To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Charlie speaks with former US Attorney Harry Litman about the beloved director Rob Reiner and Trump's response to his murder, Admiral Holsey who retired after overseeing the military boat strikes, and some of the latest court decisions. Litman also explains why there's no area of greater corruption than Trump's use of the pardon power. 

But we are also not as good as we thought we were before the Trump era, according to David French, a New York Times opinion columnist. He argues that Stephen Miller is miscalculating, and that it's possible to awaken the country's sleeping conscience. In this episode, he and Charlie also discuss the Indiana Senate's rejection of Trump's redistricting bill, the upcoming Supreme Court decision on tariffs, and the "vibe shift."

Charlie speaks with Rachael Bade, political reporter and host of The Huddle, who says the constant rumors about Trump planning to fire his cabinet members are utterly unsubstantiated. They also discuss the affordability "hoax,” Nancy Mace, and what Trump expects in return for a pardon.

We recently learned that AG Pam Bondi had issued an 8-page memo that orders the FBI to “compile a list of groups or entities engaging in acts that may constitute domestic terrorism". It's now becoming clear that is not just an aggressive memo, it creates a secret domestic terror list Congress never approved. In this short, special episode, Charlie explain more.

In this episode, Charlie speaks with Charlie Dent, former Congressman from Pennsylvania and National Co-Chair of Our Republican Legacy. Together, they're trying to figure out whether Speaker Mike Johnson has a problem with women, what’s next for health care legislation, and just how much weaker Congress can get.

In this solo episode, Charlie answers readers' questions about RFK Jr., the murderous boat strikes, the ranking of stupidity among cabinet members, and how it's all connected to our children's education. As a bonus, he also talks about his dogs. 

In this episode, Charlie speaks with Ed Luce, US national editor and a columnist for the Financial Times. They discuss Trump's latest racist comments, the US military murderous boat strikes, and the decision that Europe has to make soon on whether to seize Russian assets and turn them over to Ukraine. Also, are we finally starting to imagine a post-Trump world? 

Charlie Sykes sits down with veteran advocate and Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff for a conversation about the escalating crises surrounding Donald Trump’s cabinet, the alleged “kill them all” order, and the looming threat of war with Venezuela. Rieckhoff breaks down the moral and national-security fallout of Trump’s shutdown of Afghan visas, arguing that America’s treatment of its wartime allies will shape our future on every battlefield. He also highlights the growing independent movement among veterans through Independent Americans (https://IndependentAmericans.us) and Independent Veterans of America (https://IndependentVeteransofAmerica.org), where new leaders are stepping up to challenge the political extremes.

Charlie Sykes and Tom Nichols unpack a chaotic stretch in American politics that includes Trump’s fixation on loyalty, his escalating rhetoric, and his increasingly erratic behavior. They discuss the fallout from Trump’s attack on Sen. Mark Kelly, the strain inside the Pentagon, and the surreal spectacle of a president intervening in Hollywood sequels. From GOP dysfunction to Ukraine negotiations, they explore how an aging, insular Trump world is colliding with real-world crises—and why it all feels so much more dangerous this time around.