On today's podcast, Chris Cillizza and Matt break down the biggest political stories of the week: the death of principled conservatism in the Republican Party, Trump’s tightening grip, and another jaw-dropping self-dealing scandal that keeps flying under the radar.

Topics Discussed:

— Thomas Massie’s decisive loss in Kentucky — Why Massie lost, and what one town hall exchange with a Trump voter revealed about blind loyalty (“Trump knows more than you”)

— The Cult of Personality dominating the GOP — How deference to Trump has replaced principle, with voters demanding total obedience even when Trump contradicts himself

— Bill Cassidy’s fall — The Louisiana senator who voted to convict Trump, spent years appeasing him, and still lost badly — a cautionary tale

— Trump endorses Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in the Texas Senate runoff, and what this signals for the party and Senate control

— The list of Republican Senators who have been liberated grows — Cassidy, Cornyn, Tillis, and more!

— The shocking $1.776 Billion IRS settlement — Trump drops a $10B lawsuit and gets a taxpayer-funded slush fund plus lifetime tax immunity for himself and his family— Broader corruption & numbness — Why these scandals barely register

— And MUCH more!

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Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937