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!
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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.
Trumpism Abroad w/ American Prestige / Fighting Fascism
That’s right, friends… it’s another crossover episode! We were joined by Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison from American Prestige, a podcast that offers a left analysis on international affairs. Which… we got to eventually (Iran, Israel, USAID, what Democrats’ foreign policy should look like, all the hits)… but only after Daniel and Aaron ended once and for all the age-old debate of: Is Trumpism fascism? All this and more on this banger of a crossover!
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