What A Day

President Donald Trump has changed a lot about American foreign policy – and to many, America itself. But a lot of the issues facing this country were around long before he became president. Ben Rhodes’ new book, All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches, tells the story of this country through speeches by figures like Ben Franklin, Martin Luther King, and yes, Donald Trump. We spoke with Ben about what those speeches reveal about being American, and what Trump’s actions in Iran can tell us about his presidency and our country.
And in headlines, President Trump continues to whiplash in Iran talks, we have a new pick for the Director of National Intelligence, and Kash Patel prepares the FBI for the World Cup.
Show Notes:

Check out Ben's book – https://tinyurl.com/pxpr6t8c

Call Congress – 202-224-3121

Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The World Cup is the biggest annual sporting event in the world. And the first game is tomorrow. This year’s competition is being hosted by three countries for the first time: the US, Canada, and Mexico. Already, fans of Argentina, Cote d’Ivoire, and other countries have flooded social media with their journeys to watch their favorite teams play. But with the World Cup, as with most things, comes… a lot of politics. We spoke with Bill Connelly to find out how politics is impacting the event. He’s a staff writer for ESPN covering soccer and college football.
And in headlines, Trump continues to threaten Iran, inflation hits its highest in three years, and Democrats “nominate the guy with the nazi tattoo” in the Maine Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
Show Notes:

Check out Bill's work – https://tinyurl.com/mvt45rea

Call Congress – 202-224-3121

Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump officially nominated Todd Blanche to serve as Attorney General. After firing Pam Bondi back in April, Trump went with his former defense attorney to lead more than 10,000 attorneys. And it seems pretty clear why: Trump wants someone to do exactly what he wants. Like prosecute his political enemies or set up a 1.776 billion dollar MAGA "anti-weaponization" fund. But by doing Trump's bidding, Blanche has made many of his own enemies. So what does that mean for Trump's legal agenda? To find out, we spoke with Ken White. He's a former federal prosecutor, partner at Brown White & Osborn LLP, and co-host of the podcast Serious Trouble.
And in headlines, Trump blames Iran for shooting down a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, a new study on alcohol confirms our worst fears, and a federal judge strikes down the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas.
Show Notes:

Check out Serious Trouble – www.serioustrouble.show/podcast

Call Congress – 202-224-3121

Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Maine voters will head to the polls tomorrow to decide who will take on five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins. And somehow, Graham Platner still has a sizable lead in the Democratic primary. You probably know a few things about the presumptive Democratic nominee for Maine’s Senate seat. He served in the Marine Corps and now runs an oyster farm. And you’ve probably heard a lot of other things about Platner over the last few weeks – like about a Nazi tattoo, or his allegedly abusive behavior towards past romantic partners. None of the new information is good. But will it matter to Maine voters? And more importantly, should it? To find out, we spoke with Jon Lovett. He’s co-host of Crooked Media’s Pod Save America.
And in headlines, President Donald Trump abruptly ends his interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Iran and Israel trade fire for the first time since the U.S. agreed to a ceasefire with Tehran, and Chinese President Xi Jinping visits North Korea for the first time in seven years.
Show Notes:

Check out Pod Save America – www.youtube.com/@podsaveamerica

Call Congress – 202-224-3121

Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Artificial Intelligence isn't just clogging up your Instagram feed with cartoon cat romance-revenge videos or helping your cousin pass AP European History class. Artificial Intelligence is on the battlefield. The Trump administration has been pushing to supercharge the U.S. military with A.I., and the military is leaning into the powerful new technology, from Venezuela to Iran. But not everyone is so gung-ho about it. So to learn more, we spoke with Mike Horowitz, who worked in the Pentagon on military A.I. systems under President Joe Biden and is a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
And in headlines, former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to one count of retaining classified information, President Donald Trump announces an effort to boost the struggling U.S. coal industry, and an exorcist is removed after linking UFOs to demons.
Show Notes:

Call Congress – 202-224-3121

Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday