Mea Culpa

Anand Giridharadas joins me today on Mea Culpa to discuss the threats to democracy posed by Trump’s authoritarian agenda and the influence of billionaires like Elon Musk. Anand, a bestselling author of Winners Take All and The Persuaders, is also an MSNBC analyst and a former foreign correspondent and columnist for The New York Times. Following last week’s scare of a government shutdown, we examine how figures like Musk use their power to shape public discourse and policy, often undermining democratic norms. Anand underscores the urgent need for a pro-democracy movement that fosters connection, inclusion, and hope to reclaim the American democratic experiment. Subscribe to Michael's NEW Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Nick Akerman, former federal prosecutor and Assistant United States Attorney in the SDNY, where he specialized in white-collar crime. Akerman, also renowned for his role as Assistant Special Watergate Prosecutor, shares his expertise as we discuss Judge Merchan’s decision to deny Trump’s motion to dismiss in the Manhattan DA case. We delve into the implications of Trump’s promise to pardon January 6th insurrectionists and the erosion of democratic guardrails under his authoritarian agenda. Akerman highlights Trump’s ability to exploit the legal system, particularly leveraging recent Supreme Court rulings that could shield him from accountability. Together, we explore the chilling impact of Trump’s litigation strategies and his disregard for constitutional norms. Thanks to our sponsors: Simplisafe: Head to https://SIMPLISAFE.com/meaculpa to get 50% off any new system with a select professional monitoring plan. Ollie: Head to https://ollie.com and use code: COHEN to receive 70% off your first box of meals when you subscribe today! Subscribe to Michael's NEW Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Michael Popok, host of MeidasTouch’s Legal AF, and the Executive Managing Partner of the New York City office of Zumpano Patricios & Popok. Utilizing Popok’s expertise in the intersection of law and politics, we explore how the legal system can act as a safeguard against the incoming presidency of Donald Trump. We discuss Trump’s troubling promise to pardon January 6th rioters, whom he refers to as 'hostages.' Popok and I also examine Trump’s plans for mass deportations, executive orders that threaten democratic norms, and the critical legal battles Democrats must prepare for to protect the Constitution and uphold democratic values. Thanks to our sponsors: Simplisafe: Go to https://SIMPLISAFE.com/meaculpa to get 50% off a select professional monitoring plan! Tommy John: Save 25% on your first order when you go to https://TommyJohn.com/COHEN Subscribe to Michael's NEW Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by David Pepper, political strategist, former Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, and author of several books on preserving democracy in America. David provides insights into the Democratic Party’s shortcomings that contributed to Trump’s victory, including ineffective messaging and the failure to hold him accountable after January 6th. We also discuss recent events, such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dining at Mar-a-Lago and Luigi Mangione’s alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and their impact on public perception of Trump’s policies and actions. Finally, we address Trump’s promises of retribution and the need to protect those, like me, who speak out against his authoritarian agenda. Thanks to our sponsors: Simplisafe: Go to https://SIMPLISAFE.com/meaculpa to get 50% off a select professional monitoring plan! Tommy John: Save 25% on your first order when you go to https://TommyJohn.com/COHEN Subscribe to Michael's NEW Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticalBeatdown Add the Mea Culpa podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen Add the Political Beatdown podcast feed: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices