November 1, 2021
Episode134

Tim Mak, Author of Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA

In the view of this podcast, the National Rifle Association is one of the most evil organizations in America. Through its financial influence, it’s allowed the wholesale slaughter of 40,000 Americans a year so that its funders can keep making money. But things are not all rosy at the NRA, and we’ve asked Tim Mak, NPR’s Washington Investigative Correspondent and author of the new book “Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA” to join us to discuss.

Praise For Misfire: Inside The Downfall Of The NRA…

“From the reporter who broke the story of the NRA-Russia connection, Misfire is a searching expose of the corruption and crookedness that pushed the NRA itself into ruin. The nonstop revelations are told with gripping detail and intimate insider knowledge.”—David Frum, Staff Writer at The Atlantic and New York Times bestselling author of Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic

“To tell the story of the NRA is to reveal how a political power has defined, for much of the last century, how we live and how we die in America. Misfire is among the most important works documenting this era in American history, a story of ideology and unbelievable scandal, corruption, and rot. Tim Mak has given us the definitive account of the NRA—deeply and meticulously reported, colorfully and precisely written.”—Olivia Nuzzi, Washington Correspondent at New York magazine

“Tim Mak has written the definitive book on the fall of the NRA. It’s fun, packed with insider reporting, and authoritative. Unbiased but unforgiving, this book is one of the most enjoyable reads imaginable for a topic you don’t normally associate with page-turners: the confluence of political lobbying, financial mismanagement, and organizational corruption. You will devour this book.”—Matt Fuller, Politics Editor at The Daily Beast

“Tim Mak has been at the forefront of the NRA story for years now. He has broken numerous exclusive stories that provide insight into the group’s infighting and the impact on their finances. His reporting is invaluable to anyone from any political perspective who simply wants to know the truth about what’s going on inside the National Rifle Association.”—Stephen Gutowski, former Staff Writer at the Washington Free Beacon and Founder of The Reload

“Tim Mak has written the defining story of America’s most powerful lobbying organization. It is investigative journalism at its best. His reporting is tenacious, careful and incisive. Read this book.”—Jonathan Swan, National Political Correspondent at Axios

Listen:

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Sources for audio clips

Intro
Reports Show NRA's Lavish Spending On Luxuries For Wayne LaPierre | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzYGvuGniRg
Who is Maria Butina? - Washington Post https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17KIUFyFe6o
NRA leader Wayne LaPierre's fight to retain control of the organization - CBS News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwdzKQ-e184
Oliver North Out As NRA President Amid Turmoil | NBC Nightly News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ZHpxhJB2s

1/6 Security
Ousted Capitol Security Heads Face Questions About Attack - NPR politics podcast https://www.npr.org/2021/02/23/970670147/ousted-capitol-security-heads-face-questions-about-attack

NRA Russia
NRA Was 'Foreign Asset' To Russia Ahead of 2016, New Senate Report Reveals https://www.npr.org/2019/09/27/764879242/nra-was-foreign-asset-to-russia-ahead-of-2016-new-senate-report-reveals

LaPierre Attacks Parkland Families
NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre speaks at CPAC after school shooting - CNN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvw3pHiWUfQ

NRA Sandy Hook
NRA Breaks Silence Following Newtown School Shooting - ABC News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuBxzWM8Pp0

Oliver North
Oliver North Steps Down As President Of NRA, Won't Serve Second Term | MSNBC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydb1IJwaBqk

NRA in Controversy
How The NRA Ended Up On The Verge Of Bankruptcy - CNBC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCBhqod6IpU

NRA Spending
Trump vows to support NRA after it spent big on his election - CBS evening news https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VRIMgekKv0

Outro
Protesters Gather as NRA Meets in Dallas - AP Archive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyg7Aq6bEk0

Show Credits

Host: Alyssa Milano
Executive Producer: Alyssa Milano
Associate Producer: Ben Jackson
Editing and Sound Production: Maciej Lewandowski
Music by: Josh Cooke & Eleisha Eagle and Milo Bugliari