The Daily Beast Podcast

Joanna Coles calls an emergency podcast for the biggest fall-out in political history: Donald Trump and Elon Musk. And it's the perfect guest to explain EVERYTHING: Michael Wolff, the Trump biographer—who already predicted what would happen. He unpacks a "nuclear" break-up and why Musk has used the weapon Trump fears most: Jeffrey Epstein. Wolff reveals his own extraordinary moment of interviewing Trump and what happened when he raised the pedophile financier. He talks about the predator and the president's long friendship. And he explains why Musk is now Trump's perfect enemy—bigger than Harvard and of course the Democrats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna Coles sits down with Michael Wolff, the best-selling biographer of Donald Trump who has become his definitive chronicler. Wolff reveals Trump's the real reason for the president's pick-me-energy hair. He tells how Trump has been making an extraordinary racially charged observation to West Wing visitors about modern college students—and Wolff reacts to Trump going after him for saying that the war on Harvard was a revenge attack because 18-year-old Donald didn't get in. Wolff reveals what's really being said inside the president's inner circle about the Lucifer-like fall of Elon Musk and explains what it really means about the prospects for anyone who put themselves in Trump's orbit. And he resurfaces Stormy Daniels' very telling anecdote about who blew up Trump's phone when the two were engaged in their tryst—which of course, Trump still denies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna Coles sits down with MSNBC’s own Stephanie Ruhle—seasoned financial journalist and host of The 11th Hour—for a sharply insightful breakdown of the economic theater inside Trumpworld. Ruhle dissects the tensions between truth and loyalty for financiers like Scott Bessent, who finds himself defending Trump-era trade policies he once publicly opposed, and contrasts him with Trump loyalists like Howard Lutnick, ever willing to sell the show. With a signature mix of Wall Street fluency and media savvy, Ruhle unpacks the deeper motivations behind Elon Musk’s quiet exit from Washington, the strategic silence of major investors, and how grift has gone from subtle to spectacular in the Trump era. Follow @SRuhle for her razor-sharp takes on money, power, and the political theater that binds them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna Coles welcomes back David Rothkopf, the seasoned national security expert and former Clinton official, for a no-holds-barred analysis of the Democrats' curious case of Trump envy. Rothkopf breaks it down into two camps: the mild, who admire Trump’s decisiveness (however impulsive), and the dangerous, who want to emulate his ruthless authoritarian swagger wholesale. He warns that Democrats risk losing their identity—and their base—by chasing "neoliberal" Wall Street donors and selling their authenticity to the top bidder. Rothkopf also weighs in on Gavin Newsom’s podcast pivot and why being “Trump-lite” might just be the fastest way to burn out in both politics and entertainment. Follow @djrothkopf for his latest bold takes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna Coles welcomes back Michael Wolff, the bestselling author of “Fire & Fury” and “Siege,” to dissect the latest act of the Trump show—this time targeting elite American universities. Wolff unpacks the curious logic behind Trump’s crusade against institutions like Harvard, suggesting it’s less about policy and more about showmanship, headlines, and perhaps even old grudges. He weighs in on the persistent mystery surrounding Melania Trump’s absence and the transactional nature of the Trump marriage, and explains why every public outing together appears to be the the result of a strict negotiation. Wolff also shares how Trump has transformed the Oval Office into a bizarre open-call performance space—complete with gold décor, packed audiences, and surprise video screenings for world leaders. Also, Wolff dives into why accusations of racism are viewed as a sort of badge of honor in the Trump world. Follow @MichaelWolffNYC for more of his inside takes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna Coles chats with Oliver Darcy, founder of the Status Newsletter and former CNN media reporter. They dive into the bizarre relationship between Donald Trump and the media, showcasing how Trump, once a media darling, now calls it the 'enemy of the people.' Darcy reveals the media's struggle between maintaining integrity and appeasing powerful interests, discussing the chilling tactics affecting journalism today. They also explore the implications of digital advertising on independent journalism and the evolving landscape of media in politics.

Joanna Coles talks with author and TV producer Daisy Goodwin about her injectable weight loss drug journey. Goodwin explains how she learned to stop worrying and love the fat shot. After grappling with the stigma and shame of taking GLP1s, Goodwin admits that losing 50lbs also helped her shed anxiety and depression. She credits the medicine with forever changing her life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna Coles sits down with legendary Democratic strategist James Carville, the “Ragin’ Cajun” who helped elect Bill Clinton and has never been shy about saying what his party needs to hear. Carville unloads on why Trump’s media circus is a deliberate smokescreen, keeping Americans distracted from real economic anxieties—rising costs and disappearing job security. He breaks down why Democrats are failing to cut through the noise and warns that "pronoun" obsessed liberals are more trouble than they’re worth and should go off to start their own party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Scaramucci, a former White House Communications Director and political commentator, delves into the future of Trump's cabinet, predicting that they will meet the same fate as he did. He discusses potential successors like JD Vance and Marco Rubio, while advocating for Democrats to attract Elon Musk. Scaramucci also reflects on Biden's health issues affecting public trust and critiques the Democratic Party's approach to inclusivity, especially in the context of cancel culture. His insights weave through the challenges of charisma in politics and the significance of uniting voters.

David Rothkopf, a seasoned columnist for The Daily Beast and former editor of Foreign Policy, dives deep into the power dynamics behind the Oval Office. He discusses Trump’s unconventional approach to intelligence briefings, revealing how personal biases shape national security. Rothkopf warns of the decline in presidential authority and critiques the implications of Trump’s foreign policy. With the midterms approaching, he unpacks Democratic challenges and Trump's shifting political role, leaving listeners contemplating the future of American democracy.