Just Asking Questions

Why must all good things come to an end? Just asking questions.  This will be the final episode of the Just Asking Questions podcast. This discussion with Freddie deBoer about the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its aftermath felt like the kind of sincere, analytical, deeply meaningful conversation across an ideological divide that would be appropriate to call our last. Liz Wolfe and Zach Weissmueller offer their final thoughts and reflections on the series at the end of the episode, so if you've been with us on this journey, please stay after the final question to hear our closing statements. You can continue to read Liz's work every weekday by subscribing to the Reason Roundup. Zach will continue to produce documentaries, video essays, and interviews for Reason TV. You can also follow Liz and Zach on X for updates on their work, and the full Just Asking Questions archive will remain available here, on YouTube, and podcatchers. Freddie deBoer joins us in today's episode to unpack the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk. On his Substack, he wrote a remarkable piece attempting to make sense of what he calls "spectacular acts of public violence." The motive of Kirk's alleged killer has become clearer as text messages and family statements released by law enforcement reveal a young man in a relationship with a transgender partner, enraged by Kirk's supposed "hatred." But from deBoer's perspective, it's not ideology primarily spurring these public acts of political violence. A profound lack of meaning and wallowing in nihilistic online irony continually leads young men—often egged on by internet friends they barely know in real life—to desperately graft a semi-coherent grievance onto their final violent act in a doomed attempt to make it meaningful.  DeBoer is a proud man of the left, and we ask him whether the pathology that led to Kirk's assassination is particularly characteristic of the left in an era where unapologetic celebrations of this murder and the murder of United Healthcare executive Brian Thompson late last year have appeared on social media with disturbing frequency.  It's a conversation that we hope inspires you as it did us to reflect on what it is that's meaningful to you, what the effect of an increasingly digital and disembodied world has on that meaning, and how to avoid pushing our culture any further in the direction of one that produces rampant celebration and dehumanization of a father and husband who was killed for the words he spoke.  Sources referenced in this conversation: Utah County Attorney: Charges against Tyler Robinson Ken Klippenstein: Leaked Messages from Charlie Kirk Assassin How acceptable are the following activities in response to a campus speaker? 2024 College Free Speech Rankings | The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Institute for Economics and Peace: People who feel political violence is justified     Producer: John OsterhoudtThe post Freddie deBoer: Charlie Kirk's Murder Reveals a Cultural Sickness appeared first on Reason.com.

What is the Jeffrey Epstein story, and what does it mean? Just asking questions. Today's conversation is with journalist Michael Tracey, who has been picking apart what he calls the "Epstein mythology" for the past several weeks over at his Substack. In short, he thinks 90 percent of what most people believe about this case is false, and that this is mostly the fault of credulous establishment journalists who chose to uncritically publish alleged victims' narratives and ignore inconvenient facts, as well as opportunistic alternative media figures who spun the story into a sprawling conspiracy for political and personal gain.  Tracey has been attacked and on the attack, and you'll hear him air his many grievances with other journalists, lawyers, and politicians in this conversation, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R–Ga.), whom he calls out as his "enemy" because she instructed police to remove him from an Epstein-related press conference after he asked a question about an accusers' credibility in Washington D.C. this week.   The goal of this episode was to move beyond the personality clashes and egos and wild speculation and drill down into what it is we actually know and don't know about Jeffrey Epstein. But as we talked, it became clear that this kind of detached analysis just wasn't going to be possible, that the egos and the clashes and the agendas remain intricately tied up with how this story has unfolded. The incentives faced by establishment journalists, podcasters, accusers, and politicians have shaped this story and our understanding of it, mostly for the worse.  But in the marketplace of ideas, there is also a countervailing incentive to move against the herd and correct the record. And maybe a turbulent and confrontational personality like Michael Tracey–who admits in this interview that he's "wired differently"–was exactly what was needed to break taboos, ask uncomfortable questions, and push for real disclosure about the nature of the story that has loomed over American politics for at least a decade. Regardless of how one feels about Tracey's tone or the soundness of his analysis, anyone who purports to care about this story should at least engage with the questions he's asking and start asking their own questions about what the Epstein story really means. This conversation has been edited for time and clarity. Mentioned in the podcast: U.S. v. Jeffrey Epstein Epstein "provided information" to the FBI: FBI Records: The Vault — Jeffrey Epstein Part 06 "Jeffrey Epstein's Sick Story Played Out for Years in Plain Sight," by Vicky Ward 2020 Justice Department Office of Professional Responsibility Report on Epstein Justice Department interview of Ghislaine Maxwell  "A Look Inside Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan Lair," by David Enrich, Matthew Goldstein, Jessica Silver-Greenberg, and Steve Eder "Jeffrey Epstein Appeared to Threaten Bill Gates Over Microsoft Co-Founder's Affair With Russian Bridge Player," by Khadeeja Safdar and Emily Glazer "THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Maxwell Is Buried In Jerusalem," by Clyde Haberman "Inside Jeffrey Epstein's Spy Industry Connections," by Matthew Petti Donald Trump retweets #ClintonBodyCount conspiracy Trump on Truth Social: "Nobody cares about" Jeffrey Epstein Justice Department/FBI Memo on "Epstein Files," July 2025 Virginia Giuffre v. Ghislaine Maxwell "The Billionaire's Play Club," by Virginia Roberts July 24, 2025, proffer by Ghislaine Maxwell Labor Secretary Alex Acosta's July 2019 press conference "Prince Andrew & the Epstein Scandal: The Newsnight Interview," by BBC News Security camera footage from Jeffrey Epstein's prison block Michael Tracey booted from Epstein presser, September 3, 2025. Producer: John OsterhoudtThe post Michael Tracey: Cutting Through the Jeffrey Epstein Fog appeared first on Reason.com.

In this discussion, Bob Murphy, an Austrian school economist and host of The Bob Murphy Show, delves into America's creeping state capitalism after the government took a 10% stake in Intel. He highlights the historical context, linking it to events like bank bailouts and Fannie Mae. Murphy raises concerns over the Federal Reserve's influence and calls for its reevaluation. The conversation also touches on the implications of government interventions in industries like AI and semiconductor, questioning the balance of power between corporate interests and governmental oversight.

Megan McArdle, a Washington Post columnist and D.C. resident, addresses the alarming rise in crime and disorder in the capital city. She critiques the response from Democrats who downplay these issues and aligns with the concerns that Trump’s federal intervention may gain momentum. The discussion navigates the delicate balance between public safety, police reforms, mental health, and civil liberties. The episode also sheds light on the complexities of urban governance amidst a backdrop of rising violence and community fears, underscoring the pressing need for effective solutions.

Deb Fillman, creator of The Reason We Learn, critiques the current state of American education as a teacher, tutor, and homeschool parent. She discusses the literacy crisis and its ties to teaching methods, emphasizing the importance of the Western canon. Fillman explores how digital culture affects learning, particularly in terms of reading habits. She raises concerns over socioeconomic disparities and argues against collectivist trends in education. The conversation also delves into the complexities of school choice and its implications for individual freedom in education.

Rob Henderson, author of "Troubled" and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, debates the concept of luxury beliefs—ideas that upscale society champions while others bear the costs. He delves into the allure of socialism among the educated elite, the political rise of figures like Zohran Mamdani, and the clash between cultural expectations and economic realities. Henderson also explores how marriage impacts financial success, critiques the romanticization of socialism, and reveals the complexities of social class in modern America.

In this enlightening discussion, Patrick Eddington, a former CIA analyst and author of 'The Triumph of Fear', exposes the unsettling realities of the modern surveillance state and its infringement on civil liberties. He delves into the ethical dilemmas posed by tech giant Palantir, revealing its questionable ties with authoritarian practices. Eddington underscores the importance of legislative reforms for data protection, critiques historical law enforcement misuse, and rallies for active citizenship to safeguard democracy. This eye-opening conversation is a must-listen for advocates of privacy and freedom.

Gary Taubes, a renowned science journalist and the author of influential books on diet, joins to explore the MAHA Report's findings on childhood obesity in the U.S. He dives into the controversies of ultra-processed foods, discussing their significant role in rising obesity rates. Taubes challenges existing dietary guidelines and highlights flaws in nutrition research design. The conversation also touches on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s potential impact on U.S. health policies and the complexities of bias in dietary studies.

Scott Lincicome, vice president of general economics at the Cato Institute, dives into the complexities of tariffs and their impact on the U.S. economy. He discusses Trump's use of tariffs as a political tool and the mixed results on American manufacturing. Interesting insights include how tariffs are raising consumer prices and the political dynamics influencing trade policies. Lincicome also addresses the sustainability of tariff revenue and its effects on inflation, prompting a reevaluation of economic nationalism.

What is the "Trump doctrine"? Just asking questions. President Donald Trump won his first term in office after breaking with the Republican establishment on a few fronts. One notable example: On the debate stage in 2016, he embarrassed Jeb Bush for his family's role in the disastrous Iraq War.  Trump didn't start any new wars in his first term, though he didn't end any either. This time around, he joined Israel's attack on Iran by dropping bombs on its uranium enrichment facilities. Although his vice president has said he does "not think that it is in America's interest to continue to fund an effectively never-ending war in Ukraine," Trump announced this week that the U.S. will ship more weapons to Ukraine, with his Defense Department describing the move as "integral to our America First defense priorities." Curt Mills, executive director of The American Conservative, understands the contours of the foreign policy landscape on the right better than most, and he joined the show today to discuss Trump's latest foreign policy moves, the growing schism within the MAGA movement over the continued support for Israel and Ukraine, Trump's hostile dismissal of a question about the Jeffrey Epstein case, and what Trump's foreign policy "grand strategy" might be.  Timecodes: 0:00 - Trump ran against the Iraq War, and Vance against funding Ukraine 2:00 - What is the 'Trump doctrine'? 6:57 - What does Curt think of Netanyahu nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize? 8:58 - Are Netanyahu's demands reasonable? 11:40 - What do Trump and Netanyahu plan for the Palestinians? 15:58 - Were the Iran strikes a success? 25:59 - Can Iran rebuild its nuclear program? 26:30 - What is JD Vance's role in Trump's foreign policy? 30:10 - Why is Trump giving more weapons to Ukraine? 41:06 - Why doesn't Trump want to talk about Jeffrey Epstein anymore?   The post Curt Mills: Is Trump Still 'America First'? appeared first on Reason.com.