Gloves Off

Why Republicans Are Suddenly Nervous About Texas

After Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn, what was already a nasty GOP primary suddenly turned into an all out Republican civil war. And Democrats think the chaos could finally create a real opening in Texas for the first time in decades. That’s why Tara McGowan sat down with Democratic strategist and Way to Win co-founder Tory Gavito for a deep dive on how Texas could decide the future of democracy. Here’s what they get into: * Inside the Paxton–Cornyn Republican civil war — :31 * Why Texas matters nationally — 2:44 * If economic populism can win in Texas — 17:02 * If Texas voters can overcome suppression — 33:33 * How Latino voters are reshaping Texas — 40:13 * Where the Democratic coalition is headed — 46:41 * What gives Tory Gavito courage right now — 52:43 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Inside The Supreme Court’s Long Game to Rig Elections ft ACLU’s Alanah Odoms

What happens when the Supreme Court starts laying the legal groundwork to roll back the Reconstruction Amendments themselves? And what does it mean for American democracy when Republican lawmakers openly talk about overturning the 14th Amendment while carving up Black voting power across the South? That’s why Tara McGowan sat down with civil rights attorney and ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Alanah Odoms for one of the most urgent conversations we’ve had on Gloves Off yet. Together, they break down the Supreme Court’s devastating Louisiana redistricting decision, the coordinated GOP effort to dismantle the Voting Rights Act and why Alanah says this moment was decades in the making.  They unpack how this ruling immediately triggered new racial gerrymandering efforts in states like Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana, why John Roberts has spent his career trying to weaken voting rights protections and how Project 2025 fits into a broader movement to consolidate Republican power for a generation. They also dive deep into the history of Reconstruction, the 14th Amendment, white backlash politics and why the attacks on Black political representation are connected to attacks on reproductive rights, immigration rights and democracy itself. Questions and topics as follows:  1. Timeline on the Louisiana vs. Callais case — 4:34 2. Who were the people behind the Callais case? — 12:27 3. Reaction to challenging Louisiana’s new congressional district map — 15:05 4. How were you, your colleagues and impacted communities preparing for the Supreme Court’s decision in Callais? — 17:06 5. What do we do now in response to the Louisiana vs. Callais decision? — 30:26 6. Do we need entirely new institutions to restore moral clarity in our government? — 36:47 7. PSA to white women — 48:19 8. Where does Alanah source her courage from? — 52:05 From the future of voting rights to Supreme Court reform, this conversation is a warning about where the country is headed — and what it will take to fight back. Follow Gloves Off for more conversations like this, rate our show if you're enjoying what you hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The Anti-Establishment Revolt Coming for Democrats ft. David Pakman

Are Democrats only winning because MAGA is fracturing more and more each day? Can they really rebuild trust with voters, define a coherent vision and answer to the growing anti-establishment anger inside their own coalition? Tara McGowan sat down with David Pakman, host of the David Pakman Show, for a brutally honest conversation about the future of the Democratic Party, the rise of economic populism and the collapse of institutional trust. They unpack all the DNC backlash, the 2028 Democratic primary and why so many voters feel politically homeless right now. They also debate whether Democrats are actually learning the right lessons from Trumpism, why outsider candidates are gaining steam and how social media platforms, YouTube politics and digital propaganda are reshaping American democracy in real time.  From Hasan Piker and independent media to JD Vance, Josh Hawley and the future of the Republican Party, this conversation dives deep into the political realignment already underway ahead of 2028. Follow Gloves Off wherever you get your podcasts and rate us if you're enjoying what you hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

MAGA Won’t Die With Trump. Here’s What Comes Next ft Tim Miller

MAGA isn’t dying with Trump and Democrats still don’t know who’s leading them next… so what’s going to happen in 2028? That’s why Tara McGowan sat down with Tim Miller of The Bulwark — a former Republican strategist turned anti-MAGA insider — to break down the fractures ripping through both parties, the future of MAGA after Trump and why Democrats still haven’t built a bench that can actually win. They get into the real tension happening inside the Democratic Party right now — from establishment figures trying to hold the line and a progressive wing pushing for systemic change. Tim argues Democrats are finally starting to fight back in places like Virginia, but still struggle to define what they stand for and who can unite their coalition heading into 2028. They also dig into the rise of voices like Hasan Piker, Zohran Mamdani and AOC and why Democrats may need to engage with voices they don’t fully agree with if they want to rebuild a winning coalition. On the Republican side, the conversation gets darker. Tim makes the case that while Trump himself is unique, “America First” isn’t going anywhere — and the next version of MAGA could be more disciplined, more ideological and potentially more dangerous. From Josh Hawley to a possible Trump dynasty, the question isn’t whether MAGA survives… it’s what it turns into. Underlying all of it is one scary reality: Democrats don’t have a clear leader and MAGA doesn’t have a clear successor. Follow Gloves Off for more conversations like this and rate our show if you're enjoying what you hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Inside the Epstein Coverup: What Melania is Hiding

The Epstein files are raising new questions about Melania Trump and why she suddenly decided to publicly deny any close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein… That’s why Tara McGowan sat down with investigative journalist Nina Burleigh, to unpack the hidden history connecting Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, Paolo Zampolli and the New York modeling world of the 1990s. Nina has spent years reporting on Epstein, Trump and Melania’s past so she understands, better than anyone, why Melania’s recent White House press conference may have created more questions than answers. Nina digs into the gaps in Melania’s early biography, the modeling pipeline that brought young Eastern European women to New York and the powerful men who operated in that world. Tara and Nina also break down the story of Amanda Ungaro, Paolo Zampolli’s former partner, who told Nina she knows more about Melania’s past and what the First Lady may be trying to keep hidden…  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]