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from The Lever

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A secret plot. A public theft. A democracy corrupted. Discover the truth on Master Plan, the winner of the 2025 National Press Club Award for audio journalism. Hosted by David Sirota, former speechwriter for Bernie Sanders and Oscar-nominated co-writer of Don’t Look Up, Master Plan uncovers a deliberate scheme to legalize corruption in the U.S., enabling the wealthy to buy policies that serve them at the public’s expense.

How did our democracy become a kleptocracy? The Lever has unearthed never-before-reported documents revealing this 50-year plot as a coordinated effort by wealthy individuals and political ideologues. Across 11 episodes, the series traces this historic thread from the Watergate scandal in the ’70s to the Citizens United decision, current Supreme Court outrages, and the 2024 election. It’s a story of infamous figures like President Richard Nixon, Senator Mitch McConnell, and Fox News founder Roger Ailes—plus operatives and oligarchs you’ve never heard of.

Trailer - Legalizing Corruption

Episode 1: Milk Money | *Premium*

Episode 2: The Other Watergate | *Premium*

Episode 3: The Powell Memo | *Premium*

BONUS: The Perils of Prosecuting Watergate

Episode 4: The Secret Task Force | *Premium*

BONUS: Ralph Nader Vs. The Master Plan

Episode 5: Corporations Are People, My Friend | *Premium*

Episode 6: The Maverick | *Premium*

BONUS: Behind The Scenes Of MASTER PLAN

Episode 7: Rise of the Machine | *Premium*

BONUS: The Other Memo

Episode 8: Shock and Awe | *Premium*

BONUS: The Federalist Society’s “Pipeline For Power”

Episode 9: Going Big | *Premium*

Episode 10: The Heist | *Premium*

BONUS: How Democrats Lost The Courts

Episode 11: Hell Or High Water | *Premium*

BONUS: The Master Planners’ Election (With Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse)

Displaying all 19 episodes