RealClearPolitics Podcast

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.

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and Emily Jashinsky, host of the new podcast “After Party,” discuss whether recent Trump decisions on immigration and the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files will hurt his base supporters. They also talk about Elon Musk and problems this week with his AI platform Grok, which posted anti-Semitic comments. Will artificial intelligence emerge as a political issue in 2026 and beyond? Plus, they have the “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Next, Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon talk with presidential historian Tevi Troy about the connection between U.S. presidents and Iran, and whether the two countries can ever restore normal relations. And then, Maggie Miller talks with Realclear Investigations writer Ben Weingarten about his recent article on how the Trump Administration wants to change who is included in the U.S. census, and why leaving illegal aliens out of the count could alter the balance of power in the House and affect who wins the presidency.

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and National Review contributor Heather Wilhelm discuss whether President Trump should receive The Nobel Peace Prize, and the politics behind the selection process. The they discuss former White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor’s surprise decision to assert his Fifth Amendment rights to avoid self-incrimination during an interview with House lawmakers and California Governor Gavin Newsom's tour of South Carolina. Then Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon talk with Miranda Devine, New York Post columnist and host of the podcast “Pod Force One,” about her recent exclusive interview with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Then they speak with RCP National Correspondent Susan Crabtree about the news that the Secret Service has suspended agents involved in the assassination attempt against Donald Trump last year in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss whether President Trump will sign on to new sanctions against Russia, and a just released audio recording of Trump at a 2024 fundraiser shows the president informing donors that he once told Vladimir Putin he’d bomb Moscow if Russia invaded Ukraine. They also talk about CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s decision to refer former CIA director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey for criminal investigation. Plus, new polls suggest that the President’s budget bill is unpopular with voters and may impact Republicans in the 2026 midterms. Then, Carl talks with Nancy Jacobson, founder and CEO of No Labels and Ryan Clancy, chief strategist for No Labels about the organization’s efforts to launch a third party, and about Elon Musk’s current attempt. And finally, Andrew talks to Michael O’Neill, vice president of legal affairs at the Landmark Legal Foundation, about federal judges continuing their efforts to block Trump policies, despite a recent Supreme Court decision designed to limit their power to do so.