Podcast
The Tristan Snell Show
Hosted by Audiocrafty/Bluewave · EN
TAKING DOWN TRUMP is a book, a Substack, and now – a podcast. Every week, Tristan Snell gives you an indispensable go-to pod on Trump’s trials and other top stories impacting law and democracy – with a weekly news roundup, a deeper dive on a topic you need to know about, and special guests.Tristan Snell led the NY AG’s successful prosecution of Trump University, recovering $25 million for Trump’s victims in the first major legal loss he ever suffered. As a lawyer, a legal commentator on MSNBC and CNN, and the author of the best-selling book TAKING DOWN TRUMP: 12 Rules for Prosecuting Donald Trump By Someone Who Did It Successfully.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
It’s War on the Middle Class (with Rep. Maxwell Frost)
Jul 900:44:14Tap to summarizeLet’s be clear: this isn’t just another episode about Trump. This is about a decades-long, right-wing crusade to gut the middle class and hand the country over to billionaires—and the latest “MAGA bill” is their victory lap. On this episode of The Tristan Snell Show, Tristan doesn’t mince words about what’s really at stake and why the fight is so much bigger than one man or one election.Tristan kicks things off with a breakdown of how we got here—how the far right’s playbook goes all the way back to the New Deal, and how they’ve been playing the long game to rig the system against working families. He calls out the real villains: the ultra-wealthy and their political puppets who want to destroy Medicaid, sabotage the ACA, and make sure you pay more for less—while they get richer.Then, special guest Rep. Maxwell Frost joins the show. Frost doesn’t hold back about what Democrats have to do next:• Stop just being “anti-Trump.” That’s not enough. It’s time for bold, clear solutions that actually fix what’s broken.• Go big or go home. Half-measures and “band-aids” won’t cut it. The party needs to fight for Medicare for All, real economic reform, and policies that actually help people feel the difference.• Speak to real pain. Voters aren’t just worried about democracy—they’re worried about rent, groceries, and healthcare. Democrats need to show up with answers, not just slogans.• Play the long game. The right spent 60 years building this moment. Now it’s our turn to build a pro-democracy coalition that can win for decades. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Trump’s Constitutional Crisis: Habeas Corpus Threat & Qatar’s $400M Gift
May 14, 202500:50:29Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Tristan breaks down Stephen Miller’s shocking suggestion to suspend habeas corpus-a fundamental right dating back to the Magna Carta. In other corruption news, Tristan discusses Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million luxury aircraft from Qatar just one week after announcing a $5.5 billion Trump golf resort deal in the country. Tristan explains why the Qatar plane gift violates the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause and represents unprecedented presidential corruption. With markets experiencing their worst April since 1932 and Trump’s approval ratings plummeting, Tristan argues these constitutional violations and corruption scandals signal America’s dangerous slide from rule of law to rule by mob boss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Beyond the Whiteboard w/ Katie Porter
May 8, 202500:57:11Tap to summarizeKatie Porter joins Tristan to break down Trump’s economic mess and what Democrats need to do differently to win in 2026. As markets experience their worst April since the Depression, Porter explains how Trump’s tariffs are driving up housing costs by 20% and pushing America toward stagflation. Drawing from her experience flipping a long-held Republican district, Porter wants Democrats to deliver stronger economic messengers by focusing on kitchen-table issues like housing and childcare costs. The conversation explores how Democrats can lead resistance to harmful federal policies, why state-level action matters when Washington fails, and how to directly addressing the economic struggles of younger voters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Crypto Bribes & Classified Leaks: Exposing Trump’s Profit Machine (w/ Sen. Murphy)
May 7, 202500:41:39Tap to summarizeTristan sits down with Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) to talk about the administration’s brazen corruption. Murphy reveals how his “Meme Act” legislation targets Trump’s cryptocurrency schemes, with CEOs now openly admitting they’re buying Trump coins to secure favorable tariff treatment.The conversation tackles “Signalgate”-where classified information flows through commercial apps-and exposes how unqualified Trump appointees conduct rogue diplomacy, including Kremlin negotiations without staff or translators. Murphy details how foreign governments have created a corruption playbook: bypass traditional channels and “shove cash into Trump’s pockets” through his billionaire enablers.Most chilling is Murphy’s warning about democracy’s quiet erosion: no tanks in the streets, just the steady dismantling of accountability while institutions stand paralyzed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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From Opposition to Opportunity: Democrats’ Game Plan for 2026 and 2028 Wins
May 1, 202501:03:14Tap to summarizeTristan Snell returns with a scorching deep dive into the first 100 days of Trump’s second term-a period marked by economic freefall, plummeting consumer confidence, and a stock market in retreat. With the U.S. economy officially shrinking and Trump’s approval rating at a pathetic 39%, Tristan unpacks how tariff taxes, business uncertainty, and self-inflicted policy wounds have driven the country to the brink of recession.But this episode isn’t just a post-mortem. Tristan lays out a simple, powerful roadmap for the pro-democracy coalition: focus on the economic wreckage, expose how Trump’s billionaire cronies are profiting from middle-class pain, and hammer the rampant corruption infecting Washington. Drawing lessons from Canada’s stunning political turnaround and past Democratic victories, Tristan explains why clear, direct messaging on kitchen-table issues is the key to winning in 2026 and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Trump’s 100 Days Debacle: Approval Sinks to 39%
Apr 29, 202500:50:29Tap to summarizeLet’s take a big-picture look at the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term; the least popular start to any presidency in modern American history. With approval ratings plunging as low as 39%, Tristan breaks down why Trump’s support has cratered so fast, from economic mismanagement and spiraling prices to broken promises on law and order and the rise of billionaire bros in government.This episode unpacks the political science behind presidential approval, why independents are abandoning Trump in droves, and what these numbers mean for the coming midterms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Mailbag: High Crimes, Low Blows, and the Limits of Presidential Power
Apr 25, 202500:35:43Tap to summarizePowered by your toughest questions, Tristan dives into a whirlwind of legal and constitutional chaos: Can a sitting president be court-martialed for crimes committed in office? (Spoiler: No, but the constitutional crisis scenarios get wild.) Is defying a Supreme Court order impeachable? Absolutely—and Tristan explains why Congress’s refusal to act is a historic failure.Listeners ask about the slow grind of justice for Trump-era corruption, the legal exposure of law firms and universities targeted for political retribution, and why staffers who “do the criming” might want to lawyer up. Tristan breaks down the myth that undocumented immigrants aren’t protected by the Constitution, using both legal logic and a baguette-wielding tourist for good measure. Plus: Can Americans sue the Supreme Court for its presidential immunity ruling? (Don’t get your hopes up.) And, finally, will embattled officials like Pete Hegseth ever step down—or will dysfunction reign? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How Harvard’s Lawyers Are Schooling the Trump Administration
Apr 23, 202500:48:27Tap to summarizeTristan dives into Harvard University’s landmark lawsuit against the Trump administration. As the stock markets head for their worst April since 1932, Tristan examines how Harvard is fighting back against what it sees as unconstitutional government overreach threatening academic freedom and free speech. The episode breaks down the legal arguments on both sides, focusing on First Amendment protections and Administrative Procedure Act violations, while explaining why this case represents a critical moment in the ongoing struggle between higher education institutions and a government Tristan characterizes as seeking political retribution. Beyond Harvard’s $53 billion endowment and legal position, Tristan explores the broader implications for research universities nationwide and what’s at stake for American scientific advancement if federal funding to these institutions is threatened. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Signalgate Expands: Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Purge and Immigration Injustice
Apr 22, 202500:47:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Tristan begins with a deep dive into the expanding “Signalgate” scandal, revealing that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had a second Signal chat group sharing sensitive military information about Yemen airstrikes with inappropriate recipients, including his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. The scandal has triggered an investigation by the DOD Inspector General and led to a staff purge at the Pentagon.Tristan also examines the ongoing immigration crisis, discussing the Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision to freeze deportations to El Salvador and highlighting shocking cases of due process violations, including a US citizen detained by ICE despite presenting his birth certificate. Additionally, he warns about the Trump administration’s plans to gut FDA food safety inspections, explaining the historical importance of these regulations in preventing foodborne illness outbreaks and protecting public health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Mailbag: Democracy on the Razor’s Edge
Apr 18, 202500:45:01Tap to summarizeFrom the legality of deporting citizens to foreign detention camps, to why Elon Musk hasn’t faced prosecution for alleged election interference, to the prospects for impeaching a president who defies the rule of law—Tristan answers your questions. We’ll unpack the constitutional bedrock of habeas corpus, the dangers of circumventing due process, and the real-world consequences of unchecked executive power. Submit your questions for the next mailbag at tristansnell.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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