Home Podcasts NPR's Newsmakers
NPR's Newsmakers

NPR's Newsmakers

NPR 11 Episodes Oct 15, 2026

Go face to face with the person of the moment. NPR’s Newsmakers brings the biggest names in politics, business, sports, arts, and culture out of the headlines and into the interview chair to discuss the mark they’re making on the world.

Episodes

Hasan Piker on his rise as a voice of the ‘insurgent left’
Hasan Piker on his rise as a voice of the ‘insurgent left’ Oct 15, 2026 2493 President Donald Trump recently called Hasan Piker a “terrible liability” and a “communist.”The California-based streamer — who describes himself as a socialist — has become the GOP’s political bogeyman ahead of the midterm elections. Piker argues those attacks will backfire, but also says he has played a role in being portrayed as a 'figurehead of the insurgent left.'“The way that I'm portrayed i
Tucker Carlson on his MAGA split and Trump’s ‘nihilism’
Tucker Carlson on his MAGA split and Trump’s ‘nihilism’ Sep 24, 2026 3470 Tucker Carlson is talking about what happened behind closed doors in his very public break with President Trump over the war with Iran.He recounts an Oval Office meeting, before the conflict began, when Carlson says he warned Trump that he was allowing the U.S. to be led to war by Israel. “Yes, you’re right,” Carlson claims Trump admitted. “But in the end we all die anyway, so it doesn’t matter.”
Robby Hoffman thinks comics can ‘say anything’ — and she does
Robby Hoffman thinks comics can ‘say anything’ — and she does Sep 3, 2026 2199 There’s a gripe in the comedy scene these days that ‘you can’t say anything anymore.’ Robby Hoffman doesn’t buy it.“Bro, you just did,” she says, responding to an ‘old guard’ of comics who feel maligned for speaking their mind. “You could say anything. But other people had a reaction to it. That also can happen.”Hoffman, for her part, has a lot to say — and more opportunities than ever to do so, f
Democrat Ro Khanna’s 2028 pitch: tax the rich, regulate tech
Democrat Ro Khanna’s 2028 pitch: tax the rich, regulate tech Aug 13, 2026 2743 Congressman Ro Khanna says America needs an “economic realignment.”Fresh off a tour through Pennsylvania, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he is “thinking seriously” about running for president in 2028 — a race he called a “breaking point in America” that could lead to a destructive revolution or a new economic order. “If we don't do something dramatically different, we may break,” Khanna tells NPR’
Hunter Biden on addiction and being publicly shamed
Hunter Biden on addiction and being publicly shamed Jul 18, 2026 2542 Hunter Biden says he has nothing left to hide. He’s been all over the internet in recent months, including appearances with some of his harshest critics, such as ultra-conservative podcasters Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes. In May, he reactivated his long-dormant X account, writing, “You've never actually heard from me.”Since then, he’s posted an average of 23 times per day — weighing in on politi
Bill Maher on comedy, atheism and dining with Trump
Bill Maher on comedy, atheism and dining with Trump Jul 15, 2026 2605 Bill Maher says he’s “exactly the same person” he plays on TV. He’s been hosting comedy shows on TV for 33 years and just won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.  NPR’s Steve Inskeep sat down with Maher at his Los Angeles home and asked him about his creative process, inviting Louis C.K. to honor him at the Kennedy Center Twain ceremony and what he thinks about President Trump since having di
MAGA-linked pastor Doug Wilson’s plan for a Christian theocracy
MAGA-linked pastor Doug Wilson’s plan for a Christian theocracy Jul 7, 2026 2521 Pastor Doug Wilson believes women should not be allowed to vote and homosexuality should be a crime. He was also invited to speak at the Pentagon this year.That controversial invitation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscores Wilson's growing influence in the Republican Party. Wilson is a self-described Christian nationalist who leads Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho — part of a small networ
Chloe Malle’s vision for a new era at Vogue
Chloe Malle’s vision for a new era at Vogue Jun 18, 2026 2406 Chloe Malle has a new job: steering American Vogue into a new era, and capturing a new generation of readers — ones accustomed to consuming fashion and culture via algorithm rather than the pages of a glossy magazine.Last fall Malle was tapped to succeed Anna Wintour as Head of Editorial Content. The daughter of actress Candice Bergen and the late filmmaker Louis Malle, she started at Vogue 15 yea
Jill Biden on Hunter’s pardon and her husband’s turbulent political end
Jill Biden on Hunter’s pardon and her husband’s turbulent political end Jun 4, 2026 1506 Former first lady Jill Biden is shedding new light on one of the biggest decisions her husband made as president: to drop out of his own reelection campaign.In this episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, Biden sits down with host Scott Detrow to discuss her new book, View from the East Wing: A Memoir. She opens up about the infamous 2024 presidential debate that doomed President Joe Biden’s campaign -- when
Can Maine Senate hopeful Platner survive another controversy?
Can Maine Senate hopeful Platner survive another controversy? Jun 1, 2026 2914 Anti-establishment candidate Graham Platner seemingly came out of nowhere to become the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate seat in Maine. But his campaign has been dogged by controversies. There were the old, deleted Reddit posts in which he made racist comments and blamed sexual assault on victims. There was a now-covered tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. And most recently, the Wall Str
Byron Allen on replacing Colbert, political comedy and Black ownership
Byron Allen on replacing Colbert, political comedy and Black ownership May 22, 2026 2303 Byron Allen, the media mogul and former stand-up comedian, is gearing up for his latest venture: bringing his show Comics Unleashed to the CBS time slot long held by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.In this episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, Allen sat down with NPR’s Ailsa Chang ahead of his debut episode. He discussed his plans for Comics Unleashed in its new prime late night slot, why he thinks ther
Dana White on Trump, masculinity and bringing UFC to the White House
Dana White on Trump, masculinity and bringing UFC to the White House May 18, 2026 1504 When Donald Trump celebrated his imminent return to the White House on election night in November 2024, a parade of high-profile supporters joined him on stage. They included Dana White, the president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the multi-billion dollar mixed martial arts organization, which will host a fight on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14. In this episode of NP

Recommended