Off The Record With Paul Hodes

A quick interview with Howard Monroe about the impact of the Trump conviction

We start with an emergency segment recorded late this evening on the news that Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts int he New York fraud trial, and is now a felon. We sort through the legal next steps and the political implications. We then shift to our earlier recording and hit the big story from Congressman Jamie Raskin and his proposal about how to force Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito off of the Supreme court cases involving Donald Trump because of their obvious bias. And finally, you'll want to hang on until the end. When we talk about whether we found the single dumbest criminal defendant in history. 00:00 Trump's Conviction: Immediate Reactions 02:14 Legal Analysis of the Verdict 04:43 Political Fallout and Public Reaction 08:29 Implications for American Democracy 11:36 Future Legal Proceedings and Sentencing 23:14 Supreme Court Controversies 38:53 Zoom Courtroom Mishaps

It's a shocking story we hear almost nothing about: huge corporations exploiting some of the $900 billion a year in government programs aimed at helping America's poor, and pocketing hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars along the way. Anne Kim, a Contributing Editor at Washington Monthly, shares some of the most riveting stories from her book 'Poverty for Profit' (publishing TODAY at this link) a deep dive into what these companies are doing, who is being hurt, and why we decided as a country to outsource the poverty industry. Anne also explains why there's still some good news and hope for the future. 00:51 The Shocking Reality of the Poverty Industry 04:31 The Earned Income Tax Credit: A Double-Edged Sword 10:54 Maximus: The Giant Behind Welfare Outsourcing 16:48 The Dark Side of Medicaid and Dialysis Centers 21:19 The Bail Bond System: Preying on the Vulnerable 23:22 The Roots of Privatization and Its Impact on Poverty 30:03 Reimagining Government's Role and the Path Forward

Yes, Donald Trump did kind of tell supporters that he's dead. Our round table discussion started with deep, interesting question: after all the talk about polarization and division, is there actually a powerful emerging centrist movement in America? But then, Alicia dropped something kind of fascinating and disturbing into the conversation, an email from Donald Trump that seems to imply the he is currently dead. And as if that wasn't amusing enough, we close the show on one of the deepest existential questions facing America: what is the sandwich really? We actually had a legal read on that from a real court this week. 01:24 Exploring the Existence of a Political Center in America 05:54 The Rise and Impact of Performative Politics 07:53 The MAGA Movement and Its Influence 16:54 The Future of Republican Moderates and the MAGA Legacy 22:28 Is Trump...Dead? 28:47 The Biden vs. Trump Debate: Age, Sanity, and Governance 30:24 The Great Sandwich Debate: What Qualifies?

Are Democrats really shedding massive amounts of support from African American voters? There are certainly warning signs of trouble -- including a New York times poll showing Trump getting the support of more than 20% of Black Americans. But Mario Broussard and Ana Robinson of Global Strategy Group say that the actual picture is a lot more nuanced than that, and that if the numbers suggest anything, it's that there are things Biden and the Democrats can do to hold on to the critical core of the Democrats' base. 01:21 Young Black Women's Voting Enthusiasm and Economic Struggles 04:49 The Impact of Abortion Rights on Young Black Women Voters 15:27 Economic Concerns Among Black Voters 26:34 Messaging Strategies for Democrats: Addressing Key Voter Concerns 32:31 The Role of Social Media and Influencers in Engaging Young Voters

After a major standoff, Trump and Biden have agreed to two presidential debates. Did Biden win this exchange? And how much does it really matter? Also, a quick breakdown of Michael Cohen's testimony, and the question of whether Trump's political defenses in the hush money trial are actually kind of working. Plus, a very weird New York Times poll from this week and a continued run of voting results that Donald Trump should be finding downright scary. Plus, our closing segment has snakes on a plane. No, really. And we closed with snakes on a plane. No, literally. I mean, it. Snakes on a plane, 00:00 Opening Remarks: The Role of Debates in Politics 00:46 Debating the Debates: Trump vs. Biden 02:27 The Circus of Presidential Debates 04:26 Breaking Tradition: The New Debate Format 06:19 The Argument Against Debates 10:53 Character and Policy in Debates 17:02 Strategic Analysis: Biden vs. Trump Debate Dynamics 19:29 Trump's Debate Strategy and Poll Analysis 20:16 Breaking Down Trump's Legal Chall

Lauren Goldstein of Change Research dives into a fascinating study aims to get inside the minds of voters and could help explain why they feel so negative about the most important issue of the 2024 election - the economy. Also, why they do things differently than most opinion researchers, and how that can help change the way we talk to voters. 01:38 Exploring the Real Economic Pain Points of Voters 05:20 The Psychological Underpinnings of Financial Comparisons 10:09 Addressing the Generational Divide and Economic Pessimism 17:08 Strategies for Effective Political Communication 23:13 The Secret Handshake and Used Car Fraud Metaphors 31:29 Innovative Approaches to Public Opinion Research 34:37 The Importance of Listening and Adapting Messaging

Was the big, headline grabbing testimony from Stormy Daniel actually the most significant thing that happened in the Trump trial this week? We make the case that the answer is actually...no. Trump should be a lot more worried about three other developments. Plus, what's driving the Biden administration's pause on arms transfers to Israel? And why did RFK Jr. say that a piece of his brain is missing??? 00:53 Exploring the Impact of Stormy Daniels' Testimony 05:14 The Hypocrisy Surrounding Pornography 08:56 The Legal Significance Beyond the Headlines 13:32 Trump's Legal Risks and Public Opinion Dynamics 17:30 Debunking Polling Myths and Misinterpretations 21:34 Analyzing the Middle East Ceasefire Negotiations 25:19 The Grand Bargain: Biden's Middle East Strategy 32:56 The Controversial Views of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

What are the things you have to get right to succeed in the world of politics? What's the secret sauce to winning a campaign? (hint: it's actually not what most people think) And what are the unwritten rules that you have to know to be a member of Congress or to work in Congress? We tacked these questions and much more this week, when Matt was honored to be a guest on one of the top podcasts in the world aimed at political insiders, the ProPolitics podcast hosted by Zac McCrary. We're bringing you the full episode here, and check out their feed and consider subscribing if you want to hear more from the biggest insiders in DC.

This week, politics has been kind of amazing because there's been such a strange mix of ultra serious issues filled with moments that are just hilarious. We unpack the latest developments in the Trump trial and how Donald Trump's own lawyer ended up introducing some really humiliating evidence about him. Also, the crackdown on student protesters and how Lauren Boebert managed to beclown herself. And then of course, we had to talk about the most bizarre story of political self destruction that any of us have ever seen, which happened to a prominent Republican this week. 01:00 The Trump Trial: Legal Analysis and Hilarity 04:01 The Gag Order Debate: Trump's Legal Challenges and Strategies 17:56 Campus Protests: A Mix of Serious and Ridiculous 20:34 The Quirky Protesters and Their Demands 21:20 The Satirical Take on Modern Protests 23:06 Lauren Boebert's Campus Stunt Goes Viral 26:04 Christy Noem's Controversial Animal Stories 32:41 The Debate Over Marijuana Legalization 36:30 Closing Thought

Is there actually a light at the end of the tunnel, a way out of MAGA domination for the Republican Party? Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution and Peter Wehner of the Trinity Forum, walk us through their much-discussed plan outlined in a recent New York Times opinion piece for a new movement to return to a rational, conservative Republican Party in America. ***Please remember to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.*** 00:59 Exploring the Roots and Reasons for a GOP Split 05:05 The Exile Strategy: Overcoming MAGA's Grip 09:12 The Moral and Strategic Imperatives of Overthrowing MAGA 14:34 Potential Leaders and the Path Forward 26:55 The Psychological Battle Against MAGA Dominance

As protests over the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, reignite and turn violent, the panel ask whether a line has been crossed and what universities that have been paralyzed for so long should do now. We also mark the historic passage of the foreign aid bill, which included long overdue money for Ukraine. And at the end, we ask whether a quote from Mitt Romney this week was a great one or the greatest one ever given. But we start off with the tsunami of Trump legal news, including yesterday's massive Supreme court hearing, new indictments in Arizona, and Paul's evaluation as a former prosecutor of how effective this week's testimony in the New York trial really was 01:07 Analyzing the Prosecution's Strategy in Trump's Trial 05:07 The Intricacies of Legal and Ethical Boundaries in Media Collaboration 14:27 Breaking Down the New Indictments and Supreme Court's Role 18:01 Addressing Anti-Semitic Protests at Elite Universities 24:43 Comparing Past and Present Campus Protests 36:22 Pol

The biggest right-wing news sites are seeing cratering traffic and influence. But why? And is that all good news for the rest of the anti-Trump world? Veteran reporter Paul Farhi joins to discuss his recent blockbuster article in The Atlantic on what's happening, and why it's significant. 00:59 How Big is the Collapse of Right-Wing Media Traffic 03:46 Exploring the Causes 10:38 The Financial Impact and Future of Right-Wing Media 18:17 The Broader Implications: Misinformation, Fracturing, and the Future of Media 22:33 The Controversy Around NPR's Alleged Leftward Shift 35:13 Analyzing the Impact of Conservative Media

What would you say is the biggest threat to America today? It might not be what you think. Many of America's senior leaders, especially the ones in the Democratic Party, believe that it's the insidious, intentional assault on our brains, from people using technology to pump them full of misinformation and disinformation. The torrent of lies may be making it impossible for democracy to function anymore, and is putting some of the worst possible people in power. Journalist Sasha Issenberg takes us inside this world in his new book The Lie Detectives, and joins us to explain what they've found out about how to fight this new war for information, truth, and democracy. 01:13 The Oh Gosh Moment: Realizing the Scale of Disinformation 16:18 Jiore Craig's Mission: Adapting Political Strategies for the Digital Age 30:49 Understanding the Ecosystem of Disinformation 41:25 The Future of Fighting Disinformation: Challenges and Optimism

Former prosecutor Paul Hodes walks us through one of the most important jury selection processes ever, as jurors are added - and removed - from trump's fraud trial in New York. We also probe the impact of having two lawyers on the jury, and is the Biden White House taking the right approach politically by staying totally silent about the trial. Also, the sham Mayorkas impeachment. And is Mike Johnson actually doing a GOOD job? And a wild closing story that involves escaped zoo animals and a huge metaphor for politics in America. 00:53 The Trump Trial: Jury Selection and Legal Drama 05:27 The Role of Lawyers in the Jury 14:51 Biden's White House: A Silent Strategy on Trump's Trial 17:13 The Mayorkas Impeachment: A Partisan Stunt Dismissed 20:12 The Impact of C SPAN on Politics 25:21 Mike Johnson: Good Leadership on Ukraine? 34:41 Closing Segment: The ACTUAL Political Circus

The dramatic decrease in value of Donald Trump's Truth Social stock has already erased billions in ill-gotten gains from the former President. Why the major fall, and more important, how bad could this ultimate get for Trump? We asked stock market expert Chris Hill, former host of Motley Fool Money. 00:00 The Crash of Trump's Truth Social Stock 02:03 The Meme Stock Phenomenon Explained 04:35 The Intricacies of SPACs and Their Impact 09:21 The Financial Mechanics Behind Truth Social's Strategy 20:53 Predictions and Implications for Trump

Did the basic elements of the OJ Simpson trial give us a preview of Trump's America? The comparison isn't as far-fetched as it might seem. Also, the impliations of the recent Arizona ruling implementing a total abortion ban, and how did that lead to Lindsay Graham being called a Republican in name only (RINO). Also... Lenny Kravitz's fashion choices?!? 00:17 The OJ Simpson Saga previewed the age of Trump 09:02 Exploring the Impact of Arizona's Abortion Ban 12:26 The MAGA Conundrum: Logic, Loyalty, and Lindsey Graham 20:30 FISA Controversy: National Security vs. Political Allegiance 29:54 Lenny Kravitz's Leather Pants

The implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be profound, wonderful, and maybe terrifying. Eric Daimler -- a former AI advisor to President Obama -- helps us sort through the good, the bad, and whether the AI apocalypse is actually a risk (hint: yes, sort of). 01:36 The Real Concerns and Misunderstandings of AI 08:04 The Surprising Origins and Current Challenges of Cybersecurity 13:50 The Ubiquity of AI: From Everyday Anxieties to Real-World Applications 17:32 Flipping the Script: The Positive Side of AI 23:47 The Power of Data in Government and Business 26:37 The Future of AI 31:28 Debating the AI Apocalypse 38:52 Empowering Individuals in the Age of AI

We're talking about the best movie about politics ever today, and we'll bet it's not what you think. Maybe you brought to mind Mr. Smith goes to Washington, or the American President. Maybe even the Reese Witherspoon classic Election? NOPE. We want to make a case today that the most accurate, the most insightful, the most hilarious movie about politics ever made is this amazing classic from 30 years ago that not only captures real truths about how the system does and doesn't work, but is also downright hilarious, and even predicted the rise and fall of George Santos. We bring in the writer and Executive Producer of the film to discuss. 00:00 Introduction: Unveiling the Best Political Movie Ever 02:34 The Making of a Political Satire Masterpiece 10:38 Insider's View: The Realism Behind the Comedy 15:35 The Lobbyist System Exposed 21:17 The Art of Political Speechwriting 23:04 Breaking Down the Best Political Speech Ever 27:09 Navigating the Complex World of Congress 31:15 The Challenge of

Marjorie Taylor Greene's is trying to remove Mike Johnson as House Speaker, supposedly over his government funding deal, but really over his proposal for Ukraine aid. But it's really a sign of how Trump's small MAGA sect -- and their patron Vladimir Putin -- continue to exercise leverage over the rest of America. Then, was there a critical shift in the Israel-Hamas war this week? Also, Trump's legal and financial maneuvers, and we highlight the most bizarre far-right conspiracy theories related to Monday's eclipse. 00:00 Diving into Trump's Political Maneuvers and House Speaker Drama 00:17 Exploring the Complex Dynamics of US and Israel Politics 00:50 Unpacking the Intricacies of the Ukraine Conflict and US Support 08:37 Analyzing the Political Landscape and Public Perception in Israel 15:17 Shifting Perspectives on Israel and the Impact on US Politics 19:36 A Lighter Take: This Week in Trump and Legal Battles 27:05 Navigating the World of Conspiracy Theories and Eclipse Madness 32:33