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Crooked Media

If you’re looking for hype, fake outrage, and groupthink, kindly keep moving. Our mission at What a Day is simple: to be your guide to what truly matters each morning (and the fun stuff you might have missed) in just 20 minutes. Host Jane Coaston brings you in-depth reporting and substantive analysis on the big stories shaping today and the creeping trends shaping tomorrow—and when she doesn’t know the answers, she asks someone even smarter to fill us all in. Radical, right? New episodes at 5:00 a.m. EST, Monday–Friday in your favorite podcast app and on YouTube. Being informed was never this easy.

What A Day

With the government shutdown in its third week, the House of Representatives is still out of session – and votes aren’t getting scheduled. That includes a vote on legislation that would force the Department of Justice to release files centered on financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. At the same time, House Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed the swearing in of Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva, who was elected in a September special election. If and when Grijalva is sworn in, she would be the final signature on a petition forcing the Epstein legislation to the House floor for a vote. We spoke with California Democratic Representative Ro Khanna about co-sponsoring the legislation to release the Epstein files, the shutdown, and his willingness to cross the aisle to work with Republicans.

And in headlines, President Donald Trump demolishes the East Wing of the White House to build a roughly $300 million ballroom, the new Pentagon press corps is made up of fringe right-wing outlets, and the Trump administration announces new sanctions on Russia.
 

Show Notes:

 • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Key to Unlocking the Epstein Files

Since the start of September, President Donald Trump has ordered a series of lethal strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea, killing dozens of people. His administration has justified the attacks by accusing the boats of carrying drugs. But, we’re more than two months in, and we still haven’t seen any substantial evidence that the people killed were involved in trafficking narcotics. Meanwhile, Trump appears to be focused on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and last week, Trump acknowledged he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. So, to talk more about Venezuela and the legality- or lack thereof- of the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign in the Caribbean Sea, we spoke with Tess Bridgeman, co-editor-in-chief of Just Security and Senior Fellow and Visiting Scholar at the Reiss Center on Law and Security at NYU School of Law. She previously served as Special Assistant to the President, Associate Counsel to the President, and Deputy Legal Adviser to the National Security Council (NSC), and at the U.S. State Department in the Office of the Legal Adviser.

And in headlines, Vice President JD Vance visits Israel as Hamas continues to return the bodies of hostages, ICE recruits are going up against fitness testing, and the government is as shutdown as ever.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Tess's work – 
justsecurity.org/author/bridgemantess/ • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump’s Deadly Attacks in the Caribbean Sea

In two weeks, millions of Americans will be voting — but a Supreme Court case could change elections as we know them. Last week, the court heard arguments in Louisiana vs. Callais, a case that centers on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Basically, the court is deciding whether or not states can use race to draw voting maps — and depending on what it decides, it could give Republicans the ability to eliminate at least six majority-minority districts and land about a dozen more seats in the House of Representatives. So we spoke to Stacey Abrams about the court’s deliberations. She’s the Host of Crooked Media’s Assembly Required and a New York Times Bestselling Author.
 

And in headlines, Trump signs a critical minerals deal with the Prime Minister of Australia, universities publicly reject the Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, aka “Mad Mike,” yearns to be happy again as the shutdown heads into week three.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Coded Justice – 
https://tinyurl.com/3yx73h78 • Watch Assembly Required – 
https://tinyurl.com/4nv3uzat • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This Supreme Court Could Change The Future of Elections

Millions of Americans were in the streets over the weekend, rallying against President Donald Trump and his administration's latest authoritarian escalations. Organizers for the 'No Kings' protests said more than 7 million people turned out to more than 2,700 pro-democracy rallies across the country. Republicans tried their best to demonize the protesters saying the "hate America" demonstrations would be filled with radicals and violence. But, as it turns out, the protests were almost entirely peaceful. Chicago, Illinois, a focal point for the administration's crackdown on immigration, was just one of the cities that saw people gather in solidarity against Trump. So to talk more about the latest regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the back and forth on National Guard deployment, and what's really happening on the ground there, we spoke with Monica Eng. She covers Chicago for Axios.

And in headlines, the Israel-Hamas ceasefire faces its first major test, Trump says he's ending financial aid to one of the country's closest Latin America allies, and the government shutdown stretches into a new week.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Monica's work – 
www.axios.com/authors/meng • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Over 7 Million Americans Protested Against Trump

This weekend, people across the country are taking to the streets for the second iteration of the “No Kings” protests. Organizers say they anticipate millions of protestors to attend thousands of demonstrations throughout the US. Republicans have called the protests “Hate America rallies” and have claimed they’ll be attended by left-wing extremists. Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist who studies protest, social movements, and democracy, joins the show to discuss who will really be attending the protests, and what Trump’s attempts to criminalize resistance mean for our First Amendment Rights.

And in headlines, former Trump national security adviser John Bolton is indicted, the Senate fails to end the government shutdown for the tenth time, and the admiral in charge of US military forces in Latin America ends his tenure early as US-Venezuela tensions continue to escalate.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Erica's work – 
https://tinyurl.com/33d7uvn5 • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

America Has No Kings

A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s efforts to get rid of roughly 4,000 federal workers during the shutdown on Wednesday. And yet while courts try to stop the Trump administration from axing government workers, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are going without paychecks. And the Affordable Care Act subsidies Democrats are fighting for are what stands between millions of Americans and even higher health care prices. To discuss how the shutdown and the subsidies fight are affecting rural Americans, I spoke to Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

And in headlines, Department of Homeland Security blows a wad of cash on Kristi Noem-inspired propaganda, Trump confirms he’s authorized CIA action in Venezuela. And Operation Summer Heat! No it’s not a new Baywatch spin-off – it’s Trump’s and FBI director Kash Patel’s latest crackdown on crime.

Show Notes:

 • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rural Healthcare Is At Stake In The Shutdown Fight

As the government shutdown chugs along, cracks form within the GOP. The biggest crack? Georgia Republican Congresswoman Majorie Taylor Greene. She's starting to sound more and more... like a liberal? This is part of a trend for MTG. In the last few months, she’s referred to the horrors taking place in Gaza as a, QUOTE, “genocide” and offered an amendment to cut defense support to Israel. To speak more about Marjorie Taylor Greene's moment, we talked to Annie Karni. She’s a congressional reporter for the New York Times who profiled Greene in September.

And in headlines, Israel’s fragile ceasefire shows early fissures, Obama reemerges to endorse prop 50, and James Comey scores a blow in President Trump's DOJ case against him.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Annie's piece – 
https://tinyurl.com/3pk4btwh • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Marjorie Taylor Greene Sounds Like A Democrat Lately

Week two of the government shutdown isn't proving to be any more successful than week one. In fact, on Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said this shutdown could end up being the country's longest. Why? Probably because Johnson won't negotiate with Democrats on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that will expire at the end of the year. And without help from Democrats, the government is staying closed. So what does this mean not just for the millions of people who benefit from government services, but for future elections? In 13 months, will voters remember that Republicans are being blamed for the shutdown? To find out more, we spoke with Lakshya Jain, head of political data for the online magazine, The Argument.

And in headlines, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he plans on coming to the US to make a case for his country once again, the Supreme Court is getting ready to hear arguments in a case that could roll back a core provision of the Voting Rights Act, and a slew of media companies are refusing to sign a statement acknowledging new restrictions on journalists at the Pentagon.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Lakshya's piece – 
https://tinyurl.com/tbh5dnk4 • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your Shutdown Outrage Won’t Change The Next Election

Things have been moving fast since President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social last month QUOTE: "Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, “same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam “Shifty” Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done.” Since then, two of the three people Trump mentioned – former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General James – have been charged with crimes. Just last week, the Department of Justice indicted James on one count of bank fraud and one count of making a false statement in relation to allegations James lied on a mortgage application. James says the charges amounted to pure lawfare aimed at Trump’s enemies. So, to talk about Trump prosecuting his political enemies, we spoke Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.

And in headlines, Trump reignites the trade war with China, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to rehire hundreds of employees it fired by mistake, and Trump is in Israel to greet hostages held by Hamas upon their release.

Show Notes:

 • Check out the work AG Neronha is doing – 
https://riag.ri.gov/ • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump Is Prosecuting His Enemies

This week has been… a lot. On Thursday, Israel’s cabinet approved the first phase of a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel, which would end the fighting in Gaza and return all Israeli hostages, living and dead. But the news didn’t stop there – with President Donald Trump threatening National Guard deployments in both Chicago and Portland, and both cities responding by heading to court. And don’t forget, we’re in the second week of a government shutdown with no end in sight. To unpack it all, we spoke to Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor.

And in headlines, a federal judge temporarily blocks the President’s National Guard deployment in Chicago, the CDC quietly updates its COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for pregnant women, and trick-or-treaters this year might find their bags less full of chocolate and more full of gum.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Pod Save America – 
https://tinyurl.com/4829tpp9 • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What A Week!

Can’t keep up with the flood of news every morning? We got you covered: What A Day, a new podcast from your friends at Crooked Media, will cut through all the chaos and crimes to help you understand what matters and how you can fix it - all in just fifteen minutes.

Join comedian Akilah Hughes and reporter Gideon Resnick each morning as they break down the biggest news of the day, share important stories you may have missed, and show you what “Fox And Friends” would sound like if it were hosted by two people whose parents read to them as children.

What A Day is available Monday through Friday starting at 5 a.m. EST, so you’ll always be caught up - on everything from impeachment hearings to creepy “Cats” trailers, and all the harrowing and hopeful news in between. 

 

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Introducing “What A Day” (launching Monday, October 28th)

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