The Trump Trials: Sidebar cover logo

Introducing, "Impromptu"

2m · The Trump Trials: Sidebar · 07 Mar 15:19

“Impromptu” from Washington Post Opinions invites listeners to eavesdrop on our columnists as they have frank, thoughtful conversations on the news and cultural debates they can’t stop thinking about.  Washington Post Opinions columnists want to bring you inside their conversations, before they start typing, to help you figure out your own point of view. If you've enjoyed the recent conversations among columnists that you've heard on this feed, you'll love "Impromptu." New episodes will be released every Wednesday, starting March 20. 

The episode Introducing, "Impromptu" from the podcast The Trump Trials: Sidebar has a duration of 2:31. It was first published 07 Mar 15:19. The cover art and the content belong to their respective owners.

More episodes from The Trump Trials: Sidebar

Special episode: The Fixer

The crew gathers for a special Monday episode all about former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who was called to testify in Trump's New York trial by prosecutors on Monday morning.

Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down with political investigations reporter Peter Jamison to discuss Cohen's past as Trump's self-described "fixer," and Cohen's claims that he has changed since leaving Trump's employment.

Plus, national security and law enforcement reporter Devlin Barrett returns to the show to discuss why Cohen is one of the key witnesses in the New York trial.

Read more about Cohen's bizarre appearances on TikTok here.

Stormy and the bookkeepers

On this week's episode, the crew discusses adult film actress Stormy Daniels' testimony about her sexual encounter with the former president, and whether the prosecution went too far in asking for specific details. 

And senior video journalist Jorge Ribas joins the show from outside the Manhattan courthouse where the trial is taking place, to reveal what it's like covering the trial and what reporters can actually see.

Plus, video journalist Blair Guild joins the show to break down former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's regular TikTok live broadcasts – a surprising move from one of the prosecution's key witnesses.

You can also watch the show on Youtube here.

Hope on the horizon

In this week's episode, the crew discusses Judge Juan Merchan's finding that former president Donald Trump is in contempt of court, the $9,000 fine he faces, and what could happen if he continues violating the gag order imposed by the court. Washington Post Senior National Political Correspondent Ashley Parker joins the show to talk about Hope Hicks, the former Trump aide who could be called to testify soon.

Co-conspirator #1

In this week's episode, the crew discusses what's happened in former president Donald Trump's New York trial so far – and what we're hearing from witnesses.

Washington Post reporter Devlin Barrett returns to take us inside the courtroom, while senior video journalist JM Rieger analyzes Trump's repetitive, falsehood-filled statements outside the courtroom.

Read more in The Trump Trials newsletter.

Sleepy Don

At the start of Trump's Manhattan criminal trial, the court needs 12 jurors and six alternates – but many times that number have been dismissed, for a whole variety of reasons, some mundane and others surprising. Seven have been sworn in so far, including a foreman. In our second episode, the crew discusses the jurors selected during the first two days in court.

Plus, the dynamic between Trump's lawyers, Judge Juan Merchan and the former president himself is getting tense, with Merchan sternly warning Trump not to gesture at or speak to potential jurors.

And is Trump having trouble staying awake at times? Washington Post national security and law enforcement reporter Devlin Barrett - an author of our sister newsletter, The Trump Trials - joins the show to reveal what it's like covering the trial from inside the courthouse.

Every Podcast » The Trump Trials: Sidebar » Introducing, "Impromptu"