RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Heather Wilhelm of National Review discuss polls released today by The Wall Street Journal and Gallup, and what they tell us about Trump’s current standing with American voters. They also talk about the White House shifting strategy on the Epstein Files and President Trump’s new executive order that attempts to set standards for “name, image and likeness” payments for college athletes. Plus, they have the "You Can't Be Serious" stories of the week. Next, Maggie Miller talks to RealClear Investigations editor J. Pedar Zane about his most recent commentary on the lure of artificial companionship and its implications for human relationships and society. And finally, Carl Cannon talks to legal scholar Harry Litman about Donald Trump’s lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal.

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon, and Phil Wegmann discuss the latest developments in the Russiagate story, whether people will go to jail and whether pursuing criminal charges is good for the country. They also talk about the season 27 premier of South Park, which features crude but funny takedowns of Donald Trump, NPR, CBS News and Paramount. Then finally, Phil Wegmann interviews Michigan Democrat Senator Elissa Slotkin on how Democrats can find their way back to winning.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss today’s release of new Russiagate documents by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s accusation that President Obama’s involvement rises to the level of sedition, and Obama’s response. They also talk about Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to adjourn the House early in order to stem demands from within his own party for more transparency on the Jeffery Epstein files. And they discuss Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remarks this morning indicating that President Trump would not seek to replace him at the Federal Reserve before his term expires. Plus, the White House announces a new plan for artificial intelligence, including a recommendation that the AI used by the government should be “objective and free from top-down ideological bias". And then lastly, RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann talks to Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D – WA). They discuss her efforts to require the House Ethics Committee to develop standards to determine if members of Congress are experiencing cognitive decline. Concerning the auto-pen controversy surrounding former President Biden, she says, "what I have heard concerns me".

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Hunter Biden’s three-hour YouTube interview and Rahm Emanuel’s appearance on the Megyn Kelly show, and what each says about the future of the Democratic Party. They also talk about Stephen Colbert’s comments about President Trump following CBS’ decision to cancel The Late Show. Plus, The Wall Street Journal will not be included in the press pool for the President’s upcoming trip to Scotland, due to what White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called, “fake and defamatory conduct” related to its coverage of President Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Next, Carl Cannon talks to RealClear Investigations reporter Aaron Mate about his recent article dissecting new information provided by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about his recent article on the newly installed Director of the Office of Personnel and Management, Scot Kupor and the legacy and impact of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the Democratic Party’s new report assessing the 2024 campaign, and whether the party is gleaning the right lessons from their loss. They also talk about the release of new documents concerning Russian influence in American elections released by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Plus, they discuss the rise of mayoral candidate and Democratic Socialist Omar Fateh and his endorsement by the Minneapolis Farm Labor Party and, Donald Trump saying he will hold up a new stadium deal if the Washington Commanders do not revert to calling the team “The Redskins". Then finally, RCP contributor Maggie Miller talks to RealClear Investigations writer Ana Kasparian about Los Angeles’ ballooning police overtime budget and the unintended fallout from efforts to defund the LAPD.

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and Phil Wegmann discuss the latest on the Epstein files, including the WSJ's new story and Trump's threat to sue them. They also talk about the story of the new 'Maryland Man', a VOA employee who threatened to kill Marjorie Taylor Green and her family. Plus, the cancelling of Stephen Colbert and The Late Show, as well as the "You Can't Be Serious" stories of the week. Next, Carl Cannon talks to RCP contributor Peter Berkowitz about the Declaration of Independence. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to economic historian Phillip W. Magness about his new book, The 1619 Project Myth, which refutes many of the claims of the controversial New York Times project.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the latest on the Epstein files, and why Democrats and the mainstream media have joined MAGA in asking for answers. They also talk about the Senate vote to rescind federal funding for public broadcasting, and a new poll asks Americans whether they feel that the Trump administration’s policies have helped or hurt them so far. Next, Tom Bevan talks to RCP contributor Richard Porter about a memo obtained by The Federalist, from federal judge James Boasberg to Chief Justice John Roberts and other judges worrying “that the Administration would disregard rulings of federal courts leading to a constitutional crisis". And finally, Carl Cannon talks to RCP contributor Eric Spitz about the “Big Beautiful Bill” and what it means for future legislators’ ability to reduce the national debt.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss who is up and who is down according to just-released second quarter campaign finance reports submitted to the Federal Elections Committee. And, they talk about New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mandami visiting DC today for a closed door breakfast with AOC and meetings with House and Senate Democratic leaders. Then, they discuss the results of the special primary election in Arizona’s seventh district which Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late Raul Grijalva, won handily. Plus, Hunter Biden taped a podcast with former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, where he said Democrats “lost the last election because we did not remain loyal to the leader of the party”. Next, Carl Cannon talks with RealClear Pennsylvania editor Charles McElwee about why both Vice President Vance and President Trump have visited Pennsylvania this week. And finally, RCP Contributor Maggie Miller talks with RealClear Investigations writer Paul Sperry about his recent article on what newly declassified CIA documents reveal about the Steele Dossier, which played a critical role in the US intelligence community’s report on whether Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that he will run as an independent candidate in November’s mayor’s race. And, they talk about the Supreme Court releasing an unsigned decision that allows the Trump administration to lay off 1,400 employees at the Department of Education, paving the way for a significant reduction in the agency. Then, they discuss Alan Dershowitz's recent statements on the government’s treatment of the Jeffrey Epstein files, and California governor Gavin Newsom sitting down with conservative podcaster Shawn Ryan. Next, Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon talk with RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about Trump’s decision to provide weapons to Ukraine, and how this policy compares to that of Joe Biden. And lastly, Tom Bevan talks to Karrin Taylor Robson, who is locked in a fight with Rep. Andy Biggs for the 2026 GOP nomination for governor of Arizona.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the political and cultural impact of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, one year ago. They also talk about President Biden’s weekend social media post that “nobody cares” about Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, a New York Times article on President Biden’s use of the autopen to grant thousands of pardons and commutations at the end of his term raises more questions than it answers. Next, Carl Cannon talks with John Hood, president of the John William Pope Foundation and co-leader of the Freedom Conservative project about his recent RCP piece on how conservatives should view the passage of Trump’s budget bill. And finally, RCP contributor Charlie Stone talks to Dr. Marshall Shepherd, meteorologist and director of the University of Georgia's Atmospheric Science Program, about the recent floods in Central Texas and what can be done in the future to avoid loss of life.