Gloves Off

COURIER
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

Gloves Off with Tara McGowan cuts through the noise, holds power accountable, and speaks directly to the millions of Americans who feel politically abandoned to turn outrage and confusion into civic action. In an era marked by democratic backsliding, media consolidation, and historic levels of burnout, Tara sits down with the most influential — and controversial — political, cultural, and media figures shaping our future. This is not punditry. It’s accountability, clarity, and courage — from someone who has been inside the democratic party system and is now exposing its flaws. Each episode blends high-profile interviews, sharp analysis, and Tara’s candid, unfiltered POV. Whether confronting politicians, challenging corporate power, or explaining how information warfare shapes our politics, Gloves Off gives viewers the context they need — and a reason to stay in the fight.

  1. Trump Tried to Arrest Him Twice, Now He's Running for Congress.

    4d ago

    Trump Tried to Arrest Him Twice, Now He's Running for Congress.

    With ICE threatening to flood New York City with more federal agents than it's ever seen, this congressional candidate is already two arrests deep and just walked out of federal court not guilty… That's why Tara McGowan sat down with Brad Lander, former NYC Comptroller, Democrat who helped Zohran Mamdani defeat Andrew Cuomo and now the leading challenger to incumbent Congressman Dan Goldman in New York's 10th Congressional District. Fresh off his acquittal for "blocking an elevator" at 26 Federal Plaza — where ICE has been running an illegal detention facility on the 10th floor — Brad joins Tara to talk about what's coming for New York City and why he isn't scared. They get into Tom Homan's threat to deploy the largest ICE surge New York has ever seen in direct retaliation for Governor Hochul's new immigrant protection laws, what Minneapolis taught the country about showing up for your neighbors and why Brad believes the line in the Democratic Party right now isn't progressive versus moderate, it's fighters versus fakers.  Here's what all they get into: Inside Brad's ICE Arrest — 1:32 Will ICE Escalate In New York? — 7:29 Why Run For Congress? — 16:54 Who's Brad's Top Target? — 20:32 Where Brad Finds Courage — 22:49 Early voting is open now and the NY-10 primary is June 23rd. Follow Gloves Off wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations with the candidates, organizers and political figures who actually have their gloves off in this fight to save democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min

  2. 6d ago

    How MAGA Money Took Over Democratic Primaries

    The Democratic Party has spent a decade trying to stop Donald Trump, so why does it still feel like nobody has a real, working plan? That’s why Tara McGowan sat down with Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy and Democratic candidate for New York's 12th Congressional District. They had an honest conversation about the future of the Democratic Party, corruption in politics, billionaire influence, Israel and Palestine and why so many voters are losing faith in America's institutions. Jack argues that Democrats have become too cautious, too comfortable with failure and too dependent on the same political playbook that helped create the crisis they're now trying to solve. He also calls out the flood of super PAC money pouring into one of the most closely watched congressional primaries in the country.  Here’s what all they get into:  1:55 —  Why Jack Schlossberg Decided to Run 7:53 — Inside the Fight for the Democratic Party's Future 19:45 — How JFK’s Grandson Defines His Politics 25:49 — What Jack Schlossberg Would Fight For In Congress First 28:30 — The Americans Who Motivate Jack With just a couple weeks left before voters head to the polls in Manhattan's closely watched NY-12 race, Tara and Jack get at a much bigger question — what kind of Democratic Party comes next? Subscribe to Gloves Off for more questions and answers with the candidates, organizers and political figures shaping the future of American politics. And check out the live debate COURIER News and Meidas Touch are hosting with all the NY-12 candidates on June 10. They'll go head-to-head on affordability, housing, immigration and more at a time when voters are demanding something different from their leaders. Click the link below to register and watch the debate for free:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ny-12-primary-debate-tickets-1990117186076?aff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min
  3. Big Tech is Spending $10 Million in a Primary to Keep This Candidate Out of Congress

    Jun 7

    Big Tech is Spending $10 Million in a Primary to Keep This Candidate Out of Congress

    What does it mean for democracy when some of the most powerful companies in the world are trying to shape who gets elected before voters cast their ballots? Tara McGowan wanted to know so she sat down with New York Assemblymember Alex Bores. They unpacked the growing battle between democratic institutions and the tech industry, the role of AI money in politics and whether government can still hold powerful corporations accountable before AI fundamentally reshapes society. With just weeks until Election Day, voters aren't just choosing a representative. They're weighing in on one of the defining political fights of the next decade. Who controls AI? Who controls Congress? And can democracy still hold powerful interests accountable before it's too late? Follow Gloves Off for more questions and answers with the candidates, organizers and political figures shaping the future of American politics. And check out the live debate COURIER News and Meidas Touch are hosting with all the NY-12 candidates on June 10. They'll go head-to-head on affordability, housing, immigration and more at a time when voters are demanding something different from their leaders. Click the link below to register and watch the debate for free: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ny-12-primary-debate-tickets-1990117186076?aff Make sure to rate our show if you're enjoying what you hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min

  4. May 30

    Can Democrats Flip Iowa? I Asked Both Senate Candidates.

    Donald Trump won Iowa by 13 points in 2024. Democrats haven't won a U.S. Senate race in the state since 2008. But with an open Senate seat, an open governor's race, and growing signs of political volatility, Iowa may once again be an important battleground state. This week on Gloves Off, Tara McGowan sits down with both Democratic candidates running for Iowa's U.S. Senate seat: Zach Wahls and Josh Turek. In back-to-back interviews, Tara asks the same questions about corruption, Democratic leadership, campaign finance reform, immigration, healthcare, the cost-of-living crisis, and what it will take to win back voters in a state that has shifted dramatically to the right. Both candidates argue Democrats need to reconnect with working-class voters. Both call for major reforms to the political system. But they disagree on electability, Democratic Party leadership, and who is best positioned to take on Republicans in one of the country's most consequential Senate races. If Democrats are going to win back states like Iowa—and potentially the Senate itself—what kind of candidate can actually get the job done? Watch and decide for yourself. #GlovesOff #Iowa #USSenate #Democrats #Politics #Election2026 #ZachWahls #JoshTurek #ProgressivePolitics #TaraMcGowan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

  5. May 23

    Why Republicans Are Suddenly Nervous About Texas

    After Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn, what was already a nasty GOP primary suddenly turned into an all out Republican civil war. And Democrats think the chaos could finally create a real opening in Texas for the first time in decades. That’s why Tara McGowan sat down with Democratic strategist and Way to Win co-founder Tory Gavito for a deep dive on how Texas could decide the future of democracy. Here’s what they get into: Inside the Paxton–Cornyn Republican civil war — :31 Why Texas matters nationally — 2:44 If economic populism can win in Texas — 17:02 If Texas voters can overcome suppression — 33:33 How Latino voters are reshaping Texas — 40:13 Where the Democratic coalition is headed — 46:41 What gives Tory Gavito courage right now — 52:43 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    56 min
  6. Inside The Supreme Court’s Long Game to Rig Elections ft ACLU’s Alanah Odoms

    May 16

    Inside The Supreme Court’s Long Game to Rig Elections ft ACLU’s Alanah Odoms

    What happens when the Supreme Court starts laying the legal groundwork to roll back the Reconstruction Amendments themselves? And what does it mean for American democracy when Republican lawmakers openly talk about overturning the 14th Amendment while carving up Black voting power across the South? That’s why Tara McGowan sat down with civil rights attorney and ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Alanah Odoms for one of the most urgent conversations we’ve had on Gloves Off yet. Together, they break down the Supreme Court’s devastating Louisiana redistricting decision, the coordinated GOP effort to dismantle the Voting Rights Act and why Alanah says this moment was decades in the making.  They unpack how this ruling immediately triggered new racial gerrymandering efforts in states like Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana, why John Roberts has spent his career trying to weaken voting rights protections and how Project 2025 fits into a broader movement to consolidate Republican power for a generation. They also dive deep into the history of Reconstruction, the 14th Amendment, white backlash politics and why the attacks on Black political representation are connected to attacks on reproductive rights, immigration rights and democracy itself. Questions and topics as follows:  Timeline on the Louisiana vs. Callais case — 4:34 Who were the people behind the Callais case? — 12:27 Reaction to challenging Louisiana’s new congressional district map — 15:05 How were you, your colleagues and impacted communities preparing for the Supreme Court’s decision in Callais? — 17:06 What do we do now in response to the Louisiana vs. Callais decision? — 30:26 Do we need entirely new institutions to restore moral clarity in our government? — 36:47 PSA to white women — 48:19 Where does Alanah source her courage from? — 52:05 From the future of voting rights to Supreme Court reform, this conversation is a warning about where the country is headed — and what it will take to fight back. Follow Gloves Off for more conversations like this, rate our show if you're enjoying what you hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min
  7. The Anti-Establishment Revolt Coming for Democrats ft. David Pakman

    May 9

    The Anti-Establishment Revolt Coming for Democrats ft. David Pakman

    Are Democrats only winning because MAGA is fracturing more and more each day? Can they really rebuild trust with voters, define a coherent vision and answer to the growing anti-establishment anger inside their own coalition? Tara McGowan sat down with David Pakman, host of the David Pakman Show, for a brutally honest conversation about the future of the Democratic Party, the rise of economic populism and the collapse of institutional trust. They unpack all the DNC backlash, the 2028 Democratic primary and why so many voters feel politically homeless right now. They also debate whether Democrats are actually learning the right lessons from Trumpism, why outsider candidates are gaining steam and how social media platforms, YouTube politics and digital propaganda are reshaping American democracy in real time.  From Hasan Piker and independent media to JD Vance, Josh Hawley and the future of the Republican Party, this conversation dives deep into the political realignment already underway ahead of 2028. Follow Gloves Off wherever you get your podcasts and rate us if you're enjoying what you hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min

  8. May 2

    MAGA Won’t Die With Trump. Here’s What Comes Next ft Tim Miller

    MAGA isn’t dying with Trump and Democrats still don’t know who’s leading them next… so what’s going to happen in 2028? That’s why Tara McGowan sat down with Tim Miller of The Bulwark — a former Republican strategist turned anti-MAGA insider — to break down the fractures ripping through both parties, the future of MAGA after Trump and why Democrats still haven’t built a bench that can actually win. They get into the real tension happening inside the Democratic Party right now — from establishment figures trying to hold the line and a progressive wing pushing for systemic change. Tim argues Democrats are finally starting to fight back in places like Virginia, but still struggle to define what they stand for and who can unite their coalition heading into 2028. They also dig into the rise of voices like Hasan Piker, Zohran Mamdani and AOC and why Democrats may need to engage with voices they don’t fully agree with if they want to rebuild a winning coalition. On the Republican side, the conversation gets darker. Tim makes the case that while Trump himself is unique, “America First” isn’t going anywhere — and the next version of MAGA could be more disciplined, more ideological and potentially more dangerous. From Josh Hawley to a possible Trump dynasty, the question isn’t whether MAGA survives… it’s what it turns into. Underlying all of it is one scary reality: Democrats don’t have a clear leader and MAGA doesn’t have a clear successor. Follow Gloves Off for more conversations like this and rate our show if you're enjoying what you hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    56 min
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5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Gloves Off with Tara McGowan cuts through the noise, holds power accountable, and speaks directly to the millions of Americans who feel politically abandoned to turn outrage and confusion into civic action. In an era marked by democratic backsliding, media consolidation, and historic levels of burnout, Tara sits down with the most influential — and controversial — political, cultural, and media figures shaping our future. This is not punditry. It’s accountability, clarity, and courage — from someone who has been inside the democratic party system and is now exposing its flaws. Each episode blends high-profile interviews, sharp analysis, and Tara’s candid, unfiltered POV. Whether confronting politicians, challenging corporate power, or explaining how information warfare shapes our politics, Gloves Off gives viewers the context they need — and a reason to stay in the fight.

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