State of the Union features video podcasts by independent media. A partial list includes: Leigh McGowan, PoliticsGirl; Rick Wilson; The Lincoln Project; Marc Elias, Democracy Docket; Steve Schmidt, The Warning; Joe Walsh, The Social Contract; Heather Cox Richardson, Letters From an American; Simon Rosenberg, Hopium Chronicles; Jim Acosta; David Rothkopf; Jen Rubin, The Contrarian; Charlie Sykes, To the Contrary; and others.
Videos on YouTube are usually available but may have ads. Videos on Substack usually are ad-free but may require a subscription. Subscriptions may require an annual fee or may be free.
Ossoff: Something is happening in Georgia
YouTube (32:10)
Can Trump Be Stopped? Actually, Yes.
Miles Taylor is a former DHS official during Trump's first term and the founder of Defiance.org. He joins Charlie to discuss how the administration's changes to the green card process reveal that Trump's immigration stance was never about those who entered the country illegally — but about all immigrants. They also cover artists pulling out of the Freedom 250 concert and Trump's potential role in the 60 Minutes shake-up.
American Conversations: Senator Andy Kim
YouTube (23:26)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WUYCw4eLNoGet full, free access to Letters from an American here:
heathercoxrichardson.substack.
American Conversations: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
YouTube (43:08)
The Andy Borowitz Show: Predicting the End of Trump?
YouTube (34:05)
As Stephen Colbert Says Goodbye, My Favorite Moments
As Stephen Colbert takes his final bow on The Late Show, I reflect on my favorite moments with him and some of my favorite sketches from his show. We'll miss you on our TV screens, Stephen. Can't wait to see what you do next.
YouTube (17:52)
Ken Burns on Trump 'Authoritarianism': We will repair and restore but 'can’t be complacent'
Legendary award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns joins Nicolle Wallace for a special episode of "The Best People" talking about the venality and virtue of America at 250. As our nation's 250th anniversary approaches, he joins Nicolle at the famed 92nd Street Y for an intimate conversation about the American experiment — how its failures and its successes inform each other and nudge the country forward. Ken understands that political turmoil is a hallmark of our democracy; fundamentally, we’ve been here before. He shares why he believes Trump's "authoritarianism" will be defeated and why we’re going to make it, by looking at history. It's a conversation you don't want to miss.
YouTube (54:43)
Heather Cox Richardson: Politics Chat
Topics covered in today’s Politics Chat: JD Vance's Maine visit to talk about fraud, accusations used by the guilty party, Rick Scott's $1.7 billion Medicare and Medicaid fraud settlement, Trump pardons for fraud-convicted donors and allies, Trump family wealth gains since January 2025, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff’s negotiations, World Liberty Financial and untraceable crypto revenue, no-bid contracts and cost inflation on DC vanity projects, Trump's China trip with billionaire delegation, Crédit Mobilier scandal, Teapot Dome scandal, Viktor Orbán corruption precedent, and Republican fraud accusations as political counter-messaging ahead of the midterms.
YouTube (31:34)
Tom Nichols Noticed Something About Trump That Nobody In The Media Will Say Out Loud
Tom Nichols of The Atlantic joins Jim Acosta with a warning the mainstream media won't touch. He's seen these behavioral patterns before — up close, in someone he loved — and what he's watching from this president has him alarmed. There's a war happening. Decisions are being made. And the person making them may not be who you think they are. If this was someone in your family, you'd already know what to do.
YouTube (18:50)
U.S. Congressional District 8 Candidates’ Forum
The Swampscott Democratic Town Committee, along with Town Committees from Nahant and Marblehead, in association with Swampscott Government Access Television, sponsored a District 6 Congressional Candidate's forum on May, 7, 2026 at the Swampscott High School Auditorium.
Heather Cox Richardson: Today in Politics
Topics covered in today’s Politics Chat: Tennessee congressional redistricting, the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais ruling and the Voting Rights Act, mid-decade Republican remapping in Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, and South Carolina, Operation REDMAP and one-party state concerns, CIA assessment contradicting administration claims on Iran, War Powers Act and the 60-day deadline, Project Freedom and Saudi Arabia airspace denial, U.S.-Iran renewed hostilities, Shell profits and national gas prices, Whirlpool recession warning, Tom Homan immigration raid escalation, ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention costs, Trump-Pope conflict and Rubio's Vatican meeting, Fulton County grand jury transcripts, state Supreme Court elections in Georgia and North Carolina, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act cuts.
YouTube (53:27)