The Dispatch Podcast
Host Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle and guests for a thoughtful discussion on politics, policy and culture.
Episodes
What the Birthright Citizenship Decisions Mean for Conservatism
Mike Warren is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and David French to discuss the MAGA reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision on birthright citizenship and the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence.
The Agenda:
—The state of SCOTUS
—Transgender athletes
—MAGA reactions
—Freedom250 fair
—Trump’s influence on national celebrations
—How to celebrate right
Show notes:
—Adviso
What Americans Believe About Foreign Policy
Steve Hayes, Mike Warren, and Jonah Goldberg are joined by Rachel Hoff, policy director at the Ronald Reagan Institute, to take a look at the Reagan Institute’s 2026 Survey Report and what it reveals about American sentiment towards foreign policy.
The Agenda:
—The 2026 survey report
—American support for Iran war
—Partisan shifts in foreign policy
—Socialists win in New York
—Democrats' Pat
What’s Left of the Right?
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Chris Stirewalt, and Megan McArdle for a live recording at 92nd Street Y to discuss what’s left of the right.
The Agenda:
—What happened to Donald Trump?
—The Trump doctrine
—Truth-telling in government
—Future of the Republican Party
—Character in politics
—2028 elections
—NWYT: Seizing Greenland on Red Lobster's behalf
The Dispatch Podcast is a p
Will Trump Interfere with the 2026 Midterms?
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren and Stephen Richer to discuss the growing concerns and conversations around election integrity ahead of the 2026 midterms and the proliferation of conspiracy theories about voter fraud.
The Agenda:
—Election integrity
—Media influence on election claims
—California and conspiracy theories
—Understanding voter behavior
—The need for quick election results
The Iran Agreement Is Worse Than You Think
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and Mike Nelson to break down the text of the memorandum of understanding that ended the hostilities between U.S. and Iran.
The Agenda:
—Trump’s goals vs. results
—Iran’s ballistic missiles
—$300 billion reconstruction fund
—Future of Iranian terrorist proxies
—The Art of the Deal
—NWYT: Father’s Day
Show notes:
—ISW report on U.S.-Ira
State Corporatism on the Rise
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Megan McArdle, and Scott Lincicome to discuss AI and state corporatism and what the national debt is costing us today.
The Agenda:
—Bernie Sanders' AI wealth fund proposal
—Government ownership of tech
—Anthropic's Mythos model
—The national debt
—America's most boring nightmare
—NWYT: Optimism
Show notes:
—CATO Institute on a Social Security inf
How the Epstein Files Stumped the White House
Steve Hayes is joined by Sarah Isgur, Kevin Williamson, and Mike Warren to discuss the New York Times report on the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files and Graham Platner's primary win in Maine.
The Agenda:
—"Dumb-dumb meetings"
—Trump admin crisis management
—How presidential staff spin stories
—Graham Platner's primary win
—Can Democrats take the Senate?
—NWYT: The World
The Decline of Donald Trump
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Mike Warren to discuss Donald Trump's interview with Kristen Welker and the latest developments in the Iran war.
The Agenda:
—Trump's Meet the Press interview
—Election integrity claims
—California vote counting
—Trump and Netanyahu
—Negotiating with Iran
—Reporting on the president
—NWYT: Tip creep
Show notes:
—Kevin on Trum
Will Republicans Make Donald Trump a Lame Duck?
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Michael Warren, and John McCormack to discuss whether Donald Trump has become a lame duck president and reflect on McCormack's piece on Ben Sasse.
The Agenda:
—Republicans split on slush fund
—Standing up to Trump
—Bill Pulte as director of national intelligence
—Learning from Ben Sasse
—The original Remnant cohost
—How to talk about death
Show note
The Ukraine-Russia War Is Entering a New Phase
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Mike Nelson to discuss the “new phase” of the Ukraine-Russia war, the “imminent” deal with Iran, and the partisan cheerleading for Graham Platner and Ken Paxton.
The Agenda:
—Exaggerating Ukraine's demise
—U.S. support for Ukraine
—The imminent Iran deal
—Similarities between Paxton and Platner
—The poison of partisan cheerleading
—
Can Humanity Be Protected from Artificial Intelligence?
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Mike Warren to discuss Pope Leo’s encyclical on artificial intelligence and explain Jonah’s looksmaxxing routine.
The Agenda:
—The encyclical
—Can AI write good narratives?
—AI disclosure laws
—Creative destruction
—Regulating AI
—NWYT: Clavicular's take on books
Show notes:
—Ben Sasse at the Manhattan Institute
—Klon Kitchen on
The Reality of a U.S.-Iran 'Deal'
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and David French to discuss the potential ceasefire extension with Iran and the Democratic Party's autopsy of its 2024 presidential election loss.
The Agenda:
—The Iran deal
—Domestic consequences
—Division on the right
—Ceasefires aren't deals
—The DNC autopsy
—Party constituencies shift
—NWYT: Long school years
Show notes:
—Jon
Will Republicans Stand Against Trump’s Slush Fund?
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Mike Warren to discuss Donald Trump’s $1.776 billion slush fund and the indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro.
The Agenda:
—The slush fund
—The impeachment case
—Will Congress grow a spine?
—Indictment of Raúl Castro
—The Venezuela model
—NWYT: Discontinued treats
Dispatch Recommendations:
—A Time for Choosin’, Texas
Trump’s Grip on the GOP Holds
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Mike Warren, and David Drucker to discuss Donald Trump’s primary challenges against Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Thomas Massie, along with last week’s U.S.-China summit in Beijing.
The Agenda:
—Sen. Cassidy’s loss
—The consequences of crossing Trump
—Texas Republican primary
—Trump’s approach to China
—Taiwan as a bargaining chip
—NWYT: Trump’s $1.77
Can Redistricting Lead to a GOP Midterm Victory?
Mike Warren is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David Drucker, and Charles Hilu to discuss the nationwide redistricting battles happening in state legislatures and Donald Trump’s low approval for handling inflation.
The Agenda:
—Impact of Louisiana v. Callais SCOTUS decision
—Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama redistricting
—South Carolina Republican defies Trump
—Race and representation
—Abysmal in
The Trump Administration's China Strategy
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and the Hudson Institute's Michael Sobolik to discuss the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the future of U.S. relations with China, and the prospect of Taiwanese independence.The Agenda:—Is China an adversary?—Xi Jinping's global strategy—Xi's military purges—The Taiwan question—Human rights abuse
The End of Operation Epic Fury
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Mike Warren to discuss the potential end of major combat operations against Iran and Trump's retribution campaign against Indiana Republicans who opposed his mid-decade redistricting efforts.The Agenda:—End of Operation Epic Fury—Did the U.S. achieve its military goals?—Post-Iran War U.S. economy—Trump's waning political capital—Indiana G
U.S. and Iran Threaten Fragile Ceasefire
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Mike Warren, and Mike Nelson to discuss rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and the disconnect between the White House’s words and actions.The Agenda:—Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz—Who can keep the Strait open—Project Freedom—Trump’s rising political pressure—Democrats’ midterm messaging—NWYT: Philadelphia 76ers ban New Yor
James Comey Indicted, Again
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Sarah Isgur to discuss the role of populism within the Democratic Party and the second Department of Justice indictment of James Comey.
The Agenda:—Maine Gov. Janet Mills drops Senate bid—Right-wing vs. left-wing populism—Populism meets reality—The James Comey indictment—Indicting political opponents—Future of the justice system
The D
The Third Attempt on Donald Trump’s Life
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Michael Warren to discuss the third attempt to assassinate Donald Trump and why the national mood is so bad in the 2020s.The Agenda:—The third assassination attempt—Trump’s ballroom—History of political violence—Why everyone leaves Congress—The national bad mood—NWYT: Iran war’s effect on supply chainsDispatch recommendations:—The Pric
Does Trump Have the Patience to Win a War?
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Kevin Williamson to discuss the Trump administration's ongoing negations with Iran, FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged excessive drinking, and Justice Clarence Thomas' recent speech at the University of Texas.
The Agenda:
—Is the end near?
—Consequences of Trump's impatience
—Bad negotiating strategy
—Kash Patel's drinking
—Investi
Pressure Mounts Against the Trump Administration
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, David Drucker, and Mike Nelson to discuss the latest on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and how it is affecting Trump's popularity.
The Agenda:—U.S.-Iran negotiations—WSJ reporting on Trump's "public bravado"—U.S. forces seize Iranian ship—The downstream political costs of war—Netanyahu faces domestic pressure—Challenges of modern information environment
Can the U.S. Tax Code Be Simplified?
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, Scott Lincicome, and Megan McArdle to discuss our overly complicated tax code and our launch of Dispatch Markets, featuring Scott's latest newsletter. Steve, Megan, and Mike then discuss New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's pied-à-terre tax and how the democratic socialist mayor has governed so far.The Agenda:—Donald Rumsfeld's tax letter—The cost of tax compl
Trump Launches a Blockade of Iranian Ports
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, Mike Nelson, and Michael Sobolik to discuss the failed negotiations with Iran, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's defeat at the polls.
The Agenda:—What we know about the negotiations—How to enforce a blockade—The risk to U.S. troops—The view from China—J.D. Vance as negotiator—Why Taiwan’s defense budget matters—Viktor Orbán’s big loss—NWYT: Trump vs
Presidents vs. the Supreme Court
Steve Hayes is joined by Sarah Isgur, Michael Warren, and Kevin Williamson to discuss Sarah’s new book, Last Branch Standing; the history of partisan attacks on the Supreme Court; and the state of the two-week ceasefire with Iran.
The Agenda:—Trump's attacks on the Supreme Court—Public perception of the court—Sarah's writing process—Ambiguity in the ceasefire—Strait of Hormuz tolls—NWYT: The Mast
The Department of Justice After Pam Bondi
Sarah Isgur is joined by Mike Warren, Kevin Williamson, and David Drucker to discuss the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi and the White House's proposed 2027 fiscal budget.The Agenda:—Pam Bondi's DOJ—The future of the DOJ—Fallout from the Epstein files—Trump's proposed 2027 budget—Trump's midterm messaging—NWYT: TMZ's political coverageDispatch Recommendations—Marriage Got Better—So Why Is It
What Happens if Trump Ends the Iran War ‘Shortly'
Jonah Goldberg is joined by Dispatch contributors David French, Megan McArdle, and Mike Nelson to discuss whether ground operations in Iran are still an option and the significance of Meta's two landmark losses in social media addiction trials.
The Agenda:—Trump's prime-time address—Potential ground operations—How to reopen the Strait of Hormuz—True deterrence against Iran—Meta and Google addicti
How Far Will Trump Go in Cuba?
Jonah Goldberg is joined by Gil Guerra, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle to discuss the nationwide blackouts in Cuba and whether the country will be next in Trump’s crosshairs.The Agenda:—The state of play in Cuba—History of the blackouts—A Russian tanker arrives—How much does Cuba matter to the U.S.?—The case for regime case—The left’s fascination with Cuba—How would the right react?—NWYT: Mel
A Strategic Stalemate in Iran
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and Mike Nelson to measure the strategic success of the war in Iran so far and discuss the diverging war aims between U.S. and Israel.The Agenda:—Is Iran winning the war?—Trump's shifting rhetoric—Trump's daily video montage briefing—U.S. and Israel's diverging war aims—Bad timing for a shutdown fight—NWYT: The America First awardDispatch Recom
The GOP's Grim Midterm Prospects
Steve Hayes is joined by David Drucker, Mike Warren, and Jonathan Martin, Politico's politics bureau chief, to discuss the upcoming midterm elections and the Democrats' ongoing identity crisis.The Agenda:—The Trump effect on 2026 midterms—Partisan redistricting efforts—Scandals in state primaries—Democratic identity crisis—The GOP after 2028—NWYT: Meals with sourcesShow Notes:—On the Road with Jon
The Rise of Gambling in the U.S.
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and David French to discuss the growth of prediction markets and the differing goals that Israel and the U.S. may have in the war with Iran.The Agenda:—The harms of sports betting—Fantasy football podcasts and gambling—Monetizing insider trading—How does gambling affect sports?—The libertarian argument regarding addiction—Mismatched aims for
Are We Winning the War in Iran?
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren and Dispatch contributors Mike Nelson, a retired Army Special Forces officer and a member of the Atlantic Council's Counterterrorism Project, and Tim Mak, founder of the Counteroffensive and Iran War Dispatches.
The Agenda:—Latest updates out of Iran—On-the-ground reporting during war—Internet blackout in Iran—Obama's policy toward Iran—Drone warfare—The Ukrai
How the Iran War Will Affect U.S. Energy Policy
This roundtable was recorded in Dallas, Texas, on March 11, 2026, at our Dispatch Energy event.Steve Hayes sits down with Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Alex Trembath, the executive director of the Breakthrough Institute and contributor to the Dispatch Energy newsletter, to discuss the war in Iran’s effect on oil markets and what Ronald Reagan got right about energy 50 years ago.The Agenda:
What Comes Next for the War in Iran?
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Mike Warren, and James Sutton to discuss the latest on Iran and how the domestic costs of war could affect the upcoming midterms.The Agenda:—What is “unconditional surrender”?—Rising oil prices—Public support for war—MAGA media’s reaction—J.D. Vance’s isolationism—Young Republican’s reaction— NWYT: McDonald's CEO's burger scandalShow Notes:—Paul Miller on
The Convoluted Case for War With Iran
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg and Dispatch contributors Mike Nelson and David French to discuss the administration's military campaign in Iran one week in, the administration's weak public messaging, and where we can expect to be five weeks from now.
The Agenda:—Why and why now?—Tactical successes so far—Implications of regime change—Trump's personal ambitions—Will China get involved?—F
Democratic and Republican Infighting in Texas Primaries
Steve Hayes is joined by The Atlantic's Elaine Godfrey, Kevin Williamson, Mike Warren, and David Drucker to discuss today’s U.S. Senate primary elections in Texas, as well as both Kevin and Elaine's on-the-ground reporting leading up to the heated contests.The Agenda:—Texas Democratic primary—‘Elaine From Atlantic … She Needs to Leave’—Texas Republican primary—The Trump endorsement—The impact of i
U.S. and Israel Strike Iran
In a live Dispatch Podcast, Steve Hayes and Michael Warren were joined by Dispatch contributing writer and retired Army Special Forces officer Mike Nelson as well as Atlantic staff writer Graeme Wood to break down the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against the Iranian regime and explain what might come next.
Watch the livestreamed converation on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/live/PmkW7QDg
J.D. Vance’s ‘War on Fraud’
Steve Hayes is joined by Megan McArdle, Kevin Williamson, and Declan Garvey to discuss the Trump administration's new “war on fraud” and the young adult “dating recession.”The Agenda:—The “war on fraud”—The real driver behind government debt—Misconceptions about waste and abuse—The young adult dating recession —Looksmaxxing, explained—Risk aversion in teens—NWYT: Email inboxesShow Notes:—Alan Cole
The Dispatch Recaps Trump's State of the Union
President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address on February 24, and The Dispatch hosted a special Dispatch Live to discuss it all.
Steve Hayes was joined by Michael Warren, Kevin Williamson, and David Drucker to discuss the speech, and congressional reporter Charles Hilu, who was at the Capitol, also joined the show to share his reporting.
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What Comes Next for Trump’s Tariff Agenda?
Steve Hayes is joined by Scott Lincicome, Mike Warren, and John McCormack to discuss the recent Supreme Court decision on tariffs and what it could mean for the U.S. economy and for American politics ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Plus: embarrassing concert confessions.The Agenda:—Justice Gorsuch’s opinion—Why tariffs aren’t going away—The weak IEEPA case—Lincicome’s law—The fight over refunds—How t
The FCC’s Fight with Stephen Colbert
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Megan McArdle to discuss Stephen Colbert's “pulled” interview with Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico and whether the Trump administration is seriously considering bringing back the Fairness Doctrine.
Plus: Are military strikes on Iran imminent?
The Agenda:—The FCC and equal time rules—Should the government control airwaves?—FTC'
Why is Trump Relitigating the 2020 Election?
Steve Hayes is joined by new Dispatch contributor Stephen Richer, CEO of Republic Affairs and the former Maricopa County recorder, as well as John McCormack and Mike Warren to discuss the FBI seizure of Fulton County voter data, why Donald Trump is choosing to relitigate the 2020 election now, and what it portends for 2026 and 2028.
The Agenda:—Fulton County election material seizure—Election “ta
Is Donald Trump's Golden Age Here?
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle to discuss the Trump administration’s failed attempt to indict six Democrats and assess the state of the economy one year into the president’s second term.
The Agenda:—Democrats' 'Don't Give Up the Ship' video—Pam Bondi's testimony before Congress—Loyalty under Trump 2.0—Republican opposition to tariffs—January 2026 jobs
Iran's Zombie Regime
Steve Hayes is joined by leading Iran analyst Karim Sadjadpour, Dispatch contributor Mike Nelson, and Mike Warren to discuss the unrest in Iran and the state of the Ukraine-Russia war.
The Agenda:—Karim Sadjadpour: The Autumn of the Ayatollahs—What to expect from the Trump administration—Pro-democracy advocates in Iran—Four years into the Ukraine-Russia war—'Ukraine is the future of warfare'—Russ
Is It Time to Panic?
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and David French to discuss Donald Trump's second term and when a cycle of norm violations turns into authoritarianism.
The Agenda:—DHS targeting of Americans—Administrative subpoenas, explained—Abuses in immigration detention centers—Megan McArdle on fascism—Why language matters—Totalitarianism vs. fascism—NWYT: The Superbowl
Show Notes:—A
Are Vaccines Still In?
Steve Hayes is joined by Emily Oster to discuss the latest federal vaccine and dietary guidelines before welcoming Kevin Williamson and Michael Warren to discuss the Epstein files, Don Lemon’s arrest, and Southwest Airlines’ new seat assignments.
The Agenda:–Oster: Let’s Be Honest About Public Health Guidance–Everyone loves listening to journalists–Ethics of journalism and Don Lemon–Why it’s alwa
Right-Wing Theater Kids
Steve Hayes sits down with Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Kevin Williamson to discuss the events in Minnesota, sanctuary cities and immigration policies, and international tensions.
The Agenda:–Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, and the Leak Wars–The killing of Alex Pretti–Jedi mind tricks aren’t working–Time for the purge?–Trump’s political instincts–Overseas tensions–NWYT: Weird injuries
Show No
ICE’s Siege Mentality
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, Dispatch contributor Mike Nelson, and Mindy Belz to discuss the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and what the rebuilding of Mosul, Iraq, can tell us about the future of the region.
The Agenda:—Alex Pretti's death—ICE vs. counter-insurgence—Protest at Cities Church—Massacre of protesters in Iran—Striking Iran—Chaos, not strategy—Mindy's piece for The D
Three More Years
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, Sarah Isgur, and Mike Warren to reflect on President Donald Trump's first year of his second term and look ahead to his final three.
The Agenda:—Trump's use of executive orders—Trump's legislative "agenda"—The retribution tour—What will last beyond Trump?—Are we the (global) baddies?—Sarah's Not Worth Your Time ambush
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Dear Ambassador
Steve Hayes returns and invites Declan Garvey, Jonah Goldberg, and Michael Warren on to discuss President Donald Trump’s letter to the prime minister of Norway about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, the future of NATO, and the end of the conservative movement.Plus: Are NFL teams firing coaches too quickly?
The Agenda:–What is Trump thinking?–International reactions–Economic ramifications–Fore
The Public Shifts on Immigration
Michael Warren takes the host chair from Steve Hayes to lead a panel discussion with Jonah Goldberg, Sarah Isgur, and Grayson Logue on the recent fatal shooting involving an ICE agent in Minneapolis, its effect on public opinion around immigration enforcement, and the broader ramifications of aggressive immigration enforcement.
The Agenda:–Polling on public reaction to the ICE shooting of Renee G
Investigating Jerome Powell
Steve Hayes invites Michael Warren, John McCormack, and James Sutton on the podcast to discuss the Department of Justice's investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, how President Trump's tariffs are affecting interest rates, and the deadly protests in Iran.
The Agenda:—Jerome Powell investigation—The fallout of Trump's economic policies—Trump’s approval numbers fall over immigration—G
Taking Maduro: Wise or Foolish?
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Jonah Goldberg, and David French to revisit the Trump administration's operation in Venezuela nearly one week later and discuss the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
The Agenda:—U.S. intervention in Venezuela—Oil, drugs, or immigrants?—Legality of Maduro's arrest—Does international law matter?—The future of U.S. interventionism—ICE
The Capture of Nicolás Maduro
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Dispatch contributor Gil Guerra, and retired Army Special Forces officer Mike Nelson to discuss the Trump administration's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and what happens next.
The Agenda:—Gil for The Dispatch: Why We Toppled Maduro—The administration's rationale—Mike for The Dispatch: Causes for Concern and Celebration—The White House's
The Best of 2025 | Roundtable
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Mike Warren to discuss their favorite books, TV shows, movies, meals, and products from 2025.
Show Notes:—Megan McArdle's podcast, Reasonably Optimistic—Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer—The Lost History of Liberalism: From Ancient Rome to the Twenty-First Century—And a Bottle of Rum: A History of
That’s A Wrap | Roundtable
Steve Hayes invites Megan McArdle, Mike Warren, and Jonah Goldberg to review the biggest stories of the year, people we don’t want to hear from in 2026, and the best writing not from The Dispatch.
The Agenda:—Most important news story—Most undercovered story—Who is the most exposed?—Best piece of non-Dispatch journalism—Best good news of the year
Show Notes:—Is the AfD Too Extreme for Democr
Why Democrats Failed on Immigration | Roundtable
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Jonah Goldberg, and Grayson Logue to discuss recent reporting on the Biden administration’s handling of the asylum crisis and the Vanity Fair interview with top Trump administration staff.
The Agenda:—Reporting on Biden’s immigration failure—Indecision in the Biden admin—Fixing the asylum crisis—When Democrats gave up—Susie Wiles’ interview with Vanity
Life and Loss | Roundtable
Megan McArdle joins Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and Mike Warren to tell the story of her mother’s deathbed confession and how it informed her opinions on abortion. Then, a brief discussion on the failed redistricting attempt in Indiana and a reflection on Rob Reiner's filmography.
The Agenda:—Megan’s Monday Essay: The Brother I Lost—Megan’s thought experiment on abortion—Childhood and regrets—
Horseshoe Theory in Minnesota | Roundtable
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and Sarah Isgur to discuss the Minnesota welfare fraud scandal, the $160 million AI chip smuggling operation, and pull-up bars in the airport.
The Agenda:—Immigrant welfare fraud—1990s throwback—Woke intimidation—China and AI chip smuggling—Clientelism in Trump's administration—Airport gyms
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The Eunuch Congress | Roundtable
Steve Hayes invites David Drucker, Michael Warren, and The Hill Sunday host Chris Stirewalt to perform an autopsy on the remains of the two major parties.
The Agenda:–Big picture of American politics–Not a good time to be a Congressman–Midterm elections and future projections–The Texas Senate race–The parliament of pundits–J.D. Vance’s 2028 election chances–Renaming the NFL
The Dispatch Podc
Corrupting Influences | Roundtable
Steve Hayes invites Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Kevin Williamson to discuss the ‘double tap’ order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that may violate the laws of war. Is this another issue where Trump can ‘win’ because we’re an outcomes-over-process society?
The Agenda:–We’re not at war–Legality of airstrikes–What is narco-terrorism exactly?–Megyn Kelly likes violence for some reason–A da
The Right’s Intellectual Thought Crisis | Roundtable
John McCormack and Michael Warren join Steve Hayes to discuss their reporting on how the Intercollegiate Studies Institute is downgrading traditional conservatism, and Charles Hilu reports on how lawmakers on Capitol Hill are really feeling about the changes on the right.
The Agenda:—The state of the conservative intellectual movement—John and Mikes new reporting on ISI—Postliberalism and key fig
The Manchurian Peace Plan | Roundtable
Steve Hayes is joined by Megan McArdle, Kevin Williamson, and Jonah Goldberg to discuss the confusing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, the current state of the U.S. economy ahead of the holidays, and their least favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
The Agenda:—Diplomatic developments in Ukraine—JD Vance, the Vice Poster—Corruption and personal influence in diplomacy (How’s the Clinton Foun
Your Children Are Too Online | Interview: Dr. Jean Twenge
Mike Warren is joined by Dr. Jean Twenge, author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, for a discussion about what modern research says about parenting in the digital and A.I. age.
The Agenda:—Screen time before sleep—Conversations with children about tech—What phones and at what age—Social media regulation—Wait Until Eighth Pledge—Laptops vs. smartphones—Celebrating parental wins
Donald Lame Duck | Roundtable
Michael Warren is joined by Megan McArdle, David French, and Kevin Williamson to discuss the popularity of President Donald Trump and whether he's influential in the MAGA party.
Show Notes:—Media fatigue and Miss Piggy allegations —Cracks in the MAGA coalition—Trump's foreign policy agenda—Understanding Trump's relationship with Saudi Arabia—'The most populist black tie dinner ever'—Silicon Valle
Will AI Destroy Humanity? | Interview: Andy Mills
Andy Mills, host of The Last Invention podcast, joins Dispatch CTO Steve Hayes to discuss the artificial intelligence revolution, the competing visions of utopia among the tech bros, and where AI will take us next.
The Agenda:—The great conspiracy theory of our time—Understanding AI, AGI, and ASI—Alan Turing and the birth of AI—The Cold War’s influence on AI—Race against China—Where is the bipa
Why Scandals No Longer Matter | Roundtable
Mike Warren is joined by Megan McArdle, Sarah Isgur, and Jonah Goldberg to discuss the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, what we’ve learned from the latest Epstein files drop, and the debate over postliberalism currently raging in the conservative movement.
The Agenda:—Who won the shutdown?—Donald Trump’s approval rating—The latest Epstein files—“The dog that hasn’t barked
God and the Far Right | Interview: Mike Cosper
Michael Warren speaks with Mike Cosper, host of the podcasts Devil and the Deep Blue Sea and The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, to discuss ideological shifts in mass shootings, extremism among young conservative men, and the role of figures like Nick Fuentes and Tucker Carlson in shaping narratives.
The Agenda:—The Great Unbundling of Humanity—The rise of ideological mass shootings—Nick Fuentes and
The Venomous Coalition | Roundtable
Steve Hayes is joined by Megan McArdle, Jonah Goldberg, and Mike Warren to discuss the level of Tucker Carlson-philia displayed by Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts and what it means for the right moving forward.
The Agenda:—Democrats steal November 4 elections—Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts tries to clean up his mess—Groyper staffers are a problem—Jonah is not unc!—Dick Ch
The Heritage Foundation’s New Foundation | Interview: Tim Chapman
Steve Hayes invites seasoned conservative Tim Chapman, president of Advancing American Freedom, to discuss the controversy surrounding Tucker Carlson’s recent interview of Nick Fuentes, the current state of the conservative movement, and the impact of populism on the political landscape.
The Agenda:—A crisis of consciousness—Populism and the New Right—Nick Fuentes is not a good person—What happen
Our Fragile American Economy | Roundtable
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle to discuss the strength of the current U.S. economy, the prospect of an A.I. bubble, and President Donald Trump’s recent trip through Asia.
The Agenda:—How's the economy doing?—The A.I. bubble—Why presidents can’t save the economy—American investor confidence—Bonzo goes to Busan—Losing the trade war with China—Trump’s
Retribution | Interview: Jonathan Karl and Declan Garvey
Steve Hayes interviews Jonathan Karl and our very own executive editor, Declan Garvey, about Karl's new book Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America, which delves into Donald Trump’s 2024 political campaign. The three discuss insights from Steve Bannon’s prison experience, the decisions behind ending President Joe Biden’s campaign, and the authenticity crisis in modern poli
Trump Can't Bomb That, Can He? | Roundtable
Join newly minted Dispatch contributor Megan McArdle as she joins Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and David French to discuss the Trump administration’s strikes against alleged drug runners in Latin America, the confusing messaging over Russia and Ukraine in the space of one week, and the freak out over the East Wing remodel.
The Agenda:—Some good news and bad news—Breaking down Article II—Reading t
Vaccines and Visas | Roundtable
Steve Hayes is joined by John McCormack, Mike Warren, and Grayson Logue to discuss their recent reporting for The Dispatch on vaccine skepticism, immigration enforcement in Chicago, and Pam Bondi’s Department of Justice.
The Agenda:—Pediatricians and vaccine refusal—2014 measles outbreak—ICE in Chicago—'Operation Midway Blitz'—Climate of fear—Pam Bondi at the DOJ—Young Republicans chat
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Trump vs. Agriculture | Roundtable
Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle discuss the Trump administration’s planned bailout for farmers, ICE agents’ aggressive tactics, and Jonah’s fight against the cat lobby.
The Agenda:—Steve Hayes’ farmer arc—Bailout on the way?—ICE, ICE, no baby—Trump is not Hitler, but he is Juan Perón—‘Hitler could have gotten rid of Obamacare.’—NWYT: The best pieces of their caree
The Future of Television Journalism | Interview: Sam Feist
Steve Hayes is joined by C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist to discuss the state of news media and how C-SPAN’s new show might offer a way forward.
The Agenda:—News consumption in 2025—Being a “clinician”—C-SPAN’s “Ceasefire”—Challenging the consumer—Camera’s in Washington—C-SPAN’s funding—How C-SPAN is different
The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering poli
Conservatives Turning Against Israel | Roundtable
The OG crew—Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, Sarah Isgur, and David French—discuss President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts on Israel and Gaza, the violent text messages from Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones, and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s performance during a congressional hearing earlier this week.
The Agenda:—Is the Gaza war finally over?—Right-wing antisemites—Should the Nobel P
Abundance Democrats Are Turning Right | Interview: Philip Rossetti
Kevin Williamson is joined by Phillip Rossetti, a contributor to the new Dispatch Energy newsletter and fellow at the R Street Institute. The two dive into the “Abundance” movement and why some traditionally pro-regulation Democrats are rethinking their stance and finding common ground with free-market advocates.
Show Notes:—Philip for Dispatch Energy: “The Advent of the ‘Abundance’ Movement”—Sub
The Lamest Showman on Earth | Roundtable
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Jonah Goldberg, and Mike Warren to discuss the gathering of generals at Quantico earlier this week, debate who is to blame for the government shutdown, and dive into the controversy surrounding a comedic festival in Saudi Arabia.
The Agenda:—Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's performance—Blame the Democrats?—Kevin and Newt Gingrich are kindred spirits—Saudi
Grievance Politics with Giveaways | Interview: Jonathan Martin
Jonathan Martin, senior political columnist at POLITICO, joins Steve Hayes to discuss President Donald Trump’s retribution campaign and the Democratic Party’s messy coalition of convenience that doesn’t stand for anything ideologically.
The Agenda:—The role of Trump’s inner circle—Sen. Ted Cruz’s political calculations—Election integrity concerns—The future of Trump’s legal battles—Kamala Harris
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