Highly Conflicted with Hugo Lowell

Highly Conflicted with Hugo Lowell

Unpacking the news that's consuming Trump and his inner circle, host Hugo Lowell -- once kicked off Trump's plane for reporting that displeased the former president -- draws on his deep sourcing and special guests to be your guide each week to the Trump administration. Playing off one of Trump's trademark insults for his enemies, Highly Conflicted offers an informed view on the state of Trumpworld, with the informal vibe of FaceTiming your best friend.

Episodes

February 11, 2025 18 mins
Hugo Lowell is joined by Teddy Schleifer from the New York Times to discuss Elon Musk's influence on the federal government through his initiative, Doge. The conversation explores Musk's core political team, his motivations for engaging with government agencies, the challenges faced by Doge, and the future plans for agency engagement. Schleifer provides insights into the structure of Musk's team, the dynamics of his political ...
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Hugo Lowell and Susan Glasser discuss the significant changes and challenges in Trump's second term as president. They explore the implications of his executive orders, the firing of inspectors general, the controversial stance on birthright citizenship, and the politicization of the Justice Department. The discussion highlights Trump's approach to governance, his relationship with various agencies, and the potential consequen...
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Hugo is joined this week by Dave Aronberg .The conversation delves into the implications of Pam Bondi's potential role as Attorney General, her confirmation hearing, and her past work on the opioid crisis. The discussion highlights the influence of Trump on her nomination, the dynamics with Cash Patel, and the challenges she may face in maintaining the integrity of the Justice Department while navigating political pressures. I...
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Katie Phang and Hugo Lowell delve into the complexities surrounding the special counsel's report, the jurisdictional issues raised by Judge Cannon, and the implications of the DOJ's strategies in the ongoing legal battles involving Trump and his associates. They discuss the potential release of the report, the role of redactions, and the broader political ramifications of the legal proceedings. The conversation also touches on...
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December 27, 2024 16 mins
Congressman Jamie Raskin discusses the implications of the January 6th Committee's findings and the potential for political retribution under a Trump administration. He emphasizes the importance of congressional oversight and the independence of the Department of Justice, particularly in light of Trump's past actions and rhetoric. Raskin defends Liz Cheney against accusations of misconduct and highlights the critical role of t...
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Hugo Lowell and Frank Figliuzzi discuss the implications of Kash Patel's nomination to lead the FBI. They explore Patel's partisan background, concerns over potential abuses of power, and the impact of political loyalty on investigations. The discussion highlights the importance of checks and balances within the FBI and the role of the Washington Field Office. They also address the challenges of conducting background checks on...
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Hugo and Patricia delve into the complexities of US foreign policy regarding Syria, the implications of Russia's involvement, and the evolving political dynamics surrounding military aid and confirmation hearings for key appointments. Patricia Zengerle provides insights into the historical context of US actions in Syria, the challenges posed by Russia's military presence, and the shifting attitudes within the US Senate regardi...
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Former national security insider Olivia Troye offers a penetrating look into the delicate intersection of politics and intelligence. She dissects the potential risks of politicizing national security apparatus, revealing the profound challenges career officials face when maintaining integrity amid shifting political winds. With razor-sharp insights, Troye examines how leadership transitions can compromise counterterrorism effo...
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Hugo Lowell and Timothy Parlatore discuss the recent dismissal of legal cases against Trump, the implications of these decisions, and the broader issues of prosecutorial conduct within the Justice Department. They analyze the legal landscape following the election, the rationale behind the dismissal of cases, and the potential consequences for the DOJ moving forward. Additionally, they delve into allegations surrounding Boris ...
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Hugo Lowell and Katie Phang discuss Trump’s recent rally, celebrity endorsements, and early voting. They analyze media coverage, political outrage, and Biden’s gaffes. Predicting election night and Trump’s strategies, they delve into Trump’s campaign legal landscape, including Georgia’s Supreme Court decisions, Bannon’s influence, and potential legal challenges. They also discuss presidential immunity, women’s voting behavior,...
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In this episode of Highly Conflicted, host Hugo Lowell discuss the latest comments from Donald Trump regarding Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, labeling them as enemies from within. Hugo analyzes Trump's controversial statements about wanting generals like Hitler's and his intention to fire special counsel Jack Smith. 
Shifting to the Trump campaign's strategy, focusing on voter turnout and the challenges faced by America PAC...
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In this episode of Highly Conflicted, hosts Hugo Lowell and Katie Phang discuss the significant influence of Elon Musk on Donald Trump's campaign, particularly focusing on Musk's financial contributions and political ambitions. They explore the implications of campaign funding strategies, the emoluments clause violations associated with Trump's business practices, and the challenges faced by undecided voters. The conversation ...
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October 12, 2024 27 mins
In this episode of Highly Conflicted, Hugo Lowell discusses the current state of Trump's presidential campaign as it enters the final stretch before the election. He highlights the challenges faced by Trump, including accusations of cozying up to Putin and the impact of Kamala Harris's media presence. The internal dynamics of Trump's campaign are explored, particularly the roles of key advisors and the strategies being employe...
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Hugo Lowell is joined this week by Katie Phang, they delve into the implications of January 6th on Trump's current political landscape. They discuss Jack Smith's filing regarding Trump's actions and the role of Mike Pence, the legal ramifications of Trump's behavior, and the ongoing fake electors scheme. The conversation also touches on the political fallout from recent debates and Trump's lack of endorsements, particularly am...
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September 28, 2024 23 mins
Hugo Lowell discusses the current state of Trump's campaign, focusing on his debate strategies, personal grievances, and the critical role of Pennsylvania in the upcoming election. The conversation also highlights the influence of Elon Musk and his America PAC in Trump's ground game and how Trump is preoccupied with various micro dramas rather than his campaign.
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September 20, 2024 22 mins
In this episode of Highly Conflicted, Hugo Lowell discusses the Trump campaign's strategies as they approach the 2024 election. The conversation focuses on the challenges faced in battleground states, particularly regarding the ground game and local news strategies. Additionally, the role of far-right figure Laura Loomer is explored, highlighting her influence and connection to Trump despite not being a formal part of the camp...
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September 16, 2024 25 mins
Hugo Lowell discusses the aftermath of the recent debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, highlighting the Trump campaign's internal struggles and the implications for their ground game strategy as the election approaches. Hugo delves into Trump's debate performance, the campaign's lack of a solid ground game, and the psychological state of Trump as he faces mounting pressure.
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September 10, 2024 45 mins
Hugo Lowell and Katie Phang discuss various topics related to the Trump legal cases. They cover the Manhattan DA's case, the DC case, and the actions of Trump's legal team. They also touch on the delay in sentencing, the possibility of jail time, and the strategies employed by Trump's lawyers. Overall, they provide insights into the legal challenges faced by Trump and the implications for his presidency. 
Hugo & Katie ...
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September 8, 2024 1 min
Highly Conflicted Trailer with Hugo Lowell & Katie Phang
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