The Bret Baier Podcast

Following President Trump’s announcement of the new Golden Fleet initiative, a new class of warships set to begin construction in the coming years, he's focused in on several  US defense contractors whom he argues are not meeting the standards necessary to maintain their government contracts. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan joins Bret to discuss President Trump’s call to rebuild the American shipbuilding industry, going over the main obstacles to building back American manufacturing capabilities, why growing international tensions make the effort necessary, and reacting to the President’s criticism of long-time defense contractors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nearly 200 U.S. forces carried out a daring military operation this past Saturday, infiltrating the residence of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and bringing him into custody. Despite the success of the operation, several questions remain regarding Venezuelan oil reserves and governance, with the most glaring being, what happens next? Executive Director of Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania Marie Harf, Chief Political Correspondent at The Washington Examiner Byron York, and FOX News National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin discuss the fallout of Maduro’s deposition, and the possible domestic and global ramifications of this military operation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In two exclusive interviews Bret sits down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the state of the war, whether a peace deal is close to being completed, and if he is confident Ukraine can beat Russia on its own terms.  After his meeting with President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explains the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While President Trump has helped foster significant progress towards peace in both Ukraine and Gaza, both deals are currently stuck in negotiations over key sticking points. Even if the President’s efforts are successful however, a more pertinent question remains, will voters care enough to avoid the “midterm curse?”  Chief Communications Officer at Targeted Victory Matt Gorman, Former Biden White House Advisor Yemisi Egbewole, and FOX News Correspondent Lucas Tomlinson discuss.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Republicans face increasing pressure to put forth a healthcare solution, four in the party broke ranks with the rest and joined a Democrat-led discharge petition, which would force a vote on a three-year extension of COVID-Era Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of January. One of those Republicans, Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY), spoke to Bret alongside Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) last week to explain his support for temporarily extending the subsidies, despite the potential backlash it could bring from the rest of his party.    The discharge petition passed on December 17, 2025, although a vote on extending the ACA subsidies has not yet been scheduled. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America is known across the globe for its military might, but in terms of the number of ships in the United States Navy, it has been overtaken by China in recent years, who now holds the largest naval fleet in the world. This may not remain the case for long however, after President Trump announced on Monday that the military would begin construction on a new line of massive warships. Co-Founder of South & Hill Strategies, Colin Reed, CEO of Schoen Cooperman Research, Carly Cooperman, and FOX News Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram discuss what President Trump’s announcement of a new line of warships means, the state of healthcare legislation on the hill, and whether last week’s lackluster Epstein file release could be considered Contempt of Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As midterms draw near, President Trump and his policies will be put under more scrutiny than ever, but despite significant losses in off-year elections, some in the party still feel confident about their chances in 2026. Among them is Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who sat down with Bret on Thursday to explain why. Senator Thune explains his opposition to extending Obamacare health subsidies, whether the population should be concerned about a war with Venezuela, and what Republicans are doing to address families grappling with high costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chief Communications Officer at Targeted Victory Matt Gorman, Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today Susan Page, and FOX News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich discuss the aftermath of last weekend’s mass shootings both here and abroad, how fentanyl’s designation as a weapon of mass destruction could affect efforts to combat drug smuggling, and the interview with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles putting a spotlight on discord within President Trump’s administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Healthcare can be one of the biggest financial strains in the country, but it doesn’t have to be. Congressman Sam Liccardo (D-CA) and Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) discuss their effort to create a bipartisan solution that will alleviate problems within the American healthcare system, explaining how they have crossed party lines and put together a plan that has growing support from both Republicans and Democrats that not only addresses the expiring Obamacare subsidies, but saves money as well.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Obamacare subsidies near their expiration date, pressure on Congress to come up with a suitable alternative continues to mount, yet a bipartisan solution to the issue remains elusive.  Host of ‘The Big Ben Show,” Ben Domenech, Democratic Strategist Leslie Marshall, FOX News Audio Washington Based Correspondent Jared Halpern, and FOX News Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram unpack both parties’ efforts to capitalize on affordability concerns as the deadline for an alternative healthcare plan draws near.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices