The Mona Charen Show

Zack Beauchamp of Vox joins the panel (plus Will Saletan) to discuss Iowa and New Hampshire and the role of death threats in the Republican Party. Highlights / Lowlights: Mona: Peter Schickele, Composer and Gleeful Sire of P.D.Q. Bach, Dies at 88 Zack: Cape Verde becomes fourth African country to eliminate malaria Will:  Trump’s unsubtle crusade to cast foes as less American comes for Haley Bill: The Anti-Liberal by David Bell in Liberties. Linda: What the Asa Hutchinson incident reveals (and why it's important)

The podcast discusses the rot within white evangelical Protestantism, Christie's exit from the political race, Haley's strong bid in the Iowa debate, and the impact of anti-Trump sentiments on the rule of law. It also explores the complex relationship between white evangelical Christians and Trump and the politicization of evangelical churches. Additionally, it delves into Chris Christie's influence on the 2015 elections and speculates on motives and concerns about Fannie Willis' romantic relationship. The speakers express pessimism and discuss ethical conflicts in a humorous manner.

Nick Grossman of Arc Digital joins to discuss plagiarism, double standards, DEI, Israel, Iran, and Hamas. highlights / lowlights Mona: Hydroxychloroquine could have caused 17,000 deaths during Covid, study finds and Florida surgeon general calls for halt on mRNA covid vaccines, citing debunked claim Damon: The Law and High Politics of Disqualifying President Trump by Steve Vladeck Nick: Slow Horses on Apple+ and Why the GOP Doesn’t Really Want a Deal on Ukraine and the Border by David Frum. Linda: ‘Screams Without Words’: How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on Oct. 7 Bill: Fed Minutes Suggest Rate Hikes Are Over, but Offer No Timetable on Cuts and Kyiv Issues Dire Warning After 'Record' US Patriot Sweep

Guest host A.B. Stoddard and special guest Jim Swift join the panel to discuss Nikki Haley's Civil War / slavery stumble in New Hampshire. highlights / lowlights A.B. Stoddard: What Mitt Romney Saw in the Senate by McKay Coppins (The Atlantic) and My Father, My Faith, and Donald Trump by Tim Alberta (The Atlantic) Jim Swift: The Day After: The Night My Father Scared America, read by A.B. Stoddard (The Bulwark) Damon Linker: The Rise of Narrative and The Fall of Persuasion by Leon Wieseltier (Liberties) Linda Chavez: Here’s the Civil War history they didn’t want you to know by Howell Raines (WaPo) Bill Galston: Ukraine Doesn’t Need All Its Territory to Defeat Putin By Serge Schmemann (NYT)

Eric Edelman joins the group to consider whether Trump should be barred by 14th amendment, prospects for Ukraine, and whether Americans' sour views on the economy are right or wrong. highlights / lowlights  Mona: Right-wing pundits tremble in fear of … tap-dancing, by Catherine Rampell (WaPo) Eric: The mystery of the missing binder: How a collection of raw Russian intelligence disappeared under Trump (CNN) / Trump repeats 'poisoning the blood' anti-immigrant remark (Reuters) Damon: Rudy Giuliani's descent into bankruptcy, a personal story. Linda: Florida Republican Party censures chairman Christian Ziegler, by Lori Rozsa (WaPo) Bill: Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy following $146 million defamation suit judgment

The podcast discusses the GOP House's move towards impeaching Biden and the Supreme Court's potential action on Trump's 'immunity'. They also touch on the effectiveness of activism, Congress's approval barring a president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO, and a plan to save Harvard. Other topics include fixing the Insurrection Act, Andre Braugher's death, and the US's pivot away from world leadership.

Democracy scholar Rachel Kleinfeld joins Beg to Differ to discuss polarization, violence, the GOP, the rule of law, Ivy League hypocrites, and more. highlights / lowlights Mona Charen: What Is Happening at the Columbia School of Social Work? by Pamela Paul Damon Linker: A Trump dictatorship is increasingly inevitable. We should stop pretending. and The Trump dictatorship: How to stop it, both by Robert Kagan Bill Galston: The troubling testimony of Ivy League professors before the House on anti-semitism on campus. Linda Chavez: Why Dostoevsky Loved Humanity and Hated the Jews by Gary Saul Morson

Noah Smith joins to talk about the border crisis and its political implications as well as Haley's surge (if it is one). highlights / lowlights Mona Charen: An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth by Matti Friedman (Tablet) and What the Media Gets Wrong About Israel by Matti Friedman (The Atlantic) Noah Smith: People are realizing that the Arsenal of Democracy is gone Damon Linker: The global demographics Twitter / X account @nonebusinesshey Bill Galston: Israel Knew Hamas’s Attack Plan More Than a Year Ago by Ronen Bergman and Adam Goldman (NYTimes) Linda Chavez:  Once again: Speaking freely doesn’t mean speaking without consequence, by Philip Bump (WAPO)

Israeli journalist Amir Tibon joins Mona Charen to discuss surviving a terrorist attack, Biden's support for Israel and progressive reactions, collapse of support for Netanyahu, options for Gaza's rule, and hopes for improved security and trustworthy leadership.

The Economist's Idrees Kahloon joins to discuss whether Israel is losing the propaganda war; Biden's chances to revive his popularity, and Nikki Haley's narrow shot at the brass ring. highlights / lowlights Linda Chavez: Sweeping Raids, Giant Camps and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump’s 2025 Immigration Plans (NYT) Idrees Khaloon: The George Santos House Ethics Committee Report. Damon Linker: Some young Americans on TikTok say they sympathize with Osama bin Laden (CNN) Mona Charen: Ukraine Indicts Officials Linked to Efforts to Investigate the Bidens Bill Galston: Senator Mullin's Senate Fight Club