Pod Save America

JD Vance and Mike Johnson defend Donald Trump's fight against the pope, while Trump says "he's all about the Gospel" and Defense Secretary Hegseth leads soldiers in prayer using a fake Bible quote from "Pulp Fiction." More troops are on their way to the Middle East as the United States and Iran look for a short-term agreement before the ceasefire expires Tuesday. Republicans worry that Trump's "nonsense" is distracting from their midterm affordability message, and a New York Post reporter publishes an excerpt from Health Secretary Kennedy's diary in which he recalls cutting off the penis of a roadkill raccoon. Then, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan stops by the studio to talk to Tommy about her campaign for Senate, how ICE's operations in her state have reshaped the race, and what she wants to see from Democratic leadership in the Senate.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

President Trump attacks Pope Leo as "weak on crime" in a long social media screed before posting an AI-generated photo of himself as Christ healing the sick. JD Vance fails to broker a peace deal with Iran, Trump announces plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by blockading it, a horrifying scandal upends the race for California governor, and Democrats' Senate hopes show signs of life. Then, LA councilmember Nithya Raman stops by the studio to talk about her campaign for LA mayor and how she plans to tackle the city's most pressing crises: housing and homelessness.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Political commentator Hasan Piker stops by the studio to talk to Jon about his move into electoral politics and the discussion inside the Democratic Party about whether candidates should associate themselves with him and his audience. Then they debate Hasan's views on Israel and Hamas, and Jon asks him about how he thinks about the words he chooses and his theory of political organizing.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

The MAGA media revolt over Iran is in full swing and Trump posts a nearly 500-word screed declaring "I no longer care" — before attacking each critic in obsessive detail. Meanwhile, the ceasefire hangs by a thread as it becomes clear that Trump has no idea what's in it, calls to invoke the 25th Amendment grow louder, JD Vance heads to Islamabad to negotiate with the Iranians, and Melania Trump makes a baffling appearance to defend herself against Epstein allegations that no one was asking about. Then, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel stops by to talk about Iran and his widely rumored ambitions for 2028.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Donald Trump gives Iran until 8pm Tuesday night to "Open the Fuckin' Strait" or he'll level all of the country's power plants and bridges. In the meantime, he spends an hour in the White House briefing room congratulating himself for the rescue of the downed American airmen — spilling a bunch of sensitive details in the process. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy react to Trump's latest performance, his request for huge budget increases for defense and White House renovations, the latest with the mass deportation campaign, and why Trump decided to do California Democrats a huge favor by endorsing in the governor's race. Then, Rep. Sarah McBride stops by the studio to talk with Lovett about how Democrats should approach the Iran war debate, and why her Republican colleagues are so addicted to going viral.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.