Tommy Vietor

Tommy Vietor is one of the most recognised and respected voices in American progressive politics today. A former speechwriter for President Barack Obama, Vietor’s political journey began in 2004 when he made the pivotal decision to join Barack Obama’s re-election campaign for Illinois State Senator, despite receiving an offer from the John Kerry presidential campaign.

When Obama launched his long-shot bid for the presidency in 2007, Vietor became one of his press secretaries. After Obama’s victory, Vietor served in several key roles in the White House, including Assistant White House Press Secretary, National Security Spokesman, and Special Assistant to the President, where he was tasked with writing speeches and assisting in various capacities.

Vietor left the White House in 2013 to pursue a career in screenwriting and private-sector consulting, alongside Jon Favreau, Obama’s Director of Speechwriting. The duo, along with fellow Obama administration alumni Jon Lovett, made the transition to podcasting and activism after the 2016 presidential election. They co-founded Crooked Media and launched the hit podcast Pod Save America, which quickly became a go-to for Democrats across the country.

In addition to Pod Save America, Vietor also co-hosts Pod Save the World with Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama, a podcast that delves into international news and foreign policy. Ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Vietor co-hosted the seven-part mini-series World Corrupt with Roger Bennett, further solidifying his place as a prominent voice in political commentary and analysis.