Alex Wagner & Salman Rushdie
Summary
Molly Jong-Fast analyzes the chaos of the Republican midterm convention, highlighting Trump’s pledge to cheat and the resignation of DOJ official Joe DiNardo. She interviews Alex Wagner, who discusses her new book on the origins of the conservative judicial takeover and the Supreme Court’s handling of election integrity. The episode also features author Salman Rushdie, who shares insights into his new documentary about the 2022 assassination attempt and his journey through recovery.
Topics discussed
Sponsorships: YouTube Premium, iHeart, Wasabi
Show intro and Joe Lonsdale on Trump dividends
Joe DiJiovanni's DOJ resignation and Trump indictments
Trump's pledge to cheat in midterms and norms
Trump's low ratings and empty stadium claims
Tech bros, AI regulation, and White House policy
Sponsorships: Addie, Mint Mobile, Odu, OnDeck
Midterm convention: Trump's ego and high stakes
Inner circle silence and JD Vance leaks
Trump's speech style and MAGA rally dynamics
Republican party as caretakers for Trump
Cabinet picks: Lutnick, Bessent, and policy failures
Natalie Harp as gatekeeper and delusion
Book discussion: Origins of originalism
Profiles: Wick, Thomas, and the movement
Supreme Court, mail-in ballots, and redistricting
Salman Rushdie: Background on the fatwa
Rushdie: The attack and the attacker's motive
Making the documentary 'Knife'
Rushdie: Medical aftermath and second chance
Moment of Fuckery: Billionaire tax threats
Sponsorships: Odu and IKEA
Sponsorship: Addio Agentic CRM
Listen ad-free on Castria