The Lincoln Project

Fighting for Virginia, Senator Aaron Rouse -- born and raised in Virginia Beach and from area code 757 -- has risen in politics from the local level to statewide office. In 2025, Aaron is excited to run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, being a person of and for the people. A former safety for the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Aaron brings a team approach to politics -- we're all on the same team. Virginia is in a uniquely dire situation -- with many Virginians out of work and numerous government programs having been slashed -- due to DOGE. Coming from 757, Aaron understands the value of hard work and the need for a more holistic approach when governing the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unlike many politicians, Aaron is meeting people where they are, wherever that may be.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ You can learn more about Aaron in his latest ad --> https://youtu.be/rQWZF_GFn3E.  Feel free to follow and support his campaign at Rouseforvirginia.com/donate, on X at @AaronRouseVA, and on Bluesky at ‪@aaronrouse.bsky.social‬.  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's Elephant in the Room is exhaustion. You're feeling it, we're feeling it, and Trump and his administration are feeling it. Trump is falling asleep during meetings, and for his staffers, living in fear is draining. Overthrowing a democracy consumes a lot of energy from all sides. We knew another Trump term would mean another serious bout of adrenal fatigue, but this time, the array of high-stakes, stressful headlines is on another level.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ You can follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com where he writes several pieces every week and hosts live chats with the top political minds.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jared Moskowitz -- the U.S. representative for Florida's 23rd congressional district -- joins Rick to shed light on why he whispers, i.e., yells, at James Comer. Unraveling the threads of the Trump administration's biggest headlines, Jared and Rick touch on Trump's vandalization of the American economy, the insanely stupid idea to roll back FEMA (something that will impact deeply-held Republican states), and how to get anything done with the current GOP sh*tshow in the House. One of the Democrats who actually walks the talk and meets the fight where it's at, Jared Moscowitz's approach is a learning lesson for those democrats who are still training in the gym, learning how to fight back.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rep. Moskowitz @JaredEMoskowitz on X and @repmoskowitz.bsky.social on Bluesky! Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's Elephant in the Room is the Trump Crime Family. 'Nuff said.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Removing partisan political rhetoric from state government, Michigan's Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson sits down with Rick to discuss her no-holds-barred style regarding local government. Married into the military, Jocelyn is a no-nonsense leader who isn't shaken by political threats on her life, campaign attacks from the far right, or the pressure to cave to Trump's "stolen election" claims during 2020. Jocelyn never blinked then, and is now running for Governor in 2026. Jocelyn's book, "The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What's Right When the Stakes Are High," is a mantra of how she lives and leads. Delivering on things that will actually improve Michiganders' lives from Detroit to the UP for the long term, Jocelyn remains locked in on her state and hopes to be able to "fight for a stronger Michigan." ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ You can check out Jocelyn's new book, "The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What's Right When the Stakes Are High," at fine booksellers everywhere. Feel free to follow her campaign at https://jocelynbenson.com/, on X at @JocelynBenson, and on Bluesky at @jocelynbenson.bsky.social‬. Jocelyn is surely one to watch! Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Friday episode of the Elephant in the Room, Rick recaps Trump's first 100 days in office. From the corruption to the chaos to the skyrocketing costs to the coercion to the cruelty to casting aside the constitution, Trump's damage to our country is utterly unbelievable. And we are only 100 days in. What do the next 100 days look like?  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author, journalist, documentarian, and television producer, Chris Whipple, is an expert on the political game and is always VERY plugged into DC's rumor mill. This week, Chris joins Rick to discuss everything from Trump's governing chaos to the formidable Susie Wiles, to a peek behind the curtains about what was happening in the White House at the end of Biden's term and how everything transpired when the Harris campaign took over (coming from a highly reputable source).  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Please check out Chris's new book, "Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History," and follow Chris on X at @ccwhip and on Bluesky at @whipplc.bsky.social.  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's Elephant in the Room is all about the numbers. Rick explains how the one thing that Trump cannot fake could be the lynchpin to his unraveling and, ultimately, his downfall.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick is delighted to sit down with Senator-meets-influencer Sheldon Whitehouse, who is fed up and is "not going to take it anymore!" Chatting about Trump's flying monkey followers in the House, Senate, and in his administration, Sheldon and Rick unpack the three C's -- Cost, Chaos, and Corruption -- that are hurting Americans and will challenge Republicans in the upcoming 2026 race. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Sheldon Whitehouse @SenWhitehouse on X and @whitehouse.senate.gov on Bluesky. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Elephant in the Room, Rick details the constitutional tipping point we find ourselves in as a democratic republic. If Trump and his administration continue to defy court orders, what can be done about this, and who else could they soon target? ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick Wilson reconnects with fiery, down-the-middle Congresswoman Julie Johnson of Texas's 32nd congressional district (i.e., the greater Dallas region) to discuss how Dems are trying to get their sh*t together as the face-eating leopards finally turn their gazes to MAGA. (Yes, Trump's actions impact EVERYONE, not just "the other side.") ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Please follow Julie Johnson at @RepJulieJohnson and @juliejohnsonTX on X and @juliejohnsontx.bsky.social on Bluesky. You can check out Julie's fiery personality during her upcoming town hall event on April 21st -- you can purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tx-32-town-hall-tickets-1301189525899?aff=oddtdtcreator Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick Wilson breaks down the events of the week — including the chaos caused by his 18th century and immediate financial evaporation — caused by Agent Orange in the White House. Navarro, Lutnick, and Trump couldn’t successfully run a Dollar Store let alone America’s complicated and robust economy. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Financial and Business Jedi Barry Ritholtz stops by to discuss Trump’s recklessness when it comes to America’s economy and our position in the global supply chain. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Barry Ritholtz @Ritholtz on X and @Rithotlz on Bluesky, and please pick up a copy of Barry's latest book, “How Not to Invest” (2025) wherever fine books are sold.  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a second child dies of measles in Texas, we are re-releasing this episode from Rick. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Elephant in the Room this week is a welcome one -- it's courage. Rick reflects on the positive events of this week, highlighting Cory Booker's strength, courage, and conviction as he rewrote history by beating Strom Thurmond's record while sharing stories about what America has become under the current Trump administration. In the absence of fear, courage would not exist. Cory beating out a racist's former filibuster record is risky, but it's the kind of courage Americans need right now. To shake things up and to find the courage to make "good trouble." John Lewis would be so proud.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Responsible for writing the hit bestselling book “Fire and Fury” and setting off Trump during his first term, journalist and bestselling author Michael Wolff joins Rick to share everything he’s been hearing about the White House. On a book tour for his new book, “All Or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America,” Michael convenes with Rick to share their latest WH stories — and spill the tea — from how Trump ran his 2024 campaign to the discipline of political shark Susie Wiles to Elon Musk (enough said) to Trump's fear-inducing "call cycle" to the inevitable leakers in the White House to Trump treating AG Pam Bondi like his personal secretary to Boris Epshteyn to Signalgate to WH Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Steven Cheung...this episode sheds light on what's really happening inside the White House.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Please pick up a copy of Michael's latest book, “All Or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America” (2025) wherever fine books are sold.  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of The Elephant in the Room, Rick addresses Pete Hegseth's ignorant, cavalier, and callous actions by taking communications about military special operations to a F*CKING Signal group chat.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Cuban joins Rick to chat about his journey into politics, what it's like dunking on Big Pharma with transparency and his company, CostPlus Drugs, and how America must "get smart" and position itself at the forefront of the robotics frontier.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Mark Cuban at @mcuban on X and @mcuban.bsky.social ob Bluesky. Check out Mark's prescription medication company, CostPlus Drugs, at @costplusdrugs on X and  costplusdrugs.com. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of The Elephant in the Room, Rick interprets Trump's pushback against courts and judges who do not rule in his favor and what that could mean for now, for judges, and for the future of the country. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maryland’s All-Star Congressman Jamie Raskin joins Rick on the podcast this week. A constitutional law expert and key leader in the January 6th Investigation, Congressman Raskin shares his insights on how Trump & Elon are dismantling the government, Trump’s clear desire to be a King, and how Democrats need to stick together and get tough if they expect to beat back the crazy. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Find Congressman Jamie Raskin on X @RepRaskin and at Raskin.house.gov Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices