Donald Trump's transition ahead of his second term in office was already a series of humiliations and failures as his inability to pick qualified members of his administration was laid bare, but the spending bill debacle showed that in addition to that incompetence, Trump is vulnerable to being taken advantage of, as Elon Musk did with apparent ease.

What does the United States look like when the presidency is purchased by billionaires? How do they reap the benefits of their investment and how does it end up hurting everyone else? And perhaps more importantly, as we see the new Trump era oligarchy taking shape, what can Americans do to slow that slide? Rachel Maddow talks with Timothy Snyder and the ACLU's Anthony Romero.

While Donald Trump fills his administration with relatives and people he has seen on TV, reality stubbornly refuses to conform to the narratives Trump spun on the campaign trail.

Rachel Maddow looks at the shocking level of nepotism in the early staffing of Donald Trump's second administration, leaving him without grounds to criticize President Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter, to spare him further political prosecution by Trump's supporters.

Rachel Maddow looks at how Republican overreach in attempting to secure permanent power is already inspiring pro-democracy pushback while the Trump team goon squad fight and grift each other.

Rachel Maddow looks at ways that Democrats can, and are, using their power and positions to prevent Trump from taking full, unfettered power.

Rachel Maddow looks at how Donald Trump is assembling his cabinet with the same disregard for ethics and integrity that marked his first term, and early signs that Trump is following the authoritarian playbook of subjugating the legislature to consolidate power in himself.

Rachel Maddow looks at Elon Musk's influence in Donald Trump's campaign and his relationship with American adversaries and figures either Kamala Harris will have a national security mess to deal with or, if Trump wins, the U.S. will shift alliances toward Russia, China, and North Korea. Also, on the eve of Election Day, Rachel wonders if the prosecutions of Donald Trump's foot soldiers from the last insurrection will deter more violence this time.

Trump seems to be failing at election basics, but he still has wildcards. Plus, Russian interference has become a feature of American elections when Trump is involved.

Maddow: 'History is calling' as pivotal election season winds down. Plus, Yulia Navlanaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is Rachel Maddow's special guest.

Rachel Maddow calls the bluff of Trump supporters who claim to be making a 'business decision'. Plus, at a fringe gathering, a peek at what waits in the wings for a Trump return to power.

Trump adds to burden of disaster emergency response with lies, misinformation. Plus, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers might have a voter fraud problem.

Rachel Maddow lays out why you should care about JD Vance's real agenda. Plus, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper hails the heroes working to help his state recover from Hurricane Helene.

Trump 'policy incoherence' defies efforts at candidate comparisons. Plus, the list of Republicans backing Kamala Harris continues to grow.

MAGA members of Georgia election board advance another step in Trump's election subversion scheme. A special Friday edition of the Rachel Maddow Show.

Maddow: 'We were supposed to get better at not having our chains yanked' by Trump. Plus, Hillary Clinton and Timothy Snyder

'All the alarms going off all at once': Trump leans into extremism as election approaches. Plus, More information seen as key weapon to combat Trump election subversion.

'Don't sleep on what is happening in the states'. Plus, 'Ferocious pushback': Pro-Trump election board's tricks draw legal backlash.

Facing harsh political realities, Republicans adopt lying as a tactic.  Plus, how to stop Trump's election-stealing plan.

Pro-Trump election deniers are positioned to disrupt 2024 vote count. Plus, One of the biggest scandals in American presidential history... that wasn't.

Why Donald Trump is unconcerned about votes this election. Plus, Biden takes the first steps toward fixing the Supreme Court's corruption.

Special 2 hour episode covering Trump's biggest nightmare.  The switch to Kamala Harris leaves Team Trump with regrets about Vance. Plus, Rachel Maddow interviews Pete Buttigieg as Kamala Harris' presidential campaign kicks off.

Special coverage of the first night of the RNC convention.  Also, Lester Holt's interview with President Joe Biden.

Biden counters post-debate onslaught by building a coalition of support. Plus, NATO anniversary highlights perils of a second Trump presidency

Rachel Maddow interviews Stormy Daniels.

Supreme Court demolishes foundation of U.S. law to aid Trump in criminal prosecutions. Plus, Trump immediately puts Supreme Court immunity ruling to use in trying to delay sentencing on his New York felonies.

Rachel Maddow blows up myth of big business support for Trump. Plus, Julian Assange agrees to guilty plea in exchange for release, ending years-long standoff.

'The end of politics': How to make sense of the new Trump campaign. Plus, Maddow: Dr. Fauci exemplifies the Trump Republican war on expertise.

How Republicans are using one state as a testing ground for hijacking an election for Trump. Plus, Elections in Europe eyed for clues about American voter attitudes ahead of 2024 U.S. elections.

Trump's threats and bluster fail to intimidate Americans who see guilty verdict as reasonable. Plus, More unpleasant legal surprises for Trump possible, newly revealed investigations suggest.

Fani Willis blasts 'clown' Jim Jordan and MAGA followers for trying to interfere in Trump case. Plus, Republican efforts to sabotage Georgia prosecution of Trump hit brick wall in Fani Willis.

Recap special: Michael Cohen testifies for the prosecution in Trump's New York criminal trial. Plus, 'The most important piece of paper of all': Smoking gun document presented at Trump trial.

Maddow: Trump, GOP attacks on courts, prosecutors is actively damaging U.S. rule of law. Plus, Why the fight to preserve democracy in the U.S. is part of a global struggle against authoritarian forces.

Republicans assemble oddly insulting set of 2024 candidates with Senate control on the line. Plus, Trump fails to attract courthouse protest despite all-caps pleas for support.

Media whiffs on the news in Trump's abortion statement as Dobbs becomes weaponized on global scale. Plus, Why Republicans are hiding behind the politics of personality.

Judge has enough of Trump's attacks on family members; extends gag order on 'defendant's vitriol'. Plus, China follows Russian model of fake online Trump supporters; U.S. more vulnerable than ever.

Maddow joins colleagues in objecting to McDaniel for legitimizing Trump, attacking democracy. Plus, Combat training for election workers? Arizona braces for Trump-addled election deniers.

Panicking Trump coming up short for civil fraud penalty; no friends stepping up to help, Plus, How pro-Trump election officials could make sure your vote doesn't count.

'Everything's for sale': Trump TikTok flip-flop follows disturbing pattern. Plus, 'Massive national security risk': Trump financial desperation makes access to U.S. secrets dangerous.

'The Republican Party is going through some things': Maddow marvels at GOP veering into extremism. Plus, U.S. voters face stark contrast in 2024 choices, with no 'magic wand' coming to help

With each new election cycle, Republicans accept Russian help with greater ease. Plus, Conservative anti-gay movement built on foundation of questionable credibility.

The world needs Russian dissidents against growing threat of Putin aggression. Plus, Wisconsin dumps GOP-manipulated maps to better reflect voters' will.

U.S. allies fear a faithless America under Trump in thrall to Putin. Plus, 'Kind of nuts': Trump legal woes converge in high stakes week in multiple courts

The GOP is 'dissolving itself': Trump appears to set up McDaniel as fall guy for failures. Plus, Court keeps Oregon GOP senators off ballot over constitution violation; Ominous parallels for Trump.

'He is nothing': E. Jean Carroll on the biggest surprise of confronting Trump in court. Plus, Three state Republican leaders ousted in less than a month as GOP disorder spreads under Trump.