The Mona Charen Show

Sonny Bunch joins to discuss “It Was Just an Accident” a film from dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi. It raises profound questions about guilt, judgment, and revenge. Also, amazing that it was made at all.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONACHAREN at https://www.oneskin.co/MONACHAREN#oneskinpod #adFilms & References Mentioned:It Was Just an Accident (dir. Jafar Panahi)The film discussed throughout the episode — a clandestinely made Iranian dissident film that won the Palme d’Or at Cannes.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30841958/The Seed of the Sacred Fig (dir. Mohammad Rasoulof)Recommended by Sonny as further viewing; set during post–Mahsa Amini unrest in Iran.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29362290/The Lives of Others (dir. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck)Cited as a thematic comparison for life under a surveillance state.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405094/A Hero (dir. Asghar Farhadi)Mentioned as another standout contemporary Iranian film about truth, lies, and social pressure.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11777738/

Quico Toro, a Venezuelan-born writer and commentator, sheds light on the complex political landscape of Venezuela. He discusses the pervasive fear among citizens that stifles celebration of regime changes and details the intricate power dynamics of the military and security apparatus. Quico also debunks myths about migration and crime, critiques the long-term neglect of the oil industry, and draws parallels between Hugo Chávez and Donald Trump. Ultimately, he expresses hope for Venezuela's democratic recovery, fueled by its rich civic memory and diaspora resilience.

Trump promised a manufacturing comeback and cheaper prices. Instead, jobs are shrinking, costs are rising, and America’s economic credibility is taking a hit. Catherine Rampell joins Mona to discuss why the factory revival was always a myth, how tariffs backfired, and why chaos, favoritism, and attacks on rule of law are making the U.S. a riskier place to do business. Go to https://Quince.com/MONA for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. 

Laura K. Field discusses her book, Furious Minds, which dissects the thought of MAGA intellectuals (yes, there are some). Anti-enlightenment, theocratic, racist, misogynistic and yet, claiming to be for the general good. Get up to 30% off OneSkin with the code MONACHAREN at https://www.oneskin.co/MONACHAREN #oneskinpod

While there won’t be an episode of the Mona Charen Show this week, Mona sends along this holiday greeting. She will return next Monday, December 29. 

Georgetown professor Rosa Brooks discusses the legality (or the lack) of Trump’s drug boat attacks as well as the bonkers National Security Strategy document. Head to https://GhostBed.com/mona and use promo code MONA at checkout to get an EXTRA 10% off—on top of their already-reduced prices.

The Economist’s John Prideaux discusses the lavish gifts and other forms of corruption in Trump’s Washington.

Mona Charen and Will Saletan discuss the growing resistance to Trump’s agenda—grand juries rejecting his charges, the DOJ stumbling, senators warning troops against illegal orders, and his tariffs and deportations driving prices even higher. Go to https://quince.com/MONA for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONACHAREN at https://www.oneskin.co/MONACHAREN #oneskinpod During GhostBed’s Cyber Monday Sale, you can get 25% off sitewide for a limited time. Just go to https://GhostBed.com/mona and use promo code MONA at checkout.

Lawfare’s Ben Wittes discusses Lindsay Halligan’s incompetence and malevolence and the importance of grand juries to our liberties.

Francis Fukuyama discusses his theory that the internet, and not economic distress, the Democratic party’s problems, or other things have given rise to populism. Go to https://Oneskin.co and use code: MONACHAREN for 15% off! Take our quick listener survey and help us make The Bulwark even better. https://bit.ly/bulwarkaudio