History of Pod Save America in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 25, 2026

Pod Save America is a twice-weekly progressive political podcast hosted by former Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor, Jon Lovett, and Dan Pfeiffer. Launched in 2017 by Crooked Media, the podcast offers commentary and analysis on current political events from a liberal perspective. It features discussions on policy, elections, and the political landscape, often including interviews with politicians, journalists, and activists. The hosts leverage their experience in the Obama administration to provide insights into the workings of government and political strategy, aiming to inform and engage listeners interested in American politics.

2016: Keepin' It 1600

In 2016, Keepin' It 1600, a political podcast produced by Bill Simmons' of The Ringer, ended its run. The podcast was hosted by Favreau, Vietor, Lovett, and Pfeiffer.

January 2017: Podcast Debut

In January 2017, Pod Save America debuted as a successor to Keepin' It 1600, a political podcast produced by Bill Simmons' of The Ringer. The hosts are Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor, Jon Lovett, and Dan Pfeiffer.

November 2017: Podcast Popularity

As of November 2017, Pod Save America averages more than 1.5 million listeners per episode and has been downloaded more than 120 million times.

November 2017: Podcast Download Numbers

As of November 2017, Pod Save America had been downloaded more than 120 million times.

November 2017: Live Show Taping

In November 2017, Pod Save America combined a sold-out live episode taping at The National Theatre in Richmond, Virginia, with their organizing efforts for Ralph Northam's campaign in the 2017 Virginia gubernatorial election.

2018: International Tour Announcement

In 2018, Pod Save America announced an international tour, Pod Tours the World, with live shows planned in Stockholm, Oslo, Amsterdam, and London.

2018: HBO Specials Aired

In 2018, four Pod Save America one-hour HBO TV specials aired to cover the U.S. midterm elections. Crooked Media also films the podcasts and releases them on their YouTube channel.

2023: Dean Philips Interview

In 2023, Pod Save America interviewed Dean Philips regarding his presidential primary campaign for the President.

2024: Call for Biden to Drop Out

Following the first 2024 presidential debate, Pod Save America called for President Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential election, criticizing his performance. The Biden campaign's chief digital strategy director, Rob Flaherty, called out the four Pod Save America hosts as "Self Important Podcasters".

2024: Support for Kamala Harris Campaign

In 2024, after Biden withdrew from the race, the Pod Save America hosts began supporting canvassing and voter outreach for the Kamala Harris campaign for the 2024 United States presidential election, speaking at a canvass launch in Phoenix, Arizona.

2024: Interview with Kamala Harris Campaign Leaders

In 2024, following Kamala Harris's loss in the United States presidential election, Pod Save America held an exclusive interview with several Kamala Harris 2024 campaign leaders. The episode generated online backlash due to the staff blaming "political headwinds" for their loss.

2024: Podcast Ranking

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Edison Research ranked Pod Save America the tenth most listened-to podcast in the U.S., attributing the surge in popularity to the political news cycle.

2024: Criticism of Media Coverage

Leading up to the first 2024 presidential debate, the Pod Save America hosts criticized the negative media coverage surrounding Joe Biden's age, but did not call for him to step aside.