Politics
Memo to California’s Next Governor: Rural Places Matter Memo to California’s Next Governor: Rural Places Matter
Rural communities are crucial to the state—and the country. Why do they get so little attention?
Gen Z Women Are Moving Left. Young Men Aren’t. Gen Z Women Are Moving Left. Young Men Aren’t.
The gendered political divide is transforming how young Americans are organizing, voting, and relating to one another.
Crypto and AI-Funded Super PACs Are Metastasizing Crypto and AI-Funded Super PACs Are Metastasizing
They’ve amassed more than $322 million in 2026—with much more to come.
Extraction Behind the Green Transition—With Thea Riofrancos Extraction Behind the Green Transition—With Thea Riofrancos
Danny and Derek welcome back to the show political scientist Thea Riofrancos to talk about the politics of extraction in the global energy transition.
Prediction Markets Want to Financialize Everything—With Jathan Sadowski Prediction Markets Want to Financialize Everything—With Jathan Sadowski
Polymarket and Kalshi are everywhere. But what are they doing to society?
State Politics
Memo to California’s Next Governor: Rural Places Matter Memo to California’s Next Governor: Rural Places Matter
Rural communities are crucial to the state—and the country. Why do they get so little attention?
Mamdani’s Balancing Act Mamdani’s Balancing Act
The mayor’s new budget finds him making deals—while trying to keep his promises.
The Right
Gen Z Women Are Moving Left. Young Men Aren’t. Gen Z Women Are Moving Left. Young Men Aren’t.
The gendered political divide is transforming how young Americans are organizing, voting, and relating to one another.
Chud the Builder and America’s Tradition of White Racial Terror Chud the Builder and America’s Tradition of White Racial Terror
We are not in unprecedented territory. We are returning to form.
For Trump’s January 6 Slush Fund, the Impunity Is the Point For Trump’s January 6 Slush Fund, the Impunity Is the Point
Nixon and his henchmen went to great lengths to conceal their slush-money crimes. Trump and his MAGA coterie don’t have to worry about that.
Democrats
Building Local Power to Win—With Dan Denvir Building Local Power to Win—With Dan Denvir
Aaron and Jonathan talk to Dan Denvir about his local organizing project, Reclaim RI.
Democratic Voters Are Clear: It’s Time to Fight Democratic Voters Are Clear: It’s Time to Fight
The party’s base has sent the same message in primary after primary: playing it safe won’t cut it in 2026.
On Redistricting, Will Virginia Democrats Surrender, or Get Creative? On Redistricting, Will Virginia Democrats Surrender, or Get Creative?
Democrats must stop conceding that the only answer for various racist voting laws is that Democrats just have to vote more and harder and better.
The Managerial Anguish of Democratic Leaders The Managerial Anguish of Democratic Leaders
Trump’s corruption is personal, so why do Democrats keep making it about procedure?
Latest in Politics
Thomas Massie’s Defeat Could Come Back to Haunt Trump Thomas Massie’s Defeat Could Come Back to Haunt Trump
The president’s successful campaign to remove the rebel congressman has a real chance of backfiring.
May 20, 2026 / Jeet Heer
Winning State Legislatures and Winning Midterm Elections Winning State Legislatures and Winning Midterm Elections
On this episode of Start Making Sense, Daniel Squadron argues that state governments provide the key check on Trump, and John Nichols reviews the political landscape.
May 20, 2026 / Jon Wiener
Trump Just Created a White Grievance Reparations Fund Trump Just Created a White Grievance Reparations Fund
And it will be paid for with your tax dollars.
May 19, 2026 / Elie Mystal
Trump Gloats About “Making a Fortune” While Americans Suffer Trump Gloats About “Making a Fortune” While Americans Suffer
As his war in Iran wreaks havoc, Trump is fixated on personal glory and enrichment.
May 18, 2026 / Jeet Heer
There’s No Way to Compensate for the Loss of Black Voting Power There’s No Way to Compensate for the Loss of Black Voting Power
In this week’s Elie v. US, our justice correspondent examines Democrats’ strategy to combat GOP gerrymanders. Plus: a look at the next major anti-trans case.
May 15, 2026 / Elie Mystal
The Hypocrisy of Trump’s 9-Hour Prayer Festival The Hypocrisy of Trump’s 9-Hour Prayer Festival
The claim that the founders meant America to be a Christian nation isn’t just bad history—it’s a declaration of war by the religious right.
May 15, 2026 / Chris Lehmann