2023 Banned Books Week is upon us, and we were thrilled to host Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America, and Richard Dresser, President of the Writers Guild Initiative. They examined the current movement to ban books in public schools and libraries across the country, underscoring the impacts of increased censorship on students and schools, as […]
On Wednesday October 25th at 7PM ET, BigTentUSA is thrilled to host historian and popular Substack author Heather Cox Richardson in conversation with award-winning journalist Katie Couric. They will discuss Richardson’s new book Democracy Awakening: The State of America; how we got to this perilous point, what our history really tells us about ourselves, and what the future of democracy can be. Many […]
BigTent was thrilled to host Neal Katyal, the former Acting Solicitor General of the United States, under the Tent. He has argued more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court. Katyal previewed the cases before the Court this term, and discussed the hottest legal issues in Trump’s cases. About Neal Katyal Neal Katyal, the former […]
We were honored to host a special conversation with Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, authors of the new book Tyranny of the Minority (the follow-up to the bestselling How Democracies Die) and Protect Democracy Executive Director, Ian Bassin. Levitsky and Ziblatt put forth the argument that the American political system incorporates counter-majoritarian elements designed to […]
BigTentUSA was pleased to host legendary political consultant James Carville and focus group guru and publisher of The Bulwark, Sarah Longwell, in conversation with award-winning journalist Katie Couric. They dove into the mindset of voters as the 2024 Presidential election approaches, exploring topics such as voter preferences for candidates and the underlying reasons for these […]
BigTent was thrilled to host Michael Waldman, President of the Brennan Center for Justice and retired Judge J. Michael Luttig. They joined us to discuss the 2024 election, and whether Trump is ineligible for the presidency in accordance with Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. This section bars anyone who has violated their oath to […]
We were thrilled to host distinguished guest speaker, Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s 43rd Secretary of State and Wendy Weiser,vice president, Brennan Center for Justice. Secretary Benson is a celebrated figure in the realm of electoral integrity and accessibility, and she has emerged as one of the nation’s foremost authorities in conducting secure and inclusive elections. The […]
BigTent hosted a discussion featuring Laura W. Brill, CEO and Founder of The Civics Center and Jake Tapper, CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent. Their conversation dove into the current state of youth civic engagement and explored strategies for lowering the barriers to registration and voting. Laura and her team are on a mission to […]
BigTent is thrilled to launch our letter writing partnership with Vote Forward! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 12, at 12pm ET, as we launch our partnership! We're working together to increase civic participation by sending letters to voters. Writing letters to voters is one of the most effective ways to help increase election turnout. […]
BigTent is thrilled to host a Tent Talk with VoteRiders’ CEO and Executive Director, Lauren Kunis. We will also be writing letters to North Carolina voters who have very strict voter ID laws and we need your help to ensure that every voter in North Carolina has the ID they need as they prepare for […]
BigTent is honored to host Marc Elias, the founder of Elias Law Group and Democracy Docket, alongside Lauren Groh-Wargo, the dynamic CEO of Fair Fight Action. Marc and Lauren are at the forefront of defending voting rights and combating voter suppression. Their unwavering commitment and groundbreaking work have had a significant impact on preserving the […]
BigTent was pleased to host investigative journalist Kathryn Joyce and author Jeff Sharlet. Both are long-time observers and experts on the American right-wing and conservative movement. They write on the central role of the Christian right in the rise of Trumpism and neofascism, and the types of institutions that the right-wing has built to create […]
BigTent was thrilled to host a conversation with Galvanize Founder and Executive Director Jackie Payne and renowned journalist Bonnie Fuller. They dove into what is happening with the moderate white woman voter and what role could they play in the 2024 election. Galvanize Action connects with moderate women to build a broader base for progress […]
BigTent was thrilled to host Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) in conversation with political strategist Lis Smith. Senator Murphy was the lead Democratic negotiator of the breakthrough bipartisan border reform agreement. He had a firsthand view of both Republicans coming together for immigration reform and then Republicans’ stunning about-face on border security. The bill was filled […]
BigTentUSA is thrilled to have back Pulitzer Prize–winning author and esteemed historian Anne Applebaum under the tent in conversation with award winning journalist Katie Couric. They will dive into the critical issues of our era: the global rise of authoritarianism and the evolving landscape of American democracy. About the Speakers: Anne Applebaum is staff writer […]
BigTent is pleased to host a conversation featuring Former Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY) and MSNBC contributor Charlie Sykes. This conversation will explore a range of topics including the future of democracy, insights from Cheney's book 'Oath and Honor', the dynamics within the Republican Party, perspectives on Trump and the Capitol assault, and previously undisclosed stories from […]
PBS senior correspondent, Judy Woodruff, and The Bulwark Founder, Sarah Longwell, joined us to discuss what’s driving American polarization. Judy highlighted her findings from her PBS show, America at a Crossroads, while Sarah shared insights from her unique focus groups, shedding light on public opinion and what issues are shaping political dialogue. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Judy Woodruff is […]
BigTent was thrilled to bring back Vote Forward! We welcome Executive Director, Yasmin Radjy to the tent. We will dove into how Vote Forward determines its strategy and how they will help a win for democracy in 2024. Vote Forward and BigTentUSA are working together to increase civic participation by sending letters to voters. Writing […]
Brian Stelter, former CNN media correspondent and host of “Reliable Sources,”and Angelo Carusone, President of Media Matters for America, will discuss the profound impact of right-wing media on our democratic processes, public discourse and polarization, and the pervasive spread of disinformation. The discussion will explore: • The mechanisms through which right-wing media influences public opinion and […]
When Larry David ended his twelve season run playing himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm, he chose to highlight a provision of SB 202 passed in 2021.The first “election integrity law” in the wake of the 2020 election. This legislation effectively bars third-party groups or anyone else who is not an election worker from providing food […]
BigTent was thrilled to welcome two of the renowned experts in “Trumpian Law” – Amb. Norm Eisen (Ret.), CNN legal analyst, and George Conway III, President of the Society for the Rule of Law. Norm and George have spent A LOT of time at 100 Centre Street the past few weeks and have an insiders […]
On Tuesday, June 4th at 7:00PM ET, BigTent is thrilled to host MSNBC Legal Analyst Barbara McQuade and NBC Contributor Kimberly Atkins Stohr. They will discuss McQuade‘s new book, Attack from Within. The conversation will explore how disinformation is shaking the foundations of democracy, while discussing urgent, actionable strategies to empower the public, bolster the media, and […]
BigTent welcomed Erin Sprague, CEO of Protect our Winters and Team Captain and pro climber Abbey Smith . In 2024, Protect Our Winters aims to mobilize its alliance members, including athletes, creatives, scientists, brands, and resorts, to encourage civic engagement and voter turnout in November’s general election. The POW ‘Stoke the Vote’ campaign is an […]
BigTentUSA hosted a powerful, personal, and vital conversation on women's reproductive health featuring attorney Julie F. Kay, founder of Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, OBGYN, mother, and Texan Dr. Austin Dennard, and moderated by journalist Bonnie Fuller. The discussion centered on the ongoing fight for abortion access across the USA, highlighting personal stories from the front lines. […]
We were thrilled to host Aaron Frank, co-founder and president, Focus for Democracy (F4D) and Anton Moore, founder of DJ’s at the Polls. F4D researches programs and reviews evidence to identify where election donations can achieve the highest impact. It is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering political donors to make the most impactful contributions possible to […]
