Trump’s war in Iran is now 45 days old with no end in sight — which is a problem for Republicans. Because while midterms are always tough for the party in power, an unpopular war with no exit strategy isn’t helping. So how should Democrats running for office this year – and in coming years – respond? And what should they be running for? Because recently “we aren’t Trump” hasn’t been good enough. To find out, we spoke with Mehdi Hasan. He’s the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the media company Zeteo.

And in headlines, the U.S. conducts more lethal strikes against supposed drug smuggling boats in the Pacific, President Trump receives the White House’s first DoorDash delivery, and Jane and Matt unpack the showdown no one asked for: POTUS v Pope. God help us.

Show Notes:

• Check out Mehdi's work – zeteo.com/s/mehdi-unfiltered
• Call Congress – 202-224-3121
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• What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
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• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

A very tired-looking Vice President JD Vance emerged from 21 hours of high-stakes peace talks on Sunday to say no deal has been made to end the Iran war — a failure that comes with serious economic and political consequences. It’s an election year, and Congressional Republicans are getting jumpy with their majorities on the line. So, to help unpack what all of this means for the midterms, we spoke with Daniella Diaz. She’s a reporter covering politics and Congress for NOTUS.

And in headlines, JD Vance strikes out in Hungary, Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell suspends his campaign for Governor of California, and the Artemis II crew returns safely to Earth.

Show Notes:

• Check out Daniella's work – www.notus.org/daniella-diaz
• Call Congress – 202-224-3121
• Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
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• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

From the moment the U.S. and Israel launched strikes in Iran at the end of February, several people have been profiting from them because of extremely well-timed bets they made on the prediction market website Polymarket. In March, Polymarket barred trades based on, “stolen confidential information.” And yet people appear to still be making trades using insider information. Just this week, a group of newly created accounts bet correctly on the U.S. and Iran reaching a ceasefire on April 7th. Saahil Desai, senior editor at The Atlantic, joins the show to discuss how prediction markets are capitalizing on war.

And in headlines, the White House denies reports of a schism between the Trump administration and the Vatican, humanitarian groups say the ceasefire in Gaza is failing, and a new analysis finds out just how much Democrats are saying the f-word on social media.

Show Notes:

• Check out Saahil's work – https://tinyurl.com/4up5v7ha
• Call Congress – 202-224-3121
• Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
• What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
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• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

In the brief period since President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, Iran has claimed that the United States and Israel have violated its terms. As a result, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz — again. According to Iranian state media, the 10-point framework Trump agreed to includes an end to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, an end to all sanctions, and permission for Iran to enrich as much nuclear material as it wants. But the White House told the New York Times that's not the plan the U.S. is working from. So what, exactly, did Trump achieve by threatening to destroy Iran's civilization on Tuesday? Tommy Vietor, co-host of Crooked Media's Pod Save the World, joins the show to discuss.

And in headlines, Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues its chaotic operations, the Trump administration's unpopularity hurts the GOP in local elections, and the U.K. tosses Ye's, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, rehabilitation tour in the bin.

Show Notes:

• Check out Pod Save America – https://tinyurl.com/4n6y99mu
• Call Congress – 202-224-3121
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• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump posted a disturbing threat on Truth Social on Tuesday morning. If Iran did not meet his demands by 8 PM Eastern, "​​A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again." But then, an hour and a half before his deadline, Trump said he’d agree to a two-week ceasefire — if Iran agreed to the “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.” And the Iranian regime agreed… sort of. But there’s still a lot we don’t know.

We spoke with Arizona Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari shortly after the news broke that U.S. and Iranian officials had agreed to a ceasefire.

Show Notes:

• Call Congress – 202-224-3121
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• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The Iran War has a second front in Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting Hezbollah, a militia that launched missiles into northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Israel believes the group threatens its security and it is striking targets across Lebanon to stop it. Tarek Abou Jaoude, a research fellow specializing in Lebanese politics at Queen’s University Belfast, unpacks the complex situation.

And in headlines, President Donald Trump subjects toddlers to his boasts about the Iran War during the White House Easter Egg Roll, Trump gives Republicans a headache by endorsing a California gubernatorial candidate, and the Artemis II astronauts boldly travel farther than any humans have traveled before.

Show Notes:

• Check out Tarek’s writing on Hezbollah and Israelhttps://tinyurl.com/57jeb5wd
• Call Congress – 202-224-3121
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• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is inserting Christian nationalism into the culture and policy of the armed forces, and that’s drawing concern both inside and outside the military. The Pentagon had spent years making non-Christians feel more welcome, but as Washington Post religion reporter Michelle Boorstein explains, Hegseth has rolled back that work in favor of a particular brand of evangelical Christianity.

And in headlines, President Donald Trump shares an expletive-laden Easter message for Iran, U.S. Special Operations forces rescue Air Force members who were shot down, and the administration argues that construction of a $400 million ballroom is a matter of national security.

Show Notes:

• Check out Michelle’s reporting https://tinyurl.com/3rr9fwxv
• Sign up for the Empire City Podcast Club at crookedideas.org/empirecity
• Call Congress – 202-224-3121
• Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
• What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
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• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Attorney General Pam Bondi is out of a job. After multiple media reports stating she was headed to the green pastures of… somewhere else, President Trump officially announced her departure Thursday on Truth Social. So why is Bondi getting pushed out of her position? Was it the Epstein files debacle? Or her inability to successfully prosecute Trump’s enemies? To find out, we spoke with Ryan Barber. He’s a reporter covering the Justice Department for The Wall Street Journal.

And in headlines, the world scrambles to figure out how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump promises to pay all DHS employees without outlining how, and a poll finds people glued to social media are less likely to think democracy is the best form of government.

Show Notes:

• Check out Ryan's reporting – https://tinyurl.com/zm6evaxb
• Call Congress – 202-224-3121
• Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
• What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
• Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday