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To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Charlie Sykes
Donald Trump
Elon Musk
Ukraine
Republican Party
Justice Department
Russia
Jeff Bezos
Eric Adams
NATO
Kash Patel
Bloomberg
Gulf Of Mexico
Vladimir Putin
Washington Post
Trumpism
Democratic Party
Constitutional Crisis
JD Vance
National Security
Trump Administration

You are not the crazy ones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesDailyEpisodes177Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Artwork for To The Contrary

Latest Episodes

Scott MacFarlane recently left CBS News and joined Substack as well as MeidasTouch. In this episode, he tells Charlie about his transition from traditional to independent media and what drove his decision. They also discuss whether the Iran deal is a... more

Sarah Fitzpatrick is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she covers national security and the Department of Justice. She joins Charlie to talk about why the Jeffrey Epstein scandal is here to stay, digest Trump's "Open the f***in' strait" post, and... more

New York Times Opinion writer David French joins Charlie to discuss the beginning of "the great Trump purge," which started with the firing of Pam Bondi but is now rippling through the Pentagon and the military.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva... more

In this solo episode, Charlie answers listeners' questions on Trump's order on mail-in voting, the reports on Pete Hegseth's war stock, the future of NATO, and more.

We decided to release this episode earlier than usual because of Trump's address to... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Adam Kinzinger
Former U.S. Representative, guest on the episode
Episode: Is Trump TACOing on Iran?
John Avlon
Author, commentator, former CNN anchor
CNN (former) / author
Episode: The "Wing Nut" Rise to Power
Molly Jong-Fast
A guest described as a good friend of the host and a frequent commentator
Episode: Trump’s Iran FUBAR
Josh Barro
Co-host of Central Air; author of the very serious Substack newsletter
Central Air; Josh Barro Substack
Episode: The Government Can’t Keep Its War Story Straight
Adam Jentleson
Long-time Democratic strategist and president of the Searchlight Institute
Searchlight Institute
Episode: Democrats Need a Winning Formula
Jamil Smith
Columnist for The Guardian and lecturer at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism
The Guardian
Episode: "Trump Uses Racism to Weaken American Democracy"
Tara Palmeri
Host of The Tara Palmeri Show and author of the newsletter The Red Letter
The Tara Palmeri Show
Episode: Epstein Has Hijacked Trump’s Presidency
Ashley Parker
Veteran Trump watcher and former reporter for The Washington Post and The New York Times
The Atlantic
Episode: Jeff Bezos’ Murder of the Washington Post
Garrett Graff
Journalist, historian, author of The Doomsday Scenario
Episode: Why ICE Can’t Be "Fixed"

Host

Charlie Sykes
Host of discussions on contemporary political issues, providing critical analysis and expert insight.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • David Frum

    I genuinely enjoy Charlie’s show and usually find both the conversations and the guests insightful.

    David Frum is the exception.

    I stopped listening to Frum’s own podcast—one I initially liked—after repeated comments that minimized the genocide in Gaza. People can hold different views, but repeatedly glossing over mass civilian suffering crossed a line for me & I chose to walk away.

    Frum appears on several podcasts I otherwise enjoy, and while I already find his smug, know-it-all tone grating... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nav Saint
    United States2 months ago
  • Being anti trump…

    doesn’t mean you’re not still a lame republican who wishes a Bush was still president.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Just Some Dude 420
    United States2 months ago
  • Riverside

    Also, if only it would correct the grammar.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NDRRRRRNND
    United States2 months ago
  • Katherine Stewart

    A great discussion. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sktspring
    United States2 months ago
  • Great

    So great to have found your podcast.. I’m a long time listener of the Bulwark and missed you since you

    Keep up your great work .. do I won’t become the “crazy ones”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MelBeach151
    Canada2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful analysis and critical discussions on pressing political issues, often highlighting the informative nature of the content.
Some feedback mentions issues with production quality, suggesting improvements are needed for a better listening experience.
Reviews commend the host for his engaging style and depth of insight, indicating a strong respect for his expertise and previous work in political media.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#31
United States/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#181
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#36
Canada/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#59
United Kingdom/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#225
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#43
Australia/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trumpology and the Iran Quagmire
Q: What does this moment tell us about Trump's approach to the war and messaging to his base?
It suggests a deliberate separation between a public persona that promises restraint and a political strategy that embraces dramatic actions and scorched-earth rhetoric to mobilize support and control narrative around the conflict.
Trump’s War of Choice
Q: How are Europeans reacting, especially after Greenland, and what does that mean for NATO and transatlantic relations?
Europeans are in a holding pattern, grappling with uncertainty about U.S. intentions and the credibility of allied commitments, which could prompt long-term recalibrations in defense posture and interdependence with the U.S.
Trump’s War of Choice
Q: What does this say about U.S. policy processes and coalition-building under his administration?
There appears to be a collapse of the traditional policy process, with decisions made more on whim or in consultation with a narrow inner circle, rather than through interagency analysis and broad legislative or coalition support.
Trump’s War of Choice
Q: Anne, what has Donald Trump chosen and why in your view?
Trump's decision seems driven by a mix of long-standing resentments, geopolitical calculations involving allies and business partners in the Gulf, and personal political strategy, possibly using a 'wag the dog' instinct to shift attention from domestic concerns.
The Government Can’t Keep Its War Story Straight
Q: What should be the criteria for engaging in military action, given the Powell Doctrine references?
They discuss whether clear objectives, international support, and a feasible exit strategy are present, warning that lacking these makes the action vulnerable to political backlash and strategic missteps.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About To The Contrary

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

This podcast serves as a platform for insightful discussions centered on contemporary political issues, particularly the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on American society and culture. It involves a blend of expert commentary and critical analysis, often exploring controversial topics such as authoritarianism, the intersection of faith and politics, and the erosion of democratic values. Episodes feature a variety of guests, including journalists, scholars, and political analysts, who provide diverse perspectives on the national discourse, creating an engaging experience for listeners invested in political dynamics and societal implications. The show's focus on crucial debates and moral complexities makes it a compelling resource for th... more

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Which podcasts are similar to To The Contrary?

These podcasts share a similar audience with To The Contrary:

1. The Next Level
2. The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
3. The Bulwark Podcast
4. The David Frum Show
5. The Mona Charen Show

How many episodes of To The Contrary are there?

To The Contrary launched a year ago and published 177 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on To The Contrary?

Recent guests on To The Contrary include:

1. Adam Kinzinger
2. John Avlon
3. Molly Jong-Fast
4. Josh Barro
5. Adam Jentleson
6. Jamil Smith
7. Tara Palmeri
8. Ashley Parker

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