The Political Scene | The New Yorker Isaac Chotiner Sums Up Politics in 2025
10 snips
Dec 18, 2025 Isaac Chotiner, a staff writer at The New Yorker known for his sharp political insights, joins Tyler Foggatt for a dynamic discussion. They delve into the origins and implications of political violence, contrasting state repression with individual actions. Chotiner shares his thoughts on Trump's economic strategies and the complexities of covering unconventional policies. They also reflect on high-profile interviews, including one with Karine Jean-Pierre about her departure from the Democratic Party and another with Cass Sunstein regarding his views on liberalism and his unusual friendship with Henry Kissinger.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Rhetoric Fuels Violence, But State Power Threatens Democracy
- Political violence rises amid dehumanizing rhetoric and partisan hatred.
- The bigger danger is state-led violence when leaders use government power to crack down on opponents.
Rhetoric Isn’t The Cure For Gun Violence
- Defining and measuring political violence shapes the debate and its remedies.
- Calming rhetoric alone won't fix gun violence; reduced access to guns is the realistic solution.
A Reporter’s Caution About Unverified Payoffs
- Isaac recounts a former Biden official claiming Pakistan was "paying off Trump."
- He uses the story to explain why reporters struggle to discuss possible corruption without solid evidence.