Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A slew of new reporting details big problems at the DNC, from deepening financial woes to leaks, paranoia, and an allegation that Chairman Ken Martin threw his phone at a staffer. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett react to the disarray inside the Democratic Party, debate whether it's possible to replace Martin before the midterms, and discuss how the DNC's new 2028 primary calendar, which starts with South Carolina, could shape the race for president. They check in on the Michigan Senate race, the latest in Trump's continued back-and-forth with Iran, and his pitiful performance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Then, Ben Wikler, former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, stops by the new studio to talk to Jon about his new book "This Is the Plan" and what Democrats can do to restructure and protect American democracy.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 - Hello From Our New Studio!
1:01 - DNC Unveils 2028 Primary Calendar
25:32 - Ad Break
27:57 - Money Troubles for the DNC Under Ken Martin
41:10 - Ad Break
44:10 - Michigan Senate Race
52:42 - Pause in Fighting in Iran
1:00:07 - Trump Bombs White House Correspondents Dinner Speech
1:06:43 - Ad Break
1:09:24 - Interview with Ben Wikler
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For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email transcripts@crooked.com.
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Photos courtesy of AP Photo Archive
Crooked believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us—one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. At a time when it’s increasingly easy to feel cynical or hopeless, former Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor have created a place where people can have sane conversations that inform, entertain, and inspire action. In 2017 they started Crooked with Pod Save America—a no-bullshit conversation about politics. Since then, we continue to add shows, voices, and opportunities for activism, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world. That’s it. End of mission.
Learn more about Crooked at crooked.com
Follow the pod on Twitter twitter.com/podsaveamerica
Follow Crooked on Facebook facebook.com/CrookedMedia
Follow Crooked on Instagram instagram.com/crookedmedia
A slew of new reporting details big problems at the DNC, from deepening financial woes to leaks, paranoia, and an allegation that Chairman Ken Martin threw his phone at a staffer. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett react to the disarray inside the Democratic Party, debate whether it's possible to replace Martin before the midterms, and discuss how the DNC's new 2028 primary calendar, which starts with South Carolina, could shape the race for president. They check in on the Michigan Senate race, the latest in Trump's continued back-and-forth with Iran, and his pitiful performance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Then, Ben Wikler, former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, stops by the new studio to talk to Jon about his new book "This Is the Plan" and what Democrats can do to restructure and protect American democracy.
CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS
SIMPLISAFE: simplisafe.com/CROOKED
MAGIC SPOON: magicspoon.com/CROOKED
SQUARESPACE: squarespace.com/CROOKED
HIYA: hiyahealth.com/CROOKED
NUTRAFOL: nutrafol.com CODE: CROOKED
CHIME: chime.com/CROOKED
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Hello From Our New Studio!
1:01 - DNC Unveils 2028 Primary Calendar
25:32 - Ad Break
27:57 - Money Troubles for the DNC Under Ken Martin
41:10 - Ad Break
44:10 - Michigan Senate Race
52:42 - Pause in Fighting in Iran
1:00:07 - Trump Bombs White House Correspondents Dinner Speech
1:06:43 - Ad Break
1:09:24 - Interview with Ben Wikler
Join this channel to get access to perks like ad-free episodes and exclusive videos:
youtube.com/channel/UCKRoXz3hHAu2XL_k3Ef4vJQ/join
For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email transcripts@crooked.com.
Subscribe to our channel! youtube.com/crookedmedia?sub_confirmation=1
Photos courtesy of AP Photo Archive
Crooked believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us—one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. At a time when it’s increasingly easy to feel cynical or hopeless, former Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor have created a place where people can have sane conversations that inform, entertain, and inspire action. In 2017 they started Crooked with Pod Save America—a no-bullshit conversation about politics. Since then, we continue to add shows, voices, and opportunities for activism, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world. That’s it. End of mission.
Learn more about Crooked at crooked.com
Follow the pod on Twitter twitter.com/podsaveamerica
Follow Crooked on Facebook facebook.com/CrookedMedia
Follow Crooked on Instagram instagram.com/crookedmedia
