Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra

MSNBC’s chart-topping original podcast “Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra” is honored to be recognized with an Edward R. Murrow Award. You can catch up on (or re-listen to!) both seasons plus all of the bonus material at MSNBC.com/Ultra or listen to all of the episodes wherever you get your podcasts.

Rachel Maddow Show

Is that really Rachel?

Spot checking and sometimes debunking quotes, memes and fake news stories about, or ascribed to, Rachel Maddow.

Thursday’s Mini-Report, 8.21.25

Today’s edition of quick hits.
James Dobson
James Dobson

GOP rep stumbles in case against mail-in ballots, suggests he’s talked to dead people

Either Jeff Van Drew misspoke when he said he’s spoken to “large numbers” of people who’ve “passed away,” or he was pitching an M. Night Shyamalan movie.
Jeff Van Drew speaks and points
Jeff Van Drew speaks and points

Team Trump finds something new to weaponize: mortgage fraud allegations

The Trump administration accused one of the president’s political targets of mortgage fraud. Then it happened again. And then it happened again.
Lisa Cook, governor of the Federal Reserve, at conference in Washington on July 22, 2025.
Lisa Cook, governor of the Federal Reserve, at conference in Washington on July 22, 2025.

Tulsi Gabbard to downsize national intelligence office, adding to broader offensive

Donald Trump’s second term has clearly been challenging for U.S. intelligence agencies. It’s getting worse all the time.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard

After CDC shooting, staffers press RFK Jr.: ‘Stop spreading inaccurate health information’

Kennedy is under pressure from his own workforce about security and the public discourse. It’s tough to be optimistic about his response.
President Trump Participates In Swearing-In Ceremony For Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz
President Trump Participates In Swearing-In Ceremony For Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz

Trump threatens Colorado with ‘harsh measures’ unless it frees a convicted felon

The president threatened to punish the state unless it agrees to free Tina Peters. Even by 2025 standards, this really isn't normal.
Image A former Colorado county clerk accused of illegally accessing her election system has avoided jail time for a misdemeanor obstruction conviction in another case.
Image A former Colorado county clerk accused of illegally accessing her election system has avoided jail time for a misdemeanor obstruction conviction in another case.

Republicans try to rebrand their far-right megabill, but reality is stubborn

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” remains wildly unpopular, and if Republicans are counting on a rebrand to help them, they’re likely to be disappointed.
President Donald Trump pounds a gavel presented to him by House Speaker Mike Johnson
President Donald Trump pounds a gavel presented to him by House Speaker Mike Johnson

More MaddowBlog

2d ago

‘A responsible approach’: Obama backs Democratic response to Republican hardball

Under normal circumstances, the former president would not back a Democratic plan for mid-decade redistricting. But these are not normal circumstances.
US-VOTE-POLITICS-DEMOCRATIC-CONVENTION
US-VOTE-POLITICS-DEMOCRATIC-CONVENTION
2d ago

JD Vance misses the point with his pitiful defense of White House power grabs

The vice president tried to push back against claims that militarization of the nation’s capital is a “power grab.” He failed in important ways.
Image: VP Vance And Defense Secretary Hegseth Visit Federal Law Enforcement Officers Patrolling At D.C.'s Union Station
Image: VP Vance And Defense Secretary Hegseth Visit Federal Law Enforcement Officers Patrolling At D.C.'s Union Station
3d ago

Wednesday’s Mini-Report, 8.20.25

Today’s edition of quick hits.
An Israeli soldier stands on the top of a tank parked
An Israeli soldier stands on the top of a tank parked
3d ago

Court rejects Texas Republicans’ law requiring Ten Commandments displays in schools

The Supreme Court has already ruled against Ten Commandments in classrooms. Republicans in several states are approving new laws anyway.
A granite Ten Commandments monument stands on the ground of the Texas Capitol
A granite Ten Commandments monument stands on the ground of the Texas Capitol
3d ago

The problem(s) with Trump declaring himself a ‘war hero’

If Trump is looking for actual war heroes, I might refer him to some of the people whose service he denigrated both before and after taking office.
Donald Trump speaks with reporters
Donald Trump speaks with reporters
3d ago

Justice Department launches investigation into D.C. crime data after Trump’s complaints

The president pushed a conspiracy theory about crime statistics in the nation's capital. Predictably, a Justice Department investigation soon followed.
D.C. Police car behind police tape
D.C. Police car behind police tape
3d ago

Pete Hegseth reportedly has an ‘unusually large’ security detail, generating pushback

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s security detail is reportedly so large that it’s straining the Army agency that’s tasked with protecting him.
Hegseth with security.
Hegseth with security.

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Is that really Rachel?

Spot checking and sometimes debunking quotes, memes and fake news stories about, or ascribed to, Rachel Maddow.

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