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John Heilemann talks with Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, national political correspondents for the New York Times, political analysts for CNN, and authors of the newsmaking account of the 2020 election This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America’s Future. Heilemann, Burns, and Martin discuss Donald Trump’s enduring grip on the Republican Party and the power of his endorsement in the wake of J.D. Vance’s Senate primary win in Ohio. They also unpack why Pennsylvania’s contested Republican Senate primary — where Trump endorsed celebrity-turned-politician Mehmet Oz — will be a bigger test of the former president’s political strength and clout. Tune in to the full episode to hear about revelations in their book about the fallout from the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, the depth of the private disdain for Trump among GOP leadership, and why the moment in which Republicans seemed determined to purge Trump from the party proved so fleeting.

GOP Primaries Are the Latest Display of Trump’s Ownership Over the Party

John Heilemann talks with Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, national political correspondents for the New York Times, political analysts for CNN, and authors of the newsmaking account of the 2020 election This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America’s Future. Heilemann, Burns, and Martin unpack the stunning leak out of the Supreme Court, how the politics of Roe v. Wade – and the repeal of fifty years of precedent – could influence the midterms, and whether Democrats are mishandling the messaging thus far. Tune in to the full episode to hear about revelations in their book about the chaotic days following the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, the depth of the private disdain for Trump among GOP stalwarts, and how President Biden’s ambitions to be the next FDR or LBJ blinded him to his own team’s warnings of the political peril he faced.

How a Reversal of Roe v. Wade Could Impact the Midterms

Personal finance reporter Misyrlena Egkolfopoulou joins The Recount's Grace Weinstein and Steve Morris to explain the huge crypto crash, what cryptocurrency is, the latest in crypto news, and what caused the significant drop in LUNA price.

The Crypto Crash, Explained

As the U.S. reaches the grim milestone of one million lives lost to COVID-19, it should be time for a national reckoning with the grief and suffering that has transpired. And yet, for many Americans, the pandemic has become one more crisis on top of a mountain of other crises — in other words, largely forgotten. But for the family members left behind — some nine million Americans — every day is a painful reminder that their loved ones are no longer here. Kristin Urquiza is one of them. She lost her father Mark in May of 2020. “Our society is asking of us,” she says, “to shove the pandemic and all of its impacts and all of its outcomes under the rug.”

One Million COVID Deaths - a Grim Milestone for the U.S.

John Heilemann talks with Bob Crawford, bassist for The Avett Brothers and creator of Concerts of Change: The Soundtrack of Human Rights, a new audio docu-series on SiriusXM. Through conversations with artists including U2's Bono, Bob Geldof, and Joan Baez, historian Douglas Brinkley, and civil rights icon Andrew Young, Crawford explores the huge surge in humanitarian and political activism by musicians -- particularly focused on Africa -- in the seventies and eighties. Heilemann and Crawford discuss the singular influence of Geldof in launching Band Aid and Live Aid; the role played by Steven Van Zandt’s “Sun City” in ending apartheid in South Africa; and how Bono, in particular, institutionalized the work of both Geldof and van Zandt to help combat poverty and AIDS in Africa. They also reflect on Bono’s first visit to Ethiopia back in 1985, and how that trip changed not only his life but also the future of celebrity activism.

Bob Crawford on How Bono’s Humanitarianism Runs Deep

In 1981, Billie Jean King’s prior relationship with a woman was revealed to the sporting world. King was already a tennis superstar by this time. She had reached world number one status several times and won a dozen Grand Slam singles titles.

But all of her success seemed in doubt when she was publicly sued by her live-in assistant, Marilyn Barnett. Barnett, with whom King had had a physical relationship, made demands for a house in Malibu and financial support.

King appeared with her husband before the press to concede the facts of the affair, while blaming it on loneliness rather than an attraction to women. In a sense, King burrowed deeper into the closet.

But the damage was already done. King quickly lost sponsorship deals, including with Wimbledon, and at least half a million dollars in endorsements.

The following year, a judge called the case “attempted extortion” and threw it out of court.

Interviewed by NBC in 2017, King spoke about what she'd do differently: “I’d come out earlier.”

How Billie Jean King’s Public Outing Set the Stage for Her Activism

Last week’s brawl between the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals resulted in a few players being suspended for one or more games.

What caused the melee? After a tit for tat of dangerous throws between the two teams, Mets pitcher Yoan López sent a ball close to Cards batter Nolan Arenado's head – and for Arenado at least, that was a no-no. The two started screaming at each other, and the benches and bullpens were emptied as players rushed the field.

But when you look at the causes for such fights, the unwritten rules presumably violated are inconsistent, and can vary greatly from one team to another’s interpretation.

St. Louis Cardinals’ own star pitcher Jack Flaherty was fined for his role in the latest bust-up. He joins LZ and Will to talk about the culture surrounding these unwritten rules, and the gestures and dangerous plays that stoke the tension that sometimes leads to physical altercations.

St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Jack Flaherty on Baseball’s ‘Unwritten Rules’

John Heilemann talks with Bob Crawford, bassist for The Avett Brothers and creator of Concerts of Change: The Soundtrack of Human Rights, a new audio docu-series on SiriusXM where Crawford explores the surge in humanitarian and political activism by musicians in the seventies and eighties. Heilemann and Crawford discuss the rise of star-studded benefit shows from George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh to Live Aid; the genesis and behind-the-scenes stories of the chart-topping charity singles “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and “We Are The World”; the singular influence of Geldof; the role played by Steven Van Zandt’s “Sun City” in ending apartheid in South Africa; and how Bono institutionalized his activist impulses to help combat poverty and AIDS in Africa. They also reflect on Crawford’s career with The Avett Brothers, and how his daughter Hallie’s battle with cancer changed him and his band.

Bob Crawford on the Benefit Concerts That Changed the World

John Heilemann talks with Andrew Ross Sorkin, co-anchor of CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” columnist and assistant editor at the New York Times and founder and editor-at-large of the paper’s financial news franchise, DealBook, and author of the best-selling book Too Big to Fail. Heilemann and Sorkin discuss how Walt Disney Company found itself at the center of America’s culture wars, what Florida governor Ron DeSantis seeks to gain from punishing Disney over its opposition to the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, and the increasingly strained relationship between Republicans and corporate America. Tune in to the full episode to hear about the blockbuster deal dominating headlines: the stunning $44 billion acquisition of Twitter by SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk — whose roughly $275 billion net worth makes him the world’s richest person — and the implications of the deal for the future of social discourse and online speech more broadly.

Gov. Ron DeSantis May Lose to Disney — But Win With Voters

Eighty-one years ago this week, MLB’s Chicago Cubs became the first team to employ an organ player after Ray Nelson worked the pipes for a crowd of 18,000 fans.

The practice quickly caught on, reaching a new level of popularity when Nancy Faust brought her musical talents to the Windy City’s other team, the White Sox, in 1970. Faust got attention for peppering the game action with pop song riffs, a much-imitated approach for many ballpark organists today.

Boston Red Sox organist Josh Kantor joins LZ and Will to talk about how the tradition has evolved, and his own take on it. “I just started my 20th season doing this and people often ask me, ‘Is this a dream job?’ And the answer is, ‘If you like playing the organ and watching baseball at Fenway Park, then yes, it is a dream job.’”

Boston Red Sox Organist Josh Kantor on Accompanying MLB

This year’s NFL Draft is upon us, though there’s a little less buzz than usual for the event. The Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl-winning strategy may hold the key to understanding why.

Though the event pull as appointment viewing on television is still strong, LZ and Will discuss whether the NFL Draft is starting to lose its luster, given that teams are starting to devalue the first round’s importance as a source of talent.

The NFL Draft Just Isn’t What It Used To Be

In its latest escalation with the West, Russia has cut off its gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria, which have both accepted large numbers of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. Poland gets about 45% of its gas from Russia while Bulgaria gets around 90%. Recount Live hosts Liz Plank and Mosheh Oinounou discuss what this gas supply halt could mean for both nations with The Recount contributor Marshall Kosloff.

Poland & Bulgaria Get Cold Shoulder from Russia's Gas Supply | Recount Live

Numbers stations are a mysterious phenomenon of shortwave radio dating back to the Cold War. The radio signals are secret messages sent by intelligence agencies to undercover spies all over the world, but no government has ever acknowledged their existence. Anyone with a shortwave radio can hear the messages, but one-time pad encryption means they’re impossible to understand. The Recount dives into this fascinating mystery to understand where numbers stations come from and why this lo-fi technology is still being used by spies and intelligence operatives all over the world, including in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

How Spies Communicate Using Shortwave Numbers Stations

Recount Live hosts Liz Plank and Mosheh Oinounou welcome Kentucky U.S. Senate candidate, Charles Booker, to the show. The three discuss the premise of his book, “From the Hood to the Holler,” what to expect in the upcoming 2022 midterm elections, and how he feels about running against Sen. Rand Paul.

What to Expect in the 2022 Midterm Elections, with Charles Booker | Recount Live

After weeks of speculation over how serious he was, Twitter has accepted Elon Musk’s buyout offer for roughly $44 billion. The move will take the company private. Should you be nervous? And what will the future of Twitter look like? Recount Editor In Chief Slade Sohmer and Recount Contributor Marshall Kosloff weigh in.

Elon Musk Will Buy Twitter For $44 Billion | Recount Live

John Heilemann talks with comedians Mike Birbiglia, best known for his acclaimed one-man shows Sleepwalk With Me, Thank God for Jokes, and The New One, and Alex Edelman, whose buzzy new monologue Just For Us, produced by Birbiglia, is one of New York’s hottest tickets. Heilemann and the two performers discuss Birbiglia’s biggest comedic influences and idols, including Mitch Hedberg; why it took him years to become himself on stage; and the various personal experiences that have inspired him to be vulnerable in front of audiences and take emotional risks. Tune in to the full episode to hear why Birbiglia took Edelman under his wing and how their mentor-pupil relationship works; what Just for Us says about broader questions of identity in American culture; and why Birbiglia encouraged Edelman to focus the show on his Judaism, which has long been central to his sense of self but not his comedy.

Mike Birbiglia On His Comedic Influences

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John Heilemann talks with comedians Mike Birbiglia, best known for his acclaimed one-man shows Sleepwalk With Me, Thank God for Jokes, and The New One, and Alex Edelman, whose buzzy new monologue Just For Us, produced by Birbiglia, is one of New York’s hottest tickets. Edelman explains why Birbiglia is such a great mentor; Birbiglia reflects on his own entry into the New York theatre scene, with Nathan Lane presenting his show, Sleepwalk With Me, back in 2008 — and why he believes it’s important to pay it forward by taking Edelman and other young comics under his wing. Tune in to the full episode to hear about the arc of Birbiglia’s career from stand-up to storytelling; his biggest influences, including Mitch Hedberg; the personal experiences that have inspired him to be vulnerable on stage and take emotional risks; and why, for both Birbiglia and Edelman, a pair of comics who readily and repeatedly land killer jokes, there’s a lot more to comedy than making people laugh.

Why Comedian Mike Birbiglia Wants To Pay It Forward

A New York Times report this week caught House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in a lie over former President Trump and January 6th. In response to a NYT report, McCarthy earlier this week denied ever calling for Trump to resign after the Capitol insurrection. But, last night the NYT posted an audio clip that backed up its reporting. An additional recording has been released in which McCarthy said he "had it” with Trump after the attack on the Capitol. Recount Live hosts Liz Plank and Mosheh Oinounou discuss the released audio clips with Senior Political Producer & Contributor, Steve Morris, and what it means for McCarthy's future.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s No Good, Very Bad Day | Recount Live

The Florida State Legislature has passed a bill that would dissolve Walt Disney World’s private government. The legislation would dismantle Disney’s special tax status that allowed the company to self-govern its park complex. This effort to dissolve Disney’s private government comes after company leaders criticized Florida's “Don’t Say Gay” law, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly excoriated Disney. Recount Live hosts Liz Plank and Mosheh Oinounouformer discuss the bill's passage with Senior Political Producer & Contributor, Steve Morris.

Disney Isn’t The “Happiest Place On Earth” For Ron DeSantis

Netflix has lost $50 billion in market cap after announcing its first quarterly subscriber decline in more than a decade. At one point on Wednesday, the stock declined by 38% and by 62% this year. And Netflix claimed suspending service in Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine resulted in the removal of 700,000 net paid subscribers. Recount Live hosts Liz Plank and Mosheh Oinounou discuss Netflix’s stock crash with The Recount’s Editor in Chief, Slade Sohmer.

Explaining The Netflix Stock Crash

There's nothing quite like the alt-right rage machine. Its latest target: Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz. After publishing a story about "The Libs of TikTok," an openly bigoted and homophobic social media account, the internet was quick to throw harsh criticism at Lorenz, accusing her of trying to "dox" the woman behind the account. Recount Live hosts Liz Plank and Mosheh Oinounou break down the viral story with New York Times culture reporter Sopan Deb.

Why Taylor Lorenz Is Being Slammed For Exposing 'Libs Of TikTok'

During the first weekend of Coachella Revolve hosted their annual Revolve Festival. Let’s just say the festival was an absolute disaster with a number of influencers complaining about the conditions they endured. Recount Live's Liz Plank, Mosheh Oinounou and Grace Weinstein break down all the drama.

Revolve Festival 2022 Was A Fyre Festival Level Disaster

Recount Live hosts Elizabeth Plank and Mosheh Oinounou talk about the drama behind Elon Musk and Twitter. It started with Musk buying a 9.2% share of Twitter ... and ended with a $43 billion offer to buy the whole damn thing.

The Ongoing Elon Musk Twitter Saga

John Heilemann talks with his pal Nicolle Wallace, host of Deadline: White House on MSNBC, about the latest bombshell reporting on efforts to subvert the 2020 election — a series of damning text messages revealing that conservative activist Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, pressured then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to overturn Biden’s victory. Heilemann and Wallace discuss Justice Clarence Thomas’s failure to recuse himself from cases involving the insurrection, the implications of political influence and partisanship on the High Court, and the American public’s waning trust in the Supreme Court as a neutral and non political body. Tune in to the full episode for other recent developments surrounding the House 1/6 committee, including the seven-plus hour gap in Donald Trump’s White House phone logs from the day of the attack on the Capitol, the American right’s increasing embrace of authoritarian impulses, and the rot afflicting the GOP, Wallace's former party.

Ginni Thomas’s Role in Jan. 6 Insurrection and the Supreme Court Crisis