The Mona Charen Show

Greg Lukianoff of FIRE joins Mona to discuss why free speech matters (hint, it's not for the powerful) and how left and right are attempting to destroy it. The Mona Charen Show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/mona and get on your way to being your best self. REFERENCES: The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All―But There Is a Solution by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott.

Helen Lewis, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of "Difficult Women," discusses the intersection of politics and personal values. She delves into the complex European reactions to Trump and the rise of populism. The conversation critically examines Andrew Tate's controversial impact on modern masculinity and societal expectations. Notably, they tackle the contentious issue of transgender healthcare for minors, stressing the need for informed debates amid rampant polarization. Lewis emphasizes the challenges of navigating these sensitive topics in today’s climate.

In this show before a live audience, Mona talks with Stephen Richer about standing up for reality, tangling with Kari Lake, and his political future. Head to moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack.

David Frum, Senior Editor at The Atlantic and political commentator, joins to dissect Trump's controversial stance on tariffs and their negative impact on America. He dives into the fraught U.S.-Canada relations stemming from Trump's economic nationalism and critiques NATO's current challenges. Frum also explores the implications of ongoing foreign policy shifts and the various legal quandaries facing political figures today, emphasizing the tenuous link between democracy and leadership integrity.

Famed virologist Dr. Paul Offit describes his encounters with RFK, Jr., vaccine misinformation, trust in medicine, and what he fears most. REFERENCES: Dr. Paul Offit’s Books: Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All The Cutter Incident(about a polio vaccine gone wrong) Historical Vaccine References: The Cutter Incident (1950s polio vaccine failure) The history of polio, iron lungs, and the development of the Salk and Sabin vaccines. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The impact of vaccines on childhood diseases like diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, and rotavirus. Andrew Wakefield and Vaccine-Autism Misinformation: Wakefield’s 1998 Lancet paper (later retracted) linking MMR vaccines to autism. The role of The Lancet and editor Richard Horton. The legal and financial conflicts of interest that led to Wakefield’s discrediting. Anti-Vaccine Movement History: The Anti-Vaccination League (1800s opposition to smallpox vaccine). NBC’s DPT Vaccine Roulette (1980s), which fueled fears about the whooping cough vaccine. RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine activism and misinformation campaigns. The impact of anti-vaccine movements in places like Samoa, leading to deadly measles outbreaks. Current Vaccine Issues and Policy Changes: RFK Jr.'s role in the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) and vaccine policy. The cancellation of the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting.

Jessica Reidl, a fiscal policy expert from the Manhattan Institute, decodes the illusions behind government budget cuts and the reality of rising national debt. She emphasizes the risks of simplistic economic strategies and critiques past policies that fail to deliver growth. The discussion also highlights demographic shifts impacting the economy and the limited effectiveness of taxing the wealthy as a solution. With forecasts of inflation and budget deficits looming, Reidl urges a fresh look at how we approach fiscal responsibility and economic health.

Josh Barro joins Mona to discuss where the party needs to change, refocus on practical governance, and how to broaden its appeal to win elections against a rising Republican authoritarian threat. References Josh Barro's Substack – Very Serious Democrats Need Their Own DEI Purge by Josh Barro Josh Barro's Podcast – Serious Trouble (with Ken White)

The Bulwark's Cathy Young joins Mona to discuss where DEI went wrong and also the unfathomable racism of the Trump Administration. Referenced Works and Sources Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby by Steven Carter Discusses the complexities and unintended consequences of affirmative action from a personal and academic perspective. The Bakke Case (Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, 1978) A landmark Supreme Court decision that ruled against racial quotas in university admissions while allowing race to be one of several factors in admissions decisions. Fisher v. University of Texas(2013, 2016) Supreme Court cases addressing race-conscious admissions policies in higher education. Implicit Bias Tests (Implicit Association Test, IAT) Psychological tests used to measure unconscious biases, though their reliability and effectiveness in predicting behavior have been widely debated. Yasha Mounk’s The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time Discusses the ideological shifts in race-conscious policies and how they impact public discourse. New York Times Investigative Report on DEI at the University of Michigan A report detailing the impact of DEI initiatives at a major university, highlighting unintended consequences such as workplace tension and polarization.

David French, a New York Times columnist and conservative legal commentator, delves into the challenges of modern democracy and the MAGA movement's divisive rhetoric. He critiques NATO dynamics and the troubling trend of democratic indifference. The discussion includes the manipulative tactics used in political narratives and the impact of extremist ideologies. French emphasizes the need for truth and community engagement to counter civic ignorance, all while exploring the significant implications of political actions on societal cohesion.

Michael Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute and author of "The American Dream Is Not Dead," explores misconceptions regarding middle-class stagnation and quality of life. He dissects the rise of populist ideologies, revealing how they misdiagnose economic issues. Strain argues that advancements in healthcare and family dynamics challenge the idea of a rigged system. He also discusses the significance of institutional trust for economic stability, and critiques the educational disparities arising from recent challenges.