Donald Trump, Thomas Massie, and the Long, Slow Death of the Tea Party
Whatever happens in Kentucky's GOP primary, the populist right no longer even pretends to care about spending or government overreach.
Tea Party
Did MAGA Kill the Tea Party?
Former Rep. Justin Amash and Fox News’ Kennedy join Nick Gillespie to examine how MAGA populism reshaped the Tea Party’s limited-government mission, why Congress no longer acts as a check on power, and what it will take to spark a new libertarian revival.
How the Political Spectrum Turned Inside Out
From 9/11 to the COVID-19 pandemic, crisis moments keep reshaping the political landscape.
Campaigns Can't Get Worse, Can They?
Plus: A listener asks the editors about President Joe Biden holding up arms shipments to Israel.
A History of Taxpayer Revolts
Linda Upham-Bornstein's "Mr. Taxpayer versus Mr. Tax Spender" delivers an evenhanded view of American tax resistance movements.
Ron DeSantis Could Have Run on a Message of Freedom
His political makeover into a Trumpy cultural warrior undermined what could have been a compelling campaign about the value of freedom.
Biden and Journalists Agree: Republicans Would Deliberately 'Crash' the Economy
But…does that make any sense?
The Revolt of the Canadian Truckers
In an age of elite scorn, government mandates, a rotten economy—and powerful, decentralized communication tools—common people are pushing back.
Is There Hope for Libertarianism Within a Post-Election GOP?
This is not your older brother's "Libertarian Moment," caution Reason Roundtable podcasters.
Are There Fiscal Conservatives in a Pandemic? The Club for Growth Says It Doesn't Matter.
The Club for Growth prides itself on holding lawmakers accountable "by publicizing their voting record." Except, well…not right now.
Former Trump Fan Joe Walsh Thinks the President Should Be Impeached
The president is a racist, bully, and liar who is unfit for office, says the one-time congressman mounting a primary challenge against Trump.
Was Chris Pratt Criticized for a 'White Supremacist' T-shirt? Not Really
A handful of dumb tweets do not a story make.
Amash: Republicans Defending Trump Are 'Hurting Themselves and They're Hurting the Country'
A new book gives insight into Amash's breakup with the Republican Party, which was well underway before Amash said Trump should face impeachment proceedings.
Trump's Proposed Tariffs on Tea and Fireworks Are Doubly Awful on Independence Day
Tariffs on tea have never caused any problems, right?
Rep. Thomas Massie on Shakedowns, Cronyism—and Why He's Sticking With the GOP
"I didn't come to Washington to make friends."
Bob Poole on Trump's Gas Tax, Rep. Beto O'Rourke on Challenging Ted Cruz
Matt Welch hosts Sirius XM Insight (channel 121) from 9-12 ET
Did We Get the Tea Party Wrong?: Podcast
An autopsy for the brief limited-government era of conservatism that ended on Friday
The Tea Party Is Officially Dead. It Was Killed by Partisan Politics.
I helped make the grassroots activist movement a reality. But now the party's over.
How GOP Fiscal Sanity Died, in 7 Easy Steps
Here are the moments when Republicans, including professed deficit hawks, snuffed out the 2009-2014 flicker of budgetary sanity
Constitutional Conservatives for Defrocked Judges
Ted Cruz joins Rand Paul and Mike Lee in enthusiastically endorsing lawless jurist Roy Moore.
Does Donald Trump Have Anything to Do With Constitutional Conservatism?
Mike Lee makes the argument in favor, as he tries to steer the president toward the devolution of power
Ron Johnson and Ted Cruz Join the Rand Paul/Mike Lee Opposition to Obamacare Lite
Tea Party senators claim to be "open to negotiation" yet insist on repealing Obamacare, which no version of the AHCA has come close to doing.
Which Republican Will Play Gandalf to Trump's Balrog of a Health Care Bill?
As the president throws the Freedom Caucus under the bus by reportedly calling the AHCA a "mean, mean, mean…son of a bitch," Rand Paul says he'll vote against any "new entitlements," and the swing vote shifts to…Ted Cruz?
Trump Declares War on the Freedom Caucus
"We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018," the president tweets.
Having Co-Opted the Tea Party Nationwide, Trump Tries to Stamp out its Remnants in Congress
The ultimate outsider candidate collaborates with the GOP establishment to marginalize the House Freedom Caucus and pivot toward centrist Democrats
Gadsden Goes Safe Space: Twitter Offers Kinder, Gentler Versions of Iconic Flag
These Gadsden flag alternatives offer cuddlier featured creatures and more polite requests to be left alone.
Combative Tea Party Kansas Rep. Huelskamp Loses Primary
Opposed Boehner and lost Ag Committee position; industry turned against him.
Bernie Sanders' "Revolution" Won't Change the Democratic Party the Way the Tea Party Changed the GOP
Sanders doesn't have enough allies in Congress and isn't even a Democrat. Besides, the Tea Party has basically fizzled out with rise of Donald Trump.
One Culprit in Rand Paul's Demise: A Unified GOP Congress
Divided government means constant conflict over budgets and debt. Unity? Not so much.
Does Sarah Palin's Endorsement of Donald Trump Mean the Tea Party Is (or Should Be) Dead?
Not so fast, say Thomas Massie, Justin Amash, and Matt Kibbe
Listen to Matt Welch Today and All Week at Noon ET on SiriusXM Channel 121!
Call 877-974-7487 to heckle the host and Matt Kibbe about Rand Paul, David Bowie, and the 'Libertarian Moment'
Did the Trump Party Hijack the Tea Party?
Glenn Beck, Rand Paul, and others with TP cred sure seem to think so
Raid on Venice Beach Church Targets Illegal Kombucha Tea
Undercover agents infiltrated a charity fundraiser at the church last Friday and seized the contraband probiotic beverage.
Dare to Dream: IRS Subject of Criminal Probe Over Missing Emails
They were "missing" much like a box shoved in a closet is "missing."
Chris Christie Deflating; Jeb Bush Trailing Rand Paul in Head-to-Heads Against Hillary
What will the GOP establishment do when its hand-picked candidates fail to launch?
Lois Lerner Claims the IRS Did Nothing Wrong. The Data Say Otherwise.
A look at who the IRS has been targeting
Judge to IRS: WTF?
Wants an affidavit explaining what happened to IRS e-mails amid investigation of wrong-doing
