In this episode, Bill and National Security Analyst Joe Cirincione discuss the implications of recent U.S. foreign policy actions under Donald Trump's administration. They focus on the escalating military actions in Venezuela, the Trump administration's unauthorized and potentially illegal military strikes against alleged drug smugglers, and the broader historical context of U.S. involvement in Latin America. The conversation also touches on the controversial peace plan proposed for Ukraine, which heavily favors Russian interests, and the precarious ceasefire situation in Gaza. Additionally, they examine Saudi Arabia's influence on U.S. policy, highlighting Trump's controversial relationships with foreign leaders like Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The episode underscores the complexities and contradictions of current U.S. foreign policy and raises questions about its legality and effectiveness. Today Bill suggests a great holiday gift, the hand-woven scarves by Carol Press. Check them out at CarolPressScarves.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"I wouldn't put anything past this White House."

With Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump in the news together last week and for sure this week, we thought we'd look back at the interview Bill did with Michael Wolff, a confidant of Jeffrey Epstein and an author with several books about Donald Trump. There is a lot that Michael Wolff revealed in this interview from four months ago. Might be fun to take a listen again knowing what you know now. And if your friends haven't heard it recommend that they do. So…in this episode of the Bill Press Pod, Bill Press reconnects with veteran journalist Michael Wolff to discuss the relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. Wolff reveals intimate details about their close friendship from the late 80s through the early 2000s, their mutual interests in women and real estate, and their eventual fallout over a Palm Beach property deal. Wolff also discusses Trump's efforts to downplay their relationship, Epstein's later belief that Trump contributed to his legal troubles, and the reluctance of mainstream media to delve into this story. Wolff shares his personal interactions with Epstein, insights from his 100 hours of taped interviews, and untapped explosive content related to Trump. The conversation also touches on Trump's first term in office, comparing it to his current administration, and concludes with Wolff's views on Trump's current challenges and potential impact on his political future. Michael Wolff's latest book is All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America. You can see his other books here. And Michael Wolff is active on Instagram. instagram.com/michaelwolffnyc. As the holiday season is upon us, Bill suggests a Carol Press Scarf as a great gift. Hand-made, each is a work of art in Rayon Chenille or Bamboo. Take a look at CarolPressScarves.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Really devastating for Trump."

In this episode Bill interviews Ron Brownstein, senior political analyst at CNN and columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. They discuss the results of the November 4 elections in Virginia, New Jersey, New York City, and California, and the unmistakable warning signs these results hold for Republicans. Ron highlights the importance of voter attitudes toward the incumbent president, which have increasingly influenced election outcomes. Despite negative views of the Democratic Party, voters' disapproval of Trump played a decisive role in Democratic victories. The conversation also covers the impact of economic dissatisfaction on Trump's approval ratings and the challenges Republicans face in overcoming this negative sentiment. Additionally, they delve into the significance of the recent government shutdown battle and its implications for future elections. Finally, the discussion touches on the generational shift within the Democratic Party and the prospects for Democrats to regain control of the House and Senate in 2026. Today Bill highlights the work of the Democratic Governors Association. There are some great Democratic Governors who might end up as the Democratic Presidential candidate. More information at DemocraticGovernors.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Democratic Sweep. Affordability and Trump Key. GOP’s Struggles. New Blood Wanted. GOP More Blamed for Shutdown. Nancy Pelosi Retires. What’s Up With MTG? Dick Cheney’s Legacy. With Sabrina Siddiqui, National Politics Reporter at The Wall Street Journal, Linda Feldmann, White House Correspondent and DC Bureau Chief at The Christian Science Monitor and Philip Bump, former Columnist for The Washington Post and author of the How to Read This Chart Newsletter. You can follow Philip's work at HowtoReadThisCh.art Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode Bill sits down with Jonathan Karl, Chief Washington Correspondent for ABC News, to discuss Karl's latest book 'Retribution: Donald Trump, and the Campaign That Changed America.' The conversation covers Karl's unique relationship with Trump, including a personal call on the morning after the election, and a detailed discussion on Hunter Biden's significant yet tumultuous role in Joe Biden's political circle. They delve into Trump's comeback, the shocking revelations from January 6th, and the key moments leading up to Trump's re-election. The episode also examines Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' reflections on their political futures, an extraordinary account of Trump supporter Pamela Hemphill's journey, and current polling data revealing significant dissatisfaction with Trump's second term. Karl provides substantial insights through newly uncovered documents and personal anecdotes, making for a compelling discussion on current American political dynamics. You can order your copy of Jon's latest book here. Today’s Bill Press Pod is supported by The Laborers’ International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shutdown Continues. Blame Game. Any Movement? Trump: Kill Filibuster. House Still Out. Trump Flattered in Asia. Nuclear Testing? NYC Mayor’s Race. VA and NJ Governor’s Race. CA Redistricting Fight. With Amanda Becker, Washington Correspondent for 19th News, Igor Bobic, Senior Politics Reporter for HuffPost and Evan McMorris-Santoro, Reporter at NOTUS.  Today's Bill Press Pod is supported The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 'This is a regime of the bullies for the billionaires by the bribes. '

"This is where things are going."

In this episode, Bill speaks with Elie Mystal, the Justice Correspondent at The Nation, about the current state of the U.S. Department of Justice, particularly focusing on its role under the Trump administration. The discussion highlights recent indictments of political figures, the Department of Justice's shift towards serving Trump's political agenda, and the questionable legal merit of these indictments. They delve into the Supreme Court’s new session, discussing its selective case acceptance process and the conservative majority’s influence on the court’s docket, including key issues like voting rights, presidential powers, and the overall shift to the right. The conversation also addresses the potential impact on minority rights, particularly LGBT Americans, and criticizes Democrats for not taking a stronger stance on court reform. Mystal underscores the urgency for Democrats to focus on judicial appointments and court expansion to counterbalance the conservative-leaning Supreme Court. Bill referenced Elie’s work for the Nation Magazine. You can read his work here: thenation.com/authors/elie-mystal/ Today Bill urged us to support the ACLU. More information at ACLU.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"He thinks it's he's in charge of the whole world."

In this episode, Bill speaks with congressional scholar Norm Ornstein about the deteriorating state of the United States Congress. They discuss the book Ornstein co-authored 13 years ago, 'It's Even Worse Than It Looks,' focusing on how the Republican party has evolved into an 'insurgent outlier.' Ornstein shares his personal history working in the Senate since 1970, citing a loss of 'institutional patriotism' among Republicans and their complete subordination to Donald Trump. He criticizes current congressional leadership, particularly Mike Johnson, and highlights issues like the Senate’s blind approval of Trump nominees and the failure of effective oversight. Ornstein also addresses the implications of a government shutdown, the misuse of the Justice Department for political retribution, and the need for an effective Democratic response. He ends on a somber note, comparing current political dynamics to the erosion of democratic norms seen in history, suggesting that the road to recovery is uncertain and fraught with challenges. (No kidding.) Norman Ornstein is a political scientist, co-host of the podcast “Words Matter,” and author of books, including “It’s Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided with the New Politics of Extremism.” Today Bill highlights the work of one of his favorite morning reads, The Bulwark. A great website and media company founded by Never-Trump Republicans which is at the forefront of The Resistance. You can check it out at TheBulwark.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Loyalty is the top qualification."

In this episode historian Doug Brinkley discusses the unprecedented ways in which Donald Trump has pushed the boundaries of presidential power. Brinkley compares Trump's actions to historic moments, such as FDR's attempts to pack the Supreme Court and Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War, but notes that Trump's use of executive orders and his ability to intimidate fellow Republicans is unparalleled. The episode covers Trump’s potential to weaponize the National Guard for political gains, his circumvention of legal authority, and the broader implications for American democracy. Brinkley expresses optimism for the future but warns of the challenges posed by emerging technologies such as AI and deep fakes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"A fracture between reality and the falsehood-laden public conversation."

In this episode. Bill interviews Matt Gertz, Senior Fellow at Media Matters for America. They discuss various topics, including the recent media silence around a right-wing hate crime, the Jimmy Kimmel controversy, and the influence of corporate conglomerates on the free press. Gertz details how media giants often prioritize profit over journalism, resulting in increased vulnerability to political pressure. They explore how the Trump administration has attempted to manipulate the media landscape to favor its narrative, exemplified by threats from FCC Chair Brendan Carr and Attorney General Pam Bondi's remarks on hate speech. The conversation also touches on Donald Trump's admiration for authoritarian leaders and the implications for the First Amendment and press freedom in the United States. Today Bill features the work of the World Central Kitchen run by Jose Andres. As the war goes on in Ukraine the World Central Kitchen is there, taking care of that war-torn country. More information at WCK.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Another marker where we are in history."

 A couple of technical issues prevented us from posting our usual Tuesday podcast. Instead, we are featuring the entire United Nations address by the President of the United States because the mainstream media whitewashes the President's ramble, lies, ignorance and narcissism.  If you watch the evening newscasts, you’ll see and hear a few seconds of Trump making a point.  But we don’t see and hear the absolute madness of what he says most of the time. We hope you will share this episode with friends and neighbors who do not yet understand what a threat he is to Americans and the world. If you'd rather watch the speech, than listen to it,  you can do so here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/c_9kY6sz_Uc?si=AQ2B13T6cjpVS9cV or search “Trump UN full speech.”  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"First they came for the late night hosts ."