is joined by Jason Stanley, author of How Fascism Works and the upcoming book Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future. They delve into the troubling rise of authoritarianism in the United States, discussing how revisionist h…

So how did Trump maintain a stranglehold on the Republican party after his first term? What happened at Mar-a-Lago and what can we learn that we don't already know? In this episode Rick sits with Meridith McGraw, a national political correspondent for Politico and author of the new book "Trump in Exile." They delve into McGraw's comprehensive repor…

Recent years have shown a steady decline in the strength of our democracy. In this episode Rick welcomes Bob Bauer, a seasoned Washington operative and former White House counsel, to discuss his new book, "The Unraveling: Reflections on Politics Without Ethics and Democracy in Crisis." Bauer shares insights on the ethical and institutional challeng…

Who better to give insight into Trump than his family? In this episode Rick welcomes Fred Trump III, Donald's nephew, to share his unique perspective on the complex dynamics and hidden stories behind one of America's most controversial families. Fred, who consciously chose a path away from the family business and political chaos, opens up about his…

Trump's most recent gaffes, Kamala surges, the tables have turned. In this episode Rick is joined by Joe Walsh to dissect the latest developments in the election. They discuss President Biden's decision to step down, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee. The two dive into the strategic missteps of Donald …

In this episode, a classic Rick rant taking aim at three primary figures wreaking havoc on democracy: Elon Musk, Nicolás Maduro, and Donald Trump. He critiques Musk's dissemination of deep fake videos, denounces Maduro's fraudulent election claims in Venezuela, and exposes Trump's alarming rhetoric suggesting an end to voting. Additionally, he addr…

Political satire can be the most impactful form of storytelling. In this episode of The Enemies List Rick Wilson welcomes comedian Brent Terhune, renowned for his spot-on portrayals of MAGA characters on social media. Rick and Brent dive into the intricacies of Brent's comedic process, discussing how he captures the bluster and contradictions of th…

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The future of war is a complex mix of public and private, dated hardware and new technology. In this episode Rick speaks with Chris Kirchhoff and Raj Shah, authors of "Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War." They dive into the significant technological shifts impacting modern warfare, highlighting the dispar…

The darkest corners of American society are bred on the internet. In this episode Rick is joined by journalist and author Elle Reeve to discuss her new book, "Black Pill: How I Witnessed the Darkest Corners of the Internet Come to Life, Poison Society, and Capture American Politics." They dive into the rise of far-right extremism, the origins and i…

In the wake of an assassination attempt, we remain clear and resolute. In this episode we welcome Bakari Sellers, prominent political commentator, former South Carolina House Representative, and author. They dive into a range of pressing topics, including the attempted assassination of Trump, the political climate surrounding the 2024 campaign, and…

How did conservatism in America become the bizarre mess it is today? To help us explore this question, Rick welcomes Joe Conason, author of "The Longest Con: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Frauds Hijacked American Conservatism." Together, they explore the historical trajectory of the conservative movement in America, from the professional anti-commun…

The old Republican Party is dead. In this episode Rick Wilson welcomes special guest Governor Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey, for a discussion on the current state and future of the Republican Party. They dive into the decline of the party’s principles, the rise of the Forward Party, and the impact of the Trump era on America…

The front lines in the fight for our democracy is taking place at the state level with a battle for the integrity of a system on the brink. In this episode Rick welcomes Jena Griswold, the Secretary of State of Colorado, for an in-depth discussion about the current state of democracy in the United States. They explore the challenges and successes o…

We must not forget the dramatic implications of a 2nd Trump presidency. In this episode Rick interviews Andrew McCabe, former deputy director of the FBI. They discuss the potential consequences of a second Trump presidency, focusing on the threats to democracy and the justice system. McCabe provides insights into the investigation of Russian interf…

There is a shift taking place amongst black male voters in America. In today's episode, Rick speaks with Leah Wright Rigueur, assistant professor of public policy at the Kennedy School of Government and author of "The Loneliness of the Black Republican." They jump into the current state of the 2024 election, discussing the widespread frustration wi…

What happens when your PR job is to represent clients including Gaddafi, Assad, and the government of Qatar? Well for one thing, a great many wild stories. In this episode, Rick welcomes Phil Elwood, the author of "All the Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians." Phil shares astonishing tales from his career in public…

The steady decline of traditional media seems a near certainty. In this podcast episode, Rick speaks with Margaret Talev, a journalist and head of the Institute for Democracy, Journalism, and Citizenship at Syracuse University. They discuss the evolving challenges in the news industry, including the decline of local news, the rise of misinformation…

Today on The Enemies List, Rick reads a particularly spicy post from his Substack. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesAf Resolute Square

Navigating what it means to be Jewish today's world is a nuanced conversation. In this episode Rick enlists the support of Noah Feldman, the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard University. The conversation dives into Feldman's latest book, "To Be a Jew Today: A New Guide to God, Israel, and the Jewish People," exploring its themes and the…

Truth in politics has become an oxymoron. In this episode Wilson is joined by veteran journalist and author Steven Brill to discuss his latest book, "The Death of Truth." Brill, the founder of NewsGuard, dives into how social media and the internet have become powerful tools for spreading disinformation, influencing politics, and polarizing society…

Dominance in politics matters, clearly, but how do we have strong leadership without authoritarianism? In this episode Rick speaks with political scientist Steven Fish, discussing his new book, "Comeback: Routing Trumpism, Reclaiming the Nation, and Restoring Democracy's Edge." They dive into the dynamics of political dominance, the importance of s…

As the 80th anniversary of D-Day approaches, Ricks sits down with Garrett Graff to discuss his latest book, When the Sea Came Alive: An Oral History of D-Day. Graff's book offers a compelling recounting of this pivotal moment in history through the voices of over 700 interviews. The conversation explores the logistical challenges, the cultural and …

Now that we have the dramatic and decisive guilty verdict against Trump, what happens next? In today's episode, Rick dissects the landmark moment in the former president's long history of legal and ethical controversies. He explores the broader implications of the verdict, dismantling Trump's aura of invincibility and labeling him unequivocally as …

What really happens in the White House Situation Room? In this episode Rick sits down with George Stephanopoulos to discuss his new book, "The Situation Room: The Inside Story of the Presidents in Crisis." They delve into the history and evolution of the White House Situation Room, from its creation by John F. Kennedy after the Bay of Pigs to its c…

Understanding the new world order is a moving target. In this episode Rick engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Ian Bremmer, president and founder of the Eurasia Group. Bremmer, a prominent political scientist and author, delves into the complexities of the shifting global power dynamics and the rise of a multipolar world. The discussio…

James Comey writes fiction! On the show today, the former FBI Director joins to discuss his latest novel, "Westport." They explore the inspiration behind Comey's second foray into fiction, drawing from his time at a hedge fund and his experiences in law enforcement. The conversation dives into the current political landscape, focusing on the high-p…

There were just a few brave Republicans to openly criticize Trump for falsely claiming the election was stolen in 2020, today's guest was one of them. In this episode we welcome former Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, Geoff Duncan, for an insightful conversation about the state of the Republican Party and American politics. Duncan shares his unexpec…

History can be viewed through the lens of political upheaval and revolution. On today's episode Rick is joined by Fareed Zakaria to discuss Zakaria's new book, "The Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present." They explore the historical patterns of cultural and political upheavals, beginning with the Tea Party movement and …

How do we make sense of the chaos Donald Trump's election interference trial? To help us find clarity Rick welcomes Norm Eisen, a CNN commentator and the author of "Trying Trump." Eisen provides an insider's look into Donald Trump's first election interference criminal trial, offering detailed observations from his frequent visits to the courtroom.…

Trump is a hot mess, we know this. And while everyone seems to have an opinion, few have the depth of knowledge and insight like today's guest. David Cay Johnston, a seasoned journalist and author known for his deep dives into American politics and economics, joins Rick to discuss the deeply troubling trajectory of Trump’s influence on American pol…

For years we've heard from the Trump campaign that the 2020 election was stolen via an elaborate scheme of coordinated voter fraud. On today's show, we speak with Ken Block, author of "Disproven: My Unbiased Search for Voter Fraud for the Trump Campaign." Block shares his experiences as a data analyst tasked by the Trump campaign to investigate cla…

Democracy will be won or lost in America's exurbia. In today's episode, Rick speaks with author David Masciotra, discussing his new book "Exurbia Now! The Battleground for American Democracy." The conversation dives into the transformation of American political life influenced by the migration from urban to suburban and ultimately to exurban areas.…

American political discourse has become more toxic than ever. In today's episode, Rick speaks with Frank Bruni, author of the new book "The Age of Grievance," which examines the pervasive culture of outrage and grievance driving contemporary American politics. Together, they analyze the roots of this phenomenon, tracing it back to historical and me…

Trump will be the next president, according to today's guest, if we do not learn the lessons of the past. On this episode Rick connects with author of the book Blowback and a vocal critic of Donald Trump, Miles Taylor. They dive into the potential dangers of a second Trump presidency, particularly focusing on the drastic changes he could impose on …

In the event of a Republican victory in the 2024 presidential election, there potential implications for the country are darker than you may imagine. Project 2025 is one such outcome. In this episode, Rick is joined by author Andra Watkins to discuss her Substack publication, "How Project 2025 Will Ruin Your Life." Watkins, a former Christian natio…

The Republican party has changed. On this episode Ricks sits with Isaac Arnsdorf, a Washington Post reporter and author to discuss the profound transformation within the Republican Party instigated by the MAGA movement. Arnsdorf shares insights from his book, revealing how grassroots activism, led by figures like Steve Bannon, has reshaped the part…

Conservatives in America are not typically known as lovers of environmental advocacy. Well, our guest bucks that trend. Benji Backer, an environmental advocate and author of "The Conservative Environmentalist" joins Rick to discuss the urgent need for practical and innovative solutions to environmental challenges, critiquing both extreme denial and…

It feels like all anyone wants to talk about these days is how AI is taking over. Well, we thought it time to have an expert on to break it all down. In this episode Rick speaks with AI expert Daniel Faggella in a comprehensive discussion on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. They speak to the implications of AI on the workforce, ec…

The participation of talented young people is a critical element in a functioning democracy. On this episode, Rick sits down with Gevin Reynolds, a rising figure in Democratic politics with experience in the Biden White House. They dive into the 2024 campaign landscape, focusing on Biden's presidency and the strategic positioning of the Democratic …