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
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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
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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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