Nobody Knows Anything

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse look ahead to the 2026 midterms and predict the headlines we'll be waking up to on Election Day. They break down why candidate quality still matters in an increasingly polarized political landscape, where Democrats could see surprising splits between Senate and gubernatorial races, and whether the progressive wing of the party is really on the verge of a Democratic takeover. They also examine how third-party candidates could shake up tight races, why the AI industry's massive political spending may be backfiring as voters push for regulation, and how the race for the 2028...

Tonight on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse welcome Sam Forstag, Montana smokejumper, labor leader, and Democratic congressional candidate, to discuss his uphill battle to flip Montana’s 1st Congressional District. They break down how federal workforce cuts are affecting wildland firefighters, why working-class voters have lost faith in both parties, and how Forstag is building an unlikely coalition of progressives, Republicans, and working people around housing, healthcare, childcare, and economic security. They also examine the growing influence of AI money in politics, the risks of leaving powerful technology companies unchecked, and whether Forstag’s grassroots campaign can overcome mill...

On this episode of Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are back with their hottest takes on the final stretch of the 2026 midterms—and the political shake-ups that could reshape the future of both parties. They break down why Republicans are suddenly pulling money out of vulnerable House races, how Democrats are expanding the battleground into traditionally red territory, and whether the GOP’s narrow congressional majority is on the verge of collapse.

Then it’s time for the Midterm Madness Takeoff, where Rob and Jesse debate some of the election’s biggest wild cards. They unpack Ken Paxt...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are back in the thick of midterm madness, starting in Michigan, where Abdul El-Sayed is getting some high-profile help from Barack Obama as he tries to close out his Senate campaign. They dig into El-Sayed’s struggles with Black voters, his efforts to unify the Democratic coalition alongside Elissa Slotkin, and whether his increasingly unconventional general-election strategy is enough to put the race away. They also debate the value of Democrats taking their message directly to Fox News—and why El-Sayed and Dan Osborn may have figured out something the rest of t...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse sit down with Democratic strategist and CNN political commentator Xochitl Hinojosa to dig into one of the biggest questions facing Democrats right now: can they actually win Texas? With Gina Hinojosa running a surprisingly competitive race against Greg Abbott, they explore what is driving the shift in Texas, why Latino voters and the economy could reshape the race, and why Abbott’s massive war chest may not be enough to keep Democrats from breaking through in one of the country’s biggest red states.

They also examine the growing frus...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse welcome longtime Democratic strategist Brad Woodhouse for a wide-ranging conversation about election security, the state of the midterms, healthcare, AI, and the increasingly complicated politics inside the Republican Party. They start with the chaotic Jack Smith congressional hearing, including the bizarre “Hawks” mix-up that quickly became one of the defining moments of the testimony, before stepping back to examine the larger fight over election integrity and Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the rules around voting ahead of the midterms.

From there, the conversation turns to “Blue Wave Watch” as the hos...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse welcome Christina Reynolds, founder of Break Glass Strategic Communications and a veteran of presidential campaigns, to unpack a chaotic week in Washington and what it could mean heading into the midterms. They start with Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, questioning what the meeting actually accomplished, the strange optics surrounding Trump’s attempts to showcase the White House, and the unusual moment when even China pushed back against the administration’s restrictions on the press.

The conversation then turns to the Trump administration’s use of taxpayer...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse unpack a week of unexpected alliances, Democratic infighting, and the early battle for the 2028 presidential race. They start with the increasingly unlikely relationship between Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, including Trump’s praise for Mamdani, their surprisingly friendly White House press conference, and why the budding bromance has Republicans scrambling to figure out how to make Democratic socialism a midterm issue.

From there, they turn to the growing debate over artificial intelligence and U.S.-China relations, including Trump’s upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping and...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are joined by Puck founding partner and national correspondent Peter Hamby to unpack a chaotic week in American politics—and what it could mean heading into the 2026 midterms. They start with the enormous sums of money pouring into Senate and governor's races, from the battleground states to the astonishing spending on local TV and NFL advertising, and examine how Democrats and Republicans are changing the way they reach voters.

From there, they dig into Donald Trump's rough week, including Republican lawmakers breaking with the president, the growing signs of po...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse dive into the latest twists in the Democratic Party's 2028 landscape, starting with Gavin Newsom's surprising pledge not to run if Kamala Harris enters the race. They unpack why Newsom made the statement, what it says about his presidential ambitions, and whether the apparent truce between two of the party's biggest California figures can actually last.

From there, they turn to the growing debate over Democrats and artificial intelligence. With members of Congress facing pressure to regulate a technology many of them barely use, Rob and Jesse explore why understanding...

On today’s BIG INTERVIEW, Jesse sits down with independent Senate candidate Todd Achilles, who is taking on longtime Republican Senator Jim Risch in deep-red Idaho. A lifelong Republican who also served as a Democrat in the Idaho legislature, Achilles explains why he believes voters are increasingly fed up with the two-party system—and why an independent candidate can compete in a state Donald Trump carried by 36 points.

They dive into Achilles’ campaign to unseat an 83-year-old incumbent, his push for sweeping congressional reforms, and why he believes term limits, age limits, a stock-trading ban, campaign finance reform...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse dig into the growing political fight over artificial intelligence, as some of the biggest names in tech—including Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk—warn about the dangers of moving too quickly. They unpack the calls to “pace the frontier,” the debate over AI regulation, and why Democrats are suddenly making AI a much bigger political priority, including Barack Obama’s warning that the party needs a clear plan for AI, jobs, safety, and the economy.

The conversation then turns to the 2026 midterms, where Rob and Jesse are joined by...

In this deep dive, Jesse examines why Democrats continue to struggle to articulate a clear, compelling vision for working Americans — and why the party's failure to define what it stands for could be costing it at the ballot box.

Democrats keep warning voters about Donald Trump, but what are they actually offering in return?

Jesse explores Hakeem Jeffries' proposed midterm platform, the rise of the DSA and the left, and why specific policies can give voters a much clearer sense of what a political movement actually stands for. He also looks back at the Democrats' su...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse break down the halfway point of Trump-a-palooza, the RNC's Trump-branded midterm convention, and ask why vulnerable Republicans like Mike Lawler are lining up to be seen next to a president who's deeply underwater in his own party's target states. They dig into the GOP's $49 million midterm ad blitz, the states where Republicans are playing defense versus quietly writing off the map, and whether any candidate can actually escape Trump's unpopularity this cycle.

From there, they turn to Texas, where Ken Paxton's AI-generated attack ad against James Talarico reignites the...

On today’s BIG INTERVIEW, Rob sits down with political creator Jack Cocchiarella to pull back the curtain on the rapidly growing business of political influencing—and why creators could become one of the most important forces in the 2028 election. From YouTube’s rise as a new political media ecosystem to the enormous audiences creators can build outside traditional newsrooms, Jack explains how he went from shitposting on Twitter to making content full-time after his channel exploded from hundreds of subscribers to 100,000 in just over a week.

They dive into what actually drives the creator economy, including YouTub...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse sit down with Democratic strategist Guy Cecil to unpack the latest battles reshaping the Democratic Party—and what they could tell us about the road to 2028. They start in Massachusetts, where Ed Markey decisively defeated Seth Moulton, sparking a bigger debate over whether Democratic voters care more about ideology, experience, or generational change—and whether simply being younger is enough to unseat an incumbent.

From there, they head to Texas, where the fallout from the Democratic primary continues to expose tensions within the party. They examine Jasmine Crockett’s compli...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are joined by guests from the Democratic Governors Association to break down the 2026 political landscape and the races that could reshape the country heading into the midterms. They start with Donald Trump's escalating feud with the media, including his threat to have the FCC go after Kristen Welker, and debate what his record on political endorsements actually says about his influence within the Republican Party.

The conversation then turns to the governors' map, where the DGA guests lay out the races Democrats are defending, the states where they're going...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are joined in studio by Pat Dennis, president of Democratic superPAC American Bridge, for a wide-ranging look at the political battles shaping the 2026 midterms. They start in South Carolina, where Darline Graham’s primary victory raises questions about just how vulnerable Republicans may be in states that looked safely red—and whether Democrats should be competing everywhere the numbers give them even a narrow opening. 

The conversation then turns to Donald Trump’s plans for the midterms, including his push to put himself at the center of Republican campaign adverti...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are joined by Lauren Hitt and South Carolina Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews to unpack a rapidly shifting political landscape heading into the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race. They dig into whether Democrats can actually compete in deep-red South Carolina, the Republican runoff between Darline Graham and Ralph Norman, and why Andrews believes Democrats have a real opening in a state where Trump remains deeply influential.

From there, they examine Donald Trump's role in the midterms, including his push to campaign for Republican candidates, his focus on the White...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse unpack a wild week in Democratic politics, from a stunning Florida Senate primary upset to growing backlash against data centers and the early battle for the 2028 presidential nomination. They break down how Angie Nixon, a card-carrying DSA member, defeated heavily funded establishment candidate Alex Vindman, and what the result says about the Democratic Party's ongoing struggle between its establishment and socialist wings.

They then turn to Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, where Mary Peltola's strong primary showing, a surprise Democratic special-election win in a deep-red Pennsylvania district, and the messy...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse unpack the latest Democratic primary fallout in Wisconsin and Michigan, the growing political fight over data centers and AI, and what these battles could reveal about where voters are headed in the 2026 midterms. They break down the aftermath of Wisconsin’s razor-thin primary, the role of late-deciding voters, and why Democrats and Republicans alike are suddenly scrambling to take an anti-data-center position.

From there, they turn to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the extraordinary amount of attention surrounding her, from her decision to publicly document her egg-freezing journey to the backlash ov...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse stay up late for an absolutely chaotic night of Democratic primary results, breaking down David Crowley’s stunning upset over Francesca Hong in Wisconsin and what the race reveals about the fight between progressives and the Democratic establishment. With Wisconsin’s returns coming in slowly and the outcome swinging wildly by the minute, they unpack the polling misses, Tony Evers’ late endorsement of Crowley, Hong’s campaign strategy, the impact of the data-center issue, and why the state’s Democratic electorate proved so difficult to predict.

They also look beyond Wis...

Jesse looks ahead to another big night of primary results while taking stock of where the Democratic Party stands after Abdul El-Sayed’s stunning Michigan Senate primary victory. After a bruising campaign, El-Sayed is getting an increasingly unified show of support from across the Democratic coalition, with Haley Stevens, Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, and others helping rally behind his general election campaign. But Jesse asks whether El-Sayed has learned the right lessons from his unexpectedly narrow victory—and whether his shift toward a more welcoming, big-tent message can help Democrats hold together heading into November.

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse go live throughout one of the biggest Democratic primary nights of the year, reacting in real time as results roll in from Michigan's high-stakes Senate race. With Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens locked in a closely watched contest, they break down what the results could mean not only for Michigan, but for the future direction of the Democratic Party.

Joined by an all-star lineup of guests—including former AOC communications director Lauren Hitt, former Haley Stevens advisor Caitlin Legacki, Republican strategist Liam Donovan, journalists, campaign operatives, and voices live fr...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are joined by POLITICO's Adam Wren to break down one of the most closely watched Democratic primaries in the country: Michigan. They dive into the increasingly bitter showdown between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens, discuss the role of AIPAC and outside spending in shaping the race, and explore what the outcome could mean for the future of the Democratic Party. They also examine whether El-Sayed's populist campaign can translate into success in a general election and what the primary reveals about the growing divide between progressives and the Democratic establishment.

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse unpack the growing turmoil inside the Democratic National Committee, examining Ken Martin's leadership, the party's fundraising struggles, and why the DNC's internal chaos could have major consequences heading into the 2028 election. They also break down the newly unveiled Democratic primary calendar, debating whether the changes create a fairer path to the nomination—or make it even harder for outsider candidates to compete.

Later, the conversation turns to the disturbing allegations against Congressman Max Miller and what the response says about accountability in American politics.

Then the show we...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Jesse is joined by Lauren French, Communications Director at Senate Majority PAC, for a deep dive into the battle for control of the U.S. Senate with just 100 days until Election Day. Together, they break down the rapidly shifting Senate map, discuss why Democrats are suddenly competitive in states that once looked out of reach, and examine where the party is investing millions of dollars in its fight to win back the majority.

They take a state-by-state look at the biggest battlegrounds - including Ohio, Texas, Iowa, Alaska, Maine, North Carolina, and...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse are joined by Peter Hamby of Puck to break down the biggest stories shaping Democratic politics and media. They kick things off by exploring the rise of the Democratic YouTube ecosystem, discussing how creators like Brian Tyler Cohen, MeidasTouch, and other digital-first personalities are reshaping political messaging, why traditional media is struggling to keep up, and what it takes to build an audience in today's attention economy.

From there, they turn to the Democratic National Committee, unpacking Ken Martin's fundraising challenges, the growing gap between Democratic and Republican campaign...

 Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse unpack a week dominated by international conflict, political chaos, and high-stakes Democratic primaries. They begin with the rapidly escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, discussing the mounting human and financial costs, the risk of a wider regional war, and what the latest developments could mean for American foreign policy and the 2026 midterms.

Back on the domestic front, they examine reports that the FBI may be scaling back investigations into confrontations involving ICE agents, debate what that could mean for accountability, and explore the broader concerns surrounding immigration e...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Jesse and Rob tackle one of the biggest questions hanging over American politics: could the 2026 midterms be manipulated? They break down Donald Trump's latest election rhetoric, the growing concerns surrounding federal involvement in election administration, and why they're divided over how much Americans should worry about the integrity of the upcoming vote.

From there, they examine the political fallout from the recent ICE shooting in Maine and what it could mean for Senator Susan Collins' reelection campaign, before turning to the Democratic Party's rapidly changing position on Israel. With more...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Jesse and the crew react to the shocking death of Senator Lindsey Graham and examine the political fallout that could reshape both South Carolina and the U.S. Senate. They break down Graham's complicated legacy, Donald Trump's remarkable response to the news, the scramble to replace him, and whether Democrats have a real opportunity to compete in a state that has long been considered out of reach.

Then, Axios senior politics reporter Holly Otterbein joins the show to unpack the chaos unfolding in Maine after Graham Platner's withdrawal from the Senate race...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse reacts in real time to the stunning collapse of Graham Platner’s Senate campaign just moments after the show wrapped—then dives into what his exit means for Maine Democrats, Susan Collins, and the party’s escalating war between anti-establishment insurgents and institutional power brokers. Joined by Boston Globe political reporter Sam Brodey, they break down the allegations that ended Platner’s candidacy, the chaotic scramble to replace him, and the brewing fight over whether Maine Democrats will double down on Platner-style populism or pivot to a safer nominee.

From the...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse jump on an emergency pod to break down the explosive new allegation against Graham Platner—and what it means for Maine Democrats with the clock ticking on the Senate race. They unpack the new report from Politico, why both hosts see this as the end of the road for Platner’s campaign, and what to make of his video response as pressure mounts for him to drop out before the replacement deadline.

From there, they dig into the political fallout: whether Democrats can still beat Susan Collins without Platner, who...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Jesse sits down with Senator Chris Murphy to discuss his new book The Crisis of the Common Good—and why he believes Donald Trump is less the cause of America’s dysfunction than a symptom of a much deeper crisis. Murphy argues that the country has been shaped by six modern “cults” of American life—profit, efficiency, technology, consumption, credentials, and corruption—that have hollowed out community, concentrated power, and left people feeling disconnected, powerless, and alone.

From there, Jesse and Murphy dig into what a more worker-centered version of capitalism could actually loo...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Jesse sits down with Colorado political reporter Kyle Clark to break down the biggest Democratic primaries in the country—and what they could mean for the future of the party. They dive into the blockbuster Denver race between longtime incumbent Diana DeGette and rising progressive Melat Kiros, ask whether anti-establishment momentum is finally catching up to Democratic incumbents, and discuss why Colorado has suddenly become the political battleground everyone should be watching.

From there, they unpack the battle for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, John Hickenlooper's surprisingly vulnerable Senate primary, and the high-stakes De...

 Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse break down a wild night in the midterms as a socialist surge sweeps through New York — Zohran Mamdani plays kingmaker, several establishment incumbents go down, and the guys ask whether the "Democratic Tea Party" has officially arrived. They dig into Mamdani's riskiest bet of all, the brutal turn the Gaza debate has taken inside the primaries, and what an emboldened DSA means for a Big Tent party heading into 2028. From there it's on to the great AI super PAC flop, where Leading the Future torched millions only to push the winning can...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, we're doing something a little different — Rob and Jesse crack open the mailbag and answer YOUR questions. We kick things off with 2028: which prospective candidate is most likely to surprise everyone by not running (Jesse's got a hot take on Whitmer, and we get into the Kamala of it all). Then we dig into the AI super PAC war engulfing the New York 12 race — how "Leading the Future" tried to make an example of Alex Boris and may have only helped him — and what it all means for the even bigger AI money fight coming...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, Jesse is joined by special guest host Kyle Tharp — writer of the Chaotic ERA newsletter, filling in while Rob jets between US World Cup games. They go deep on Trump's $300 billion Iran "peace deal," a foreign policy blunder that has even Senate Republicans grumbling, though Jesse admits the small part of him that's just relieved to finally be getting the hell out. From there it's on to the home front, where a socialist surge is rolling through the midterms and the Georgia races have gone wild — from Rick Jackson buying himself a gu...

Today on Nobody Knows Anything, we're going deep (deep!) on the White House hosting UFC Freedom 250 — and Jesse acknowledges the small part of him that thinks Trump is doing something right here. Rob and Jesse also talk through the latest "deal or no deal" developments in the war in Iran, the Trump Administration's ongoing battle with Anthropic, and the upcoming primaries ahead of the 2026 midterms.

PLUS: We breakdown the latest moves that three key Democrats are making as we all march on towards 2028, and Rob walks us through the 8 different ways you can tweet happy birthday to De...

This week on Nobody Knows Anything, Rob and Jesse break down the breaking news on Donald Trump's new Director of National Intelligence, as well as the latest on the war in Iran (spoiler alert: it's not great!) and how Trump loves the inflation it has caused (his words, not ours).  They also discuss the latest in two of this cycle's buzziest Senate races: the implications of Chuck Schumer's endorsement of Haley Stevens in Michigan, and how Graham Platner continues to campaign after his primary victory in Maine.

PLUS: Jesse walks through half a dozen other races that y...