To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Charlie Sykes and Chris Cillizza discuss the political rise and fall of Elon Musk, the self-inflicted wounds of the Democratic Party, and the continuing fallout from the Biden presidency. From Tesla’s brand implosion to the revelations in Jake Tapper’s book Original Sin, they explore how delusion, denial, and a lack of strategic foresight contributed to Trump’s reelection. if Democrats want to stop Trumpism, they need more than fear—they need honesty, introspection, and a winning alternative.

Charlie Sykes is joined by conservative economist Jessica Riedl for a deep dive into how the Republican Party abandoned its principles of fiscal responsibility and free market economics. They dissect the illusion of Elon Musk’s DOGE budget cuts, the incoherence of Trump’s tariffs, and the looming threat of a debt crisis Congress seems determined to ignore. Riedl explains why today's GOP is focused more on political theater than sound economic policy—and why that’s a ticking time bomb for America's future.

Charlie Sykes and David Frum discuss the staggering corruption and cluelessness behind Donald Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million Qatari jet—complete with a backstory of diplomatic white elephants and Vegas-style décor. They explore how Trump’s second term is shaping up to be less about governance and more about retirement planning, international grifting, and institutional erosion.

Charlie Sykes is joined by Jim Acosta to break down Donald Trump’s latest scandal—accepting a luxury jet from Qatar—and what it says about the normalization of political corruption. From meme coins to constitutional crises, they explore how shamelessness has become a political strategy and why even Trump’s populist image may start to crack. The conversation also turns to Stephen Miller’s disturbing influence, RFK Jr.'s bizarre water sports, and the urgent need for moral clarity in American politics.

Charlie Sykes and Chris Cillizza discuss Donald Trump's economic U-turn with China, the murky $400 million jet from Qatar, and the crypto-fueled grift orbiting Trump's inner circle. They also discuss Biden’s awkward media tour, the troubling revelations about John Fetterman, and the stunning rise of an American pope as a global counterweight to Trumpism.

Charlie Sykes and Tom Nichols dive into what they call the “death of expertise,” confronting how America’s most influential institutions are now increasingly led by the unqualified and the absurd. They explore the geopolitical and moral implications of the first American pope, drawing parallels to John Paul II and the Cold War. Finally, they reflect on Donald Trump’s staggering corruption in plain sight, the collective numbness it’s fostered, and the growing sense that the resistance—both moral and institutional—may finally be coalescing.

Katie Couric joins Charlie Sykes to unpack the psychological underpinnings of Donald Trump’s political appeal and the enablers around him. They explore the disconnect between populist rhetoric and billionaire influence, the crumbling state of local journalism, and why media coverage struggles to keep up with an administration governed by chaos. With stories of real-world consequences, they examine whether dignity, truth, or economic pain can still break through the political cult of personality.

Charlie Sykes and New Yorker columnist Susan Glasser examine the unprecedented scale and brazenness of corruption in Donald Trump's second term. From billion-dollar business deals and crypto coin pay-to-play schemes to dismantling oversight institutions, they outline how the machinery of government is being turned into a personal profit engine. With watchdogs removed, norms shattered, and accountability elusive, who’s left to stop it?

Charlie Sykes is joined by former White House Homeland Security advisor Olivia Troye to unpack the surreal and sobering first 100 days of Trump’s return to power—from authoritarian impulses and economic meltdowns to doll rationing and military parades. They discuss how fringe figures like Laura Loomer are influencing national security decisions, the disturbing escalation of deportation policies, and the eerie complacency of American institutions. As the courts push back and allies rethink their trust in the U.S., the conversation turns to whether America is facing a generational crisis—or a historic one.