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Bill speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. Vincent Greenwood about his book, Puppet on a String, and Greenwood’s argument that Donald Trump fits the criteria for clinical psychopathy. Greenwood explains his assessment process, why he says an in-person interview is not required, and why he believes the condition has serious implications for Trump’s conduct in office. They discuss the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, the traits Greenwood says are most relevant to Trump, and why he views the book as a warning to the public and to constitutional decision makers. Greenwood says an in-person exam isn’t required: He describes evaluating behavior through records, interviews, biographies, and other public evidence. The book’s central metaphor: The “puppeteer” is clinical psychopathy, the “puppet” is Trump, and the “prey” is the public affected by harmful behavior. Psychopathy is a pattern of traits: Greenwood presents it as a combination of behavioral tendencies, emotional deficits, and harm to others. The conversation covers traits including glibness, grandiosity, pathological lying, lack of remorse, callousness, impulsivity, and irresponsibility. Greenwood’s reported score: He says Trump scored 32 on the checklist, above the commonly cited cutoff of 30 to diagnose a psychopath. Three traits Greenwood says matter in office: Impulsivity, remorselessness, and an insatiable drive to dominate. Greenwood argues these traits can shape decision-making, responses to tragedy, demands for loyalty, and political polarization. The book is a warning: Greenwood describes it as an effort to inform Congress, the cabinet, and the public. You can get your own copy of this important book at Bookshop.org.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump’s Press Ban Backfire. National Security Claim Fails. Zi Visit: All Pump and No Substance. Government Paid Propaganda. Midterms Looming: GOP Panicking. Senate Could Flip. Does Trump Care About the Party? Favorite Stories!With Sabrina Siddiqui, National Politics Reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-chief of the National Journal and Shirish Date, Senior White House Correspondent for HuffPost.  Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill helms a two-part podcast featuring science and technology journalist Jacob Ward and Mother Jones’s David Corn. Ward discusses escalating public warnings from AI industry leaders, arguing fears of self-aware “Terminator” AI are less likely than harms from misuse, poor control, and mistakes, citing examples of AI-assisted toxin research, targeting systems, and privacy invasion; he says meaningful regulation, legal liability, and careful U.S.-China negotiations are needed, and critiques Donald Trump’s dismissal of AI concerns. Corn discusses his book “How Russia Won, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and the Fight for America ” contending Russia has waged gray-zone information warfare against the U.S. since 2016 to weaken the West and benefit Trump, describing continued disinformation efforts, Trump’s favorable treatment of Putin, and episodes involving Giuliani, alleged Russian agents, and January 6 as a major victory for delegitimizing U.S. democracy. To follow Jacob Ward’s work, go to TheRipCurrent.com and for David’s new book, go to HowRussiaWon.com.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI Doomerism. Trump Loves AI. GOP: Self-police. Mail-in Voting OK. Fed Raises Rates. Vance: Give US Another Chance. GOP Latino Backlash. GOP Senate Panic. Gas/Deisel Up. Hegseth in Crosshairs. Don Jr.’s Russian Wedding. Demolish The Kennedy Center?  With Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, Hunter Walker, Investigative Reporter for Talking Points Memo and Evan McMorris-Santoro, who writes the Washington Sun Daily Newsletter. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UCFW.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, New York Times Reporter, Jonathan Swan and Bill discuss the insights from Swan's book “Regime Change, Inside Donald Trump’s Imperial Presidency,” exploring the inner workings of Donald Trump's presidency, the concept of regime change in the US, and the implications of Trump's actions and policies. Key topics discussed are: The concept of regime change in the US Trump's early planning and execution of policies The influence of Stephen Miller and other key advisors Trump's approach to foreign policy and military actions The role of norms and laws in Trump's presidency The Trump family's business dealings and conflicts of interest The symbolism of gold and personal branding in Trump's White House The internal debates over controversial decisions like pardons and the Epstein files The impact of Trump's actions on American democracy and institutions You can get your copy of Regime Change at Bookshop.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trumpapalooza in Dallas...For Dems. Some GOP Candidates Stay Away. Trump Promises $5,000 if GOP Wins. GOP Running on Fear. $45,000 to Natalie Harp. Fetterman is now Joe Manchin. Iran Quagmire Continues. 9/11 25th Anniversary. AI and Data Centers Fears Grow. Apple Foldable Phone. With Kirk Bado, Editor of The National Journal Hotline and Igor Bobic, covering the Senate for the new Washington Sun. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Laborers' International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill discusses concerns that Donald Trump may interfere with the upcoming November 3 midterm election, focusing on attacks on mail-in voting and broader threats to a free and fair process. Virginia Kase Solomon, CEO of Common Cause, describes how all states use some form of mail voting, notes studies (including one cited from The Heritage Foundation) finding virtually no fraud, and explains safeguards like barcodes, signature matching, and voter-roll maintenance. She outlines Trump’s March 31 executive order involving DHS and the USPS, argues it is unconstitutional and operationally impossible to implement close to the election, and reviews ongoing litigation, including a Massachusetts restraining order and additional cases with partners such as the NAACP and Black Voters Matter. Solomon also warns about potential ICE presence at polls, ballot seizure and chain-of-custody issues, polling-place reductions after Voting Rights Act changes, and urges voting early, returning mail ballots promptly, and volunteering via protectthevote.net or as election workers. Today Bill highlights the work of Common Cause. Check it  out at CommonCause.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill interviews former Labor Secretary and UC Berkeley professor emeritus Robert Reich about a Supreme Court decision on the Trump Ballroom he says reflects collapsing guardrails and a “unitary executive theory” that concentrates power in the president, which Reich argues effectively resurrects a king; he suggests Chief Justice John Roberts may be trying to prevent Trump from ignoring the Court outright. Reich says Trump’s claims about prosperity are false, calling the economy weak, foreign policy a fiasco, and warning the country is in worse shape than under Nixon. Reich disputes Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s denial of a K-shaped economy, citing rising wealth concentration, debt in the bottom half, and wages lagging inflation, while noting $40 trillion in national debt and growing interest payments benefiting bondholders after major tax cuts for the rich. They discuss oligarchic influence, billionaire tech figures, data centers’ electricity, water, and noise burdens, and Reich’s call to restrict or even ban them and regulate AI. Reich sees progressive Democrats focused on cost of living and money in politics as timely, warns of threats to voting, and predicts Democrats could regain the House; he urges a campaign message centered on jobs, wages, affordability, anti-monopoly action, paid leave, and higher taxes on the rich. Check out Bob’s substack: RobertReich.substack.com/ and YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@RBReich Here is a link to Bob's book, https://bookshop.org/p/books/coming-up-short-a-memoir-of-my-america-robert-b-reich/74502451024fd083 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Graham’s Sister Wins in SC. Trump Promotes Paxton. (Trade) War with Canada. Susan Collins Concerned. Tariffs Hurt GOP. Gas Prices Hurt GOP. Trump Hurts GOP. Data Centers Spook Pols. Flock Camera Backlash. Trump’s Focus: Building, not Voters. Dolly! With Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief at CQ-Roll Call, Amanda Becker, National Reporter for 19th News, Jessica Taylor, Senators and Governors Editor at the Cook Political Report and Savannah Behrmann, Senate Reporter for CQ- Roll-Call.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill talks to journalist Gil Duran about his book, The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy, arguing that a tech-driven oligarchy already wields outsized power through figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk, including political donations to Donald Trump and lucrative government contracts. Duran describes the rapid expansion of AI-fueled data centers as a visible flashpoint driving bipartisan local backlash over land use, water, pollution, and electricity costs. He focuses on Thiel’s long-running anti-democratic worldview, influenced by Thiel-backed thinker Curtis Yarvin into mainstream politics, including “Freedom Cities.” Duran warns crypto has become a “weapon of mass corruption,” criticizes Washington’s reluctance to confront these forces, and calls for public organizing, curbing billionaire power, and resistance movements targeting surveillance and contractors like Palantir and Flock. You can get your copy of Gil’s prescient book at Bookshop.org. Or paste this link into your browser: bit.ly/4qxH9gy . Today, Bill reminds of how important certain Senate races are to retake control of the government from Trump’s unfettered corruption. Best way to help is donations to these Democratic candidates through the great Democratic fundraising platform, ActBlue.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

White House “Renovations.” Ballroom Battle. Natalie Harp in the Spotlight. Keep an Eye on Ossoff. Melania Surfaces. $40 Trillion Debt. Primaries in AL, WY & FL. Trump Endorsements Fail. Data Center Backlash Roils Politics.  With John Bennett, White House Correspondent and Editor at Large at CQ Roll Call, Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-Chief at the National Journal and Cam Joseph, Politics Editor at Politico.  Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The American Federation of Teachers. More information at AFT.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill interviews California Rep. Jared Huffman about his book, “No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism,” defining Christian nationalism as the fusion of fundamentalist Christian identity with Republican politics and a false claim that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation. Huffman argues MAGA Christian nationalism is more militant and openly theocratic than earlier movements, is deeply embedded in Congress, the Trump White House, and even the Pentagon, and uses ministries and “biblically sanctioned government” rhetoric to push policy. He describes January 6 as a “Christian coup” shaped by groups like the New Apostolic Reformation and says Liz Cheney removed the religious dimension from the J6 Committee’s final report. They discuss Christian Zionism’s influence on U.S. Israel policy and how prophets elevated Trump as a biblical King Cyrus figure after the Supreme Court ruled for marriage equality in the Obergefell decision. You can get a copy of Congressman Huffman’s great new book at your local bookstore or at Bookshop.org. Today Bill highlights the work of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. More information at AU.org . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump Saves Himself. Rating Karoline Leavitt. Pirro Still Under Fire. Reflecting Pool Farce. Wisconsin Chooses Electability. Rogers Leads El-Sayed. Minn Chooses Progressive. S. Carolina Senate Race. GOP House Scandals. Data Centers Get Toxic.  With Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, Arthur Delaney, Senor Reporter at HuffPost and Samuel Benson, National Politics Reporter for Politico. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill welcomes back American Enterprise Institute emeritus scholar Norm Ornstein to assess Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson, and President Trump. Ornstein calls this the worst Congress ever, citing little constructive legislation beyond a Reconciliation bill that delays major Medicaid cuts until after the midterms, lack of oversight, and a Senate that offers only “rubber-stamp” consent, including confirming Todd Blanche as Attorney General. He argues Johnson is effectively “speaker of Donald Trump” and criticizes Democratic leaders for failing to project a coherent daily message despite strong individual members. Ornstein and Press discuss Republican senators backing Blanche despite Trump’s attacks, which Ornstein attributes to moral cowardice and a party functioning like a cult. They also cover Trump’s mishandling of Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool repairs, no-bid contracting and bogus vandalism prosecutions, legal battles over Trump’s White House construction projects, and Rand Paul’s McCarthy-like pursuit of Anthony Fauci. Today Bill highlights the work of The Constitutional Accountability Center.  More information at TheUSConstitution.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rand Paul’s Contempt for Anthony Fauci. The Reflecting Pool Fiasco Reflects Trumpism. Todd Blanche’s Nomination in Jeopardy. Outsider El-Sayed Wins in Michigan. Trump Out of Touch on the Economy. Data Centers Backlash. Rep. Miller Defiant. With Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief at CQ-Roll Call, Allan Smith, Politics Reporter for NBC News and Sabrina Siddiqui, National Political Reporter at The Wall Street Journal. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.