RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss new jobs data from the Labor Department that show the labor market is slowing. And, they talk about Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) who released newly declassified documents related to the Trump/Russia investigation including conversations between the Hillary Clinton campaign and George Soros’ Open Society Foundation. Next, they discuss President Trump’s plans to break ground in September on a new $200 million ballroom for the White House, and they give up their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Then, Part 1: RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann talks with Neera Tanden, President of the Center for American Progress and a key presidential aide during the Biden Administration, about her recent article for The Wall Street Journal, “How Democrats Can Win on Immigration". And, Part 2: RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann talks with Neera Tanden about the symbolism of Alligator Alcatraz and her recent testimony before the House Oversight Committee on staff use of the autopen during the Biden Administration. Tanden is currently president of the Center for American Progress. She was director of the United States Domestic Policy Council from 2023 to 2025 and staff secretary to President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2023.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss former Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision not to run for governor of California and her announcement today of her new campaign memoir, 107 Days. And, they talk about new polling from Gallup that shows Democrats have regained their advantage when it comes to party affiliation, even as the party’s favorability rating among voters remains at a historic low. Then, they discuss Trump’s tariff policies, including today’s announcement of a 90-day extension for Mexico and a promise to use tariffs to punish Canada for backing Palestinian statehood. Plus, a federal appeals court begins today to consider a case that challenges Trump’s ability to unilaterally impose tariffs, while the Senate advances a bill that would ban Congress, the Vice President and the President from trading individual stocks. Next, Tom Bevan talks to Ausin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of The New Chicago Way about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposal for a “corporate head tax" in Chicago to help close the city’s $1.1 billion dollar budget deficit. The tax would charge large corporations for each individual they employs within the city. And lastly, Andrew Walworth talks to presidential historian Tevi Troy about Joe Biden’s forthcoming memoir, the $10 million dollar advance the former president received for it, and why he predicts the book will make for dull reading.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss New Jersey Senator Corey Booker’s tirade on the Senate floor attacking fellow Democrats for cooperating with President Trump. And, they talk about some new data on the U.S. economy which shows strength in the second quarter, but critics say that Trump’s tariffs make it hard to get a real reading on the economy’s performance. Then, they discuss a report from NBC News that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is considering leaving his Pentagon post to run for governor of Tennessee in 2026. Plus, they chat about some House Republicans who want to rename the Kennedy Center “The Donald J. Trump Center For Performing Arts”. Next, Tom talks to RCP senior elections analyst Sean Trende about Texas Republicans' proposal to redraw the state’s congressional map to gain as many as five seats in the 2026 midterms. And lastly, Carl talks to Democratic lawyer Lanny Davis about why he thinks the Democratic Party should encourage open primaries and allow independents to participate in primary voting.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Monday’s mass shooting in midtown and its political impact of New York on the city’s mayoral race. And, they discuss Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu disagreeing on the severity of the food crisis in Gaza. What has been the role of misleading and fake images in shaping public opinion? Then, they talk about a New York Times report that Harvard is the next Ivy League school to consider settling with the federal government over accusations of violating civil rights laws, one week after Columbia University agreed to pay $220 million to reinstate its federal grants and end investigations. Plus, they chat about the controversy over a new set of ads from American Eagle featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. Critics have denounced the ads for including what they see as racist dog whistles, while supporters say the commercials signal the “death of woke advertising”. And finally, Carl talks to former congressman Brad Carson, head of Americans for Responsible Innovation, about President Trump’s “AI Action Plan” and how regulation of artificial intelligence will help shape America’s future economy and security.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss the latest news from President Trump’s trip to Scotland. And, they talk about former North Carolina governor Roy Cooper entering the race for the Senate, providing Democrats with a potential pick-up in 2026. Then, they discuss a Boston judge’s decision to stop the government from defunding Planned Parent. And, Phil Wegmann reports on his trip to interview Governor Ron DeSantis at the Florida detainee center known as “Alligator Alcatraz". Next, Phil Wegmann interviews Florida governor Ron DeSantis outside of Alligator Alcatraz. And lastly, RCP contributor Charlie Stone talks to Google Chief Strategist Neil Hoyne on the future of artificial intelligence, how it should be regulated, and what it will mean for young job seekers in the future.

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.