Naftali Bendavid

Naftali Bendavid, senior national politics reporter with sharp federal policy reporting, and Dan Merica, political analyst and co-anchor of The Early Brief, unpack the fallout from the Minnesota killings. They discuss GOP unrest over aggressive immigration enforcement, how viral footage shapes public opinion, risks of political violence, and Democratic leverage on Homeland Security funding.

Naftali Bendavid, a senior national political correspondent at The Washington Post, and Jessica Winninger, an anthropology professor at Northwestern University, dive into the opulent aesthetic of Trump's presidency. They discuss the planned gold ballroom and the changes in architectural norms, comparing Trump’s style to historical authoritarian aesthetics. Winninger explains how this spectacle appeals to supporters and serves as a political tool. They highlight the risks of cultivating a cult-like following through extravagant visuals and the potential legacy of these choices.