DSR's Words Matter

DSR's Words Matter

American politics is undergoing seismic changes that will alter the course of history. At Words Matter, we believe that facts, evidence, truth and objective reality are necessary and vital in public discourse. Our hosts and guests have broad experience in government, politics and journalism -- this gives them a unique ability to explain recent events and place them in historic context. Together, with fellow journalists, elected officials, policy-makers and thought-leaders, they will analyze the week's news and get at the real truth behind all the distracting headlines.

Episodes

August 27, 2026 42 mins
Donald Trump just signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. This, of course, gives us a fitting new acronym to remember the names of the Great Lakes: S-H-A-M-E. But it also comes amidst an intensifying, nonsensical trade war with Canada that will have serious economic consequences for millions of Americans. And all this for what? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss the administration’s...
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The “Big Beautiful Bill” is certainly big, but it is the opposite of beautiful. The bill includes a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicaid, which have been postponed until after the midterm elections. Take these social service cuts alongside skyrocketing national debt, looming bond market issues, and a potential ballooning defense budget - and yet the situation is still somehow worse than that. Join Norm Ornstein and Davi...
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August 3, 2026 44 mins
Scandals and controversies abound in the Republican Party. Between serious allegations against Ohio Representative Miller and bitter infighting over Todd Blanche, a political melee is in full swing in the GOP. Join Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf as they dissect the latest GOP turmoil, preview the upcoming Michigan Democratic primary, examine AIPAC’s shifting influence, and unpack what it all means for the country. Looking ...
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We are fast approaching midterm elections which Trump and his cronies will try to corrupt. Pete Hegseth is asking for more money to fund the most unpopular war in American history, and social programs are being cut left and right. It’s not just the quagmire of a war in Iran - Donald Trump is waging a war against the American people. There’s no other way to put it: “We are so f*cked by this guy, it’s hard to ...
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Trump and his cronies are already laying the groundwork to get involved in this years’ elections. As Trump prepares to give a major speech on Thursday night where he will undoubtedly speak on "election fraud", it's clear there is no accountability for their corruption. So the question is - what do we do when Trump tries to steal the next election? Tune in as David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein address what’s at stake. Loo...
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The Supreme Court would not be what it is today without Mitch McConnell. We would not have the six-person, ultra-conservative, corrupt majority that we have now without him. As our democracy continues to die in front of our eyes, and as Donald Trump continues to destroy our relationships with our allies, the US is at a crossroads - can we ever recover? Do we have any emerging politicians to lead us out of this mess? Norm Ornstein a...
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This Independence Day, we’re face with a stark reality: the values and ideals that lay the foundation of our democracy are consistently being undermined by a corrupt, authoritarian president. The Supreme Court rulings of the past week have effectively cemented Trump as the most powerful executive in U.S. history - isn’t this exactly what our Founding Fathers fought against? This 250th celebration feels tainted by this r...
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Our Supreme Court can’t even pretend to uphold the integrity of the law anymore. We essentially have a lawless court, not a conservative court. Their latest disturbing ruling? A ruling in favor of deporting Haitians and Syrians currently legally residing in the United States. Could this lead to another impeachment of Donald Trump? How could Dems use impeachment as a political tool ahead of the next presidential election? Norm...
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The indecency and sociopathy of Donald Trump’s presidency is in sharp contrast with the leadership of past presidents. While Clinton, Obama and Bush all had their faults that have led us to our current political situation, they at least maintained some sort of professionalism and decency. Donald Trump, on the other hand, is a psychopath. David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein discuss the implications of this shift in presidential l...
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Donald Trump is more concerned with a UFC fight at the White House than he is with the well-being of Americans. Surprised? The administration that is so focused on money and power is stripping civil rights and throwing away any concerns about the economic tolls millions of Americans are currently facing. Your favorite political heavyweights Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss this lunacy. Tune in here. Looking for...
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June 5, 2026 53 mins
Donald Trump is becoming more and more dangerous as his physical and mental health unravels. This cognitive decline, however, has serious implications for American democracy, far beyond simply falling asleep during meetings. Mary Trump joins David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein to recount her personal experiences with her uncle, his current mental state, and what this all means for America. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click...
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Crime, crime, crime. Donald Trump and his cronies have absolutely zero concept of humility, of decency, or of anything other than corruption. No one is being held accountable while the US is enduring what very well might be the most contemptible administration in its history. What the hell is going on in our country? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back for another weekly therapy session and to take stock of our hideous politi...
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Donald Trump is playing Grand Theft: US Treasury. The corruption is absolutely mind-boggling, and we need to call it like it is - he is stealing our money for his own personal gain. This is CRIME. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to dive into this criminality as we head into Memorial Day weekend. Listen here.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about yo...
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Our democracy is failing. As we approach the midterm elections this year, the Republicans are doing all they can to corrupt our electoral process. With the Supreme Court in Trump’s pocket, what does this mean for the Democrats? Will corruption rule the November elections? Tune in as Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf discuss the upcoming midterms and the bleak future of US politics. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click...
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The Justice Department is unrecognizable. It continuously violates and obstructs true justice. Instead, it effectively as Donald Trump’s own private law firm. The blatant corruption and cronyism is sickening across all of DC’s institutions under the Trump administration. Where is Donald Trump and the Supreme Court leading our country? Tune in for this week’s therapy session with Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf. ...
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The Supreme Court is taking away your rights. The ruling gutting the Voting Rights Act isn’t based on sound legal decision-making - it represents strategic moves to reshape the future of our country. How did we let partisan politics overrule constitutional integrity? David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein delve into the ramifications of these rulings, the never-ending destruction of our democracy from the Trump administration, and ...
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April 23, 2026 58 mins
Congress is broken. Justice is gone. Corruption runs rampant in our government, and our most vile politicians get off scot-free. Meanwhile, many still view the Democrats negatively, and this perception is going to present significant hurdles for the midterms this year and beyond. What is missing within the Democratic party? What is the most effective strategy here to save our democracy? Tune in as David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein d...
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The lunatics are truly running the asylum formerly known as the White House. Sadly, a man who collects raccoon genitalia running the HHS isn’t even the craziest of the bunch. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to try and navigate the insanity of this Trump’s self-imposed Iran quagmire and the levels of nuttiness in Trumpworld.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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April 9, 2026 42 mins
Corruption, dark money, and dangerous leadership - three elements that have characterized the Trump administration. We are governed by a maniac and his corrupt cronies, such as Howard Lutnick. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss the rampant corruption within the current administration, the degradation of integrity within our public institutions, and the mess of Trump’s war in Iran. Looking for More from the ...
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April 3, 2026 40 mins
Pam Bondi is out as attorney general. Todd Blanche is set to replace her, at least according to Trump. Why did Bondi’s firing come now? Was it the result of her mismanagement of the DOJ, or did this decision have more to do with Donald Trump and the Epstein Files? And what does her supposed processor Todd Blanche have in store for our justice system? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss the state of the DOJ, B...
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