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Amanda Carpenter and Evan Gershkovich: Trump's and Putin's Authoritarian Projects

Sep 29, 2026 · 1h 8m

Summary

Amanda Carpenter discusses the Trump administration’s failed attempts to rig the 2024 midterms, highlighting the collapse of their election lies and the need for Congress to assert its spending power against unauthorized projects like the White House ballroom. She urges naturalized citizens to verify their registration amid ongoing voter suppression efforts. In the second segment, Evan Gershkovic shares insights from his new book, *This Cursed Beautiful Land*, detailing his 500 days in a Russian prison on fabricated espionage charges and analyzing Putin’s use of journalists as diplomatic ba…

Topics discussed

Sponsor: Aquaphor Moisturizing Cream Intro: Tim Miller and Weezer concert plans Local events: Weezer, Reno's, and GOP fundraiser vibes Election integrity: Failures of voter suppression efforts Trump's China visit and the 'stolen election' narrative DOJ retribution campaign and the 'Trump 2025 project' Corruption: Don Jr. drone contracts and venture socialism The White House Ballroom and constitutional spending battles Epstein Files Reading Room launch Midterm strategy: Oversight, anti-corruption reform, and impeachment Segment wrap-up and transition to next guest Evan Gershkovich intro: Background and new book Gershkovich's path to Russia and pre-arrest reporting The arrest, FSB setup, and Putin's belief in the spy narrative Sponsor: ChatGPT Work and OneDay loans Life in Russian prison: Conditions, cellmates, and coping The Russian justice system and political prisoners Post-release trauma and psychological recovery Russia's geopolitical future and hybrid warfare dynamics The 'cursed' nature of Russia and cultural analysis Credits and final sponsor: ChatGPT for Business
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