The Al Franken Podcast

<div> <p>We're joined by our friend Mark Leibovich of The Atlantic to break down Trump's sinking approval ratings, the approaching midterms, and whether Democrats are overconfident.</p><p>We begin by looking at Trump and whether or not his party is feeling demoralized. Al thinks they certainly should be.</p><p>We then discuss the shape of the Senate, where Democrats need to win a net of 4 seats to take control, and the House, where Democrats seem to be on track.</p><p>Given the close races and election tampering from Trump and the GOP, how worried should Democrats be? And IF they take back Congress, what should their priorities be? Al and Mark agree that the House should leave impeachment alone. </p><p>READ Mark in The Atlantic: <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/author/mark-leibovich/">https://www.theatlantic.com/author/mark-leibovich/</a></p><p>SUPPORT THE SHOW BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:</p><p>Save money on your wireless bill with Mint Mobile. Visit <a href="https://www.mintmobile.com/franken">https://www.mintmobile.com/franken</a>. Make sure you tell them you heard about this deal from The Al Franken Podcast!</p><p>Get up to 15% off your skincare subscription needs with OneSkin. Visit <a href="https://www.oneskin.co/franken">https://www.oneskin.co/franken</a> </p></div>

<div> <p>What's actually driving the Trump administration? Our good friend and emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, Norm Ornstein, joins Al to follow the blueprint laid out by Project 2025.</p><p>The chief architect of Project 2025, Russell Vought, now runs the Office of Management and Budget, the perfect position to carry out The Project’s agenda. Norm and Al cover the human cost of gutting USAID, DOGE’s chaotic assault on the federal workforce, an immigration crackdown that's begun alienating the Hispanic voters who swung to Trump in 2024, and a cabinet culture so consumed with flattery that Ornstein calls it the "Lickspittle Olympics."</p><p>Plus, Trump promised to keep us out of wars, but with the ongoing conflict with Iran, the Venezuela invasion, preparations around Cuba, and a growing rift with NATO, it seems like he might not have been fully honest with the American people.</p><p>Norm discusses how this administration's corruption dwarfs every previous White House scandal combined. And what should Democrats actually do if they retake Congress? Is impeachment smart politics or a distraction? And what does a credible "Project 2029" look like?</p><p>LISTEN to Norm's podcast "Words Matter" with fellow friend of the show David Rothkopf: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dsrs-words-matter/id1420216970">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dsrs-words-matter/id1420216970</a></p><p>SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:</p><p>Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Get free shipping and 365-Day returns at <a href="https://www.quince.com/franken">https://www.quince.com/franken</a></p><p>Save money on your insurance bills with SelectQuote! Visit <a href="https://www.selectquote.com/franken">https://www.selectquote.com/franken</a></p></div>

<div> <p>In this Best Of episode, we revisit our July 2025 conversation with an old friend from Al’s SNL days, comedian Kevin Nealon! Kevin and Al trade stories from working together on Saturday Night Live and discuss how the show has changed over the years. </p><p>Kevin shares how he created several trademark bits, including Mr. Subliminal and Hans and Franz. Plus, we get backstories on some sketches that Al and Kevin worked on together.</p><p>We also get into Kevin's post-SNL life, including his role on the hit TV show “Weeds,” his standup, and his hiking podcast! </p><p>WATCH Kevin's latest standup special, Loose in the Crotch: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LamkJ2iq2s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LamkJ2iq2s</a></p><p>Go see Kevin on tour! <a href="https://kevinnealon.com/">https://kevinnealon.com/</a></p></div>

<div> <p>It’s been over a year since Trump’s “Liberation Day” when he rolled out his global tariffs, but the Supreme Court struck those down resulting in chaos and confusion about what happens next. Guest Host Catherine Rampell, of The Bulwark and MSNOW, welcomes Scott Lincicome, VP of economics at the Cato Institute, to try to make sense of how the 166 billion dollars in tariffs will be refunded to businesses that were impacted. Catherine and Scott break down the bureaucratic red tape of the refund process, why small businesses are once again getting left behind, and the valid fears of political retaliation that are keeping major corporations silent.</p><p>And with the U.S. government taking multi-billion-dollar equity stakes in everything from steel mills to quantum computing, we discuss the rise of “state capitalism.” It’s not exactly the free market that Republicans have been cheering for generations. </p><p>Plus, after Trump’s landmark trip to China, many Americans are experiencing what Scott calls “China envy.”</p><p>READ Catherine’s writing in The Bulwark: <a href="https://substack.com/@catherinerampell/posts">https://substack.com/@catherinerampell/posts</a></p><p>READ Scott’s writing: <a href="https://www.cato.org/people/scott-lincicome">https://www.cato.org/people/scott-lincicome</a></p></div>

<div> <p>In this Best Of episode, we revisit our June 2025 conversation with CNN Anchor and Chief National Affairs Analyst Kasie Hunt! It's a very fun conversation covering her work and what inspired her to follow her passion for journalism.</p><p>She discusses the early days of her career covering Obama, Congress, and the passage of the Affordable Care Act. We also talk about how much Congress and the information ecosystem has changed over the years. And Kasie shares her thoughts about watching Donald Trump pardon the rioters on his first day back in office after being present in the Capitol that day.</p><p>Plus, immigration raids, tariffs and the Big, Beautiful, Bill. Trump and the Republicans might actually pass the BBB, but at what cost to working Americans?</p><p>WATCH Kasie on CNN, weekdays at 4pm ET: <a href="https://www.cnn.com/profiles/kasie-hunt">https://www.cnn.com/profiles/kasie-hunt</a></p><p>SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:</p><p>Save money on your wireless bill with Mint Mobile. Visit <a href="https://www.mintmobile.com/franken">https://www.mintmobile.com/franken</a>. Make sure you tell them you heard about this deal from The Al Franken Podcast!</p><p>Get up to 15% off your skincare subscription needs at <a href="https://www.oneskin.co/franken">https://www.oneskin.co/franken</a></p><p>Save money on your insurance bills with SelectQuote! Visit <a href="https://www.selectquote.com/franken">https://www.selectquote.com/franken</a> today!</p></div>