This is America: Checked In for the Checked Out

This is America: Checked In for the Checked Out

by Rachel Bitecofer & Aaron Murphy

History Politics

Episode 09: Backdraft

This week Rachel and Aaron chase the firetrucks to the dumpster fire of the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress who’re trying to defend it. How do you explain an unprecedented security breach involving secret war plans accidentally shared with a news editor? Where do voters draw a line in the sand? Plus, a closer look at why Elon Musk is trying to break the Overton Window. And are spring breakers really this… dumb? LINKS: The Atlantic: The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans New York Times: Musk Is Positioned to Profit Off Billions in New Government Contracts Campaign Website: Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court Greenland’s Prime Minister: “Taking over our country over our heads” CNN: Angry voters confront GOP lawmaker at town hall in Washington LibertyHangout.tv on YouTube: Spring Breakers Fail American History Trivia Rachel at The Cycle: What is the Overton Window and Why is Elon Musk Breaking It? Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Episode 08: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

This week Rachel and Aaron explore the good, the bad and the ugly. Why is Schumer’s vote to keep the government open an important political move? What prompted a pissed-off federal judge to issue an order from the bench? And what do the latest poll numbers mean for Trump 2.0? Plus: adios, habeas corpus. And we drop into a fiery town hall meeting in North Carolina’s bright red 11th Congressional District. LINKS: Rachel on The Cycle: Never Interrupt Your Enemy When They Are Making a Mistake MSNBC: ‘A sham: Federal judge blasts Trump admin on improper firings of federal workers; orders rehiring Quinnipiac University Poll: Voters’ Ratings on Economy and Trump Dip NBC March 2025 Poll Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Episode 07: Trumpcession

As the Trump administration tanks the stock market and sends prices soaring even higher, Rachel and Aaron examine the stupid in “it’s the economy, stupid.” Europe reconsiders a new world leader while here at home, Republican politicians become snowflakes. Plus, a chilling observation from The New York Times’ chief White House correspondent. And how would Rachel have responded to Trump’s boring Joint Address to Congress? LINKS: The Cycle on Substack (Rachel): Here's Why Democrats Can't Meet This Moment The Daily Beast: GOP Senator Calls Audience ‘Rude’ and Flees Town Hall After DOGE Grilling MSNBC: ‘A gift to Putin’s regime’: Russian Media and the Kremlin celebrating Trump’s Oval Office ambush Kaja Kallis on Twitter: “The free world needs a new leader” Ontario Premier Doug Ford hits U.S. states with 25% electricity hike NSFW: Women protesters take to Paris HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime with Jon Tester

Episode 06: Chainsaw Massacre

This week Rachel and Aaron cut through the noise as Elon's "Chainsaw for Democracy" cuts thousands of federal jobs, and as Steve "Prison Toady" Bannon massacres the Constitution--surprising even a fellow neo-Nazi. Trump's honeymoon is over though, according to public polling (surprise! Americans don't seem to care about DEI). And members of Congress face the music at public town halls, even in deep red districts. LINKS: NPR: DOGE released data about federal contract savings. It doesn't add up Washington Post poll: Many of Trump’s early actions are unpopular CNN Poll: Americans worried by Trump’s push to expand power Wyomingite gives master class in pivot, belittle, attack Alarming scene from Republic of Gilead (Coeur d'Alene, ID) Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Episode 05: Napoleon Dynamite

This week Rachel and Aaron go behind the Resolute Desk with Elon, Donald and "X Æ A-XII." They untangle a "very weird 20 minutes" from failed comedian JD Vance in Munich, start the clock on Marco Rubio's tenuous tenure as Secretary of State, and shine light on the plain-sight quid-pro-quo between Trump's Justice Department and NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Oh... and how does Trump's controversial "Napoleon Dynamite" compare to Hitler's rise in Fascist Germany? LINKS: Danielle Sassoon's eight-page resignation letter to AG Pam Bondi BBC: JD Vance's "very weird" speech in Munich Former RNC Chairman Michael Steele's praise of our book, Hit 'Em Where It Hurts

Episode 04: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

This week, Rachel and Aaron keep up with Trump 2.0's strategy of flooding the zone, resulting in a chaotic political and media environment that can be described as "everything, everywhere, all at once." They explore the parallels of what's happening now to the rise of Nazi Germany, particularly the "golden age of culture"--which MAGA America desperately wants to control. Rachel and Aaron also discuss the threat of democracy falling apart when the Executive Branch refuses to listen to the Judicial Branch... at the encouragement of Vice President Vance. Buckle up!

Episode 03: A Knife in the Back

This week Rachel and Aaron take a tumble through the spin cycle of Donald Trump's second full week in office, which included chaos and confusion, a stock market nose-dive, another off-the-rails news conference, pissed off allies, economic uncertainty and threats of a new consumer tax. They also take the temperature on batshit crazy Senate confirmation heatings and share some thoughts about the incoming leader of the DNC. Links: Letter to senators from Caroline Kennedy re: her cousin Bobby Our Book: Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game (Crown, 2024) The Cycle on Substack

Episode 02: Shock & Awe

This week Rachel and Aaron dive into the deliberately exhausting 'shock and awe' strategy by Trump 2.0, drawing comparisons to the "Working Toward the Fuhrer" strategy of 1930s Germany. They also discuss a powerful warning from the New York Times, coffee, inflation, shrinkflation, what you need to know about ongoing confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate, and some tough love from... The Daily Show. Links: The New York Times: Lessons on Authoritarianism from Around the World Our Book: Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game (Crown, 2024) The Cycle on Substack

Episode 01: Day One

"Oh Sh!t! There goes the neighborhood!" Episode 01 of This is America launches on the first full day of Trump 2.0. Join political analysts Rachel Bitecofer and Aaron Murphy (authors of Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game) as they report from the front lines of protecting democracy. This first episode explores the Great Indoor Inauguration of 2025 and calls back to William L. Shirer's "This is Berlin" broadcasts from the 1930s .and how the rise of Nazi Germany is echoing throughout MAGA America today.

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