RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and RCP White House Correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss Turning Point USA’s America Fest which wrapped up on Sunday, Vice President JD Vance’s comments this morning regarding Nick Fuentes, and whether Vance can hold together the Republican coalition. Also singer/songwriter Nicki Manaj addressed the Turning Point USA audience on the importance of free speech, while Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) told ABC News on Sunday that he does not believe Vance stands for the traditional Republican values of free trade, lower taxes and limited government. Next, they discuss Larry Kudlow’s remarks that the US economy could experience five percent growth rate in 2026, and whether such an improvement in the country’s economic fortunes could help the GOP retain control of the House in the midterms. And, they discuss the political fortunes of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who announced her withdrawal from the New York governors race after President Trump did not endorse her. Also, CBS Editor in Chief Bari Weiss this weekend pulled a segment from 60 Minutes at the last minute, saying it lacked context. The reporter on the story, Sharyn Alfonsi has protested – saying that the segment was screened five times internally. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss the decision by the Democratic National Committee to not release the long-awaited autopsy report on the 2024 election, and Judge Hanna C. Dugan of Wisconsin is convicted of obstructing federal immigration agents and helping a Mexican immigrant avoid capture outside her courtroom. Then, Presidential historian Tevi Troy joins the guys to remember the life and contribution of writer and editor Norman Podhoretz, the influential neoconservative who died this week at the age of 95. Then, they look at a new survey by the Manhattan Institute which looks at the change and continuity of attitudes within the Republican Party. Next, they discuss President Donald Trump’s announcement of plans to celebrate “Freedom 250” next year, including a state fair on the national mall, a UFC match on the grounds of the White House, and “The Patriot Games,” a sporting event which features the best two high school athletes from all 50 states and US territories. Then finally, the guys give up their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss last night’s address to the nation by President Donald Trump and the promise of a “warriors’ dividend” of $1,776 to most American service members. Also, insight into White House reaction to this week’s Vanity Fair article and photos of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and other senior administration officials. Then, they discuss the addition of descriptive plaques to the presidential portraits on the “Presidential Walk of Fame” that President Trump installed in September. Also, a new poll claims that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) would best Vice President JD Vance in a head-to-head contest for the presidency. Then lastly, they talk about a new article in the online publication The Compact by Jacob Savage about what he calls “The Lost Generation” of white male millennials whose professional careers were set back by DEI in the early 2000s. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon preview tonight’s address to the nation by President Donald Trump and discuss the politics surrounding the fact that Congress will likely end the year without extending subsidies to the ACA. Then, Democratic strategist Maria Cardona joins the guys to discuss the state of the Democratic Party, strategies to win Congress in 2026, and the presidency in 2028. And finally, they discuss President Trump’s $10 billion libel suit against the BBC and Mediaite’s list of the most influential people in the news media in 2025, which includes Megyn Kelly who they ranked as number three. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles interview with Vanity Fair published today, where she said the President has an “alcoholic personality” and spoke critically of some top Trump Administration figures. They also talk about a Washington Post article based on Rasmusen pollster Mark Mitchell’s meeting with President Donald Trump which outlines the stressed relationship between President Trump and his MAGA base. Next, lawyer and frequent RCP contributor Richard Porter joins the guys to discuss Mayor Brandon Johnson’s leadership in Chicago and Illinois governor JB Pritzker’s chances to win the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Then, they discuss Vice President JD Vance’s visit today to Pennsylvania, where he addressed affordability. And finally, they talk about the conviction by Chinese authorities of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai for sedition, and whether the US and Britain can take steps to free him. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss three violent incidents from the weekend: the antisemitic massacre at Bondi Beach in Australia that left 15 dead and 40 wounded, the shooting at Brown University where the assailant is still at large, and the attack on U.S. troops in Syria that left two US soldiers and an interpreter dead. Then, they discuss CBS News Editor Bari Weiss’ town hall event with Erika Kirk and the announcement that Kirk plans to meet privately with Candace Owens. Next, they talk about the fight over control of Warner Bros/Disney between Netflix and Paramount, and what it may mean for the future of CNN. Then finally, they discuss the release by House Democrats of new photos and images from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, including pictures of Donald Trump. And tragically, director and political activist Rob Reiner and his wife were murdered this weekend, Reiner’s son is in custody, and President Donald Trump reacted with a social media post. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss President Donald Trump’s social media post pardoning ex-Colorado election office Tina Peters, who was convicted on state charges of election interference and sentenced to a nine-year prison term. Trump’s pardon raises questions of the limits on presidential pardons, which are largely understood to apply only to federal crimes, not to convictions by individual states, as is in the Peters case. Also, the Indiana Senate yesterday rejected a Trump-backed redistricting map, and other states are seeming to back off from efforts to gerrymander districts for partisan gain before the 2026 midterms. Then, they discuss new videos, photos and files obtained by CBS News showing what alleged Minnesota Somali scammers did with the proceeds of COVID related fraud against the federal government. Also, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was grilled yesterday during a House hearing, in which Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) referred to the ambush of two National Guardsman in Washington, DC as an "unfortunate accident". Then, they talk about Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s announcement that the city would proceed with a corporate head tax on employees working within the city, despite objections from fellow Democrats. And finally, the guys share their "You Cannot Be Serious" stories for the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss the interception of an oil tanker by the U.S. Navy yesterday off the coast of Venezuela, today’s Senate vote on healthcare subsidies, and where Congress will go next on funding Obamacare. Then, Jonathan Butcher, author of the new book The Polarization Myth, joins the guys to discuss research Butcher says reveals that Americans are less divided on certain key social issues than is portrayed by the media. And then, they talk about today’s introduction of the “Trump Gold Card,” a new U.S. visa that foreigners can purchase for $1 million and is predicted to raise billions for the U.S. treasury. Also, controversy surrounds the new Barrack Obama Presidential Library, scheduled to open in six months in Chicago on land that was formerly part of the historic Jackson Park. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss a new article in the Atlantic magazine commenting on President Donald Trump’s age and acuity, and a New York Times profile of Kamala Harris that speculates on her political future. Then, they talk about President Donald Trump’s 97-minute-long speech in Pennsylvania yesterday addressing “affordability,” and Elon Musk’s remarks on the Katie Miller podcast yesterday about whether he considered DOGE a success, and whether he would do it again. And lastly, they discuss the results of yesterday’s mayoral run-off election in Miami, where a Democrat won for the first time in more than 30 years. Also, Charlie Kirk’s new book, released yesterday, is already a huge hit, and the Indianapolis Colts have brought back 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers to start in their face-off this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss President Donald Trump’s trip to Pennsylvania today to address “affordability,” and his announcement yesterday of $12 billion in aid to U.S. farmers. Then, RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende joins the guys to discuss the state of the redistricting battles in states across the country, yesterday’s Supreme Court arguments on executive power, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) who announced last night that she will run for Senate in Texas. Then finally, they discuss Australia’s decision to ban social media for children under the age of 16, and Democratic presidential hopeful Rahm Emanuel’s advocacy of similar measures in the United States. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.