The Mona Charen Show

The Bulwark's Jonathan Cohn discusses the harm RFK has already done, and what he's planning, which may be worse.Eat smart at FactorMeals.com/monacharen50off and use code monacharen50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year.

Holly Berkley Fletcher explains the mindset of white evangelicals from a unique perspective—that of missionary kids. She was one. Her new book sheds light on a key MAGA constituency.

Mona welcomes UVA's Brad Wilcox to discuss the latest stats on marriage, what singlehood means for kids, men, and women, and marriage's new alt-Right foes.Head to moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack or the NEW plant-based trial pack.REFERENCES: Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization — W. Bradford Wilcox (HarperCollins, 2024)

Third Way's Matt Bennett and Sarah Longwell join Mona to talk about tanking Democratic voter registration numbers, words you should never say, the working class, the donors, and more.REFERENCES: Was It Something I Said? A memo to All Who Wish to Stop Donald Trump and MAGA from Third Way.

FREOPP's Michael Tanner joins Mona to discuss homelessness causes and potential cures.For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code MONACHAREN at oneskin.co.Go to Quince.com/MONA for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.

Georgetown law professor Stephen Vladeck joins Mona to unpack the Justice Department’s attack on Judge James Boasberg, Trump’s efforts to bend universities to his will, the Supreme Court’s retreat into procedural evasions, and the broader erosion of guardrails in American governance. What happens when process itself—the foundation of the rule of law—comes under assault?Head to moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack or the NEW plant-based trial pack.Eat smart at FactorMeals.com/monacharen50off and use code monacharen50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year.

Walter Olson of CATO discusses the Manhattan Statement on Higher Education, which would license Trump to ignore law, procedure, and precious liberties. REFERENCES: The Manhattan Statement on Higher Education A Troubling Right-Wing Manifesto on Universities, by Walter Olson at Persuasion Go to: OneSkin.co | Code: MONACHAREN

AEI's Sadanand Dhume joins the podcast to discuss Zohran Mamdani's ideological origins, why government stores are not a fresh, new idea, Indian democracy, poverty, capitalism, and how Bangladesh went its own way.

Author Sam Tanenhaus discusses his new biography of the multi-talented Buckley and the movement he did so much to create.

Mona Charen speaks with More in Common co-founders Tim Dixon and Mathieu Lefevre about rising polarization, the “exhausted majority,” and how loneliness, media incentives, and misinformation are fueling division. (Full disclosure: Mona is on More in Common’s board of directors.) They discuss global trends, practical solutions like refugee sponsorship, and the urgent need to rebuild community and trust in democratic societies. Genuine reasons for hope. REFERENCES: “Hidden Tribes: A Study of America's Polarized Landscape” Jo Cox's Maiden Speech Before Parliament

The Atlantic’s Helen Lewis joins Mona Charen to discuss The Genius Myth, her new book exploring whether genius is a real phenomenon or a socially constructed label. They examine how society elevates certain individuals—often more for charisma or timing than raw talent—and how the genius myth can excuse bad behavior while undervaluing empathy, humility, and collaboration. The conversation also touches on the “genius wives,” prodigies, the costs of fame, and Lewis's recent piece on the Skrmetti decision. For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code MONACHAREN at oneskin.co.

CATO's David Bier explains who ICE has scooped up—93 percent are not criminals—and what's coming next. Bier describes aggressive, anonymous arrest tactics and overcrowded detention centers with inhumane conditions, and warns of efforts to undermine birthright citizenship and due process. Head to moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack or the NEW plant-based trial pack. References:65% of People Taken by ICE Had No Convictions, 93% No Violent Convictions, by David Bier at CATO.

Author Marc Dunkelman discusses his new book Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress―and How to Bring It Back.Dunkelman contrasts past centralized efficiency with today’s slow, decentralized system full of procedural roadblocks. They close with a hopeful look at reform efforts, like Josh Shapiro’s in Pennsylvania, as one potential model.The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.This episode of The Mona Charen Show is sponsored by Putting Families First. They won’t forget that certain legislators betrayed families by cutting Medicaid and public school funding. Putting Families First is trying to put a stop cuts to Medicaid and public education, and are working to elect leaders who agree. Learn what’s at stake at PutFamilies1st.org.References: Why Nothing Works– by Marc Dunkelman Stuck– by Yoni Appelbaum Abundance– by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson The Power Broker– by Robert Caro The Power Elite– by C. Wright Mills The House of Truth – by Brad Snyder

Linda Chavez joined Mona Charen to discuss her debut novel The Silver Candlesticks, inspired by a personal revelation during an appearance on Finding Your Roots that her ancestors were secret Jews persecuted during the Spanish Inquisition. The novel explores themes of religious identity, repression, and survival, drawing on her family's history in Spain and the New World, as well as her own experience converting to Judaism. Their conversation also delved into parallels between historical persecution and contemporary immigration policies, warning against rising authoritarianism in the U.S.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONACHAREN at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodGo to Quince.com/MONA for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Head to moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack.

Kevin D. Williamson of The Dispatch muses about the voters' culpability for Trump, socialism, and the "Abundance" agenda. They explore the cultural and economic decline of American civic virtue, the bipartisan slide into demagoguery, and Williamson’s disdain for both Trumpism and technocratic central planning. Support American family farms and join the Moink Movement today at Moinkbox.com/MONA and get FREE wings FOR LIFE.This show is brought to you by BetterHelp, get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MONA

The Atlantic's Jonathan Rauch joins Mona to talk about Trump's Achilles Heel.

Jay Nordlinger returns to discuss whether conservatism remains valid in the MAGA era.Sponsors: Listen now to the NPR Politics Podcast, only from NPR – wherever you get podcasts.REFERENCES: Against All Hope – Armando ValladaresMemoir of a Cuban dissident imprisoned for his anti-Castro beliefs. Children of Monsters – Jay NordlingerReferenced indirectly by Mona as part of Jay’s dissident coverage; a book profiling the children of dictators. Peace, They Say – Jay Nordlinger JayNordlinger.com, Jay’s new Substack.

Economist Noah Smith delves into the myth of the "hollowed out" middle class, the folly of protectionism, and more. He and Mona differ on Trump's handling of Covid and . . . American chocolate.Support American family farms and join the Moink Movement today at Moinkbox.com/MONA and get FREE wings FOR LIFE.Oneskin: For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code MONACHAREN The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.

Columnist and music critic Jay Nordlinger joins Mona for an excursion into classical music. No coat or tie required. REFERENCES: Here’s a list of every musical piece played in the episode. Thomas Tallis – Motet from the Gospel of John Johann Sebastian Bach – Preludio from Partita in E major for solo violin J.S. Bach (arr. Rachmaninoff) – Preludio (Bach/Rachmaninoff transcription) Ludwig van Beethoven – Final movement from a String Quartet in C major Léo Delibes – “Flower Duet” from Lakmé Giuseppe Verdi – Duet from Otello Antonín Dvořák – Humoresque Antonín Dvořák – Humoresque (Jazz rendition) Maurice Ravel – Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn Sergei Prokofiev – “Dance of the Knights” from Romeo and Juliet Sergei Prokofiev – “Midnight” from Cinderella Scott Wheeler – “If I Had a Wife” (song cycle Serenata) Daniel Asia – “My Father’s Name Was” (from Breath and a Ram's Horn) Lee Hoiby – “Goodbye, Goodbye World” Philip Glass – Violin Concerto No. 2, The American Four Seasons, final movement

The New Yorker's Susan Glasser joins Mona to discuss Trump's big beautiful deals, the cowardice of the press, and more. Head to moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack. References: The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Susan Glasser and Peter Baker "Letter from Trump’s Washington" (Glasser's New Yorker column) Donald Trump’s first 100-day interview with Time magazine Donald Trump’s interview with The Atlantic magazine Pompeo Declaration (2018) Opinion by Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson on Abrego Garcia (Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals) AP’s lawsuit regarding press access and the Gulf of Mexico naming controversy

Mona talks with Richard Kahlenberg about a proposal to make college admissions more fair in a post race preferences world. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here. Listen now to the NPR Politics Podcast, only from NPR – wherever you get podcasts. Get PrivacyHawk and run your FREE privacy scan here! Use code MONA20 (iOS) / mona20 (Android) for full access to the Platinum Suite: $1M ID theft recovery insurance, dark web alerts, sensitive info monitoring, and much more—all at a special price! 📚 References Books: Richard Kahlenberg, Class Matters: The Fight to Get Beyond Race Preferences, Reduce Inequality, and Build Real Diversity at America's Colleges(2024) Derek Bok, The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions(1998) — study on affirmative action outcomes. Affirmative Action for the Rich: Legacy Preferences in College Admissions, edited by Richard Kahlenberg (2010)

The Atlantic's Peter Wehner offers insights into the transformation of the GOP from the party that passed PEPFAR to the MAGA warriors of today. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Go to Hungryroot.com/CHAREN and use code CHAREN to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. REFERENCES: Peter’s recent work at The Atlantic Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez The Closing of the American Mindby Allan Bloom The Power of the Powerless and Summer Meditations by Václav Havel The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 1984 by George Orwell

Greg Lukianoff of FIRE joins Mona to discuss why free speech matters (hint, it's not for the powerful) and how left and right are attempting to destroy it.The Mona Charen Show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/mona and get on your way to being your best self.REFERENCES:The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All―But There Is a Solution by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott.

The Atlantic's Helen Lewis joins Mona to talk about Andrew Tate, backlash to MAGA in Europe, and how polarization suppresses reasonable doubts about treatment of trans kids. References: When You’re MAGA, They Let You Do It... Why Trumpworld is just fine with Andrew Tate’s violent misogyny, by Helen Lewis The Global Populist Right Has a MAGA Problem... In Europe, Trump looks too extreme even for many right-wing insurgents, by Helen Lewis What the Left Refused to Understand About Women’s Sports... Female athletes said competing against trans women was an injustice, by Helen Lewis. Get PrivacyHawk and run your FREE privacy scan here http://go.privacyhawk.com/monacharen Use code MONA20 (iOS) / mona20 (Android) for full access to the Platinum Suite: $1M ID theft recovery insurance, dark web alerts, sensitive info monitoring, and much more—all at a special price! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONACHAREN at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

In this show before a live audience, Mona talks with Stephen Richer about standing up for reality, tangling with Kari Lake, and his political future. Head to moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack.

David Frum joins Mona to discuss Trump's Canada gripes, how tariffs will/are sabotaging America, NATO, defying court orders, and how best to counter all of it.Go to Hungryroot.com/CHAREN and use code CHAREN to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.REFERENCES:Why Cede the Flag to Trump? by David Frum in The Atlantic (2017)

Famed virologist Dr. Paul Offit describes his encounters with RFK, Jr., vaccine misinformation, trust in medicine, and what he fears most. REFERENCES: Dr. Paul Offit’s Books: Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All The Cutter Incident(about a polio vaccine gone wrong) Historical Vaccine References: The Cutter Incident (1950s polio vaccine failure) The history of polio, iron lungs, and the development of the Salk and Sabin vaccines. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The impact of vaccines on childhood diseases like diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, and rotavirus. Andrew Wakefield and Vaccine-Autism Misinformation: Wakefield’s 1998 Lancet paper (later retracted) linking MMR vaccines to autism. The role of The Lancet and editor Richard Horton. The legal and financial conflicts of interest that led to Wakefield’s discrediting. Anti-Vaccine Movement History: The Anti-Vaccination League (1800s opposition to smallpox vaccine). NBC’s DPT Vaccine Roulette (1980s), which fueled fears about the whooping cough vaccine. RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine activism and misinformation campaigns. The impact of anti-vaccine movements in places like Samoa, leading to deadly measles outbreaks. Current Vaccine Issues and Policy Changes: RFK Jr.'s role in the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) and vaccine policy. The cancellation of the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting.

The Manhattan Institute's Jessica Reidl explains the fake fiscal posturing of DOGE as well as the ground truths about deficits and national debt. Predictions: More inflation, lower growth, less prosperity.Get started at FACTORMEALS.com/FACTORPODCAST and use code FACTORPODCAST to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping.

Josh Barro joins Mona to discuss where the party needs to change, refocus on practical governance, and how to broaden its appeal to win elections against a rising Republican authoritarian threat.References Josh Barro's Substack – Very Serious Democrats Need Their Own DEI Purge by Josh Barro Josh Barro's Podcast – Serious Trouble (with Ken White)

The Bulwark's Cathy Young joins Mona to discuss where DEI went wrong and also the unfathomable racism of the Trump Administration.Referenced Works and Sources Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby by Steven CarterDiscusses the complexities and unintended consequences of affirmative action from a personal and academic perspective. The Bakke Case (Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, 1978)A landmark Supreme Court decision that ruled against racial quotas in university admissions while allowing race to be one of several factors in admissions decisions. Fisher v. University of Texas(2013, 2016)Supreme Court cases addressing race-conscious admissions policies in higher education. Implicit Bias Tests (Implicit Association Test, IAT)Psychological tests used to measure unconscious biases, though their reliability and effectiveness in predicting behavior have been widely debated. Yasha Mounk’s The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our TimeDiscusses the ideological shifts in race-conscious policies and how they impact public discourse. New York Times Investigative Report on DEI at the University of MichiganA report detailing the impact of DEI initiatives at a major university, highlighting unintended consequences such as workplace tension and polarization.

David French joins to discuss upending the NATO alliance, attacks on the rule of law, and how the pardon power was one of the Founders' worst mistakes. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. Ad-free editions are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Add the show to your player of choice, here, or find it wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.Join nowReferred Works The Federalist Papers – A collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, referenced in discussions about constitutional powers, particularly the presidency. Anti-Federalist Papers ("An Old Whig" – Letter No. 5, 1787) – Cited as an early critique of the presidential pardon power and excessive executive authority. Marbury v. Madison (1803) – A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case establishing judicial review, mentioned in the context of legal authority over the president. U.S. Constitution – Indirectly referenced multiple times, particularly concerning executive powers, rule of law, and the balance of power. Learned Hand’s Quote on Liberty –"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it."Quoted in reference to the fragility of democratic institutions. DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) – A concept from psychology and sociology used to describe manipulative tactics, discussed in relation to political rhetoric. "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (Film, 2022) – Referenced metaphorically to describe the chaotic state of global and domestic affairs.

AEI's Michael Strain analyzes the mistakes left and right make about middle class stagnation, quality of life, and other matters. Plus, what is risked when Trump/Musk attack foundational institutions.This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/mona and get on your way to being your best self.Referenced Works & Figures: Michael Strain’s Book — The American Dream Is Not Dead: (But Populism Could Kill It) Elizabeth Warren & Bill de Blasio – Critique of middle-class decline. Josh Hawley – Comment on wage stagnation. David Autor's "China Shock" Paper – Study on trade-induced job losses. Robert Bork’s Antitrust Theories – Influence on U.S. competition policy. Smoot-Hawley Tariffs – Historical reference to the consequences of trade protectionism. Occupy Wall Street & Tea Party Movements – Examples of populist political reactions. Federal Job Training Programs – Discussion on their past inefficacy and recent improvements.

Mona welcomes Renée DiResta to discuss how social media has distorted our perceptions and how to navigates the world of influencers, online mobs, and lairs.The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. Ad-free editions are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Add the show to your player of choice, here, or find it wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Not yet a member? Join The Bulwark today!Eat smart with Factor. Get started at FACTORMEALS.com/monacharen50off and use code monacharen50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping.References:Books & Authors: "Invisible Rulers" – by Renée DiResta (Main topic of discussion) Historical References: Father Coughlin & Propaganda (1930s) – Discussion of his use of radio for anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi propaganda, and how he was eventually stopped. Institute for Propaganda Analysis (1930s) – Early efforts to combat misinformation by teaching people how propaganda works. Academic & Media References: Helen Lewis (The Atlantic) – Quoted for stating that “the internet is built to empower extremophiles.” Google's Assertive Provenance Report – Discussion of how Google suggests approaches for watermarking and authenticating AI-generated content. Key Topics Discussed:Misinformation & Social Media Dynamics Iowa Caucuses (2012 vs. 2020) – How political narratives and distrust in election results evolved. Measles Outbreak & Anti-Vaccine Misinformation – How misinformation spreads and how online movements gain traction. Algorithmic Influence & Content Curation – The role of algorithms in shaping political extremism and public perceptions. QAnon & Wayfair Conspiracy Theory – How misinformation led to real-world harassment and threats. COVID-19 & Public Trust in Institutions – How institutional silence and slow responses allowed misinformation to fill the gap. Decline of Trust in Experts – How institutions and scientists need to engage more effectively online. Influencers & Audience Capture – How social media personalities can be driven toward extremism by audience demands. Solutions & Strategies Pre-bunking – Educating people in advance about misinformation tactics. Adding Friction – Using design interventions (like Twitter’s “Are you sure you want to share this?”) to slow down misinformation. Virality Circuit Breakers – Temporary restrictions on the spread of viral misinformation while it is fact-checked. Watermarking AI-generated Content – Challenges and limitations in identifying AI-created media. Institutional Preparedness – Advice for organizations on handling misinformation crises.

In this episode of The Mona Charen Podcast, Mona Charen speaks with author Jonathan Rauch about his new book, Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy. They explore the decline of Christianity in America, its impact on democracy, and whether faith can be depoliticized. Rauch, a self-described “atheistic homosexual Jew,” makes the case that Christianity has been a vital “load-bearing wall” for American democracy and argues for a return to its core principles. The conversation touches on political polarization, the role of faith in public life, and what small-l liberals and conservatives alike can learn from the evolving role of religion in society.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONA at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod REFERENCES:Books by Jonathan Rauch: Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy (his new book) The Constitution of Knowledge (his previous book) Articles:An article by Jonathan Rauch in The Atlantic (2003) celebrating secularization, which he later called "the dumbest thing I ever wrote." Books and Works Referenced: Tim Alberta’s The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory (referred to in discussion about the church and politics) A quote attributed to G.K. Chesterton: “When people cease to believe in God, they don’t believe in nothing, they believe in anything” (noted as possibly apocryphal). Russell Moore's commentary on the state of the church. The Bible (including references to Jesus’ teachings such as "forgive your enemies" and "the least of these"). A quote from John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” The Book of Mormon (mentioned in the discussion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Immanuel Kant’s ethical philosophy (used to support moral arguments). Rabbi Hillel’s summary of the Torah: “That which is hateful to you, do not do unto your neighbor. All the rest is commentary. Now go and study.” Legislation and Policies Referenced: The 1964 Civil Rights Act (mentioning its religious exemptions). The Utah Compromise (2015) on LGBT rights and religious freedoms. The Respect for Marriage Act (2022), which protected same-sex marriage while also ensuring religious protections.

Mona interviews Georgetown law professor Stephen Vladeck on executive orders, birthright citizenship, Congress not doing its job, and whether Trump will defy the Supreme Court.Referenced Cases: Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952) – Commonly referred to as the "Steel Seizure Case," it involved President Truman's attempt to take control of steel mills during the Korean War. Korematsu v. United States (1944) – Upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II; later criticized but not formally overturned until its repudiation in Trump v. Hawaii. Ex Parte Endo (1944) – A companion case to Korematsu, ruling the detention of a loyal Japanese American citizen was unauthorized by statute. Trump v. Hawaii (2018) – Upheld the Trump administration's travel ban but included the repudiation of Korematsu as part of the decision. United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) – Affirmed the principle of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. INS v. Chadha (1983) – Declared legislative vetoes unconstitutional, affecting the National Emergencies Act. TikTok-related Executive Orders and Litigation – Mentioned in the context of national security and executive overreach. Referenced Works: The U.S. Constitution: Article II: Presidential powers. 14th Amendment: Citizenship clause.

Mona welcomes Richard Reeves to discuss the struggles of boys and men, including a debate about whether marriage promotion is good or obsolete in this day and age. Richard Reeves’s bio at the American Institute for Boys and Men Sex Matters by Mona Charen Boy Mom by Ruth Whippman How to Save Marriage in America by Richard Reeves (Originally published in The Atlantic) Pro-Family Policy Priorities for States Shaping Policy, Renewing Culture. Polling and Perspectives from the Sun Belt by Patrick T. Brown of The Ethics and Public Policy Center and Brad Wilcox of The Institute for Family Studies How family law undermines fatherhood, and how to fix it by June Carbone at AIBM.

In the inaugural episode of The Mona Charen Show, Mona welcomes New York Times columnist Pamela Paul to discuss why girls are getting negative messages about womanhood. Also: sex differences, social media, motherhood, and men's struggles. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONA at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Mona and the gang bid farewell to this format, discuss what will replace it, and offer a glimpse of future plans.Leave a commentHighlights / Lowlights: Mona outlined the future of her new show.Bill previews his forthcoming book on political psychology.Linda: The Silver Candlesticks: A Novel of the Spanish Inquisition, Linda’s forthcoming book, which you can pre-order now! Make sure you sign up for Linda’s Substack.Damon: While Damon finishes his forthcoming book on Leo Strauss, go down the Straussian rabbithole at Notes from the Middleground.Referenced work: Bret Stephens’s “Done With Trump” in the NYT

Noah Smith joins to discuss what Tulsi Gabbard could do to America, the other anti-qualified nominees, the Penny/Mangione cases, and what Syria should remind us of.Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Rupert Murdoch's Succession Fiasco, Clive Irving at Vanity Fair Linda: Why Does Pete Hegseth Keep Talking About ‘Warfighters’? Elliot Ackerman at The Free Press.Bill: His WSJ column: Save a Reagan Initiative From Musk and RamaswamyDamon: When Democracy’s Defenders Turn Into Its Gravediggers, Yascha Mounck Noah makes his reasoned pitch as to why rabbits make excellent pets.

Matt Bennett joins to discuss the most dangerous Trump appointments and the worrying signals of fear by MSNBC and others. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: The Iron Man of America’s op-ed pages (David Von Drehle, WaPo) and Mona’s contribution to the George Will tribute symposium, ‘Conservatism’s Vital Champion.’ The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America by Jeffrey Rosen Matt: The attempted Martial Law coup in South Korea (lowlight) and the response of South Korean politicians and citizens (highlight). Bill: The DOGE versus the NED by James Piereson (The New Criterion) Linda: Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth See the Same Enemies (Carlos Lozada, NYT) Damon: The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the perverse glee of some on the very online left. (Lowlights)

Robert Tracinski joins to discuss Trump's attack on government, his execrable appointees, and what Dems should do going forward. Highlights / Lowlights Damon: Russ Vought's appointment to OMB and the Nancy Mace / Sarah McBride performative cruelty. Linda: JD Vance appearing in all of those Senate meetings with Matt Gaetz, and A Free Press Conversation with Natan Sharansky Mona: Hong Kong's jailing of 45 democracy activists sparks criticism from foreign governments, rights groups (CBS) Bill: House passes bill that would allow Treasury to target nonprofits it deems to support terrorism Robert: The RFK Jr. McDonalds Photo

David French and Larry Diamond join the group to mull the nature of Trump's victory and the stupefying appointments to DOJ and DNI. Highlights / Lowlights David French: Politics are terrible and sports are terrible, at least for David. Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee Titans, and Ja Morant’s injury. Damon Linker: A viral tweet and the disappointing Republican whataboutism. Larry Diamond: A vignette about Matt Gaetz’s selection and surprising a prominent Republican with the news. Bill Galston: The Onion has won the bid for Infowars’ assets Mona Charen: Season 2 of Bad Sisters.

The Atlantic's David Frum joins the group to analyze the election and consider the implications for domestic and foreign policy.Highlights / Lowlights:Damon: The work of Ruy Texiera and Nate Cohn Linda: My Manifesto for Despairing Democrats by Nick KristofBill: ‘Invisible’ older women speak up at the ballot box by Karen TumultyMona: Trump transition team co-chair endorses Kennedy anti-vax theories and says he would be able to access health dataDavid: Earth experiencing warmest year on record – again, scientists say

Tim Miller joins to discuss the big picture about 2024, why Harris could not run as a change agent, and America's oligarchs.Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code BEGTODIFFER at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/begtodifferHighlights / LowlightsLinda Chavez: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton and the Dodgers World Series Victory (Highlights) Tim Miller: Trump wearing an orange vest and driving a trash truck. (Both) Mona Charen: Derrick Anderson's Fake Family (Lowlight)Bill Galston: The Dodgers (Highlight) Nikki Haley's Get Out the Vote Closing Argument (Lowlight)Damon Linker: Charlie Kirk: Harris Wants Women to Lie to Their Husbands (Lowlight)

New York Times columnist Ross Douthat joins the regular group to discuss his objections to Harris, the likelihood of a Trump fascistic reign, and which party has gone crazier.Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code BEGTODIFFER at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/begtodifferHighlights / LowlightsRoss: Can AI be blamed for a teen’s suicide? (NYT)Damon: Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos (MAX)Linda: The Ghosts of John Tanton (ProPublica)Mona: The Envy of the World (The Economist)Bill: The Fight for a New Israel (Dahlia Scheindlin, Foreign Affairs)

The New Yorker's Susan Glasser joins the group (plus Philip Bump) to discuss Harris's Fox interview, Trump's spiraling mental state, and the oligarchy/corruption a second Trump term would usher in. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Harris Needs a Closing Argument. Here's One. By Bret Stephens The FTC is making it easier to cancel subscriptions. Damon: Confessions of a Republican Exile by David Brooks A spate of recent content from Matthew Yglesias Susan: The Gates of Gaza by Amir Tibon Philip: A preview of this weekend's "How to Read This Chart" newsletter Linda: The General's Warning by Tom Nichols

NY Times columnist Bret Stephens joins to discuss the Iranian threat (to Israel and the US), the amazing Israeli penetrations of Hezbollah and Iran, and the fate of NATO, Ukraine, etc in a Trump 2.0 world. TV Recommendations of the panelists: Mona: Call My Agent Damon: Game of Thrones Bill: Babylon Berlin Linda: Slow Horses / Pachinko

The Financial Times's Ed Luce joins to discuss the VP debate, the future of MAGA, and the Israel/Iran war.

Mona’s highlight: The impartiality of the DOJ, indicting members of the sitting party in power when they commit crimes.Tim’s lowlight: The failure to have more than one debate.Tim’s highlight: The young, hungry, improbable turnaround of the Detroit Tigers.Sonny’s highlight / lowlight: Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis.Sam’s highlight: Ohtani’s historic 50-50 season.Sam’s lowlight: The indictment of Eric Adams.Bill’s highlight: VP Harris’s economic speech on building and permitting overhaul.