During this week's Substack LIVE, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:

— Trump’s Megalomania and Historical Self-Comparison: Donald Trump has reportedly begun comparing himself to Hegel’s legendary “heroes of an Epoch”: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon Bonaparte. What could possibly go wrong?!?

— Trump’s Collapsing Polls and Political Damage: Sharp drops in approval, especially among independents; dismal ratings on Iran war handling, economy, inflation, and cost of living tied to gas price spikes, and more;

— Scott Jennings’ On-Air Meltdown: CNN contributor Scott Jennings dropping an F-bomb and losing his temper against a young liberal YouTuber (Adam Mockler). So why hasn’t he been fired?

— MAGA Congressman Riley Moore and the New Bishop: West Virginia Congressman Riley Moore — a Catholic Republican who gave a thumbs-up photo in front of El Salvador prison cages with migrants — got a surprise, recently. Pope Leo appointed a new bishop for West Virginia who is a former undocumented immigrant from El Salvador.

— Rudy Giuliani’s Fallen Legacy: Giuliani in critical condition in hospital; dramatic squandering of his post-9/11 hero status (would have had schools, airports, etc., named after him); comparison to Benedict Arnold as someone whose early heroism was destroyed by later flaws and choices.

— 2028 Trump Family Dynasty Speculation: Charlie and Matt agree that Trump might decide to back a family member in 2028 (Don Jr. or Ivanka!) as successor to retain influence and protection; Don Jr. as the more obvious but flawed candidate; Ivanka as potentially stronger (more likable, electable, historic first-woman angle).

— And MUCH more!

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937

Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

On today's Substack LIVE conversation, Chris Cillizza and Matt discuss:

— Trump’s “No More Mr. Nice Guy” meme — why Trump is posting Terminator-style AI images in the middle of the night (and what it says about his mindset).

— Trump’s Revenge Obsession – The DOJ going after James Comey while the economy and gas prices suffer.

— Trump at 33% Approval – Historic lows, Republican panic over 2026 midterms, and why the “MAGA” namebrand is toxic in competitive districts.

— Supreme Court Bombshell – Landmark Voting Rights Act ruling could allow Republicans to redraw Southern districts and potentially flip 5-10 House seats.

— GOP Fracturing in Congress – Chaos on FISA reauthorization, the Farm Bill, closed parts of DHS, and the upcoming Tom Massie primary (Trump’s #1 target).

— 2028 Early Outlook – Field vs. JD Vance, Trump’s slipping grip on the party, and rising talk of Rubio, Don Jr., or a Tucker-style candidate.

— And MUCH more!

***** Sign up to hear Matt and Chris speak at the Leadership Institute's Content Creator Bootcamp on Friday, May 8. https://leadershipinstitute.org/event/701VL00000gVUkoYAG

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937

Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

During today's podcast, Matt talks with Charlie Sykes about:

— Chaos at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner: An attempted shooting turned the glitzy event into near-tragedy, exposing major security gaps and prompting immediate political finger-pointing instead of reflection.

— The Bizarre “Build the Ballroom” Pivot: Trumpworld shifted with laser-focused message discipline to demand a $400 million White House ballroom — weaponizing the violence to advance Trump’s obsession and keeping the topic of conversation off of Iran.

— The 60 Minutes Meltdown: Trump’s defensive interview, including unsolicited Nixon-esque denials (“I am not a rapist… I am not a pedophile”) and lashing out at host Norah O’Donnell.

— The Security Bubble Problem: From cabinet members living on military bases to calls for presidents never leaving fortified compounds, the Trump administration is increasingly isolated from regular people, worsening governance and public distrust.

— Conspiracy Theories Biting Back: The same conspiratorial mindset Trump once fueled (birtherism, Stop the Steal, etc.) is now turning inward.

— And MUCH more!

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's books:

FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937

Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

On today's podcast, Chris Cillizza and Matt discuss:

— Virginia redistricting referendum passes narrowly and likely flips the VA House map to 10 Democrats/1 Republican (from 6-5)

— The gerrymandering debate: “unilateral disarmament” vs. endless escalation

— Fresh AP-NORC poll bombshell: Trump approval collapses to 33% overall

— Tucker Carlson calls himself “complicit”: Is Tucker eyeing 2028?

— JD Vance’s rough patch: forced to defend Iran war and gets into a spat with the Pope while trying to own the Catholic/America First lane — is his heir apparent status slipping?

— 2028 speculation: Don Jr. as Trump’s potential handoff?

— Trump cabinet shake-up begins: Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Lori Chavez-DeRemer out — early reset attempt?

— Bigger picture: Will norms ever return after Trump? Can liberal democracy bounce back, or has the escalation permanently broken trust?

— And MUCH more!

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's books:

FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937

Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

On this week’s Substack convo, Charlie Sykes and Matt break down the latest escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict, plus:

— Why it feels like déjà vu and a “kabuki dance,” with the Strait of Hormuz closed, Trump boxed in by markets, and sinking poll numbers

— Cabinet drama: Kash Patel’s alleged drinking issues and freak-out, and Pete Hegseth’s Pulp Fiction “Bible verse” recitation.

— Washington elites still don’t know “what time it is”: Media nostalgia at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and the death of the old norma

l— Conspiracy karma: MAGA turning on itself with staged assassination attempt theories, crisis actor claims. — The rise of AI-generated fake Trump supporters

— How parasocial relationships and lonely audiences fuel grifty streamers (see Nick Fuentes)

— Virginia redistricting referendum, and why unilateral disarmament on gerrymandering is naive in the Trump era— And MUCH more!

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's books:

FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937

Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

Why are boys and men falling behind in education, work, relationships, and mental health? And how did we get here — from "the future is female" slogans to a growing war on motherhood, marriage, and fatherhood?

In this powerful conversation, Matt sits down with Lisa Britton (a former feminist turned advocate for boys and men) to discuss the real crisis facing American males — and why it matters for everyone.

They cover:

• How decades of shaming and sidelining boys created disengagement, radicalization risks, and even national security concerns

• The damage of anti-family messaging and telling women they "don't need men"

• The unique importance of fathers and male mentors (with heartfelt stories from both Matt and Lisa)

• Why Andrew Tate is a symptom, not the cause• Bipartisan progress: The new White House Fathers and Sons Act and what we can do politically

This isn't about toxic masculinity — it's about respecting men and boys, rebuilding strong families, and creating balanced partnerships between the sexes.

If you're a parent, educator, or concerned about the future of our boys, this episode is essential viewing.

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.

Buy Matt's books:

FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937

Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

On this week’s Substack LIVE conversation, Chris Cillizza and Matt break down the biggest political stories of the week.In this episode:

— JD Vance’s brutal week — Failed Iran peace talks, campaigning for Viktor Orbán (who lost badly in Hungary), a sparsely attended Turning Point USA event, and what it means for his 2028 prospects

— Trump’s materialist worldview — warm relations with transactional petro-states (Saudi, UAE), struggles with “higher calling” figures like the Pope, and difficulty understanding dignity/honor over money

— Trump’s age and mental sharpness debate — Is he slipping, or has he always been this erratic?— Personal confessions on voting

— Why Chris doesn’t vote (and is rethinking it), Matt’s evolution from never-Trump to “vote blue no matter who” — at least, in 2026

— The dangers of audience capture and fan service on Substack/ independent media — how metrics and unsubscribes tempt creators to pander instead of thinking honestly— Character in politics

— Eric Swalwell's scandals, Tony Gonzalez affair allegations, Donald Trump’s long list of accusations, and why decency still (or should) matter despite everything

— And MUCH more!

As you can see, this was a wide-ranging, fun, and thought-provoking conversation between two veteran political observers who are just trying to make sense of a post-norm politics.

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/

Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDC

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A

– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937

Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

Matt starts out by updating us the latest Trump scandals. Then, Sheldon Hirsch, a practicing nephrologist and former reluctant Trump supporter, joins Matt to discuss his powerful new book "Make America Sane Again: Reflections on Trump's Travesties."

In this candid interview, Hirsch reveals how he went from rooting for Donald Trump in 2016 (while refusing to vote for Hillary Clinton) to becoming a sharp critic who wrote nearly daily letters to the editor — many published in The New York Times and Chicago Tribune.

What started as a hobby became a unique collection of insightful, bite-sized essays that chronicle Trump's actions from the controversial inauguration crowd claims, family separations at the border, the mishandling of COVID-19, to the January 6th events and beyond.

Hirsch explains why the material "wrote itself," how he added historical and cultural perspective to make the letters compelling, and why he sees his work as a civic duty. He also shares personal stories, including his experience as a doctor on the front lines during the pandemic and a memorable analogy involving Maimonides' rules of charity applied to Trump's meeting with Zelensky.

If you're looking for a thoughtful, non-partisan voice from someone who changed his mind based on events — not ideology — this conversation delivers fresh insights you won't hear everywhere.

Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937

Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC