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RealClearPolitics Podcast

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Mar 8, 2025 • 45min

More Sanctions Against Russia and the Emerging Trump Economy

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".
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Mar 7, 2025 • 45min

A Ceasefire In The Trade War?

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Donald Trump’s tariff strategy, including the decision to pause most tariffs on Mexico and Canada, and carve out exemptions for US automakers. They also talk about yesterday’s House hearings with four sanctuary city mayors, and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s new podcast, which featured Trump supporter Charlie Kirk as his first guest. Plus, a draft White House executive order to close the Department of Education, and Jay Bhattacharya, who defended freedom of speech in scientific research on Wednesday during his Senate confirmation hearing. And finally, Tom Bevan talks with former Anheuser-Busch executive Anson Frerick about his new book, "Last Call for Bud Light: The Fall and Future of America's Favorite Beer", which chronicles the corporate decisions that led to the loss of millions of customers and billions of dollars in shareholder value.
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Mar 6, 2025 • 45min

Trump Speaks, Democrats React

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss highlights from Tuesday night's address to Congress by Donald Trump, and the reactions from both sides of the aisle. They also talk about a speech by Representative Elise Stefanik, Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to the United Nations, at Monday's Antidefamation League Summit in New York City. Plus, a look at Trump’s remarks about U.S plans for Greenland and the Panama Canal. Next, Carl talks to veteran White House reporter George Condon of the National Journal about Trump’s address to Congress. And finally, Andrew talks to RCP National Correspondent Susan Crabtree about Tuesday’s Democratic Response to Trump’s address, which was delivered by Senator Elise Slotkin of Michigan.
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Mar 5, 2025 • 45min

Previewing Trump’s Speech and How Will Democrats Respond?

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon talk about tonight’s address by Donald Trump to Congress and how Democrats are planning to respond. They also discuss how allowing trans women to compete against biological women has become a bedrock issue for Democrats, despite polls showing the majority of American voters oppose it. And, they mull over the latest diplomatic developments between the U.S. and Ukraine, including Trump’s decision to pause military aid and Zelensky’s statement calling last week’s White House blow-up “regrettable.” Plus, a look at Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada; and raise tariffs on China. Then finally, Carl Cannon talks with RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about what the Trump administration hopes to accomplish in tonight’s presidential address.
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Mar 4, 2025 • 45min

Can Europe Save Ukraine Without Trump?

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the latest developments in efforts to stop the war in Ukraine, including this weekend’s meeting among European leaders. They evaluate whether the rift between President Zelensky of Ukraine and President Trump is reparable. Then, they look ahead to tomorrow's address by Donald Trump to Congress, and discuss former New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s bid to become the next mayor of New York City. Plus, they talk about a New York Times op-ed that attributes Elon Musk’s actions to the fact that he “is a white South African” whose “worldview is inseparable from his rearing in apartheid South Africa.” Also, why was this year’s Oscar Awards Show less political than in the past? And finally, Carl Cannon talks with Suzanne Bates, political editor of the Deseret News about a new poll from HarrisX/Deseret that reveals Americans’ feelings about current political figures.
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Mar 1, 2025 • 45min

Fireworks at the White House

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, RCP Contributor Richard Porter and White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss today’s fiery Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky regarding the rare minerals deal and Russia's war against Ukraine. They also talk about today’s nationwide protest where consumers were asked to boycott big box and online stores. Also, the Supreme Court’s reacts to arguments over a reverse discrimination case brought by a an Ohio woman who claims she was passed over for a promotion and demoted in favor of gay coworkers. Next, John Feehery and Andrew Walworth discuss whether Speaker Mike Johnson will be able to shepherd a budget deal through Congress, and whether spending cuts advocated by DOGE will be reflected in the final budget. And finally, Carl Cannon interviews RCP contributor Sam Jeffries. Sam is a freelance writer who wrote a piece for RealClearBooks about September 5, the movie about the Palestinian terrorists who murdered Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games.
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Feb 28, 2025 • 45min

Bureaucracy Gone Wild

Tom Bevan, Phil Wegmann and Emily Jashinsky discuss the NSA sex chat story, the FBI "honeypot" story, and the IRS leaker story. They also talk about the backlash to Jake Tapper's new book about the cover up of Biden's mental fitness and the larger story of the media's lost credibility. Next, Tom interviews Matt Podgorski, pollster from M3 Strategies, about his new survey showing Brandon Johnson with a 6.6% approval rating. And lastly, Carl chats with Jonathan Rauch, a writer for The Atlantic, about the implications of Trump's second-term personnel choices.
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Feb 27, 2025 • 45min

The House Passes Trump's Budget Bill

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and Sean Trende discuss President Trump's first cabinet meeting and the House's dramatic passage of a budget last night. They also look at Byron Donalds' chances to become Governor of Florida, Gavin Newsom's new podcast, and Jeff Bezos' announcement about the Washington Post Opinion Page. Next, Carl Cannon interviews Richard Porter about his RCP column on J.B. Pritzker's budget address comparing Trump and MAGA to Nazi Germany. And lastly, Andrew Walworth chats with James Robbins from the Institute of World Politics about US relations with Russia, China, and the future of nuclear proliferation.
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Feb 26, 2025 • 45min

Trump, Russia And The UN Vote

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss French president Emmanuel Macron’s meeting with Donald Trump, and two UN votes where the U.S. denied Russia was to blame for the war in Ukraine. They also talk about Vivek Ramaswamy's bid for the Ohio governorship and former New York governor Andrew Cuomo pondering entering the Democratic mayoralty primary in New York City, which would pit him against the city’s current mayor, Eric Adams. Plus, they also chat about Rachel Maddow and the future of MSNBC as it joins other Comcast cable networks that are being spun off into a new company. And, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem says she has identified people behind leaks of ICE raids in the Los Angeles area. Then finally, Carl talks to historian and political scientist Liana Fix of the Council on Foreign Relations about the recent election results in Germany.
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Feb 25, 2025 • 45min

Elon Musk Asks Federal Employees: What Did You Do Over the Last Five Days?

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss an email message sent out by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency asking federal employees to account for their last week’s activities. They also talk about Donald Trump’s decision to replace both the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the US Navy. Plus, the fight between the Trump White House and the Associated Press over naming the “The Gulf of America,” and the decision by MSNBC to cancel Joy Reid’s nightly show, which has been on the air for five years. Then finally, Tom Bevan talks with RealClearPolitics national correspondent Susan Crabtree about her reporting on the decision to name radio and social media star Dan Bongino to a high position at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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