This is America: Checked In for the Checked Out

This is America: Checked In for the Checked Out
Podcast Description
From the front lines of protecting democracy, 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 (Crown, 2024), host a brief, weekly look at "what you need to know" about Trump 2.0. They're checked in for the checked out.This is America is a callback to William L. Shirer's groundbreaking This is Berlin broadcasts from the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s.Subscribe to Rachel's The Cycle on Substack at thecycle.substack.com.Hit 'Em Where it Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game:hitemwhereithurts.com.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers themes of political strategy, authoritarianism, and the erosion of democratic norms, with episodes discussing topics such as the 'shock and awe' tactics of Trump 2.0, comparisons to historical figures and events, and current political events like confirmation hearings and inflation. Specific episodes include examining Trump's strategies through the lens of 1930s Germany and analyzing contemporary media responses to political shifts.

From the front lines of protecting democracy, 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 (Crown, 2024), host a brief, weekly look at “what you need to know” about Trump 2.0. They’re checked in for the checked out.
This is America is a callback to William L. Shirer’s groundbreaking This is Berlin broadcasts from the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
Subscribe to Rachel’s The Cycle on Substack at thecycle.substack.com.
Hit ‘Em Where it Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game:
This week Rachel and Aaron discuss the Trump Administration’s reaction to Charlie Kirk’s death, his martyrdom, and what’s next on the march into authoritarianism. Plus, a trip to the front lines of Trump’s tariffs: rural America. Why are farmers feeling the pinch first? And Trump crosses a thin red line by ordering the U.S. Department of Justice to target his political enemies, facts be damned.
LINKS:
- Substack – The Cycle: From Goebbels to Google: Same Shit, Different Century
- Truth Social: Trump says opponents are “guilty as hell” – without evidence
- Hot Mic: “Our brand is in crisis”
- Imperial March in Washington, DC
- Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

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