RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s trip to Asia, and whether the meaning of “America First” has changed over the course of the second Trump administration. They also talk about Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris, who both gave further indications this weekend about their plans to run for the White House in 2028. And, they look at Trump’s reaction to a statement by Steve Bannon that there was a plan underway for Trump to run for a third term. Next, they discuss the American Federation of Government Employees endorsement of a clean continuing resolution to put an end to the partial government shutdown, and what it means to the Democratic Party for a staunch union ally to come out against its position on continuing to keep the government closed. Then lastly, RCP contributor Richard Porter joins the guys to discuss a new poll of Democratic primary voters in Chicago on how they view anti-ICE measures in the city, including violence against federal agents. 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 Phil’s most recent article about the future of the MAHA movement and its possible role in the 2026 midterm elections. Then, Mike Leon, host of the news and commentary podcast 'Can We Please Talk’ and a former producer at ESPN, joins the guys to talk about the latest gambling scandal at the NBA, and the FBI indictment of 30 people - including 3 current NBA figures - which was announced yesterday by FBI Director Kash Patel. After that, Phil talks to Beau Bayh, son of former Democratic Indiana Governor and U.S. Senator Evan Bayh, about his decision to run for Indiana secretary of state, the increasing political divide between rural and urban voters, and how he believes Democrats can succeed in red states. Then lastly, the guys share this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. 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 America’s federal debt, which reached $38 trillion, a new record.  Also, new data from KPP shows that health insurance premiums for families insured through their employer have reached $27,000 a year. Then, they discuss the second and final debate in the New York mayor’s race, and what the Graham Plattner story in Maine says about the schism within the Democratic Party when it comes to supporting new, untested candidates vs. proven, professional politicians. Next, they talk about President Trump’s new sanctions on Russian banks, the decision not to hold another summit with Putin to discuss Ukraine, and the risks of releasing long-range missiles for use by Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory. Then finally, Attorney and RCP contributor Richard Porter joins Tom Bevan to discuss his most recent RCP article on the government shutdown and future of the Senate filibuster.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Tuesday’s referral by the House Judiciary Committee to the Justice Department of former CIA Director John Brennan for allegedly making false statements to Congress about his role in the Russia collusion investigation. Also, a look at reactions to demolition at the White House, where President Trump has starting construction on a new 90,000 square foot ballroom. Then, they talk about the controversy over Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner of Maine, who today covered over a chest tattoo of an image associated with the Nazi regime in Germany. Next, they discuss a Washington Post op-ed by Mouman Al-Natour, a lawyer from Gaza who had been held as a political prisoner by Hamas, about violent divisions between Hamas and Gazans who are ready for peace with Israel. And finally, Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of the Alliance for Secure AI, joins Andrew and Carl to discuss concerns about the future of artificial intelligence, and federal and state efforts to regulate it. 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 have a discussion about the partial government shutdown as it enters its third week, and new polls showing who the American public blames for closing the government. They also discuss the Virginia governor’s race and campaign ads from both sides that focus on the issues of abortion and trans athletes in women’s spaces. Plus, they talk about new private texts that look likely to sink the nomination of Paul Ingrassia, the 30-year-old lawyer Trump nominated to lead the DOJ’s special counsel office. Plus, former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is out promoting her new book, but is dogged by questions about Joe Biden’s mental acuity. Then finally, Richard Kauffman, CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital, joins Andrew and Carl to chat about America’s growing demand for energy, and why he believes an “all of the above” approach to energy security must include renewable sources such as wind and solar power. 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 reaction to this weekend’s “No Kings” demonstrations, and whether the marches harbinger a strong Democratic performance in the 2026 midterms. They also discuss whether the U.S. fight against the South American drug trade is heating up, as President Trump imposed new tariffs and cut aid to Colombia after Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the Administration’s policy of firing missiles at alleged drug boats off the South American coast. Next, they wonder why President Trump granted clemency to George Santos, the former New York congressman convicted of wire fraud and identity theft. Santos had served three months of a seven-year sentence and was released this past Friday evening. Then finally, RCP contributor and former State Department official Peter Berkowitz joins Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon to discuss the recent violence in Gaza, and whether the peace initiative that led to the release of 20 live hostages is already breaking down. 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 indictment of Donald Trump’s former national security advisor John Bolton for allegedly mishandling classified materials. Bolton entered a plea of not guilty in a Maryland courthouse this morning. Then, they talk about two critical candidate debates from last night: the mayoral debate in New York City and the attorney generals’ debate in Virginia. And, they look at the New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, where with less than three weeks to go to Election Day, polls are tightening. Next, RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende joins the guys to discuss this week’s hearings at the Supreme Court on congressional redistricting, and they look forward to how redistricting may affect the 2026 midterms. And winding it up, they deliver this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. 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 New York mayoral debate and discuss yesterday’s appearance by Zohran Mamdani on Fox News, where he addressed President Trump directly and discussed Hamas, Israel and the Gaza peace process. They also discuss reports that Democrats are maneuvering to launch a primary challenge to Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) in 2028, and two 15-year-olds who beat former DOGE staffer Edward Coristine during a car hijacking attempt in Washington DC in August were sentenced yesterday. Each receiving probation, drawing criticism from the White House and Elon Musk. Then finally, they talk about President Trump’s claim that CIA operatives are inside Venezuela, and the legal issues around the sinking of alleged drug boats by the U.S. Navy off the Venezuelan coast. Plus, revelations by the Chicago Tribune that Illinois Governor J.D. Pritzker reported $1.4M in gambling income in 2024, which the governor’s office said he won playing blackjack. 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 scandal concerning racist and antisemitic remarks made on a private Telegram chat by leaders of The Young Republican National Federation. They also talk about President Trump’s meeting yesterday with free-market economist, rock singer and Argentinian President Javier Milei. Trump promised $20 billion in loans to help Argentina’s struggling economy conditioned on Milei’s succeeding in upcoming elections. Then, they discuss the meaning and methodology of a new study that suggests the percentage of young Americans who identify as non-binary has fallen dramatically over the past few years. And lastly, they chat about the proposed plans to build what is being called the “Arc de Trump,” a 99 foot high memorial arch sited across the Potomac River from The Lincoln Memorial to mark America’s 250thanniversary on July 4, 2026. 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 reactions to a new Department of Defense directive that requires Pentagon reporters to sign an agreement that binds them to publish only information authorized by the DOD. Major news outlets, including RealClearPolitics, have refused to sign the document. They also talk about Barrack Obama’s appearance on Mark Maron’s final podcast, where the former president discussed President Trump’s policies on crime, the future of the Democratic Party, and his relationship with his wife Michelle. Then they discuss different Democratic responses to Trump’s role in the Gaza peace plan and the release of live hostages. And wrapping it up, they talk about recent protest demonstrations against ICE in Portland, which include a naked bike parade and marchers wearing inflatable animal costumes. Plus, a look ahead to this weekend’s “No Kings” protest across the nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.