PODCAST

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Charlie Sykes

You are not the crazy ones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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43:14

Justin Wolfers: The Erosion of Democratic Institutions

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/26

Economist Justin Wolfers joins Charlie Sykes to unpack the puzzling disconnect between Wall Street’s optimism and Main Street’s uncertainty, and what that says about America’s economic direction. They dive into Trump’s tariffs, Argentina’s bailout, and how “crony capitalism” tilts the playing field toward big corporations. Wolfers also reflects on his recent Boyer Lecture, arguing that the erosion of democratic institutions pose the greatest threat to long-term prosperity. Hosted on Acast. See

43:48

Adam Kinzinger: Trump Tales a Wrecking Ball to the...

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/23

Charlie Sykes and Adam Kinzinger take stock of another chaotic week in American politics, from Donald Trump’s demand for $230 million in taxpayer money and his controversial White House renovations, to Speaker Mike Johnson’s embrace of Trump’s culture-war theatrics. They also discuss the rise of the “No Kings” movement, the corporate backlash over Jimmy Kimmel’s firing, and what it all says about the state of the GOP. Plus, Kinzinger offers a bold idea for ending the war in Ukraine Hosted on Acast

30:39

Jim Acosta: No Kings and Trump's AI Jet

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/21

Charlie Sykes and Jim Acosta unpack the massive “No Kings” rallies, Trump’s inflammatory AI video targeting protesters, and the unsettling normalization of authoritarian behavior from the Oval Office. They discuss the divide between Trump’s rhetoric and reality, the media’s response to his attacks, and how both parties face a long road ahead in defending democratic norms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

44:23

Tim O'Brien: Trump is a Chaos Agent in a Chaotic World

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/18

Charlie Sykes sits down with Bloomberg Opinion’s Tim O’Brien to talk about the chaos and consequences of Donald Trump’s second term. From the “No Kings” rallies and the weaponization of the IRS to fears of a politicized military, they examine how America’s democratic institutions are holding up—or falling apart. They also talk about whether a new resistance movement is finally taking shape in a nation struggling to remember its constitutional soul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

51:00

Tom Nichols: Free Press, JD Vance, and the MAGA Right

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/16

Charlie Sykes welcomes Atlantic writer Tom Nichols for a conversation about the Pentagon’s unprecedented expulsion of the press and what it means for democracy and transparency. They also unpack the MAGA movement’s growing hostility toward free speech, Trump’s chaotic foreign policy moves, and JD Vance’s defense of young right-wing bigots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

40:44

Rob Hart: Chicago Under Siege

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/14

Charlie Sykes turns his attention from the Middle East to the Midwest, where escalating ICE raids, federal court battles, and National Guard deployments have put Chicago at the center of a national storm. WBBM anchor Rob Hart joins to break down the reality on the ground—what’s true, what’s political theater, and how local leaders like J.B. Pritzker and Brandon Johnson are navigating the crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

47:18

David French: Trump’s Expanding Power

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/12

Charlie Sykes is joined by David French to unpack a week of alarming developments — from Trump’s threatened invocation of the Insurrection Act and deployment of troops to Chicago, to the stunning announcement of a Qatari military base on U.S. soil. Together, they explore how rhetoric, legality, and raw power collide in a presidency that continually tests constitutional limits. Amid escalating tensions at home and abroad, what happens when extraordinary powers become the new normal? Hosted on Acast

40:26

Susan Glasser: TrumpSchmerz

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/09

New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser joins Charlie Sykes to talk about what she calls “TrumpSchmerz” — the constant state of worry that hangs over America in the Trump era. They discuss the weaponization of government power, the collapse of political norms, and whether the country’s institutions or its people will stop the slide toward authoritarianism. It’s a conversation about inflection points, public fatigue, and the uneasy question of what America is willing to tolerate. Hosted on Acast. See

46:40

Edward Luce: Western Democracy Under Siege

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/07

Charlie Sykes sits down with Financial Times U.S. National Editor Edward Luce to examine the accelerating retreat of Western liberalism and the fragility of democratic institutions in the Trump 2.0 era. They discuss Jane Goodall’s viral quip about “rocketing” world leaders into space, the performative nature of Trump’s domestic “wag the dog” tactics, and the escalating intimidation of judges across the country. Luce also critiques the Democratic Party’s reactive strategy and outlines why it must

44:21

Harry Litman: The Comey Indictment and the...

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/05

Charlie Sykes and former U.S. attorney Harry Litman unpack the escalating legal and constitutional crises of the Trump era. From the unprecedented ICE raid in Chicago to the flimsy indictment of James Comey, Litman explains why these actions strike at the core of the rule of law. The conversation also turns to the looming threat of the Insurrection Act and what it could mean for the future of the American experiment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

48:38

Olivia Troye: The Enemy Within, Shutdowns, and Jane...

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/10/02

Charlie Sykes and Olivia Troye take a journey through the week’s political turmoil — from Trump’s Oval Office trolling and the specter of a third term to the weaponization of ICE and the military’s role in domestic politics. Drawing on Olivia’s firsthand experiences inside the Trump administration, the two discuss how fear and intimidation reshape institutions and the lives of public servants. Amid the gloom, they pause to reflect on Jane Goodall’s passing, the lessons of courage she left behind,

44:59

Paul Rieckhoff: Grievance, Guns, and Power

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/09/30

Charlie Sykes sits down with Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Independent Veterans of America, for a wide-ranging conversation about America’s mass shooting crisis, the culture of grievance fueling extremism, and the dangerous consolidation of presidential power. Rieckhoff highlights the role of isolation and disconnection among young men, the failures of political leadership, and the urgent need for new role models. It's not all bad news though. The two also discuss the rise of independent veteran

55:54

Nicholas Grossman: UN Escalators, NATO, and Free Speech

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/09/28

Charlie Sykes is joined by Nicholas Grossman to unpack another chaotic week in politics and foreign affairs. From Trump’s bizarre UN speech and a mysterious generals’ meeting to the flip-flop on Ukraine and the Comey indictment, they examine what these moments reveal about America’s democratic resilience and vulnerabilities. They also look at how Jimmy Kimmel’s unexpected comeback has sparked a national conversation about free speech and limits on political power. Hosted on Acast. See

50:07

David French: Free Speech, Cancel Culture, and the...

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/09/25

Charlie Sykes welcomes David French back to the podcast to unpack the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s viral monologue and Donald Trump’s failed attempt to cancel him. Together they explore why government pressure on speech crosses a bright constitutional line, how cancel culture has backfired across the political spectrum, and why Americans must return to first principles of free expression. The conversation also dives into Trump’s shifting stance on Ukraine, evangelical politics, and the national

38:16

Julian Zelizer: Power and Punishment

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/09/23

Charlie Sykes and historian Julian Zelizer take a hard look at a whirlwind week of political intimidation, weaponized investigations, and the GOP’s muted response. Zelizer explains how public commands to the Justice Department, lawsuits used as tools of intimidation, and attacks on the press fit into a broader pattern that risks normalizing authoritarian tactics. The institutions that once restrained excess still matter, but they will only hold if citizens and leaders insist on enforcing them

40:41

Daniel Drezner: Trump 2.0, Free Speech, and Foreign...

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/09/21

Charlie Sykes talks with Daniel Drezner, academic dean and distinguished professor at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, to discuss the evolution of Trump from “toddler-in-chief” to something far more troubling. They explore how Trump’s “Pence-proofed” administration is reshaping American democracy, his escalating attacks on the media, and the international fallout from his foreign policy blunders. From strained alliances in Asia to emboldened adversaries in Europe, Hosted on Acast. See

41:30

Adam Kinzinger: Free Speech Under Siege

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/09/18

Charlie Sykes is joined by former Congressman Adam Kinzinger to unpack the mounting threats to free speech in America. They examine Donald Trump’s escalating lawsuits, the dangerous conflation of criticism with “hate speech,” and the broader culture of intimidation that chills dissent. Together, they reflect on the lessons of history, the hypocrisy of cancel culture, and why this is a pivotal moment to defend democratic principles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

52:27

Tom Nichols: Into Darkness

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/09/16

Charlie Sykes and Tom Nichols return to “the gloom” for a conversation about political violence, creeping authoritarianism, and the weaponization of tragedy. They explore how figures like Donald Trump and Stephen Miller are openly embracing rhetoric and policies with fascist undertones, while allies and opponents alike struggle to respond. From propaganda to the weakening of America’s “democratic immune system,” the discussion confronts how fragile democracy has become—and why speaking plainly about

45:07

Garry Kasparov: Putin, Poland, and the Peril of...

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/09/14

Former world chess champion and democracy activist Garry Kasparov joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Russia’s escalating war, including the deliberate drone strike on Poland. He warns how Vladimir Putin thrives on testing NATO’s resolve while Donald Trump’s response further weakens Western unity. Kasparov also explains why America’s fragile democratic norms face their most dangerous test yet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

47:49

Jonathan Rauch: The Rise of the Woke Right

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes ·

2025/09/11

Charlie Sykes is joined by Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution and The Atlantic for a conversation recorded just as news of the shooting of Charlie Kirk broke. The conversation touches on the rise of political violence, the collapse of civic norms, and the spread of postmodern thinking on the right. Rauch explains how truth is being replaced by narrative, why patrimonialism defines Donald Trump’s style of governance, and how religion’s bargain with politics has left democracy weaker. They

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