Rick Wilson's The Enemies List

The American Presidency is certainly among the world's most studied institutions, yet there is always more to learn. In this episode Rick interviews David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group and author of The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency. They explore Rubenstein's deep fascination with the U.S. presidency, stemming from his personal experiences in Washington an...

As we inch closer to this historic election there are many questions to answer. On this episode Rick picks a handful of your submitted questions and gives them a classic hot take. He touches on Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's potential paths to electoral college victory, Trump's declining favorability and the recent criminal charges against him, while also sharing some personal reflections, inclu...

Historically the democratic party has struggled with clear, direct messaging. It's now clear they are finally getting the memo. In this episode Rick is joined by Leigh McGowan, also known as PoliticsGirl, for a discussion on the current political landscape. They dive into the smashing success of the Democratic Convention, how the dynamics of the election have changed, and share candid thoughts on...

Rick recaps a wild week at the DNC. He gives an in-depth reaction to Kamala Harris' speech, noting her ability to appeal to moderate Republicans and independents. He also touches on the cruel attacks from some MAGA supporters and emphasizes the importance of not treating Trump and Harris as equivalent candidates. And finally, we discuss the increasingly bizarre RFK. Follow Resolute Square: Instagr...

Rick gives us a solo episode from the Democratic National Convention. He centers us on what we need to know and why it matters. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America is infected with a fascist streak that imperils our way of life. In today's episode Rick is joined by Jason Stanley, author of How Fascism Works and the upcoming book Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future. They delve into the troubling rise of authoritarianism in the United States, discussing how revisionist history and the manipulation of education are being...

So how did Trump maintain a stranglehold on the Republican party after his first term? What happened at Mar-a-Lago and what can we learn that we don't already know? In this episode Rick sits with Meridith McGraw, a national political correspondent for Politico and author of the new book "Trump in Exile." They delve into McGraw's comprehensive reporting on Donald Trump's activities and influence du...

Recent years have shown a steady decline in the strength of our democracy. In this episode Rick welcomes Bob Bauer, a seasoned Washington operative and former White House counsel, to discuss his new book, "The Unraveling: Reflections on Politics Without Ethics and Democracy in Crisis." Bauer shares insights on the ethical and institutional challenges facing American democracy, contrasting the curr...

Who better to give insight into Trump than his family? In this episode Rick welcomes Fred Trump III, Donald's nephew, to share his unique perspective on the complex dynamics and hidden stories behind one of America's most controversial families. Fred, who consciously chose a path away from the family business and political chaos, opens up about his experiences, revealing a internal and honest narr...

Trump's most recent gaffes, Kamala surges, the tables have turned. In this episode Rick is joined by Joe Walsh to dissect the latest developments in the election. They discuss President Biden's decision to step down, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee. The two dive into the strategic missteps of Donald Trump, particularly his choice of JD Vance as a ru...

In this episode, a classic Rick rant taking aim at three primary figures wreaking havoc on democracy: Elon Musk, Nicolás Maduro, and Donald Trump. He critiques Musk's dissemination of deep fake videos, denounces Maduro's fraudulent election claims in Venezuela, and exposes Trump's alarming rhetoric suggesting an end to voting. Additionally, he addresses listener questions about disinformation, Bit...

Political satire can be the most impactful form of storytelling. In this episode of The Enemies List Rick Wilson welcomes comedian Brent Terhune, renowned for his spot-on portrayals of MAGA characters on social media. Rick and Brent dive into the intricacies of Brent's comedic process, discussing how he captures the bluster and contradictions of the MAGA persona with both humor and sharp observati...

America is at a crossroads, starring potential autocracy dead in the face. As the election inches closer, we are forced to consider the implications of autocrats and their impact on society. In today's episode Rick is joined by acclaimed author Anne Applebaum to discuss her new book, "Autocracy, Inc. The Dictators Who Want to Run the World." Anne shares insights into the modern autocratic landscap...

The future of war is a complex mix of public and private, dated hardware and new technology. In this episode Rick speaks with Chris Kirchhoff and Raj Shah, authors of "Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War." They dive into the significant technological shifts impacting modern warfare, highlighting the disparity between military and consumer tech development...

The darkest corners of American society are bred on the internet. In this episode Rick is joined by journalist and author Elle Reeve to discuss her new book, "Black Pill: How I Witnessed the Darkest Corners of the Internet Come to Life, Poison Society, and Capture American Politics." They dive into the rise of far-right extremism, the origins and impacts of 4chan and 8chan, and the evolution of wh...

In the wake of an assassination attempt, we remain clear and resolute. In this episode we welcome Bakari Sellers, prominent political commentator, former South Carolina House Representative, and author. They dive into a range of pressing topics, including the attempted assassination of Trump, the political climate surrounding the 2024 campaign, and the broader implications for American democracy....

How did conservatism in America become the bizarre mess it is today? To help us explore this question, Rick welcomes Joe Conason, author of "The Longest Con: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Frauds Hijacked American Conservatism." Together, they explore the historical trajectory of the conservative movement in America, from the professional anti-communists of the 1950s and 60s to the rise of the Tea P...

The old Republican Party is dead. In this episode Rick Wilson welcomes special guest Governor Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey, for a discussion on the current state and future of the Republican Party. They dive into the decline of the party’s principles, the rise of the Forward Party, and the impact of the Trump era on American democracy. The conversation touches on critical...

The front lines in the fight for our democracy is taking place at the state level with a battle for the integrity of a system on the brink. In this episode Rick welcomes Jena Griswold, the Secretary of State of Colorado, for an in-depth discussion about the current state of democracy in the United States. They explore the challenges and successes of election security, the rise of election denialis...

We must not forget the dramatic implications of a 2nd Trump presidency. In this episode Rick interviews Andrew McCabe, former deputy director of the FBI. They discuss the potential consequences of a second Trump presidency, focusing on the threats to democracy and the justice system. McCabe provides insights into the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and reflects on Trump'...

There is a shift taking place amongst black male voters in America. In today's episode, Rick speaks with Leah Wright Rigueur, assistant professor of public policy at the Kennedy School of Government and author of "The Loneliness of the Black Republican." They jump into the current state of the 2024 election, discussing the widespread frustration with the repeat matchup of 2020 candidates and the u...

What happens when your PR job is to represent clients including Gaddafi, Assad, and the government of Qatar? Well for one thing, a great many wild stories. In this episode, Rick welcomes Phil Elwood, the author of "All the Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians." Phil shares astonishing tales from his career in public affairs, detailing his work with notorious figure...

The steady decline of traditional media seems a near certainty. In this podcast episode, Rick speaks with Margaret Talev, a journalist and head of the Institute for Democracy, Journalism, and Citizenship at Syracuse University. They discuss the evolving challenges in the news industry, including the decline of local news, the rise of misinformation on social media, and the growing distrust in medi...

Today on The Enemies List, Rick reads a particularly spicy post from his Substack. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating what it means to be Jewish today's world is a nuanced conversation. In this episode Rick enlists the support of Noah Feldman, the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard University. The conversation dives into Feldman's latest book, "To Be a Jew Today: A New Guide to God, Israel, and the Jewish People," exploring its themes and the broader American legal landscape. They discuss th...