The Cycle- On Substack

Rachel "The Doc" Bitecofer
  • 4.5 (27)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

On The Cycle, political strategist Rachel Bitecofer speaks with today's headline makers about politics. thecycle.substack.com

  1. This is America

    3D AGO

    This is America

    With Labor Day behind us, Trump’s honeymoon is over and his march into fascist authoritarianism is in full force. This week Rachel and Aaron look at his latest distraction from a nosediving economy and the Epstein Files: an armed, federal invasion of America’s third-largest city. Plus, market instability rocks America’ farmers as Trump’s tariffs take a toll, a grilling for RFK junior (and no, we’re not talking about his face), and Gov. Newsom’s master class in political mockery looks awfully familiar. LINKS: * Substack - The Cycle: A Blue Tsunami is Headed for Virginia and New Jersey * Substack - The Cycle: Democrats Want to Run on Affordability: Here’s How to Do it Right * American Soybean Association: ‘A trade and financial precipice’ * Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game The Cycle- On Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min
  2. Live with Susan Wagner

    AUG 15

    Live with Susan Wagner

    Thank you Joe Jones, Maureen Drews, Dianna Richardson, Mary Detweiler, and many others for tuning into my live video with Susan Wagner! Join me for my next live video in the app. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

    39 min
  3. This is America

    AUG 12

    This is America

    Why are Republicans trying to give themselves an edge in Congress? In the words of one GOP lawmaker: “Because we can.” This week, Rachel and Aaron separate the facts from JD Vance’s alt reality as some Democrats prepare to fight fire with fire. Plus: Trump takes federal control over Washington DC. And South Park sends up America’s most notorious puppy killer. LINKS: * YouTube: President Trump holds news conference on plans to address D.C. crime * Gavin Newsom to Trump: ‘You Are Playing With Fire’ * The Cycle (Substack): Appeasement Didn’t Work Then; It Won’t Work Now The Cycle- On Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

    20 min
  4. This is America

    AUG 5

    This is America

    Facts are stubborn things, at least two of Trump’s predecessors have said. And for Trump on the economy—and Jeffrey Epstein–-there’s nothing to see here. This week Rachel and Aaron look at what the latest job numbers mean for Trump 2.0. Plus, Trump is making his own list… of political enemies. And secret documents in a secret annex at FBI Headquarters? Pssh. LINKS * New York Times: Until Trump Fired Her, She Was an Economist With Bipartisan Support * ABC News: Joe Rogan slams Trump administration over Epstein investigation: 'Trying to gaslight' * The Breakfast Club: Charlamagne Responds To Donald Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ Post About Him * The Cycle (Substack): The Anatomy of “Othering”: How Authoritarians Build Permission for Violence * Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game’ Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min
  5. This is America

    JUL 29

    This is America

    This week Rachel and Aaron stick to the one scandal that’s finally sticking to Teflon Don: Jeffrey Epstein, and the Trump Administration’s spectacular inability to control the narrative. Rachel dives into the need to “politicize everything.” A look at how Trump 2.0 is using immigration to destroy democracy with quiet bureaucracy. And why are some Dems demanding to fight “fire with fire” after the latest GOP effort to retain control of the U.S. House? LINKS: * The Cycle (Substack): Politicize Everything: A Blueprint for a Party that Fights * YouTube: 'You’ve got no rights’: teenage US citizen records violent arrest by immigration officers * The Guardian: How Trump has supercharged the immigration crackdown - in data * YouTube: 'Epstein Partied With Trump': Texas Congressional Candidate Dragged Out Of Hearing * YouTube: California's Newsom Calls To 'Fight Fire With Fire' As Texas Considers Redistricting * Surrounded (Jubilee Media): 1 Progressive vs 20 Far-Right Conservatives (ft. Mehdi Hasan) * 50501: Rage Against the Regime | August 2, 2025 * The National: Convicted US Felon to Arrive in Scotland The Cycle- On Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

    30 min
  6. This is America

    JUL 15

    This is America

    This week, as Trump’s FEMA struggles to answer questions about consequential budget cuts in the aftermath of Texas flooding, Rachel and Aaron look at how the Republican Party deliberately turned climate change into a conspiracy theory. It’s MAGA thought control. Plus, the FBI tries to go after thought crimes. And the Epstein Scandal threatens to unravel MAGA, despite Trump’s best efforts to move on. Which of his allies aren’t letting it go?LINKS: * The Cycle (Substack): The Big Ugly Cuts to Climate Science * Nancy Pelosi & Newt Gingrich Climate PSA (2008) * Frontline: Climate of Doubt * New York Times: The F.B.I. Is Using Polygraphs to Test Officials’ Loyalty * KOCO-TV (Oklahoma City): OSDE introduces 'America First Assessment' for teachers moving from certain states * Megyn Kelly & Charlie Kirk on Epstein scandal * The Hill: Bannon warns GOP could lose 40 House seats over Epstein files * Vox: Why everyone runs for president these days * Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game The Cycle- On Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

    31 min
  7. This is America

    JUL 8

    This is America

    Live Free. Die Fast. Get Digested… slowly. Welcome to “Alligator Alcatraz,” America’s first concentration camp. Plus, Rachel and Aaron explore the future, or not, of Elon Musk’s new “America Party.” Why, exactly, is America stuck with a two-party system? Meteorologists show us how cuts to NOAA and the National Weather Service impact weather disaster warning systems. And Jeffrey Epstein’s client list has broken MAGA. LINKS: * The Cycle on Subtack: Elon Musk announces a new party * KXAN-TV (Austin, TX): Head of local weather warnings takes early retirement as NOAA cuts continue * Oxford Reference: Duverger’s Law * Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game Do you like This is America? If so, don’t keep it all to yourselves- send it to your friends! The Cycle- On Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

    29 min
  8. This is America

    JUN 24

    This is America

    What the hell is happening with Iran and Donald “No Wars” Trump? This week Rachel and Aaron break down the confusion, and the rift it’s causing in MAGA’s alt-reality. Plus, Rachel has an important lesson for the news media about the difference between rioting and protesting. How decaying democracy has opened the door to political violence and… who told “Whisky Pete” Hegseth to “be a man” during a hearing on Capitol Hill? LINKS: * New York Times: Shifting Views and Misdirection: How Trump Decided to Strike Iran * Tucker Carlson: Tucker Confronts Ted Cruz on His Support for Regime Change in Iran * Sen. Slotkin to Hegseth: “Be a man” * The Cycle: Monday Memo (Substack): Welcome Back to the ’70s, Baby! * Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game Get full access to The Cycle- On Substack at thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

On The Cycle, political strategist Rachel Bitecofer speaks with today's headline makers about politics. thecycle.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel "The Doc" Bitecofer
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rachel Bitecofer
  • Show Website
    The Cycle- On Substack

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