Mea Culpa

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Rick Wilson, Lincoln Project co-founder, political strategist, and author, to break down the fallout from the government shutdown. Rick and I dissect the disastrous shutdown “deal” Democratic senators voted for on Sunday, how Trump continues to fool average Americans, and what the discharge petition means for the release of the Epstein files. We dig into the GOP’s accelerating slide into authoritarianism and the weaponization of power against ordinary Americans through frozen SNAP benefits and soaring healthcare premiums. This conversation was recorded on Tuesday, November 11th, prior to the government reopening. Thanks to our sponsors: L-Nutra: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEACULPA to claim your 15% discount plus a $40 bonus gift. Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: shopify.com/COHEN Soul: Go to https://GetSoul.com and use code: COHEN to get 40% OFF your order! 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

On this episode of Mea Culpa, I turn to someone experiencing the chaos of Trump’s America from inside the halls of Congress, Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee. Together, we break down the fallout from the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, including devastating SNAP cuts, rising job losses, and how Trump’s so-called “booming economy” is built on cruelty and corruption. From unapproved military strikes to the weaponization of power, Rep. Cohen offers an insider’s account of the humanitarian and political toll of Trump’s reckless governance. As Democrats fight to sustain momentum after major election wins, Rep. Cohen pledges to keep holding his colleagues in Congress accountable. Thanks to our sponsors: L-Nutra: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEACULPA to claim your 15% discount plus a $40 bonus gift. Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: shopify.com/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 Cenk Uygur, founder and CEO of online news network TYT and host of The Young Turks. One of the most fearless voices in progressive media, Cenk joins me to unpack America’s political free fall under Trump. We dig into the weaponization of government power and the absurd contrast between Trump’s lavish Gatsby-style parties and the millions left hungry as SNAP funding remains frozen. Cenk breaks down what Democrats must do after Tuesday’s wins to sustain momentum, and why it’s too soon to write off MAGA voters entirely. From Venezuelan “drug boat” attacks to calls to end the filibuster, we expose how, in politics, you must always follow the money. Thanks to our sponsors: Found: Open your FREE Found account now at https://Found.com Leesa: Go to https://Leesa.com for 25% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code COHEN IndaCloud: If you’re 21 or older, get 40% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code COHEN at https://inda.shop/COHEN! #indacloudpod 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 Michael Steele, former RNC Chair, MSNBC analyst, and host of The Michael Steele Podcast, for a blistering breakdown of Trump’s latest authoritarian moves. We dig into his push to end the Senate filibuster, the demolition of the White House’s East Wing to build his ballroom, and the GOP’s complicity in his escalating power grab. Steele explains how the Supreme Court has become a political enforcement arm under Trump’s shadow and how his own party has lost its moral compass. From the potential rollback of marriage equality to the normalization of authoritarian control, this episode sounds the alarm on the collapse of Republican restraint and the rise of a Trump America. Thanks to our sponsors: Leesa: Go to https://Leesa.com for 25% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code COHEN Soul: Go to https://GetSoul.com and use code: COHEN to get 40% OFF your order! Found: Open your FREE Found account now at https://Found.com 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

On this episode of Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Harry Litman, former U.S. Attorney, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, law professor, and host of “Talking Feds” to break down the unprecedented chaos unfolding in Washington. From the near record-breaking government shutdown, with millions of Americans losing their benefits, to Trump’s demolition of the East Wing and privatization of the White House Ballroom, we unpack the legal, political, and constitutional implications of a presidency running amok. Harry and I discuss the limits of executive power, the GOP’s paralysis, pay-to-play schemes, and the terrifying precedent being set for future presidents. Thanks to our sponsor: 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 fellow MeidasTouch contributor Adam Mockler for a scorching breakdown of Trump’s self-serving presidency and America’s deepening political crisis. Mockler, a Gen Z political commentator and creator known for taking on Republicans head-to-head, joins me to unpack how we can finally get Trump out of office. We dig into this week’s news, from the destruction of the White House East Wing to build his “billionaire ballroom” to false claims of a $20 trillion economic boom, exposing how Trump’s corruption has reached new heights amid a government shutdown. We reveal how farmers, federal workers, and ordinary Americans are paying the price for Trump’s chaos while corporate donors and foreign allies cash in. Finally, we tackle ICE raids, propaganda at the Pentagon, and the DOJ’s weaponization under Trump’s control, showing just how fragile American institutions have become under Trump’s obsession with power. Thanks to our sponsors: L-Nutra: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEACULPA to claim your 15% discount plus a $40 bonus gift. 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 friend Joe Walsh, former Republican Congressman, host of The Social Contract with Joe Walsh, and fierce Trump critic. We break down Trump’s destruction of the White House’s East Wing to build his billionaire ballroom, the hypocrisy of a government shutdown while he enriches himself, and Trump’s gluttonous move to demand that the DOJ give him $230 million in damages for past cases. We also discuss the rise of Christian nationalism, Congress’s collapse as a check on power, and how courts are handling Trump’s orders to deploy the National Guard in American cities. From fake populism to full-blown authoritarianism, this episode confronts what happens when democracy is left undefended. Thanks to our sponsors: True Classics: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/COHEN! #trueclassicpod Ethos: Get your FREE quote at https://ethos.com/COHEN IndaCloud: If you’re 21 or older, get 30% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code COHEN at https://inda.shop/COHEN! #indacloudpod 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 Loren Piretra, political content creator and host of The Loren Piretra Show on YouTube, for a deep dive into Trump’s latest power grabs. We break down the millions who took to the streets this weekend for the No Kings Day protests and how Trump and JD Vance tried to distract the nation with a hollow military parade. We also unpack how farmers are getting crushed under Trump’s reckless tariffs, the ongoing government shutdown, and the National Guard federalizations that have civil rights advocates sounding the alarm. Thanks to our sponsors: Superpower: Go to https://superpower.com to learn more and lock in the special $199 price while it lasts. Live up to your 100-Year potential. #superpowerpod Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: shopify.com/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 my friend Maria Cardona, Democratic strategist, CNN commentator, Principal at the Dewey Square Group, and founder of Latinovations, for a deep dive into Trump’s mounting influence and the chaos reshaping Washington. We unpack what Trump’s erratic foreign policy means for global stability and his self-congratulatory rhetoric surrounding the Israel-Gaza ceasefire. We also focus on America’s own unrest, from ICE crackdowns and National Guard deployments in our cities to the weaponization of the justice department through indictments of Trump’s political enemies. Together, we expose how Trump’s tactics mirror authoritarian playbooks and explore how Democrats can unify their message ahead of the midterm elections. Thanks to our sponsors: Ethos: Get your FREE quote at https://ethos.com/COHEN Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: https://shopify.com/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 David Corn, veteran journalist, author of American Psychosis, and Washington Bureau Chief for Mother Jones. Together we break down Trump’s escalating power grabs, from his reckless deployment of the National Guard to his propaganda-laced military speeches and attempts to impact history with his own commemorative coin. We explain how Trump uses chaos and misinformation to test the limits of democracy, while Democrats struggle to deliver a clear counter-narrative. We dig into the government shutdown, James Comey’s indictment, and how intimidation of prosecutors, journalists, and public institutions threatens to collapse accountability. From martial law “tests” in Portland to Trump’s cult of personality, Corn warns that America’s democratic future depends on whether truth can survive the noise. Thanks to our sponsors: L-Nutra: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEACULPA to claim your 15% discount plus a $40 bonus gift. Ethos: Get your FREE quote at https://ethos.com/COHEN Soul: Go to https://GetSoul.com and use code: COHEN to get 30% OFF your order! 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

“I’m making amends for January 6th in Portland.” Today on Mea Culpa, I welcome back Pam Hemphill, the former MAGA supporter turned truth-teller. Once branded the “MAGA Granny” after attending the January 6th riots, Pam now uses her platform to expose how Trump’s lies and fear tactics are tearing America apart. Recently, she traveled to Portland, Oregon, to witness Trump’s militarized crackdown firsthand, and her account of the chaos unleashed by ICE is unforgettable. From the right-wing journalist who faked a black eye to the MAGA influencer arrested and later welcomed at the White House, Pam saw it all. She opens up about breaking free from the cult mentality that still grips millions, and together, we unpack the dangers of government overreach, Trump’s obsession with control, and how ordinary citizens can fight back against authoritarianism. Thanks to our sponsors: Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: shopify.com/COHEN Leesa: Go to https://Leesa.com for 20% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with 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 welcome back Adam Parkhomenko, Democratic strategist, former DNC National Field Director, and advisor to Hillary Clinton. As MAGA floods the media zone with its talking points, I wanted Adam’s perspective as a strategist on how to combat Trump’s tightening grip on power and the collapse of political accountability in Washington. We examine how Democrats lost control of the narrative and brainstorm creative ways to reclaim it. We also discuss what James Comey’s indictment reveals about the state of justice, Trump’s failure to improve our international standing, and the impact of Charlie Kirk's murder. From the stalled Epstein files to Trump’s use of the National Guard, we expose how chaos has become the core of Trump’s political strategy, and what it will take to fight back. Thanks to our sponsors: Leesa: Go to https://Leesa.com for 20% off mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code COHEN Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: shopify.com/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 Dave Aronberg, former Palm Beach County State Attorney, legal analyst, and fellow MeidasTouch contributor. We dig into how Trump is reshaping the political battlefield, from lying about the cause of the government shutdown to staging a military stunt with Pete Hegseth for pure political theater. We break down how he weaponizes immigration debates, twisting health care and border policy into soundbites, while Democrats can struggle to cut through with clear messaging. Aronberg and I also examine Trump’s push to bend the National Guard and the courts to his will, and what James Comey’s indictment signals about accountability in a system under strain. Thanks to our sponsor: Prize Picks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/COHEN and use code COHEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! 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 Brian Karem, veteran journalist, White House correspondent, political commentator, author of Free the Press, and host of the Just Ask the Question podcast. Brian worked alongside me on my book Revenge, exposing how Trump weaponized the DOJ against me. With James Comey’s recent indictment, that history is more relevant than ever. Together, we revisit our fight for public records, the pressure tactics used against us, and what these abuses mean for accountability today. We also dig into Trump’s disastrous UN speech, his looming government shutdown, and what it all reveals about his unfit leadership. Thanks to our sponsor: Prize Picks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/COHEN and use code COHEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! 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 Charlie Sykes, political commentator, author of “How the Right Lost Its Mind,” writer of the Substack newsletter “To the Contrary,” and MSNBC contributor, for a hard-hitting conversation on Trump’s unraveling of American leadership at home and abroad. Once at the center of the conservative movement, Sykes brings invaluable insight into Trump’s grip on the GOP. We break down Trump’s UN General Assembly speech, his pivot to isolationism, and how his rhetoric is reshaping the GOP into an authoritarian, nationalist movement. We also dig into Trump’s attacks on the press, the fight over Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, and what escalating political violence means for America’s future. Thanks to our sponsors: Hims: Start your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/COHEN Superpower: Go to https://superpower.com and use code COHEN to get $50 Off your annual Superpower subscription. Live up to your 100-Year potential. #superpowerpod 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 Michael Fanone, former Metropolitan D.C. police officer, January 6 hero, author, and political activist, for a powerful conversation about America’s descent into political violence. We reflect on how recent events, from the fallout over Charlie Kirk’s assassination to Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, are reshaping the debate over free speech in America. Fanone also weighs in on the deadly toll of gun violence on police, Trump’s reckless federalization of law enforcement, and how dangerous rhetoric from the top fuels attacks on officers and communities alike. From corporate capitulation to the global rejection of American authoritarianism, this episode issues a stark warning about the danger of apathy and why every American must keep fighting back. Thanks to our sponsors: Hims: Start your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/COHEN L-Nutra: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEACULPA to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift. 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 Dr. Steven Hassan, mental health expert, author, and host of the Cults, Culture & Coercion podcast, for a chilling look at how MAGA operates like a mind control movement. Drawing from his own experience in the Moonies and decades of studying coercive psychology, Hassan explains why Trump’s followers remain loyal despite scandals, how repetition and fear fuel authoritarian obedience, and why MAGA loyalists must be seen as victims of psychological warfare. We dig into the overlap between cult tactics, Christian nationalism, and Trump’s constant attacks on the press, as well as how the ongoing Epstein revelations expose the lengths to which the powerful will go to protect themselves. From Putin’s playbook to Supreme Court rulings, this episode reveals how authoritarian influence spreads and how we can break its grip before it’s too late. Thanks to our sponsors: Ethos: Get your FREE quote at https://ethos.com/COHEN Prize Picks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/COHEN and use code COHEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! 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

After thousands of years, Michael Cohen finally snagged the Mea Culpa guest of a lifetime, the one and only God. In a wide-ranging divine conversation, Cohen and God confront America’s growing epidemic of political violence after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Trump’s reckless push to federalize local police, and the escalating dangers of authoritarianism. God doesn’t hold back on Trump’s lies, Republican scapegoating, or the toxic weaponization of faith for political gain. From school shootings to immigration crackdowns, they explore how fear and division are tearing the country apart, and what moral lessons are being ignored in the process. Equal parts sobering and darkly funny, this episode proves that even God is worried about the state of American democracy. Thanks to our sponsors: L-Nutra: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEACULPA to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift. Prize Picks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/COHEN and use code COHEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! 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 journalist Allison Gill, the powerhouse behind Mueller She Wrote and The Daily Beans, and now a leading voice on the MeidasTouch Network. A U.S. Navy veteran, former federal government employee, and relentless advocate for truth and accountability, Gill has built a reputation for exposing corruption with sharp analysis and wit. Together, we dig into the explosive release of Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday book, how Trump’s DOJ continues covering up for the powerful, and why survivors are still being denied justice. We also unpack Trump’s authoritarian push to federalize local police, the Supreme Court’s shadow docket rulings that erode civil rights, and the dangerous consolidation of power threatening democracy itself. Thanks to our sponsors: Hims: Start your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/COHEN Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: https://shopify.com/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 Dave Marcus, the infamous Roy Cohn’s cousin, a journalist and author who specializes in education, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning former diplomatic correspondent for the Boston Globe. With reporting experience across Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil, Marcus brings a global lens to Trump’s authoritarian playbook. We dig into the Epstein files and how Trump is weaponizing secrecy around Epstein’s crimes, his dangerous coziness with Putin, and his push to rebrand the Pentagon into a “Department of War.” We also break down GOP hypocrisy on vaccines, RFK Jr.’s disastrous Senate hearing, and the economic chaos Trump is fueling with his attacks on the Federal Reserve. From authoritarian summits abroad to loyalty tests at home, this episode exposes how Trump manipulates national attention while dismantling democracy. Thanks to our sponsors: Hims: Start your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/COHEN Shopify: Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at: https://shopify.com/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