To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Less than two weeks before the midterms, economist Justin Wolfers (University of Michigan, Platypus Economics) joins Charlie to explain why consumer sentiment is at a record low, how tariffs and immigration crackdowns eroded trust in Trump’s economy, and why October giveaways may not work.

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Two weeks before the midterms, the host of the Fast Politics podcast, Molly Jong-Fast joins Charlie to unpack Trump’s Putin pivot, Elon Musk’s election spending, the White House infighting, and the post-election chaos that lies ahead. Plus: what Democrats do with power, and the rising stars to watch for 2028.

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Charlie Sykes sits down with political scientist and writer from The Atlantic, Tom Nichols, as they discuss midterms and possible battleground states to look out for, Trump's latest actions in Ukraine, and the motives of the current administration before election day.

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Three weeks before the 2026 midterms, Charlie Sykes talks with former Congressman Adam Kinzinger about where the race really stands, how the political spending of trillionaires like Musk is dangerous, and Trump’s latest moves on Ukraine. They also ask why so few Republicans will speak out against clear violations of the Constitution.

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Three weeks before the 2026 midterms, Charlie and Daniel Drezner dig into Trump’s Russia dealings, Marco Rubio’s rebrand, and what’s really driving the race for Congress. Is the blue wave real, or are Democrats headed for another heartbreak?

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On today’s episode, Charlie sits down with journalist, David Frum to discuss the US’s status in the world economy, how the Trump administration compares to other historically corrupt administrations and the new rules of American politics approaching the midterms.

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On today’s episode, Charlie flies solo to dive into Thom Thillis’ recent debate gone wrong with Stephanie Ruhle, Trump’s publicly funded PSA video, the importance of staying vigilant against misinformation as citizens and more.

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On today’s episode, Charlie sits down with journalist and author, David Corn about the long-standing influence of Russia on American politics, Putin’s long-game with Trump and their dangerous decades-long relationship that’s shaped recent history and threatens democracy.

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On today's episode, Charlie Sykes sits down with author and journalist, Jonathan Rauch to discuss a potpourri of topics, from Pete Hegseth’s recent War Department speech, AI advancement and risks and the moral dilemmas surrounding the death penalty.

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On today’s episode, Charlie is joined by author and historian, Timothy Snyder. Charlie and Timothy discuss the relevance of Timothy’s book, “On Tyranny,” what citizens are called to do in the face of an all-powerful oligarchy and the unmasking of Trump’s true character.

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Why do powerful people fold when it matters most? Charlie Sykes sits down with journalist and author Jacob Weisberg to discuss his explosive new book, Profiles in Cowardice — a deep dive into eight influential figures who chose silence, self-interest, and appeasement over standing up to Trump.

Weisberg unpacks what separates courage from cowardice, why institutions built to check power so often buckle under pressure, and how fear and neediness can undo even the wealthiest and most powerful people in America. It's a candid conversation about principle, complicity, and what it really costs to say no.

Susan Glasser, author of "Letter from Trump's Washington" in The New Yorker joins Charlie to discuss Trump breaking the law again, the GOP's midterm panic, the President's shameful groveling to a communist dictator, and much more.

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Paulina Borsook predicted Silicon Valley's authoritarian turn back in the 1990s — we revisit her book "Cyberselfish" and how eerily right she was. Then I break down Trump's controversial statements at the United Nations, his attack on the First Ammendment, and what it all means for American democracy.

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Is there a secret formula for Democratic victories in deep red states? Former Alabama Senator and current candidate for Governor, Doug Jones joins me to discuss his fight against the Republican machine, the attack on voting rights, and the Trump effect on races throughout the country. 

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Charlie flies solo this episode to break down the biggest headlines in current events, dig into where the midterms actually stand right now, and get personal about the toll — both individual and societal — of a decade shaped by Trump.

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Founder of Protect Democracy and winner of the MacArthur genius grant, Ian Bassin joins Charlie for a wide-ranging discussion about important reads, how technology shapes society, post-Trump America, and the weird new FBI rule about bestiality. 

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World renowned tech journalist Kara Swisher joins Charlie to explore the complex issues surrounding AI development, the role of regulation, and the global implications.

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Author of Kill Switch and Supermajority, Adam Jentleson joins Charlie for a deep dive into what it will take for Democrats to win and keep power, the weird machinations of John Fetterman, and who would make the strongest candidate to beat back whoever is Trump's successor.

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John Avlon — journalist, author, and political commentator — joins Charlie to reflect on the lessons of 9/11 as its 25th anniversary approaches, break down the emerging 2028 Democratic field, and unpack Trump's strange fixation on movie-villain imagery.

A conversation about memory, politics, and power you won't want to miss.

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Professor of Strategic Studies and host of The Phillips's Newsletter Podcast, Phillips O'Brien joins Charlie to talk about Trump's strange love for Russia, the decline of U.S. influence in Europe, and the Donald's infatuation with building monuments to himself.

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Former University of Montana President and Green Beret Seth Bodnar is running for Senate as an Independent. He joins Charlie to talk about Hegseth's military purge, Canadian tariffs, and why neither party is what America needs.

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Economist Justin Wolfers joins Charlie to break down Trump's trade war with Canada, the controversial oil deal with Venezuela, and concerns over politicizing the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Congressman Jake Auchincloss joins Charlie to discuss a wide array of topics, including the future of the Democratic Party, how they can become the party of ideas again, and which MAGA disciples face a reckoning after the November elections. 

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Author of Doomsday Scenario blog and former editor of Politico Magazine, Garrett Graff joins Charlie to talk about the emerging battle against AI data centers, the current political landscape, and Trump's weak sauce threat against Canada to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America. 

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Charlie talks about yet another war Trump has started that no Americans wanted and author, historian and elections expert, Brian Rosenwald joins him to break down where all the important midterm races stand.

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The Atlantic's Tom Nichols joins Charlie to talk about the frightening delusions of the Trump team, his human binky Natalie Harp, and Congress shirking its most basic responsibilities.

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Charlie goes solo today to discuss Trump cozying up to another despot, pumping the brakes on data centers and who the hell is Natalie Harp.

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Harry Litman, host of the Talking Feds podcast, joins Charlie to talk about Trump's continued warping of reality, Blanche showing the era of DOJ impartiality is over, and the possibility the Republicans in Congress will refuse to seat a newly elected Democratic member on January 3rd.

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Ed Luce from the Financial Times joins Charlie to talk about today's political climate, the undeniable reality of global warming and the existential threat of AI. 

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The co-founder of Third Way, Matt Bennett joins Charlie to talk about the DSA's stunning defeat in Wisconsin, their agenda to destroy the Democratic Party and why electability still matters.

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The Atlantic's Peter Wehner joins Charlie to talk about Trump's desperate attempts to remain relevant, his miscalculations about Iran, and MAGA's obsession with Anthony Fauci.

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The Atlantic's Anne Applebaum joins Charlie to discuss Trump's sale of early access to Truth Social posts, his doubling down on the reflecting pool vandalism lie, and the Ceuta border crisis and how the far right has weaponized it.

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New York Times Opinion writer David French joins Charlie to discuss Trump's unprecedented corruption, the Todd Blanche Attorney General nomination now in limbo, and Anthony Fauci's Senate hearing. 

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Tara Palmeri, host of The Tara Palmeri Show and author of the newsletter "The Red Letter," joins Charlie to unpack Trump's attack on Kaitlan Collins at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Todd Blanche's role in the Epstein cover-up, and Lindsey Graham's fraught legacy.

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Nicholas Grossman, editor of Arc Digital and professor of international relations at the University of Illinois, joins Charlie to discuss Trump's frenzied posting of AI slop about Iran, the bizarre White House Correspondents' Dinner, and the global implications of the newly announced Saudi nuclear deal.

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Jonathan Rauch is a Brookings Institution Senior Fellow and a contributing writer at The Atlantic. In this episode, he joins Charlie to explain how the "postmodern right" thinks it can manipulate reality, how Trump's people thought they could change civil society — and why all of this is failing. They also discuss the continuing casualties from the war with Iran, Trump's obsession with numbers, and Lindsey Graham's legacy.

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In this special solo episode, Charlie answers your questions about the latest crisis in US-Canada relations, Jay Clayton's confirmation hearing, and the US-Saudi nuclear deal. 

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Ben Wikler served as the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin for six years. In this episode he joins Charlie to talk about his new book This Is the Plan: How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy. Inevitably, they also talk a lot about Wisconsin politics.

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Michael Tomasky is the editor of The New Republic and author of a new book titled Killing Baby Hitler. It's part sci-fi thriller, part satire and even though it takes place in the future and the past, it tells us a lot about the present. 

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On today’s episode, Charlie welcomes back friend of the show and former US Representative, Adam Kinzinger. The two discuss Graham’s passing and his legacy in relation to Trump, Trump’s mysterious upcoming broadcast on Thursday and the latest on the Iran War.

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