To the Contrary with Charlie Sykes: It's the Corruption, Stupid

[marmar]

May 21, 2026

Phillips O'Brien is a historian and Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. In this episode, he joins Charlie to discuss Trump's corruption, his desperate Iran's gambit, and his weak position in global politics.

[luv2fly]

1. Charlie Sykes is part of the reason we're where we are

F*ck him, he gets no pass.

[ihaveaquestion]

2. Yea! Fuck anyone who didn't used agree with us - whether they changed their minds or not!

How do you think that'll work out for us in the end?

Never mind that we've got an authoritarian state dismantling and looting our democracy right in front of us. Never mind that they're setting up concentration camps all across the country and laying the groundwork for imprisoning immigrants, minorities, women and anyone else they set their sights on.

Never mind all that - we can't accept anyone we once disagreed with - even if they can help bring our message to others who once disagreed with us - whose allyship we need.

Nah - we don't need anyone else - we were right then and we're right now, so we can we can go it alone.

Sounds like a plan?

[luv2fly]

3. You like him, noted.

Flipping through radio stations as I drove around Milwaukee decades back it was hard to avoid Charlie Sykes hammering on Democrats as he stuck his nose further up Bush's ass while delivering his daily diatribe on TMJ.

While he may not like Trump, the next time there's an R to vote for, you can pretty much bet where his vote will go.

Yeah, f*ck him.