Summary4 min read

The Rachel Maddow Show

MS NOW Presents: Clock It with Symone and Eugene

Date: February 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This special episode launches "Clock It," a new show co-hosted by Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels, now featured on the MS NOW platform. The duo—both seasoned political insiders—introduce listeners to their fresh approach: dissecting the intersection of politics, pop culture, and media, and bringing forward the ways in which political games are played well beyond the corridors of Washington. They aim to inform audiences on how cultural trends are hijacked by politicians and why this matters in the broader war of ideas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Longtime Colleagues: From Opposition to Collaboration

Symone and Eugene reflect on over a decade of knowing each other, evolving from White House reporter (Daniels) and Democratic strategist/staffer (Sanders Townsend) into friends, colleagues, and co-hosts.
Quote:

"And now, instead of being at odds as White House reporter and White House staffer, we're friends and colleagues dissecting what comes across our feed. Just like everybody else."
—Symone Sanders Townsend [00:21]

A New Show at the Intersection of Politics and Culture

Mission: "Clock It" is positioned as a dynamic commentary on the influence of pop culture on politics and vice versa, addressing how politicians borrow aesthetics, slang, and music to connect with (or pander to) the public.
Quote:

"We're positioning ourselves at the intersection of culture and politics so we can report back to you who's hijacking what for what reason, and precisely how much any of it matters."
—Eugene Daniels [01:33]

Where the Real Political Games are Played

The show promises to go beyond traditional political coverage—looking at how politics play out in everyday spaces like football fields, runways, and TikTok feeds.
Quote:

"While most political coverage is focused on the White House or the Hill, the real political games are being played outside on football fields, on the runways, and on TikTok."
—Symone Sanders Townsend [01:09]

Staying Connected, Unfiltered

The hosts highlight their shared "fluency" in both politics and culture, bringing honest, updated perspectives rather than just echoing insider news.
Notable banter about politicians’ attempts at cultural relevance:
- Quote:
  
  "When we're not mic'd up for tv, we're talking about how politicians are stealing music and slang and aesthetics to make themselves seem powerful and relevant."
  —Eugene Daniels [00:44]
- Describing politicians’ media maneuvers:
  
  "Superhero esque, very Tony Stark. It's giving Tony Stark. He's hopping out of the government vehicles."
  —Eugene Daniels [00:57]

Engagement and Upcoming Episodes

"Clock It" will drop new episodes every Thursday starting February 12th, aiming to help listeners spot (or "clock") trends and motives behind media and political phenomena.
Quote:

"Clock it is where we talk about what we see and hear in the news. So you can start to clock it, too."
—Symone Sanders Townsend [01:49]

Premium Access & Bonus Content

Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts for bonus, ad-free content.
Quote:

"We'll even be dropping some VIP bonus content. Just four subscribers now. Clock that."
—Eugene Daniels [01:58]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Politicians’ Attempts at Relevancy:

"It's corny. It's corny and it's trolling and it's not funny."
—Eugene Daniels on political stunts [00:36]
Social Media Vigilance:

"Sabrina Carpenter saw this, tweeted. 'This video is evil and disgusting.' And to fight back in this crazy world, to win the war of ideas and the war for what's right, the people need to know exactly what's going on."
—Eugene Daniels [01:19]
Signature Sign-Off:

"They gotta clock it."
—Symone Sanders Townsend [01:32]

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:02] — Hosts introduce each other and share long history and changing relationship dynamics.
[00:41] — Introduction to "Clock It" as a new show bridging politics and culture.
[01:09] — Discussion of where modern political games are played outside traditional venues.
[01:19] — Example of pop culture influences and reactions (Sabrina Carpenter’s tweet).
[01:33] — Explanation of the show's mission at the intersection of culture and politics.
[01:49] — Announcement of new episodes and the call for listeners to start “clocking it.”
[01:58] — Navigation to premium, ad-free and bonus content.

Tone & Style

Conversational, insightful, and irreverent—the hosts blend their expertise as insiders with approachability, aiming to educate, entertain, and empower listeners to better understand cultural and political interplay.

Next Steps:
Tune in on February 12th and every Thursday for more from "Clock It" with Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels, exclusively on MS NOW.

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Transcript13 lines

[00:02]
Simone Sanders Townsend
Simone Sanders Townsend and I have known each other for more than a decade, since she was the strategic mind behind the country's top Democrats.
[00:10]
Eugene Daniels
Y' all want to hear from Bernie Sanders. Back in the day, Eugene Daniels and I sometimes disagreed. He was, after all, reporting on my then boss, Vice President Kamala Harris.
[00:21]
Simone Sanders Townsend
And honestly, when you talk to people in the White House, people are starting to feel a little bit more pessimistic. And now, instead of being at odds as White House reporter and White House staffer, we're friends and colleagues dissecting what comes across our feed. Just like everybody else. This is people who are getting paid with taxpayer dollars.
[00:37]
Eugene Daniels
He's out of taxpayer dollars. It's corny. It's corny and it's trolling and it's not funny.
[00:41]
Simone Sanders Townsend
Yeah.
[00:42]
Eugene Daniels
And we'll continue to stay on top of political news, but we'll cover much more in a new show. Ms. Now presents. Clockin. We get along so well because we are both fluent in politics and culture. When we're not mic'd up for tv, we're talking about how politicians are stealing music and slang and aesthetics to make themselves seem powerful and relevant. Putting out where he look. Superhero esque, very Tony Stark. It's giving Tony Stark. He's hopping out of the government vehicles.
[01:09]
Simone Sanders Townsend
Because while most political coverage is focused on the White House or the Hill, the real political games are being played outside on football fields, on the runways, and on TikTok.
[01:19]
Eugene Daniels
Okay, Sabrina Carpenter saw this, tweeted. This video is evil and disgusting. And to fight back in this crazy world, to win the war of ideas and the war for what's right, the people need to know exactly what's going on.
[01:33]
Simone Sanders Townsend
They gotta clock it.
[01:34]
Eugene Daniels
Come on. Ms. Now presents Clock it. We're positioning ourselves at the intersection of culture and politics so we can report back to you who's hijacking what for what reason, and precisely how much any of it matters.
[01:49]
Simone Sanders Townsend
Clock it is where we talk about what we see and hear in the news. So you can start to clock it, too. New episodes drop every Thursday starting February 12th.
[01:58]
Eugene Daniels
And sign up for Ms. Now premium on Apple Podcasts so you can listen to all the good stuff without ads. We'll even be dropping some VIP bonus content. Just four subscribers now. Clock that.
[02:27]
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