The Fifth Column
Kmele Foster, Michael Moynihan, and Matt Welch
Your weekly rhetorical assault on the on the news cycle, the people who make it, and occasionally ourselves. Kmele Foster (Freethink), Michael Moynihan (Vice), and Matt Welch (Reason) talk and laugh and drink their way to at least quasi-sanity in a world gone mad, often with the aid of clean and articulate guests. Weekly Members Only subscription edition often comes with listener mail and professional-quality (if inappropriate) singing. Analysis. Commentary. Sedition. www.wethefifth.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
5 snips
Jan 4, 2024 • 1h 44min
#437 - Gay Divorce
Claudine Gay, an academic figure, discusses media reaction to her 'duplicative phrasing' and 'attribution issues', revealing the rot in academia. They touch on a Disney Plus show, ladies who live in trees, Kmele's ice, a generation of dumb intellectuals, and the challenges faced by women in power. They also explore the influence of DEI, the burden of perfection, and speculate on a Supreme Court ruling.
Dec 29, 2023 • 14min
Members Only #194 - 2023 Was an Inside Job
Topics discussed in this podcast include terrorism in France, Macron lighting the menorah, exploding appliances, Nikki's slavery gaffe, billionaires and the 'billionaire class,' RFK, the pipeline explosion, why we believe what we believe, and Vivek's 'inside job' theory.
Dec 24, 2023 • 1h 7min
Members Only #193 – ‘I Don’t Think Anyone in Israel Right Now Feels Left of Center’ (w/ Asaf Zamir)
Asaf Zamir, a center-left Israeli politician, discusses the current situation in Israel. They talk about the uncertainty during the October 7th attack, comparing it to 9/11, and reflect on the unexpected violence in a Western democracy.
Dec 21, 2023 • 1h 25min
#436 - From Gavin to Gotham
Alec Baldwin and Hope Hicks are the guests in this entertaining podcast. The hosts discuss controversial incidents, Trump's conduct, swing state polls, and the unique and unpredictable nature of New York City. They also praise Alec Baldwin and Hope Hicks, while touching on exposing children to adult content.
Dec 17, 2023 • 14min
Members Only #192 - Second Sunday Replay (12/10)
Moynihan loves islands. University stuff. Backfilling history. Massaging numbers. On the Qataris... And a bunch of listeners chime in!
5 snips
Dec 15, 2023 • 1h 45min
#435 - TFC's Holiday Racism Spectacular!
Guests include Ron Karenga discussing various topics, Matt talks about musicology being dumb and hip-hop appropriation, Method Man thinks the Stones and Bootsy are the same. Other topics include revisiting the Chauvin trial, an 800,000 word reflection, firing those dopes, and the many dead in Ukraine.
16 snips
Dec 7, 2023 • 1h 56min
#434 - Crazed Conspiracies, Moral Mulligans, and Indecent Ivies (w/ Shadi Hamid)
Shadi Hamid, a Middle East politics expert, discusses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the ceasefire, pro-Israel stance, and challenges to establishing a Palestinian state. The speakers also touch on the forever culture war, free speech on universities, and the schism within conservatism.
8 snips
Dec 2, 2023 • 1h 40min
#433 - The Body of a (German) American
Guest George Santos, genius, discusses topics such as the awful presidential race, dictatorships and double standards, the forever war with Iran, the future of Gaza, and the complex legacy of Henry Kissinger. The podcast also covers humorous conversations about political figures, conspiracy theories, and ethical implications of sacrificing civilians.
Nov 29, 2023 • 17min
Members Only #191 - Can We Be Trusted? (Ummm...)
The podcast discusses a shooting in the hood, the controversial comments made by Megan Kelly, and the portrayal of characters in movies. They also explore the case of 'See Murder' and a shooting incident near a pharmacy. The comeback of Yasha Ali is discussed, along with condemning Hamas and addressing the right to resist occupation.
8 snips
Nov 23, 2023 • 1h 47min
#432 - Worse Than Hitler (A Fifth Column Thanksgiving!)
Holocaust historians Joe Scarborough, Mike Brzezinski, and Claire McCas discuss the extreme awfulness of Holocaust historians. The hosts also touch on the racism of the Black Plague, the deadline to file charges against Kmele, the invention of ChatGPT, and the hostage deal in Israel.
