It’s the Corruption, Stupid—With David Sirota
David Sirota on how we got here and how we can claw our way out.
The Nation Podcasts
Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.
It’s the Corruption, Stupid w/ David Sirota
You may have noticed that corruption is legal in our country. At this point, it’s almost like the air we breathe or the water we swim in—it’s everywhere, and so it almost feels natural, like something we just have to accept. But that’s horseshit, according to David Sirota, investigative journalist and editor-in-chief of The Lever. David has spent his career uncovering and opposing corruption. So we asked him to help us understand how we got here (hint: it wasn’t by accident), and how, for the love of all that’s good and holy, we can claw our way out. This is an important one if you want to understand the state of our world today!
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.S. President Donald Trump looks on during an event in the Oval Office of the White House on May 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
(Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)You may have noticed that corruption is legal in our country. At this point, it’s almost like the air we breathe or the water we swim in—it’s everywhere, and so it almost feels natural, like something we just have to accept. But that’s horseshit, according to David Sirota, investigative journalist and editor in chief of The Lever. David has spent his career uncovering and opposing corruption. So we asked him to help us understand how we got here (hint: It wasn’t by accident), and how, for the love of all that’s good and holy, we can claw our way out. This is an important one if you want to understand the state of our world today!
Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/subscribe.
The Nation Podcasts
Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.
For the Union Makes Us Strong w/ Sara Nelson / Fighting Fascism
Sara Nelson is the President of the Association of Flight Attendants, and one of the most badass leaders in the labor movement today. But that doesn’t mean we don’t conduct a hard-hitting, critical interview of her. Well, actually, that’s exactly what it means. Hear Sara lay out the challenges and opportunities that unions face right now, and the role of organized labor in fighting fascism. And hear us just kinda fan-boy nod along to everything she says!
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