The Mona Charen Show

AEI's Kori Schake joins the group to discuss Trump's "crazy guy" strategy, the 111 GOP leaders endorsing Harris, and Hezbollah's exploding pagers.Show Notes:Referenced: U.S. Shrugs as World War III Approaches, by Walter Russell Mead (WSJ)Highlights / LowlightsKori: Gov. Mike DeWine defending Ohio against MAGA’s lies about Springfield (ABC)Damon: The tired dance of the demagogue by Matthew Yglesias (Slow Boring)Mona: How an AI ‘debunkbot’ can change a conspiracy theorist’s mind (Popular Science)Linda: The Exotic Cat-Eaters of Springfield, Ohio by Kevin Williamson (The Dispatch)Bill: The Future of Free Speech by Lee C. Bollinger and Geoffrey Richard Stone (Dædalus)

Third Way's Matt Bennett joins to discuss the debate, Harris's centrism, and which candidate would be better on inflation.Highlights / LowlightsMona: Why Mike Lee Folded by Tim Alberta, The Atlantic.Matt: The lies being pushed about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, and the political opportunism of a young boy’s death.Damon: Behind the Catholic Right's celebrity-conversion industrial complex (Vanity Fair)Linda: What led to rumors Trump shared about Venezuelan gangs taking over a Colorado building? (NBC)Bill: Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild

Lawyer Kim Wehle discusses her book on the pardon power. The group then delves into Israel/Gaza, campus protests redux, and Tucker Carlson "Just asking questions" about Holocaust denialism. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Andrew Egger's "Pennsylvania Man Speaks" reporting. Bill: The Rural Voter: The Politics of Place and the Disuniting of America Linda: Republicans Seize on False Theories About Immigrant Voting (NYT) Damon: DOJ alleges Russia funded US media company linked to right-wing social media stars (CNN)

The Atlantic's Peter Wehner joins the group to discuss the DNC and Harris's new tone, Trump's pivot on abortion, and the misfit toys (RFK Jr., Gabbard) of the Trump campaign. Highlights / Lowlights: Mona: Can We Be a Little Less Selective With Our Moral Outrage? by Bret Stephens in The New York Times.Peter: Lowlight: Trump Insists He Won California in Wild, Jesus-Filled Rant With Dr. Phil (Daily Beast)Damon: Highlight: Conservatism: The Fight for a Tradition by Edmund FawcettBill: Highlights: The Return of Hamiltonian Statecraft by Walter Russell Mead and Stopping the Next China Shock by Aaron L. FriedbergLinda: Highlight: Making Race Skin Deep by Quico Toro in Persuasion

Andrew Egger subs for the vacationing Mona, and A.B. occupies Damon's seat, as The Deseret News's Samuel Benson joins regulars Bill and Linda to discuss the unity and vibes at the Democratic Convention, while the panel weighs how RFK's exit from the race is likely to affect the November election.Highlights / LowlightsAndrew: Highlight: Gov. Tim Walz's Speech, and his family's reaction.A.B.: Highlight: Doug Emhoff's remarks on anti-semitism, and that protests did not disrupt the convention.Linda: Lowlight: Systemic Test Racism in Chicago (WSJ)Bill: The slow counting of ballots in Pennsylvania, and the failure to fix this glaringly obvious problem.Samuel: Lowlight: The slowness with which anti-semitism was addressed at the Democratic Convention.Highlight: A moment of prayer he witnessed by Jewish men at night outside of the convention hall.

MSNBC's Charlie Sykes joins the panel to discuss the rise of Harris, the decline of Trump (in more ways than one?), and the Iranian hack of Trump's campaign.Highlights / Lowlights Charlie: Highlight: 2 outspoken election deniers lose GOP primaries for state Legislature Lowlight: The ongoing stolen valor attacks on Gov. Walz Mona: Lowlight: How Trump's infatuation with a racist conspiracy theorist is impacting the campaign (Judd Legum and Noel Sims) Damon: Highlight: Ukraine’s Push Into Russia Met Early Success. Where Does It Go From Here? Bill: Lowlights: The Swiftboating of Tim Walz Netanyahu accuses defense minister of ‘anti-Israel narrative,’ exposing rift over war in Gaza Linda: Lowlight: Kamala Harris and the Election of Laughter and Forgetting (Eli Lake, The FP)

The regulars discuss Walz pick and shape of the race. David French joins to talk about Trump v. United States. highlights / lowlights Mona: The life of Penny Parker (1927-2024). David: Highlight: The USA's Medal Count Lowlight: China's Gold medal count Linda: What’s better than calling Trump weird? (David Broockman and Josh Kalla, Slow Boring) Damon: The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster. Bill: Highlight: He's still on Cape Cod Lowlight: Hamas names Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks, as its new leader in show of defiance (AP)

A.B. Stoddard guest hosts for today’s discussion on Donald Trump’s NABJ interview. It was shocking and set the internet abuzz, but was that his intention all along? Plus, do VP picks actually matter?Highlights / LowlightsBill’s highlight: Inside the Secret Negotiations to Free Evan Gershkovich (WSJ)Damon’s highlights: Pro-Wrestling Explains Why Trump Is Scared of Kamala, Donald Trump’s Cheap Heat (The Triad)Linda’s highlight: The America of Yesterday (Yascah Mounk)A.B.’s highlight: America’s New Political War Pits Young Men Against Young Women (WSJ)

Nick Grossman joins the group to discuss Biden's exit and Harris's rise, her strengths and weaknesses, VP possibilities, GOP blues, and Bibi's speech and protests. Highlights / Lowlights Nicholas's highlight: Biden's address to the nation. Nicholas's lowlight: Netanyahu's address to Congress. Mona's highlight: The Olympics You Remember Are Back Damon's highlight: The collective meltdown of right wing influencers who invented the "is Biden Dead?" conspiracy. Bill's highlight: Harris steps out on Israel as she navigates Biden and Netanyahu (Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN) Linda's highlight: Fireside Chat with Condoleezza Rice and Robert M. Gates

The New Yorker's Susan Glasser joins the group (with Andrew Egger) to discuss the aftermath of the assassination attempt, JD Vance, and Biden digging in his heels. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: The Gunman and the Would-Be Dictator by David Frum in The Atlantic. Damon: Sohrab Ahmari's reaction to Trump's reaction to getting shot at. Ross Douthat's NYT column on Trump and Destiny. Andrew: President Biden messed up a key policy detail in Las Vegas speech. Linda: Are We Living in ‘Late Soviet America’? Niall Ferguson and Jonah Goldberg Debate.

A.B. Stoddard joins to discuss Biden's intransigence, the Democratic party's next moves, the pros and cons of anointing Harris, and more. Highlights / Lowlights A.B.: Trump is Planning for a Landslide Win by Tim Alberta in The Atlantic and her 2022 item: Why (and How) Biden Should Decline to Run Again Mona: What Lessons Do the Stunning Results of the French Election Offer? (New Yorker) Bill: Amid Doubts About Biden’s Mental Sharpness, Trump Leads Presidential Race (Pew) Damon: Time to Go, Joe, by Marc Leibovich in The Atlantic Linda: A Better Approach to Race in Medicine by Amy F.S. Lutz in Persuasion For What It's Worth by Linda Chavez

Former Rep Adam Kinzinger joins the group (plus Chris Cillizza) to discuss the Court's worst ruling since Korematsu, opening the door to God know what if Trump wins. Also, what would an open convention look like? Highlights / Lowlights: Mona: Are We in ‘Soviet America’? Not Even Close. By Cathy Young, The Bulwark Linda: Her trip to Israel, where she was recording. Adam: Cara Mund, a sincere Never Trump candidate who ran (and lost, but got 19%!) in North Dakota. Adam joined her on her radio show to discuss the state of the Republican Party Chris: Gabe Fleisher's Wake up to Politics. Gabe has been writing about politics since he was a child and is a politics prodigy. (Substack here) Go to TryMiracle.com/BEGTODIFFER and use the code BEGTODIFFER to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF Visit BetterHelp.com/begtodiffer today to get 10% off your first month. 🔥 Get 30 days of Bulwark+ absolutely free: https://thebulwark.com/freetrial

The Atlantic's David Frum joins to discuss the debate debacle and what comes next? Can Biden be persuaded to drop out? Also, a look at two Supreme Court cases. Highlights / Lowlights David: Slain Gazan named as Doctors Without Borders staffer was Islamic Jihad rocket maker (Times of Israel) Mona: Gaza Chief’s Brutal Calculation: Civilian Bloodshed Will Help Hamas (WSJ) Linda: 4.1 million migrants: Where they’re from, where they live in the U.S. (WaPo) Bill: France is facing an election like no other. Here’s how it works and what comes next. (AP) Damon: Same-Sex Relations, Marriage Still Supported by Most in U.S. (Gallup)

Will Saletan guest hosts as Tom Edsall joins the panel to discuss rising political polarization, Biden’s latest moves on immigration, and the crackdown on social media and kids using smartphones. Highlights / Lowlights Tom: The book 'Wolves of K Street' by Brody and Luke Mullins and a story from his weekly poker game. Linda: Experts Handicap the Trump-Biden Debate (Karl Rove, WSJ) Damon: No, I Don't Want to Protest (Pamela Paul, NYT) Why Activists Keep Failing the Causes That Fire Them Up (Sarah Isgur, NYT) Bill: The Return of Peace Through Strength by Robert C. O'Brien (Foreign Affairs) Biden and Trump tied in the Emerson Poll in... Minnesota. Will: Louisiana Requires All Public Classrooms to Display Ten Commandments (NYT) Bibi's shameful Biden attack video

Tom Nichols joins the panel to discuss the rise of the right in Europe (and here), the Hunter Biden verdict, and the Israel hostage rescue. Mona: The Big Lie's Bad, Very Bad Week by Charlie Sykes. Linda: No, You Don’t Have the Power to Stop Climate Change by Quico Toro (Persuasion) Bill: American journalist Evan Gershkovich to stand trial on espionage charges in Russia (NPR) Damon: John Ganz's new book "When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s" Tom: John Bolton going through exhaustive detail about Trump's manifest unfitness and then saying he won't vote for Biden on MSNBC. Tom's referenced item "The Jimmy Clean Hands Election" at The Atlantic.

Sasha Havlicek and Philip Bump join the panel to discuss online disinformation, the GOP reaction to Trump guilty verdict, and the Fauci follies in Congress. highlights / lowlights Sasha- The 80th Anniversary of D-Day at Normandy American Cemetery. Damon- The Tower and the Sewer by Mark Lilla (NYR) Linda- This Catholic leader shelters migrants. Texas says he runs ‘stash houses.’ (WaPo) Philip- Two years later, Dinesh D'Souza's obvious misinformation is finally taken down Mona- World War II Veterans meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky at Normandy and "The Biggest War on the Small Screen" by Benjamin Parker (Bulwark)

Famed presidential photographer David Hume Kennerly joins Bill Kristol and regulars to discuss the Ford Library's cowardly refusal to honor Liz Cheney, how Democrats should handle the Trump verdict, and Biden's standing with the young and old. highlights / lowlights David: In closing, Trump’s team takes the jurors for idiots (Dana Milbank, WaPo) Mona: Why Trump is hobnobbing with rappers facing gang-related charges (MSNBC) Bill Kristol: The impressiveness of the Manhattan Trump Trial (NYT). Linda Chavez: Mexican Democracy Hangs In The Balance (Enrique Krauze, Persuasion) Bill Galston: Highlight: NATO’s boss wants to free Ukraine to strike hard inside Russia (The Economist) Lowlight: Almost 6,000 Dead in 6 Years: How Baltimore Became the U.S. Overdose Capital (NYT) show notes: The Danger of a Small Act of Cowardice by David Hume Kennerly. (Includes the Cheney / Ford photo referenced in the show.) David's Resignation Letter from the Ford Presidential Foundation

Joe Klein joins the panel to discuss Haley's Trump support, Alito's freak flags, and polls showing Americans are deeply misinformed about the state of the economy.highlights / lowlightsDamon: Is the Biden Campaign Running on False Hope? (Isaac Chotiner, NYer)Linda: Three Books to Help You Understand Nations in Transit 2024 (Freedom House)Joseph: The U.S. assembles the pieces of a possible Gaza war endgame (David Ignatius, WaPo)Mona: The Birth of a MAGA Conspiracy Theory (Andrew Egger, The Bulwark)Bill: If Trump wins, what would hold him back? (Andrew Prokop, Vox)

Sarah Longwell, Chris Cillizza, Will Saletan join Mona and Bill to discuss the upcoming debates, the polls (and Biden's response to them) and how to spend a record $61 million on a Senate primary and still get trounced. highlights / lowlights Mona: Thousands sign petition urging canceled concerts by Israeli ensemble to go ahead in Amsterdam (Times of Israel) Sarah: GOP Sen. Mitt Romney says Biden should have pardoned Trump (NBC) Biden killing the presidential debate commission. Chris: The beauty of no audience at the Presidential debate. Bill: Can the Declaration of Independence’s Ideals Hold America Together? (Colin Woodard, Washington Monthly) Lowlight: The reports from the battlefield in Ukraine, after the GOP delayed aid for so long. Will: RFK Jr.’s Rich Running Mate Just Added $8 Million to His Effort. The hypocrisy of Congressional Republicans who voted against aid to Ukraine and Israel but lectured Biden over withholding 2,000 pound bombs for Rafah.

The Society for the Rule of Law's Gregg Nunziata joins to discuss the NY and other cases against Trump; Biden's pivot on weapons to Israel, and RFK, Jr's brain worm. highlights / lowlights: Mona: In Letter, 540 Jewish Columbia Students Defend Zionism, Condemn Protests Gregg: Highlight: This Is Peak College Admissions Insanity by Daniel Currell, Lowlight: Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump allies who tried to overturn the 2020 election roll out voting 'integrity' bill Linda: The New Propaganda War by Anne Applebaum Bill: Liberland: Populism, Peronism, and Madness in Argentina by David Rieff Damon: The curse of presentism by Brink Lindsey

FT's Ed Luce joins the group to discuss campus protests and whether Biden is losing. highlights / lowlights: Mona: Country Music, a film by Ken Burns Ed: The Colombia student asking that the protestors be brought food in their encampment. Linda: MTG's bizarre defense of her anti-Semitism vote. Bill: Netanyahu: Israel will invade Rafah — regardless of hostage deal Damon: The new Steve Martin documentary.

Anne Applebaum joins the panel (with Philip Bump) to discuss Ukraine's war effort, Russian disinformation, campus protests, and a change of pace for final segment. What would you have put on the Voyager Spacecraft? Mona: Images of human love: parents interacting with babies (joy), a dog reacting to being reunited, humans taking care of other humans with a handicap (compassion). Damon: Holy texts of major religions, Plato's Republic, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and the Beatles. Philip: The vessel itself is a message, and a Haiku by Issa. Linda:, a reproduction of Aphrodite of Knidos Sculpture by Praxiteles, Michelangelo's David, Gorecki and Beethoven.

Lawfare's Ben Wittes joins the group to discuss Iran's attack on Israel, Congress's action on Ukraine, Trump's NY trial, and the Supreme Court. highlights / lowlights Mona: The Great Hypocrisy of the Pro-Life Movement (David French, NYT) Bill: Efforts to reform the insurrection act. Linda: Restoring Civics in Higher Education (Wilfred McClay, AEI) Ben: Mona is given an award, but Chatham House Rules. Damon: The Retconning of January 6 by people who knew better

Patterico joins the panel to analyze Bragg's case against Trump. The panel also looks at the Arizona Supreme Court decision, and the GOP's clownish attempt to find something on which to impeach Biden.highlights and lowlightsDamon: Anxious Parents Are the Ones Who Need Help (NYT)Patrick: Famed photographer quits Ford board over Liz Cheney snub (Politico)Linda: A Region Reordered by Autocracy and Democracy (Freedom House)Mona: Cass review: Health secretary criticises gender care 'culture of secrecy' (BBC)Bill: High interest rates, rising inflation: The economy still isn’t normal (WaPo)

Matt Bennett of Third Way joins to discuss the end of No Labels, RFK, Jr., and other third parties as well as Florida's new abortion law. highlights / lowlights Mona: Karl Rove admonishing Trump's embrace of January 6 criminals (audio) Damon: Why We Can’t Stop Arguing About Whether Trump Is a Fascist (Andrew Marantz, New Yorker) Matt: How the No Labels 2024 Presidential Campaign Failed to Launch (WSJ) Bill: Build Back Faster (Sean Kennedy, City Journal) show notes This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/begtodiffer and get on your way to being your best self. Go to TryMiracle.com/BEGTODIFFER to try Miracle Made sheets today! And, whether you’re buying them for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, if you order today you can save over 40%. AND if you use our promo BEGTODIFFER at checkout you’ll get 3 FREE TOWELS and SAVE an extra 20%!

The Atlantic's Peter Wehner joins the panel to discuss Trump hawking a "patriotic" Bible, accusations of lawfare regarding Trump's trials, and Putin's war on truth.Highlights / Lowlights:Mona— What Would You Have Israel Do to Defend Itself? (David Brooks, NYT)Damon— Tucker Carlson's hilariously wrong prediction that Sam Bankman-Fried would avoid justice because he was a megadonor.Peter— Lowlight: Jesus's Crucifixion. Highlight: Easter, of course.Linda— Bridge collapse brings stark reminder of immigrant workers’ vulnerabilities (WaPo)Bill— Democrat who ran heavily on abortion rights, IVF wins Alabama special election (WaPo)

Nicholas Grossman joins the panel to discuss Trump's money troubles as a national security threat and political challenge, the "bloodbath" brouhaha, and Schumer's speech about Netanyahu.highlights / lowlights Damon: Miranda's Last Gift by David Frum.Mona: The U.S. is no longer one of the 20 happiest countries. If you're young, you probably know why.Bill: Graham calls for interest-free loans to Ukraine: ‘New way of doing business’ (The Hill)Nick: Once More With Feeling: Banning TikTok Is Unconstitutional & Won’t Do Shit To Deal With Any Actual Threats by Mike Masnick (TechDirt)LINDA: 12,000 More Visas for Afghans Who Helped US Military Included in New Funding Deal (Military.com).Appeals court raises doubts of legality of new Texas deportation law, SB4, pointing to past rulings (Houston Chronicle)

Michael Isikoff, co-author of Find Me the Votes: A Hard-Charging Georgia Prosecutor, a Rogue President, and the Plot to Steal an American Election, details some of the undercovered aspects of Trump's 2020 election subversion. The panel also discusses how the Biden reset is going.highlights / lowlightsMona: Warden is ousted as FBI raids California women’s prison known as the ‘rape club’ (LATimes).Damon: American politics is undergoing a racial realignment (FT) and a thread from the author, John Burn-Murdoch.Bill: 2024 Michigan: Trump Leads Biden In 5-Way Race (Quinnipiac Poll) Michael: Trump’s Biden Mockery Upsets People Who Stutter: ‘We’ve Heard This Before’ (NYTimes). Linda: Literary Magazine Retracts Israeli Writer’s Essay as Staffers Quit (NYTimes).

On this week’s episode, Philip Bump of The Washington Post joins guest host A.B. Stoddard and the usual crew to discuss the beginning of the general election.highlights / lowlightsA.B.- The NC Exit Polls where voters thought Trump had better physical and mental fitness to be President than Haley.Philip- The Crazy Collapse of the House G.O.P.’s Impeachment Case Against BidenBill- Ukraine outgunned 10 to 1 in massive artillery battle with RussiaLinda- Mitch McConnell endorses Donald Trump for president after years of frosty ties, and the 9-0 SCOTUS ruling.Damon- The 9-0 SCOTUS ruling on Trump and the 14th Amendment.

David French of The New York Times joins the panel (plus Cathy Young) to discuss the Supreme Court's gift to Trump; Mitch McConnell's tainted legacy; and the threat from Christian supremacism.highlights / lowlightsMona: Stephen Richer's interaction with TPUSA activist about her voter registration.David: Dune 2 Cathy: Yulia Navalnaya addresses European Parliament after Alexei Navalny's deathWhy the Kremlin Tried to Obstruct Alexei Navalny’s FuneralBill: Why Americans are still angry about inflation, even as it cools by Heather LongDamon: Why the Supreme Court Should Grant Certiorari in United States v. TrumpThe Consequences of Jack Smith's Rush to Trial

AEI's Kori Schake joins to discuss Ukraine funding, GOP's moral and strategic collapse, Nikki Haley's role, calls for a Gaza ceasefire, and more. highlights / lowlights Damon: John Avlon: I'm running for Congress. Linda: Something’s Fishy About the ‘Migrant Crisis’ A Rage in Harlem by Chester Himes Liberation Struggle Kori: NATO Gives Ukraine the Go-Ahead to Cross Putin's Red Line Mona: What Losing My Two Children Taught Me About Grief Bill: For Gen Z, an Age-Old Question: Who Pays for Dates?

Chris Cillizza joins the panel for a thought experiment on Biden, as well as the NY special election and its implications for November, NATO, and whether today's GOP as bad as 1930s GOP?highlights / lowlightsMona: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out by Derek ThompsonBill: lowlight: Trump says he would encourage Russia to attack Nato allies who pay too littlehighlight: Putin Says He Was Disappointed by Tucker Carlson’s Soft QuestionsLinda: The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2024 to 2034 (look at pages 5-7)Damon: What I Saw Inside the DeSantis Campaign by Nate HochmanChris: The Corruption of Lindsey Graham by Will Saletan

The Dispatch's Scott Lincicome returns to discuss cheap avocados, the "China shock," and other economic matters. The panel then discusses the GOP heel turn on the border, betraying Ukraine, and whether the Crumbley verdict was a step too far.highlights / lowlights:Mona: As Kids, They Thought They Were Trans. They No Longer Do. (Pamela Paul, NYT)Linda: Isaiah Berlin and the Tragedy of Pluralism (Damon Linker, Persuasion) 1961 Debate Between Malcolm X and James BaldwinBill: Firing Ukraine’s top general would be a mistake (Adrian Bonenberger, The Hill) Damon: Special Counsel Robert Hur's Biden classified documents report.

ABC's Jonathan Karl joins to discuss Trump's under-covered first two years as post-president. Also the immigration deal that isn't.highlights / lowlightsDamon: Baumgartner by Paul AusterLinda: After a Decade of Decline, the US Undocumented Population Increased by 650,000 in 2022, Journal on Migration and Human SecurityThings Fall Apart: How the Middle Ground on Immigration Collapsed, New York TimesMona: MAGA Has TDS—Taylor Derangement Syndrome, A.B. Stoddard, The BulwarkJonathan: Lowlight: The collapse of the Ravens and Lions in the NFL playoffs.Bill: EU Leaders Agree to $54 Billion Ukraine Aid Package as Hungary’s Orban Backs Down, Wall Street Journal

Yascha Mounk joins to consider the NH results, Greg Abbott's defiance of the Supreme Court, and a dissenting view on a much-praised TV series.highlights / lowlightsMona: Jamie Dimon Joins the Trump Normalizers by Dennis Aftergun and Walter H. White, Jr.The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions by Jonathan RosenYascha: Emmys 2024: Succession, The Bear and Beef among winners'I just love you': Tim Scott and Donald Trump's other challengers fall in line Damon: The 25th Anniversary of The SopranosLinda: Remembering Bayard Rustin by Arch PuddingtonBill: Netanyahu rejects Hamas conditions for Israeli hostage deal

Zack Beauchamp of Vox joins the panel (plus Will Saletan) to discuss Iowa and New Hampshire and the role of death threats in the Republican Party. Highlights / Lowlights: Mona: Peter Schickele, Composer and Gleeful Sire of P.D.Q. Bach, Dies at 88 Zack: Cape Verde becomes fourth African country to eliminate malaria Will: Trump’s unsubtle crusade to cast foes as less American comes for Haley Bill: The Anti-Liberal by David Bell in Liberties. Linda: What the Asa Hutchinson incident reveals (and why it's important)

The Atlantic's Tim Alberta discusses his book on the rot within white evangelical Protestantism. The panel then considers Christie's exit, Haley's chances, and what the GOP base really wants.Highlights / LowlightsMona Charen- Don Scott, sworn in as first Black speaker of Virginia's House of Delegates, was once a federal prison inmateBill Galston- Haley’s strong bid for second place in the Iowa debateLinda Chavez- Lowlight: 'Flight 93 Election' Anti-Trumpers Imperil the Rule of Law by Peter Berkowitz Highlight: Anti-Trump Means Anti-Democracy? You Can’t Be Serious by Ronald Radosh and Gabriel SchoenfeldDamon Linker- The Case for Trump … by Someone Who Wants Him to Lose by Bret Stephens

Nick Grossman of Arc Digital joins to discuss plagiarism, double standards, DEI, Israel, Iran, and Hamas.highlights / lowlightsMona: Hydroxychloroquine could have caused 17,000 deaths during Covid, study finds and Florida surgeon general calls for halt on mRNA covid vaccines, citing debunked claimDamon: The Law and High Politics of Disqualifying President Trump by Steve VladeckNick: Slow Horses on Apple+ and Why the GOP Doesn’t Really Want a Deal on Ukraine and the Border by David Frum.Linda: ‘Screams Without Words’: How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on Oct. 7Bill: Fed Minutes Suggest Rate Hikes Are Over, but Offer No Timetable on Cuts and Kyiv Issues Dire Warning After 'Record' US Patriot Sweep

Guest host A.B. Stoddard and special guest Jim Swift join the panel to discuss Nikki Haley's Civil War / slavery stumble in New Hampshire. highlights / lowlights A.B. Stoddard: What Mitt Romney Saw in the Senate by McKay Coppins (The Atlantic) and My Father, My Faith, and Donald Trump by Tim Alberta (The Atlantic) Jim Swift: The Day After: The Night My Father Scared America, read by A.B. Stoddard (The Bulwark) Damon Linker: The Rise of Narrative and The Fall of Persuasion by Leon Wieseltier (Liberties) Linda Chavez: Here’s the Civil War history they didn’t want you to know by Howell Raines (WaPo) Bill Galston: Ukraine Doesn’t Need All Its Territory to Defeat Putin By Serge Schmemann (NYT)

Eric Edelman joins the group to consider whether Trump should be barred by 14th amendment, prospects for Ukraine, and whether Americans' sour views on the economy are right or wrong. highlights / lowlights Mona: Right-wing pundits tremble in fear of … tap-dancing, by Catherine Rampell (WaPo) Eric: The mystery of the missing binder: How a collection of raw Russian intelligence disappeared under Trump (CNN) / Trump repeats 'poisoning the blood' anti-immigrant remark (Reuters) Damon: Rudy Giuliani's descent into bankruptcy, a personal story. Linda: Florida Republican Party censures chairman Christian Ziegler, by Lori Rozsa (WaPo) Bill: Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy following $146 million defamation suit judgment

The GOP House moves toward impeaching Biden and stiff-arms Zelensky. Plus, the Supreme Court may act fast on Trump's "immunity" and poll of Palestinians gives little hope.highlights / lowlightsMegan McArdle: Shutting a freeway in traffic-clogged L.A. gets attention. But is it effective activism? by Rachel Uranga and Nathan Solis, Los Angeles TimesDamon Linker: Congress approves bill barring any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO by Laura Kelly, The HillBill Galston: A five-point plan to save Harvard from itself, by Steven Pinker Boston Globe and In GOP Contest, Trump Supporters Stand Out for Dislike of Compromise, Pew Research CenterMona Charen: How to Fix the Insurrection Act and a PSA: Be careful about legal marijuana in public regarding your pets! Linda Chavez: André Braugher Dies: Star Of ‘Homicide: Life On The Street’, ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ & Other Series And Films Was 61, by Mike Fleming, Jr. Deadline... [Buy the box set, Linda suggests!]

Democracy scholar Rachel Kleinfeld joins Beg to Differ to discuss polarization, violence, the GOP, the rule of law, Ivy League hypocrites, and more.highlights / lowlightsMona Charen: What Is Happening at the Columbia School of Social Work? by Pamela PaulDamon Linker: A Trump dictatorship is increasingly inevitable. We should stop pretending. and The Trump dictatorship: How to stop it, both by Robert KaganBill Galston: The troubling testimony of Ivy League professors before the House on anti-semitism on campus.Linda Chavez: Why Dostoevsky Loved Humanity and Hated the Jews by Gary Saul Morson

Noah Smith joins to talk about the border crisis and its political implications as well as Haley's surge (if it is one). highlights / lowlights Mona Charen: An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth by Matti Friedman (Tablet) and What the Media Gets Wrong About Israel by Matti Friedman (The Atlantic) Noah Smith: People are realizing that the Arsenal of Democracy is gone Damon Linker: The global demographics Twitter / X account @nonebusinesshey Bill Galston: Israel Knew Hamas’s Attack Plan More Than a Year Ago by Ronen Bergman and Adam Goldman (NYTimes) Linda Chavez: Once again: Speaking freely doesn’t mean speaking without consequence, by Philip Bump (WAPO)

Hamas triggered the Gaza war—and signed the death warrants of thousands of Palestinians—when it purposefully targeted civilians on 10/7. Israeli journalist Amir Tibon joins Mona Charen to discuss how his family survived the terror attack, Netanyahu’s failures, Biden’s support, and the bad options for post-war rule in Gaza.

The Economist's Idrees Kahloon joins to discuss whether Israel is losing the propaganda war; Biden's chances to revive his popularity, and Nikki Haley's narrow shot at the brass ring.highlights / lowlights Linda Chavez: Sweeping Raids, Giant Camps and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump’s 2025 Immigration Plans (NYT) Idrees Khaloon: The George Santos House Ethics Committee Report.Damon Linker: Some young Americans on TikTok say they sympathize with Osama bin Laden (CNN) Mona Charen: Ukraine Indicts Officials Linked to Efforts to Investigate the BidensBill Galston: Senator Mullin's Senate Fight Club

Chris Cillizza joins the crew (plus Will Saletan) to discuss the election outcomes, the GOP debate, the generational divide about Israel, and what to make of those polls. highlights / lowlights Chris Cillizza: Vivek Ramaswamy's performance in the third GOP debate. Mona Charen: This Florida School District Banned Cellphones. Here’s What Happened (NYT) Hawley, Mayorkas get personal at hearing: ‘Despicable’ (The Hill) Linda Chavez: The Census Bureau sees an older, more diverse America in 2100 in three immigration scenarios (WaPo) Get to Know the Influential Conservative Intellectuals Who Help Explain G.O.P. Extremism (Damon Linker, NYT) Bill Galston: Joe Manchin won’t run for reelection, giving GOP an opening to flip West Virginia seat Will Saletan: Congressional Black Caucus welcomes Gabe Amo as its record-setting 60th member

The NY Times's Bret Stephens joins the panel to analyze the Gaza war, America's declining stomach for world leadership, the House's new speaker, and sagging GOP support for Ukraine.highlights / lowlights Mona Charen: Rick Scott: It's Time To Unite Behind Donald Trump Bret Stephens: Italy’s Rumbling Supervolcano Has Half a Million Residents on EdgeBill Galston: Cornell University official slammed for disturbing posts calling Hamas terror attacks a ‘resistance’Damon Linker: Why Not Moderation?: Letters to Young Radicals by Aurelian CraiutuLinda Chavez: Hawley, Mayorkas get personal at hearing: ‘Despicable’

The Atlantic's Tom Nichols joins guest host A.B. Stoddard and the usual cast to discuss Israel's response to Hamas, Speaker Mike Johnson and the challenges he faces regarding government funding. highlights / lowlights A.B.: We Are Caught in a Mass Economic Delusion and Something Is Wrong by Jonathan V. Last. States Launch Massive Lawsuit Against Facebook and Instagram by Kim Wehle. Tom: Trump is fined $10,000 over a comment he made outside court in his New York civil fraud trial. Bill: What do Americans think about the health of our democracy and the upcoming presidential election? Linda: The Palestinian Republic of Fear and Misinformation by Bret Stephens. Damon: A Twitter/X A thread from Hussein Aboubakr Mansour.

Yascha Mounk is the guest this week. Topics include the press's credulity regarding the Gaza hospital story; the speakerless House; and Yascha's new book The Identity Trap. highlights / lowlights Mona: Poland Shows That Autocracy Is Not Inevitable by Anne Applebaum Yascha: The shift in media coverage about the hospital in Gaza. Linda: How America’s Largest Socialist Organization Went from Supporting Israel to Boycotting It by Ron Radosh. Bill: ‘The Most Disgraceful Behavior By Republicans In My Lifetime’: Gingrich Lets Loose on House GOP and Amir Tibon on How His Family Survived the Hamas Massacre. Damon: Palestinian right of return matters by Matthew Yglesias.

Prof. Gil Troy of McGill University joins from Jerusalem to talk about Hamas, Israel's response, the left's excusing of terrorists, and a silver lining in a horrible week. highlights / lowlights LINDA: After Hamas onslaught, Trump criticizes Israel, calls Gallant a ‘jerk’ GIL: Lowlight: The attack on Israel Highlight: The generosity of the world in response BILL: The continuing saga of Cornel West. DAMON: A hardcore advocate for "Greater Romania" could be the country's next president MONA: Who Runs the Best U.S. Schools? It May Be the Defense Department.