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The Breakdown

Alberto fo sho
Donald Trump
Stormy Daniels
Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting
Alex Jones
2024 Presidential Election
Supreme Court
Misinformation
Infowars
The Lincoln Project
Lenny Posner
Jacqueline Bardin
Francine Wheeler
Robbie Parker
Mark Bankston
Scarlett Lewis
David Wheeler
Neil Heslin
Republican Party
Monty Frank
Defamation Case

The Lincoln Project's "The Breakdown" is a weekly political commentary show hosted by Rick Wilson and Maya May. The show features analysis of current events, interviews with political figures, and commentary on the 2020 presidential election and the Trump administration.The show's hosts are both experienced political operatives and commentators. Wilson is a Republican strategist who has worked for... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes964Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Recent Guests

Nira Tanden
President and CEO of the Center for American Progress
Center for American Progress
Episode: How Trump's Affordability Crisis Is Crushing Americans
Joe Kent
Congressional candidate, on-air guest repeatedly discussed
Supporter of Trump policies
Episode: March 19, 2026 | Hosts: Maya & Rick Wilson
Audrey Henson
Investigator behind Dre Dossier, independent journalist
Dre Dossier (Substack/YouTube)
Episode: What's Being Built Below Trump's Ballroom?
Lisa Senecaul
Founding editor
Lincoln Square
Episode: Trump's New Threats to the Free Press
Stephen Beschloss
Analyst and commentator
America America Substack
Episode: Trump's New Threats to the Free Press
Steve Schmidt
Former White House adviser, Lincoln Project co-founder, critic of Trump, strategist
The Lincoln Project / Save America
Episode: Steve Schmidt
Christopher Mathias
Veteran journalist; author of To Catch a Fascist
HuffPost (former) / The Guardian (current)
Episode: The Truth about Antifa & How They're Fighting the Far Right
Dean Abidallah
Host on Serious Exempt Progress, lawyer
SiriusXM Progress
Episode: Gas Prices Soar as Trump's Iran War Drags on
Sanam Bakil
Fellow at Chatham House, Iran/Middle East politics expert
Chatham House
Episode: Gas Prices Soar as Trump's Iran War Drags on

Hosts

Zev Shalev
Host of narrative live show; long-time political commentator and media figure; affiliated with The Lincoln Project network.
Rick Wilson
Co-host with Maya May; Republican strategist and political commentator known for election and policy analysis.
Maya May
Co-host and political commentator; frequently engages in policy critique and interview segments.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 99 ratings
  • Please adjust your volume

    3/3/26 Malcolm Nance’s volume was normal, medium high, while Rick’s was soft. Very difficult and annoying since I don’t want to miss one word.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    xxxfor_Petes_sake
    United States24 days ago
  • So Insightful

    Katie!!! I love you and your show!! You tell it like it is and always look forward to your shows. You keep me engaged in politics and the law.

    Keep up the great work. You have a FOREVER fan!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dennyr65
    United Statesa month ago
  • Stop it

    For god's sake, these commercials are DEAFENING. They break in not just mid-speech, or mid-thought, mid-phrase or even mid-word, but mid-SYLLable. What is the point of that? Why are you abusing your listeners this way? I have heard that unbearably obnoxious, supercilious guy (wwwhat would you do/imagine) FOUR TIMES already in the latest Michael Wolff & it's only partway through! Why would you want to assure your audience feels harassed, & absolutely hostile toward your sponsors? Worse, the orig... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    susheg
    United States3 months ago
  • INFURIATING Mid-Sentence Commercial Interruptions

    Good to hear an (uncredited) Joy Reid. But this is the last time I tune in because of the INFURIATING practice of interrupting a speaker in MID-SENTENCE for a shrieky commercial. “Break[s]down” your whole pretentious critique of the capitalist habitus. (look that word up)

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Clancularius1
    United States4 months ago
  • Powerful

    I look forward to listening to what Rick Wilson has to say about our parties /politics as he knows. The Lincoln project are the good guys, and it is beyond me why the Democrats do not listen to and do what they suggest. I recommend this podcast -- it's authentically patriotic, compassionate & politically savvy. As someone who never took a civics class & ignored politics prior to Trump, I'm grateful for the insight and explanations re: this nightmare

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    justeatthedamcake
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience appreciates guest diversity and ability to dissect complex geopolitical topics.
Sound quality and occasional audio glitches are mentioned as a downside by some listeners.
Praise for host chemistry and candid, unapologetic critique of leadership and policy.
Several reviews call out mid-sentence ad interruptions as disruptive to the listening experience.
Listeners frequently note strong, insightful political analysis and insider perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#183
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#158
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#170
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#199
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#244
Ireland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Trump's Affordability Crisis Is Crushing Americans
Q: And Donald Trump's invasion of Iran means that we're acutely feeling that pain at the pump. So is there an opportunity here for Democrats to win back some of the swing voters in the midterms?
The most important thing is to focus on facts: Republicans' policies have raised costs for working- and middle-class Americans, and Democrats should emphasize who is actually paying and who benefits from those policies, presenting a clear contrast to re-align voter priorities.
What's Being Built Below Trump's Ballroom?
Q: Why do you think private donors and tech contractors are connected to the East Wing project?
The discussion points to a pattern where defense contractors and tech giants may have reasons to be involved beyond just philanthropy, including potential access to critical data infrastructure and influence over future governmental capabilities.
What's Being Built Below Trump's Ballroom?
Q: What is OSINT and why is it essential for investigative journalism in this case?
OSINT is the systematic collection of publicly available information; it helps investigators trace money trails, contracts, and architectural details to build a corroborated understanding beyond traditional sources, with an emphasis on transparent sourcing.
Jim Acosta 1
Q: Is it lawful for federal agents to shoot and kill a person for engaging in peaceful protest and nothing else?
The representative poses the question; the witness notes that each incident varies and emphasizes constitutional protections, ultimately stating that such actions must be evaluated case-by-case with due process.
Noem Fired, Bondi Subpoenaed on Epstein, and Lev Parnas Enters the Ring
Q: Tell us a little more about your policy plans for the Florida 27th district and why people should vote for you.
I'm running to bring change beyond party lines, focusing on truth and facts, with a grassroots, transparent campaign that relies on local voices rather than corporate money. My insider knowledge of Trump's inner circle gives me a unique ability to understand and challenge the current leadership, and I'm committed to fighting for the people's voices in Congress.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Breakdown

What is The Breakdown about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly political commentary show delivering sharp analysis of current events, with interviews from politicians, journalists, and activists. The conversations mix hostile-to-establishment critique with insider perspectives on campaigns, foreign policy, and media coverage, often centering on Trump-era dynamics, accountability, and democratic norms. Noteworthy are the candid insider takes, rapid-fire banter between hosts, and a willingness to challenge conventional narratives, making it a likely fit for listeners who want combative, informed political discourse and behind-the-scenes political insight.

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How many subscribers and views does The Breakdown have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Breakdown has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Breakdown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Breakdown:

1. The Lincoln Project
2. Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast
3. The Daily Beast Podcast
4. The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
5. Talking Feds

How many episodes of The Breakdown are there?

The Breakdown launched 2 years ago and published 964 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Breakdown?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Breakdown?

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What guests have appeared on The Breakdown?

Recent guests on The Breakdown include:

1. Nira Tanden
2. Joe Kent
3. Audrey Henson
4. Lisa Senecaul
5. Stephen Beschloss
6. Steve Schmidt
7. Christopher Mathias
8. Dean Abidallah

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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