Podcast
DSR's Words Matter
American politics is undergoing seismic changes that will alter the course of history. At Words Matter, we believe that facts, evidence, truth and objective reality are necessary and vital in public discourse. Our hosts and guests have broad experience in government, politics and journalism -- this gives them a unique ability to explain recent events and place them in historic context. Together, with fellow journalists, elected officials, policy-makers and thought-leaders, they will analyze the week's news and get at the real truth behind all the distracting headlines.
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- Government chart
- #31
- Episodes
- 473
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 46 min
- On air since
- 2018
- Latest episode
- 5 days ago
Episodes
473 episodes, newest first
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50 min
Buckle Up: Preparing for Trump’s Big Push to Steal the Election
Show notes
The midterm elections are five days away and all signs indicate an impending Democratic tsunami. But don’t get distracted by trans athletes and the Cheesecake Factory, folks - Donald Trump is going to try to steal this election. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf examine what to expect in the coming days and why these midterms matter more than ever.
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38 min
Ignore America’s Young Voters at Your Peril
Show notes
The 52nd Harvard Youth Poll makes it clear: America’s young voters demand change. Corruption and political polarization have jaded America’s youth, but there are even more reasons to be optimistic about America’s future in the hands of this massive voting bloc. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf return to break down the poll’s findings and share why the key to winning elections lies in winning over the hearts of youth voters.
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53 min
Down to the Wire in a Battle for America’s Soul
Show notes
We are eighteen days away from truly monumental midterm elections. There is reason for optimism - polling looks good, Republican efforts to cheat have been thwarted in the courts, and Donald Trump is starting to lose control over his own party. But we also know that Donald Trump and his cronies in Stephen Miller, Marco Rubio, and the rest of his Cabinet will do anything they can to stay in power. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf discuss the importance of these midterms and how the next two years will be a battle for America’s soul.
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43 min
The Gathering Storm
Show notes
Republican crooks across the administration are now trying to distance themselves from Donald Trump ahead of November’s elections. Yet these Republicans like Mike Rogers and Thom Tillis are corrupt to the core themselves, leading to the question: how far will these politicians go to save their reputations despite their own histories of corruption? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf ponder the gathering storm ahead and whether or not the stains left by this administration may ever truly wash away.
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57 min
A Conversation with Timothy Snyder: Winning is Essential…But it is Not Enough
Show notes
There are reasons for optimism as we head into the 2026 midterms. Polling is showing that people are fed up with Trump and his policies, courts are holding firm against the president, and some Republicans are beginning to distance themselves to a greater degree than we have previously seen. Yet winning in November will not mend the cracks in our democracy alone, and real challenges in our political system remain. Author and historian Timothy Snyder joins David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein to reflect on our democratic system and the need for political resilience against tyranny.
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43 min
Is it Time for a Lickspittle Hall of Fame?
Show notes
Donald Trump gave Xi Jinping quite the welcome after his arrival in Washington. At the same time Trump is trying to cuddle up to Beijing, he continues his attacks against freedom of the press by banning certain media outlets from the White House. Trump is actively trying to turn the United States into some amalgamation of China, Russia, and North Korea, and he is consistently enabled by his cronies in Congress, including our “Lickspittle of the Week:” Tommy Tuberville. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf discuss Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington, Trump’s admiration for authoritarianism, and those in power responsible for enabling it.
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51 min
How Low Will the Mobster-in-Chief Go?
Show notes
Donald Trump is shutting down the Kennedy Center because he can’t put his name on it. The Center, of course, being a memorial to a slain US president, not just an arts center. He wants “Donald J. Trump” there to steal glory, because he’s not getting it on his own. Meanwhile, the Republicans in Congress are silent about his flagrant narcissistic transgressions. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss the lunacy surrounding the Kennedy Center, Trump’s obsession with his legacy, and the Trump family’s mafia-esque connections with criminals at home, in Russia, and elsewhere.
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43 min
25 Years After 9/11 and the Greatest Threats We Face Are From Within
Show notes
Almost every key official in the US government is currently playing a role to disrupt the upcoming midterms - whether it’s Todd Blanche, Howard Lutnick, or Donald Trump’s promise of $5,000 for US citizens. The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks should remind us what happens when there’s a danger from terrorists - and that such threats against our democracy and rule of law can also come from within. Tune in as David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein discuss the legacy of 9/11 and the internal threats facing the United States.
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43 min
The New Acronym to Remember the Great Lakes is S-H-A-M-E
Show notes
Donald Trump just signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. This, of course, gives us a fitting new acronym to remember the names of the Great Lakes: S-H-A-M-E. But it also comes amidst an intensifying, nonsensical trade war with Canada that will have serious economic consequences for millions of Americans. And all this for what? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss the administration’s trade war with Canada, the current situation with Iran, and the political landscape as we inch closer to the midterm elections.
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48 min
No, No, Norm, It’s Much Worse Than That
Show notes
The “Big Beautiful Bill” is certainly big, but it is the opposite of beautiful. The bill includes a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicaid, which have been postponed until after the midterm elections. Take these social service cuts alongside skyrocketing national debt, looming bond market issues, and a potential ballooning defense budget - and yet the situation is still somehow worse than that. Join Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf as they discuss the chilling implications of Medicaid cuts and the broader impact on healthcare and the economy.
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45 min
Lickspittles on Parade
Show notes
Scandals and controversies abound in the Republican Party. Between serious allegations against Ohio Representative Miller and bitter infighting over Todd Blanche, a political melee is in full swing in the GOP. Join Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf as they dissect the latest GOP turmoil, preview the upcoming Michigan Democratic primary, examine AIPAC’s shifting influence, and unpack what it all means for the country.
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41 min
Trump’s Biggest War is Against the American People
Show notes
We are fast approaching midterm elections which Trump and his cronies will try to corrupt. Pete Hegseth is asking for more money to fund the most unpopular war in American history, and social programs are being cut left and right. It’s not just the quagmire of a war in Iran - Donald Trump is waging a war against the American people. There’s no other way to put it: “We are so f*cked by this guy, it’s hard to imagine.” Listen in as Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf discuss the never-ending corruption and greed that is literally killing Americans.
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52 min
What to Do When Trump Tries to Steal the Next Election
Show notes
Trump and his cronies are already laying the groundwork to get involved in this years’ elections. As Trump prepares to give a major speech on Thursday night where he will undoubtedly speak on "election fraud", it's clear there is no accountability for their corruption. So the question is - what do we do when Trump tries to steal the next election? Tune in as David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein address what’s at stake.
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54 min
Dead or Alive, Mitch McConnell is a Bad Man
Show notes
The Supreme Court would not be what it is today without Mitch McConnell. We would not have the six-person, ultra-conservative, corrupt majority that we have now without him. As our democracy continues to die in front of our eyes, and as Donald Trump continues to destroy our relationships with our allies, the US is at a crossroads - can we ever recover? Do we have any emerging politicians to lead us out of this mess? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf discuss Mitch McConnell’s tenure, Trump’s geopolitical disasters, and the future of our democracy.
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53 min
America at a Crossroads for Our 250th Birthday
Show notes
This Independence Day, we’re face with a stark reality: the values and ideals that lay the foundation of our democracy are consistently being undermined by a corrupt, authoritarian president. The Supreme Court rulings of the past week have effectively cemented Trump as the most powerful executive in U.S. history - isn’t this exactly what our Founding Fathers fought against? This 250th celebration feels tainted by this regime and brings us as a nation to a crossroads. How do we celebrate our democracy amidst such political turmoil? Grab yourself a hot dog, eat a slice of apple pie, and tune in as Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf examine the United States on the eve of its 250th birthday.
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41 min
Now Playing! Donald Trump and the Impeachables
Show notes
Our Supreme Court can’t even pretend to uphold the integrity of the law anymore. We essentially have a lawless court, not a conservative court. Their latest disturbing ruling? A ruling in favor of deporting Haitians and Syrians currently legally residing in the United States. Could this lead to another impeachment of Donald Trump? How could Dems use impeachment as a political tool ahead of the next presidential election? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss the Courts and the long road ahead for Dems.
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53 min
Breaking News: It Matters if the President is a Psychopath
Show notes
The indecency and sociopathy of Donald Trump’s presidency is in sharp contrast with the leadership of past presidents. While Clinton, Obama and Bush all had their faults that have led us to our current political situation, they at least maintained some sort of professionalism and decency. Donald Trump, on the other hand, is a psychopath. David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein discuss the implications of this shift in presidential leadership, as well as the rise of democratic socialism and emerging political leaders across the country.
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46 min
Meeting Trump’s Twisted Deviancy Halfway Is NOT The Answer for Dems
Show notes
Donald Trump is more concerned with a UFC fight at the White House than he is with the well-being of Americans. Surprised? The administration that is so focused on money and power is stripping civil rights and throwing away any concerns about the economic tolls millions of Americans are currently facing. Your favorite political heavyweights Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss this lunacy. Tune in here.
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53 min
Mary Trump: Donald is Losing it Fast
Show notes
Donald Trump is becoming more and more dangerous as his physical and mental health unravels. This cognitive decline, however, has serious implications for American democracy, far beyond simply falling asleep during meetings. Mary Trump joins David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein to recount her personal experiences with her uncle, his current mental state, and what this all means for America.
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52 min
The One and Only Way to Truly Defeat the Trump Crime Family
Show notes
Crime, crime, crime. Donald Trump and his cronies have absolutely zero concept of humility, of decency, or of anything other than corruption. No one is being held accountable while the US is enduring what very well might be the most contemptible administration in its history. What the hell is going on in our country? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back for another weekly therapy session and to take stock of our hideous political situation.
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