THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent

Every weekday, The New Republic’s Greg Sargent brings you a fresh way of thinking about the biggest political stories of the moment, offered up in an entertaining, information-packed conversation with a leading lawmaker, journalist, or newsmaker. We go deep into the stories behind the headlines leading TNR and other news outlets—while making it fun and fast.

 

Politics
251
Trump’s Anger Spins Out of Control at Presser a...
With Trump seeming unusually angry in remarks to reporters, a shrewd observer of Trump-MAGA psychology plumbs the darker undercurrents of his discontent—and explains the political trap he's landed himself in.
23 min
252
“Terrifying”: Trump Press Sec Drops Dark Hint a...
As the White House press secretary signals worsening horrors on immigration, Representative Pramila Jayapal explains the common thread linking them together: An effort to foment fear.
24 min
253
Bad News for Trump as Brutal New Stock Market P...
As Trump runs into trouble, former Congressman Tom Malinowski explains why it's urgent for Democrats to use the government shutdown fight to dig in against his and Elon Musk's lawbreaking.
25 min
254
Musk Humiliated as Trump’s Own Advisers Brutall...
As a new report shows that even Trump officials are infuriated by Elon Musk, the author of a new piece on DOGE's impacts explains how this reveals a deep problem for Trump that isn't going away.
21 min
255
Trump Attack on Social Security Takes Ugly Turn...
As Trump officials move to cut Social Security and startling new info emerges about Musk's involvement, an advocate for social insurance explains how Trump and Musk are headed for deep political trouble.
22 min
256
Trump Press Sec Blurts Out Ugly, Revealing Trut...
As press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the quiet part out loud about Trump's tariffs, a reporter who covers Trumpworld explains why his vile bullying of our allies should be taken a lot more seriously.
19 min
257
Trudeau’s Blistering Takedown of Trump’s Tariff...
As Canada's Justin Trudeau offers an emotional rebuke of Trump's tariffs, columnist E.J. Dionne reflects on the awful position Trump has created for Republicans, who will never say what Trudeau did.
23 min
258
Trump Hit by Brutal Fox News Graphic on Tariffs...
As Trump's announcement of tariffs causes the markets to slide—even on Fox!—Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg reflects on whether his party is doing enough to capitalize on the moment.
24 min
259
“Sick”: GOP Senator’s Harsh Takedown of Trump H...
As one GOP Senator sharply criticizes Trump and JD Vance for ambushing Ukraine's Zelensky, an expert on democratic erosion explains what the clash reveals about Trump-Vance's message to the global far right.
15 min
260
Trump Hit by Brutal Poll on Economy as Panicked...
With Trump and Republicans facing turbulence over rising prices and Elon Musk's rampage, a former White House strategist argues that Democrats can capitalize on Trump's rising vulnerability on the economy.
22 min
261
“Terrifying”: Trump’s Ominous Moment with RFK o...
As Trump's first cabinet meeting offers unsightly displays, a former senior HHS official explains why the Trump-RFK-Musk follies have grown deeply unnerving from a public health perspective.
23 min
262
Trump Press Sec Seethes at Media over Musk as M...
As press secretary Karoline Leavitt snaps at tough questions over the Elon Musk fiasco, an MSNBC writer discusses how Leavitt's display pulled the curtain back on Trump's hidden vulnerability.
22 min
263
Trump’s Angry DOGE Defense Backfires at Presser...
As Trump's defense of Elon Musk's DOGE goes awry amid more grim polls, a shrewd observer of the Trump mystique explains why GOP efforts to paint him as a strong "daddy" figure are going off the rails.
20 min
264
Fiasco for Musk as Trump Aides Suddenly Defy Hi...
20 min
265
Trump Suddenly Slips in 3 Brutal New Polls—and ...
As several national polls offer bad news for Donald Trump and Elon Musk, a leading political scientist explains why conditions are ripe for Democrats to run harder against their authoritarian overreach.
15 min
266
Trump’s Unnerving “Dictator” Rant Forces GOPers...
As Trump unleashes a deranged diatribe blaming "dictator" Volodymyr Zelensky for Russia's invasion, writer Brian Beutler explains what GOP evasions over this really mean—and how Democrats can capitalize.
25 min
267
Stephen Miller Rages at CNN Host as Musk’s Late...
As Miller and Elon Musk push new absurdities about the Department of Government Efficiency, a shrewd observer of Musk explains what all this says about MAGA's collapsing "deep state" mythology.
17 min
268
Trump-Musk Threats Darken as Their Anger at Ene...
As Trump and Elon Musk signal menacing new intentions on numerous fronts, a scholar of democratic breakdown explains how we're now seeing textbook signs of a country's slide into authoritarian rule.
18 min
269
Trump Rages at Mitch McConnell in Crazed Rants—...
As Trump unleashes wildly unhinged attacks on McConnell for opposing his nominees, veteran congressional observer Norm Ornstein explains what this shows about Trump's ability to terrorize his party.
20 min
270
Trump Aide Karoline Leavitt’s Ugly Tirade Over ...
As Trump's press secretary ratchets up MAGA anger over his losses, legal commentator Leah Litman lays out the prospects for stopping Trump in the courts—and what will happen if he defies them.
23 min
271
Pro-Trump GOPers Shocked to Learn Their Own Vot...
As GOP lawmakers find themselves promising angry constituents that they'll control Elon Musk, the author of a new piece on his DOGE argues that they should step up before it's too late.
16 min
272
Trump’s Rage at Canada Just Got Worse—and Putin...
As Trump's threats toward Canada grow more worrisome, an expert in international relations explains why the Trump-Musk duo is doing exactly what Vladimir Putin has long hoped for—on multiple fronts.
22 min
273
Elon Musk’s Threats Get Darker as Trump Legal L...
19 min
274
Trump’s Angry Rant at USAID Instantly Undercut ...
As video surfaces of Secretary of State Marco Rubio praising USAID, a former USAID official explains why Rubio will run into sharp conflict with the Trump-Musk drive to destroy it, with awful global consequences.
21 min
275
Trump’s Scam on Tariffs Wrecked in Surprise Mom...
As Miller reportedly makes a revealing private admission about the border, an expert on Latin America explains why this undermines Trump's biggest claims about tariffs forcing Mexico to bend to his will.
22 min