The Al Franken Podcast

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, longtime Connecticut representative and former Appropriations chair, talks about Congress reclaiming war powers and the costs of the Iran strikes. She discusses how military action fuels fuel and food price spikes, threats to the appropriations process, Republican hesitation under Trump pressure, and strategies to protect elections, courts, and public health funding.

David Kirkpatrick, New Yorker staff writer who tracks political finance, breaks down how the Trump family monetized public office. He outlines vast revenue streams: real estate deals, merchandise, crypto tokens, and lucrative foreign licensing. Short, sharp takes on legal-fee transfers, blockbuster Gulf deals, and the mechanics of token sales.

Geoffrey Asmus, a Minnesota-born stand-up comedian and writer, joins to riff on comedy and politics. They unpack shifting MAGA loyalties as economic pain creeps in. They debate the comedy culture wars, clapter, right-leaning comics and festivals, and worry about AI and online trends reshaping creative work and young men’s politics.

Peter Ogburn, executive producer and interviewer, guides a celebratory look back at SNL’s 50th. Al Franken recounts joining the original team and writing with Tom Davis. Short scenes cover the week-to-show grind, iconic sketches like Stuart Smalley’s origin, memorable censorship moments, and Lorne Michaels’ role in shaping the show’s culture.

Adam Serwer, staff writer at The Atlantic who writes on race, history and politics, joins to discuss protest and power. They trace how Black freedom struggles have shaped immigrant rights. They unpack threats to birthright citizenship, nationwide No Kings actions, and the resilience of multiracial solidarity.

John Fugelsang, comedian, radio host, and NYT bestselling author, offers a progressive Christian perspective rooted in his Catholic upbringing. He contrasts Jesus' teachings of mercy, care for the poor, and opposition to violence with modern right-wing political uses of scripture. Short, pointed conversations focus on faith, selective scripture, immigration, abortion as a political tool, and strategies for civil engagement.

Madeleine Dean, a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania and former impeachment manager, discusses curbing presidential pardon power after blatant corrupt pardons. She critiques blanket January 6th pardons. They explore pay-for-pardons, high-profile clemencies, links between pardons and foreign policy grift, and ICE mistreatment including conditions at the Dilley detention center.

George Packer, Atlantic staff writer and political profile expert, discusses his reporting on J.D. Vance. He explores Vance's troubled upbringing, Marine service, Yale years, and rise from bestselling author to national politician. Packer examines influences like Peter Thiel and the shift from thoughtful writer to MAGA culture warrior. The conversation also touches on what Democrats might do in response.

Brian Tyler Cohen, YouTuber and progressive political commentator, digs into the U.S.-Iran conflict and how Trump framed it. They discuss credibility, the controversy over the girls' school strike, domestic policy fallout like ACA and food aid cuts, and whether the conflict has clear objectives or risks wider escalation.

Paul Rieckhoff, Iraq War veteran and CEO offering a veteran's perspective on military policy and human costs. David Rothkopf, foreign affairs analyst and author with expertise in national security and geopolitics. They unpack the origins of U.S.–Iran hostility, debate military effectiveness versus strategy, warn about regional escalation and nuclear risks, and scrutinize political motives and transparency in the campaign.