Mea Culpa

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by journalist and best-selling author Nina Burleigh to unpack the latest Epstein document dumps and what they reveal about power, money, and protection at the highest levels. Nina is a prolific writer, from her Substack American Freakshow to her many books, including The Trump Women: Part of the Deal, which examines the women closest to Trump. We dig into how Epstein gained extraordinary access, why so many powerful figures still fear transparency, and what the documents expose about Trump’s inner circle. We also discuss the growing risk of war in Venezuela, Trump’s latest corruption schemes, and the open white nationalism poisoning the country. Thanks to our sponsors: Found: Open your FREE Found account now at https://Found.com Aura Frames: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/COHEN Promo Code COHEN Soul: Go to https://GetSoul.com, promo code COHEN for 40% off. Don’t miss their best deal of the year! Superpower: This holiday, give your loved ones the only gift that keeps on giving — health. Go to https://superpower.com/gift to get a free $49 gift box with your gifted membership. Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's 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 welcome back Malcolm Nance, a retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief, New York Times bestselling author, and a leading expert on terrorism, extremism, and insurgency. We break down Trump’s accelerating slide into authoritarianism, from demanding social-media history from tourists to judges blocking his attempts to federalize the National Guard. Malcolm and I dig into Trump’s racist immigration strategy, the growing shift toward a surveillance state, and the intelligence fallout from his Venezuela “drug-boat” strikes and dangerous flirtations with war. We also examine the stakes behind the Epstein grand jury file release, the Russia-Ukraine peace-talk leaks, and why Trump’s foreign policy increasingly mirrors Putin’s worldview. Thanks to our sponsors: Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: https://shopify.com/COHEN True Classics: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/COHEN! #trueclassicpod Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's 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 welcome back my longtime friend, Anthony Scaramucci, for a blistering, unfiltered breakdown of the chaos coming from our old boss. We dig into Trump’s deadly “drug boat” strikes, the horrific National Guard shooting, and the growing pattern of violence fueled by political lies. Scaramucci and I expose how Trump’s impulsive decision-making, collapsing inner circle, and obsession with ego over governance are destabilizing everything from foreign to domestic policy. We also unpack Trump’s bizarre branding spree, from slapping his name on the U.S. Institute of Peace to chasing billions through global deals, and why the military, Congress, and even Republicans are reaching a breaking point. Thanks to our sponsors: Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: https://shopify.com/COHEN Aura Frames: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/COHEN Promo Code COHEN Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's 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 Congressman and hopefully future California Governor, Eric Swalwell, to cut through the chaos of Trump’s America. We break down Trump’s potentially illegal attacks on so-called “drug boats” and how Congress is finally pushing back. We also unpack the explosive Russia–Ukraine peace-talk leaks, Trump’s escalating attacks on immigrants, and the cracks forming inside the MAGA movement. I also ask Swalwell about his decision to leave the House to run for Governor, and how he plans to keep holding Trump accountable from a new seat of power. Thanks to our sponsors: Leesa: Go to https://Leesa.com for 30% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code COHEN, exclusive for my listeners. Soul: Go to https://GetSoul.com, promo code COHEN for 40% off. Don’t miss their best deal of the year! Superpower: This holiday, give your loved ones the only gift that keeps on giving — health. Go to https://superpower.com/gift to get a free $49 gift box with your gifted membership. Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's 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 welcome back Nick Akerman, former federal prosecutor, Assistant Special Watergate Prosecutor, and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. We dig into last week’s National Guard shooting and Trump’s potential overreaction, then break down the legality of Trump’s so-called “drug boat” attacks in Venezuela. Nick and I also examine how Trump is using these crises to divert attention from the Epstein files, and we unpack the latest in the Russia/Ukraine peace talks, including the controversy surrounding leaked recordings of Steve Witkoff offering advice to the Russians. Thanks to our sponsors: PDS Debt: Start planning today. Get a free debt analysis right now at https://PDSDEBT.com/COHEN It only takes 30 seconds. IndaCloud: If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code COHEN at https://inda.shop/COHEN! #indacloudpod Superpower: This holiday, give your loved ones the only gift that keeps on giving — health. Go to https://superpower.com/gift to get a free $49 gift box with your gifted membership. Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's 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