Claim OwnershipTo The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
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© Charlie Sykes
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You are not the crazy ones.
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92 Episodes
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1Charlie Sykes is joined by former Congressman Adam Kinzinger to unpack the mounting threats to free speech in America. They examine Donald Trump’s escalating lawsuits, the dangerous conflation of criticism with “hate speech,” and the broader culture of intimidation that chills dissent. Together, they reflect on the lessons of history, the hypocrisy of cancel culture, and why this is a pivotal moment to defend democratic principles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes and Tom Nichols return to “the gloom” for a conversation about political violence, creeping authoritarianism, and the weaponization of tragedy. They explore how figures like Donald Trump and Stephen Miller are openly embracing rhetoric and policies with fascist undertones, while allies and opponents alike struggle to respond. From propaganda to the weakening of America’s “democratic immune system,” the discussion confronts how fragile democracy has become—and why speaking plainly about the threats is more urgent than ever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Former world chess champion and democracy activist Garry Kasparov joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Russia’s escalating war, including the deliberate drone strike on Poland. He warns how Vladimir Putin thrives on testing NATO’s resolve while Donald Trump’s response further weakens Western unity. Kasparov also explains why America’s fragile democratic norms face their most dangerous test yet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes is joined by Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution and The Atlantic for a conversation recorded just as news of the shooting of Charlie Kirk broke. The conversation touches on the rise of political violence, the collapse of civic norms, and the spread of postmodern thinking on the right. Rauch explains how truth is being replaced by narrative, why patrimonialism defines Donald Trump’s style of governance, and how religion’s bargain with politics has left democracy weaker. They also look ahead at whether Democrats can seize a prosperity message to counter Republican overreach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes sits down with historian and journalist Garrett Graff to examine his recent warning that America has entered a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism. From federal occupations of U.S. cities and extrajudicial killings abroad to the intimidation of business leaders and the hollowing out of Congress, Graff argues the guardrails of democracy are collapsing. They talk about whether the nation has already crossed the tipping point into fascism—and what it means for the future of American politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes sits down with Paula Kerger, the longest-serving president and CEO of PBS, to discuss the unprecedented defunding of public broadcasting. Kerger explains how the loss of federal support threatens hundreds of local stations, particularly in rural communities, and why this moment is a critical test for the future of public media. They also discuss the stakes for children’s programming, emergency alerts, and cultural projects as PBS seeks to survive on viewer and foundation support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tara Palmeri and Charlie Sykes discuss a pivotal week in the Jeffrey Epstein case, as dozens of survivors gathered on Capitol Hill demanding the release of long-secret files. They examine the political maneuvering in Congress, the surprising alliances forming around transparency, and the intense pressure victims face in speaking out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes sits down with David Frum of The Atlantic to unpack the mounting costs of Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions. From alienating India and Australia to emboldening China and Russia, Frum explains how short-sighted vanity and corruption are leaving the United States increasingly isolated. The conversation also covers Trump’s entanglement with the Epstein story, the misuse of tariffs, and the growing risks of authoritarianism at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes is joined by Ali Breland of The Atlantic to discuss his recent article, America’s Next Top Racist. They examine how Nick Fuentes has built a devoted following, pushed the GOP further right, and influenced both rhetoric and policy despite his openly racist views. The conversation explores why Fuentes’ rise matters, how mainstream figures have failed to contain him, and what this means for the future of American politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes speaks with Sarah McLaughlin, senior scholar at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, about her new book Authoritarians in the Academy. They explore how foreign governments and domestic pressures alike are eroding free expression on U.S. campuses, from disinviting speakers to surveilling international students. McLaughlin warns that universities face a crisis of values—and that protecting academic freedom requires courage, consistency, and a willingness to resist political and financial pressure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes sits down with organizer Zee Cohen-Sanchez, founder of National Ground Game, to talk about the fight for young voters on America’s campuses. They dig into why conservative groups like Turning Point USA are outpacing Democrats in building infrastructure and community for Gen Z, and how online influencers from Charlie Kirk to Nick Fuentes are shaping the landscape. The conversation also explores the challenges of progressive infighting, the rise of extremist voices, and what it will take to build a real counter-movement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes unpacks a week of extraordinary events—from the FBI raid on John Bolton’s home to Trump’s humiliating summit with Vladimir Putin and the alarming expansion of visa surveillance. He warns that these actions aren’t isolated but part of a broader campaign of intimidation and authoritarian drift. Sykes argues that if the government can weaponize its powers against critics and outsiders, it’s only a matter of time before it comes for the rest of us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes sits down with journalist Chris Cillizza to unpack his "rubber band theory" of American democracy and how Trump-era politics may stretch institutions beyond repair. The two also debate Gavin Newsom’s political future, Elon Musk’s latest pivots, and why the Epstein files refuse to fade from the headlines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes and Lawfare’s Ben Wittes unpack the fallout from Donald Trump’s Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, a meeting that left America humiliated and Ukraine on edge. Wittes shares his own surreal run-in with the Secret Service after chalking a Ukrainian flag outside the Russian embassy, and together they trace how symbolism, appeasement, and bad faith are reshaping U.S. foreign policy. The conversation widens to the crumbling Department of Justice and the troubling militarization of Washington, D.C. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Former Pennsylvania Congressman Conor Lamb joins Charlie Sykes for a wide-ranging conversation on the challenges facing the Democratic Party. They discuss how Democrats can regain credibility on crime, counter Trump’s “law and order” narrative, and present a clear vision to voters. Lamb also weighs in on gerrymandering, the state of the 2026 midterms, foreign policy under Trump, and the curious case of Senator John Fetterman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes sits down with Andor creator Tony Gilroy for a conversation about the show's record-breaking Emmy nominations, its historical inspirations, and its unintentional political resonance. Gilroy discusses drawing from centuries of rebellion and authoritarian playbooks, the banality of evil, and why some institutions willingly surrender to power. They also explore the moral tradeoffs within resistance movements—and why the lessons of history still feel so urgent today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes and Harry Litman break down the sweeping politicization of the FBI and Department of Justice under Donald Trump, from purging veteran agents to elevating January 6 rioters into senior roles. They explore the administration’s push to rewrite history, weaponize investigations against political opponents, and erode the rule of law. With Congress cowering and the courts wavering, they ask whether America’s institutions can hold the line. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes welcomes Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute for a conversation on the state of the U.S. economy under Trump 2.0. They cover everything from fantasy math in drug pricing claims to the White House’s assault on economic data, growing authoritarian tendencies, and the chaos of tariff policy. Plus, they dig into the gerrymandering arms race—and whether defending democracy now means playing just as dirty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes speaks with investigative journalist Tara Palmeri about her years-long coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein case and her deeply personal reporting on the survivors. Palmeri recounts her work on the Broken: Jeffrey Epstein podcast and shares chilling insights into the power networks that enabled Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to evade justice for so long Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Sykes welcomes Tom Nichols to talk about Trump’s gilded ambitions—from redesigning the White House to purging the military of disloyalty. They unpack the political theater behind the Smithsonian’s historical revisions, the moral collapse of Senate confirmations, and the erosion of democratic norms under MAGA pressure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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No matter how bad things get, remember: there are people out there who've been literally traumatized by an advertisement for jeans. There's no way you're THAT much of a loser.
no offense charlie- but this guy is delusional