Episode
The Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
49:18
Published: Thu Apr 27 2023
Description
Throughout our reporting inside the Republican Party over the past few months, one person kept showing up: Mike Lindell, MyPillow chief executive and election denier.At the Republican National Committee’s winter meeting, he ran to unseat the party chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel. At the Conservative Political Action Committee in Maryland, he couldn’t walk 10 feet without being cornered for a selfie. And more recently, he was a part of news coverage about the Dominion lawsuit and Tucker Carlson’s ouster from Fox News.While plenty of people don’t take him seriously, Lindell represents, maybe better than anyone else, the challenge facing the Republican Party in this moment: an establishment trying desperately to satisfy its base, despite evidence that their extreme beliefs are costing the party elections.After months of reporting on that dynamic, we talk to Mr. Lindell and Ms. McDaniel, two people who sit at opposite poles of the party.
Chapters
Lindell, a far right infomercial celebrity and leading voice of election denial, gave a questionable speech at the Republican Convention, highlighting the challenges facing the Party.
00:00 - 04:12 (04:12)
Summary
Lindell, a far right infomercial celebrity and leading voice of election denial, gave a questionable speech at the Republican Convention, highlighting the challenges facing the Party.
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
A story of overcoming addiction and finding a path to success.
04:12 - 06:45 (02:33)
Summary
A story of overcoming addiction and finding a path to success.
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
The guest shares how he receives divine guidance for his business decisions, like receiving a message from a dream and then getting a confirming text message at the same time.
06:45 - 10:33 (03:47)
Summary
The guest shares how he receives divine guidance for his business decisions, like receiving a message from a dream and then getting a confirming text message at the same time.
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
The speaker talks about their spending on election ads on Fox and the fight against voting machines, as well as their experience with manufacturing in the US.
10:33 - 13:54 (03:21)
Summary
The speaker talks about their spending on election ads on Fox and the fight against voting machines, as well as their experience with manufacturing in the US.
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
The speaker makes unfounded accusations that China, globalists, and political parties worked with voting machine companies to steal elections in the 2022 midterms, despite a lack of evidence.
13:54 - 16:13 (02:18)
Summary
The speaker makes unfounded accusations that China, globalists, and political parties worked with voting machine companies to steal elections in the 2022 midterms, despite a lack of evidence. Most Americans do not believe in election fraud according to recent polls.
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
The evolution of skepticism around the 2020 election results culminated in a lawsuit where private comments from Rupert Murdoch and Tucker Carlson revealed they did not believe the claims of election denial, but the evidence has since focused on machine issues.
16:13 - 21:01 (04:47)
Summary
The evolution of skepticism around the 2020 election results culminated in a lawsuit where private comments from Rupert Murdoch and Tucker Carlson revealed they did not believe the claims of election denial, but the evidence has since focused on machine issues.
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
Mike Lindell claims that Ronna McDaniel, the Republican Party Chairwoman, told him that she knows there was fraud in the 2020 election, and they discussed working together to "fix the platform."
21:01 - 25:28 (04:27)
Summary
Mike Lindell claims that Ronna McDaniel, the Republican Party Chairwoman, told him that she knows there was fraud in the 2020 election, and they discussed working together to "fix the platform."
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
The RNC's focus is on the upcoming primary debates and ensuring a fair process for voters to select the next nominee and president.
25:28 - 32:32 (07:04)
Summary
The RNC's focus is on the upcoming primary debates and ensuring a fair process for voters to select the next nominee and president. The speaker also reflects on past elections and challenges faced by the RNC.
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
The RNC race involved working with political opponents, including Mike Lindell and Harmeet Dhillon, who expressed concerns about the election.
32:32 - 38:41 (06:08)
Summary
The RNC race involved working with political opponents, including Mike Lindell and Harmeet Dhillon, who expressed concerns about the election. The promise to take a clear-eyed look into the issue and address it fairly was made during the race.
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
GOP Senator Lindsey Graham admits that election conspiracies pushed by some members of the party will not help win back independent voters.
38:41 - 42:54 (04:13)
Summary
GOP Senator Lindsey Graham admits that election conspiracies pushed by some members of the party will not help win back independent voters. He believes that the party needs to focus on discussing real issues such as fentanyl, a surge in crime and border control to be successful in the upcoming 2024 elections.
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
The importance of Republican candidates supporting the eventual nominee is emphasized to bring better education, freedom, safety, and prosperity to the country.
42:54 - 46:42 (03:48)
Summary
The importance of Republican candidates supporting the eventual nominee is emphasized to bring better education, freedom, safety, and prosperity to the country.
EpisodeThe Pillow Guy and the R.N.C. Chair
PodcastThe Run-Up
This podcast episode covers the differences between Democratic Primaries and how they are conducted compared to the recent criminal charges brought against Donald Trump.
46:43 - 49:14 (02:31)
Summary
This podcast episode covers the differences between Democratic Primaries and how they are conducted compared to the recent criminal charges brought against Donald Trump.