RealClearPolitics Podcast

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and Sean Trende discuss the new data from David Shor on the 2024 elections. They also talk about the blithe response by some in the media to the ongoing attacks against Tesla and Trump's approval ratings and what that means for the 2025 and 2026 elections. Then lastly, Carl Cannon interviews Phil Wegmann, RCP White House Correspondent, about Donald Trump latest move shutting down the Dept. of Education.

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and Emily Jashinsky discuss the escalating battle between Donald Trump and the Courts. They also talk about the left's hatred of Elon Musk and the increasing violence against Tesla. Plus, Gov Ron DeSantis' op-ed in the WSJ heralding Trump's efforts to dismantle the Education Department. BONUS: they also give their picks for the winners of the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament. Then finally, Tom Bevan interviews Sean Davis, CEO and Co-Founder of The Federalist, about the judiciary's efforts to thwart Donald Trump.

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and Phil Wegmann discuss President Trump's 2-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin. And the escalating battle between Donald Trump and the Courts over his use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportation. Plus, they also talk about Chuck Schumer's damage control tour and the Democrats' ongoing efforts to find a leader and a message to counter Trump. Next, Carl interviews Peter Berkowitz, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, about the latest developments in the Middle East. And finally, Andrew Walworth interviews Jim Robbins about the impact of cuts to USAID.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump's orders to deport 137 alleged Venezuelan gang members, as well as the deportation of a Lebanese doctor with an H1B visa and a teaching position at Brown University. Is the clash between the courts and the White House on immigration policy coming to a head? They also talk about Donald Trump’s social media post challenging the legitimacy of Joe Biden’s pardons because they were signed by autopen. Plus, the cold war between the press and the White House continues at the Gridiron Dinner this past weekend and the upcoming White House Correspondents Dinner, two signature spring social events for the Washington press. Next, Andrew Walworth interviews Jeffrey Gedmin, president and CEO of the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, on this weekend’s executive order cutting support for the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and other public diplomacy organizations funded by the US government. And finally, Tom Bevan interviews Nicole Russell, columnist for USA Today, about the state of the US economy. She argues that inflation will cool, interest rates will drop and consumer confidence will return, all as a result of Trump’s policies. Image of Donald Trump courtesy of Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss Senator Chuck Schumer's decision not to oppose the GOP spending bill in order to avoid a government shutdown, and the angry responses to Senator Schumer from some of his fellow Democrats. Also, judges rule that Trump didn’t follow the law when firing probationary employees, but confirms the executive branch’s authority to reduce the federal workforce if done in accordance with existing rules and regulations. They also talk about the Trump administration's withdrawal of its nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and they look at Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s defense of deporting Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who has been illegally detained by ICE. Plus, President Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center and the broader implications of the Right’s asserting itself in American culture and entertainment. Then finally, Tom Bevan interviews Senator Eric Schmidt (R- MO) about his plans to end what he calls “a shadowy network of NGOs, tech groups and governments working to the censor the Left’s enemies”.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss key players to watch, including Pete Buttigieg, Rahm Emanual, Gavin Newsom and Tim Walz, as well as Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) who announced her decision not to run again in 2026. Also, how Democrats, including former first lady Michelle Obama, are embracing podcasting to reach new audiences. Then, they talk about Russian president Vladimir Putin’s positive statements about a possible armistice in Ukraine, and Trump’s threat of a 200 percent tariff on imported European alcoholic beverages. Next, Carl interviews Andy Rotherham, co-founder and senior partner at Bellwether and member of the Virginia Board of Education, on Randi Weingarten, the teachers’ union, and layoffs at the Department of Education. And finally, Andrew Walworth interviews Real Clear Investigations journalist James Varney about his RCP article "A New Beltway Mystery: Follow the Biden EPA Money" which outlines how $27 billion in green grants were funneled to nonprofits in a process that new EPA administrator Lee Zeldin calls “a deeply entrenched pattern of political favoritism” aimed at Democratic-aligned groups.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss whether Wall Street worries about a recession are justified, and whether Trump’s handling of tariffs is contributing to economic uncertainty. They also talk about the upcoming Senate vote on the six-month spending bill, and whether Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will instruct fellow Democrats to vote no, forcing a government shutdown. Also, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announces that she will eliminate half the Department of Education’s workforce through layoffs and voluntary buyouts. Next, Carl Cannon talks with RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about his profile of Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, daughter-in-law to Robert F. Kennedy and current associate director for Intelligence and International Affairs at OMB, where she oversees the budget of the CIA and 17 other intelligence agencies. And winding it up, Andrew Walworth talks to journalist Thom Shanker about what U.S. military strategists have observed from Ukraine’s use of drones, and how drone technology has completely changed modern warfare. Is the Pentagon learning the right lessons from the War in Ukraine?

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss the U.S. and Ukraine Talks in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow, and federal funding cuts to American universities. They also talk about ActBlue leadership changes, and who is funding the "Families Over Billionaires” media campaign. Next, Tom Bevan and Sean Trende discuss recent polls, including a new survey of Americans attitudes toward Republicans and Democrats on handling the economy. And finally, Andy talks to RCP national reporter and author Susan Crabtree about her book that is coming out today: “Fool’s Gold: The Radicals, Con Artists, and Traitors Who Killed the California Dream and Now Threaten Us All.”

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss the fifth anniversary of World Health Organization’s declaration that COVID-19 was a pandemic. They also talk about the ascension of Prime Minister Mark Carney, who replaces Justin Trudeau as prime minister of Canada. AND - Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83 percent of US AID contracts have been cancelled, while violent protests against Elon Musk hit Tesla showrooms and facilities. Plus, the chatter over sports commentator Steven A. Smith’s possible run for the Democratic presidential nomination, and a recent Atlantic article on the explosion of memes featuring photoshopped images of Vice President J.D. Vance. And lastly, Tom Bevan talks to RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about the week ahead for Donald Trump.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss Trump’s threat of increased sanctions against Russia and the state of his negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, and what the most recent jobs numbers tell us about the emerging Trump economy. They also talk about the latest in what some call “Trump’s Revenge Tour:" the presidential executive order revoking the security clearances of Perkins Coie employees, and anti-DEI policies on college campuses. Next, Carl Cannon interviews Peter Berkowitz from the Hoover Institute about Hamas, Iran, and Trump. Then finally, Tom interviews author Karl Zinsmeister about his new book, Backbone: "Why American Populism Should Be Welcomed, Not Feared".