

Smerconish on CNN
CNN Podcasts
Michael Smerconish tackles the American political and news stories of the week, offering a unique non-ideological take: his own.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 16, 2025 • 43min
No Questions Were Taken …But So Many Remain
Continuing coverage of Trump and Putin's summit in Alaska. What did President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin's body language tell us during their high-stakes summit? Behavioral Analyst and Body Language Expert Chris Ulrich, weighs in.
Plus, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on why Trump doesn't talk about Detroit they way he talks about other big cities and crime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 9, 2025 • 43min
Civility in Crisis: Running for Office Shouldn’t Require a Flak Jacket
CNN’s Michael Smerconish says, Democracy should not be a contact sport and public service shouldn’t require kevlar. If we want good people to step forward, we have to make sure they can serve without fearing for their lives.
Plus, the rise in Political Violence with Robert Pape Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago, Trump ups redistricting war with call for new census with David Wasserman, Senior Editor and Elections Analyst for the Cook Political Report.
And Operation Trojan Horse and Trump urging SCOTUS to allow ICE Patrols in California with Gregory Bovino Chief Border Patrol Agent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 2, 2025 • 43min
Smerconish: Criticism Against Trump Can't Be Blind
CNN Michael Smerconish gives Democrats some advice on how to respond to Trump's recent accomplishments. Then, Rahm Emanuel, the former Ambassador to Japan and Chicago Mayor, weighs in on how Democrats should attack President Trump's policies.
Also on the show, Washington Post National Health Reporter Paige Winfield Cunningham joins Michael Smerconish to discuss how the Trump administration is considering expanding healthcare coverage for weight loss drugs. And, Free Press Reporter Maya Sulkin shares new reporting about hateful comments the late Blackstone director is receiving online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 26, 2025 • 43min
Trump: "Never Briefed" on Name Being in Epstein Files
CNN Michael Smerconish gives President Trump some free advice on how to address the Epstein files. Plus, Lanny Davis joins Michael Smerconish to discuss how the Trump administration is mishandling the Epstein files.
Also on the show, Michael Smerconish delivers his commentary on Hunter Biden and his criticism towards Democrats. Tara Setmayer, a resident scholar at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, weighs in on the matter. And, CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig answers the poll question and dives into what a possible pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell may look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 19, 2025 • 43min
Smerconish: Art of the Denial
CNN Michael Smerconish unpacks the bombshell Wall Street Journal reporting on the alleged birthday letter President Trump sent to Jeffrey Epstein. And, CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig weighs in on President Trump's latest legal battle with The Wall Street Journal. Then, Political Science Professor Seth Masket and Senior Vice-President of Open Primaries Jeremy Gruber join Michael Smerconish to debate the benefits and drawbacks of open primaries in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Also, California Democratic Congressman Lou Correa weighs in on the latest debate of ICE agents wearing masks during arrests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 12, 2025 • 43min
Smerconish: Should Racial and Ethnic Identity Categories Be Eliminated?
CNN Michael Smerconish examines the latest revelation from Zohran Mamdani's Columbia University admissions application and argues that it's time to end classification by race and ethnicity. Then, Atlantic staff writer Thomas Chatterton Williams joins Michael Smerconish to discuss his latest piece called "Zohran Mamdani reveals the absurdity of affirmative action." And, Washington Examiner National Political reporter Salena Zito unpacks the one-year anniversary of the first assassination attempt against President Trump in her new book called "Butler: The Untold Story of the near assassination of Donald Trump and the fight for America's heartland." Also, Carter Sherman, a reproductive health and justice reporter for The Guardian, joins Michael Smerconish to discuss her new book "The Second Coming: Sex and the next generation's fight over its future." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 5, 2025 • 43min
Smerconish: America Faces a Crisis of Nostalgia
CNN Michael Smerconish describes the best decade in America from his childhood and explains why nostalgia plays a critical role in American politics. And, a breakthrough in genetic editing allows IVF parents to select traits for their embryo. But some experts are warning this new approach may lead to irreversible consequences. Also, a part of Trump's mega bill includes a national "baby bonds" program that will provide every newborn in the U.S. with $1,000 to get ahead in life. But many critics argue this program does not properly resolve generational child poverty for working families. Then, Independent Sports Journalist Joon Lee breaks down the price to access live sports today compared to a decade ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 29, 2025 • 43min
Smerconish: Trump is on a Roll
Xochitl Hinojosa, a CNN political commentator and former DNC communications director, joins the conversation to dissect Trump's recent wins and their implications on American politics. The discussion highlights shifting voter demographics, notably among Hispanic and youth voters, and how these changes could influence the upcoming elections. The impact of a pivotal Supreme Court ruling on nationwide injunctions is also examined, providing insights into the broader political climate and the evolving perceptions of voters across the country.

Jun 21, 2025 • 43min
Smerconish: Where's the Evidence on Iran's Nuclear Weapons?
CNN Michael Smerconish dives into the conflicting messages from the Trump administration about Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities. Then, Retired Admiral James Stavridis and New York Times National Security Correspondent David Sanger join Smerconish to weigh on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. After that, Retired Lt. General David Deptula discusses U.S. military capabilities in case tensions between Israel and Iran becomes a wider regional conflict. Finally, the L.A. Dodgers are taking a stand against the Trump administration's ICE raids. Los Angeles Times Writer Jack Harris sets the record straight about conflicting reports about a stand off between the L.A. Dodgers stadium and DHS officials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 14, 2025 • 43min
Israel, Iran Trade Attacks After Israel Targets Nuclear Sites
Retired Adm. James Stavridis and New York Times National Security Correspondent David Sanger join CNN Michael Smerconish to weigh in on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Then, Smerconish argues why it's impractical and morally wrong to deport the roughly 10 million undocumented immigrants who work hard, pay taxes, committed no violent crimes, and became productive members of society. Later, Rep. Byron Donalds debates Smerconish on Trump's ICE raids. Finally, Ben Sherwood, author of "Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that could save your life" explains why sitting within five rows of an emergency exit on a plane may have helped the passenger in seat 11A survive the deadly Air India plane crash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


