Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

Veteran Republican strategist Mike Murphy, an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, assesses the state of the presidential race in the wake of Trump’s attempted assassination and the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Murphy tells Margaret Hoover why he believes Joe Biden needs to withdraw from the race and how he thinks Democrats should approach replacing him as their nominee. He also lays out the potential advantages and risks of running Vice President Kamala Harris against Trump. Murphy, who has worked on dozens of Republican campaigns, discusses Trump’s selection of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate and what the pick means for the future of the GOP. He also reflects on how Trump has changed the party. Amid mounting concerns about extreme political rhetoric, Murphy comments on the excesses of both sides, argues substantive criticism of Trump should not be silenced, and addresses the path forward from this difficult and divisive moment for America. Support for “Firing Line with Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Charles R. Schwab and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.

Matt Pottinger, who served as deputy national security advisor under former President Trump, talks to Margaret Hoover about the geopolitical and economic stakes of defending Taiwan and the challenge of deterring China. Pottinger, editor and co-author of “The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan,” assesses Xi Jinping’s ambitions and timeline for a potential invasion, and he details what the U.S. and Taiwan need to do to prevent it. He explains how the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are connected to Taiwan and rebuts arguments that an aggressive policy toward Beijing could accidentally provoke a war. He also defends his view that COVID-19 was the result of a lab leak in Wuhan and criticizes those in the scientific community who refused to consider the theory. Pottinger, who resigned from the Trump White House after January 6th, comments on Trump’s ambiguous Taiwan policy, his flattery of dictators, and whether Xi Jinping would prefer to see Trump or Biden in office in 2025. Support for “Firing Line with Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Charles R. Schwab and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.

Edward O’Keefe, author of “The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt,” joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the “extraordinary and unsung” women who shaped the life and legend of the 26th president–and why his legacy still resonates today. O’Keefe, a former journalist and North Dakota native who is now CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, details Roosevelt’s relationships with his mother, his sisters, and his wives and how they contributed to his successes. He comments on Roosevelt’s appeal to politicians in both parties today, his expansive use of executive power, and his support for gender equality. He also discusses the role of First Lady Edith Roosevelt in creating the modern White House. O’Keefe reflects on what Roosevelt’s experience as a vice president who rose to the Oval Office after an assassination reveals about the importance of presidential running mates and whether North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum would be a good choice for Donald Trump. He also addresses Roosevelt’s record on race and how the library intends to handle a controversial statue depicting the president on horseback flanked by a Native American and a Black man that was removed from outside the American Museum of Natural History in 2022. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Emmet Family Charitable Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of the Bronx sits down with Margaret Hoover to talk about Israel, immigration, and other issues that impact voters of color as polls suggest support for Donald Trump is rising among traditionally Democratic voting blocs that will play a pivotal role in the 2024 election. Torres, the first openly gay Afro-Latino member of Congress, discusses how growing up in public housing with a single mother influences his perspective and his policy positions. After Trump’s rally in his district, Torres assesses Trump’s potential to make gains with Black and Hispanic voters and what President Biden can do to regain their support. He comments on Biden’s executive orders on immigration and the failure of Congress to address the border crisis. Torres, who is one of Israel’s most vocal supporters in the House, explains why he became a Zionist, defends Biden’s record on Israel, and reflects on how the progressive movement has become radicalized on this and other issues over the last decade.  Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Emmet Family Charitable Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

Dan Senor, former foreign policy aide to Mitt Romney, defends Israel's actions in response to war crimes accusations, highlighting the challenges faced in protecting innocent lives in Gaza. He discusses the tactics used by Hamas to put Israel in a difficult position, emphasizing Israel's resilience in the face of ongoing conflicts. Senor also explores the potential for future conflicts with Hezbollah, the reluctance of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss postwar plans for Gaza, and the complexities of Israeli military strategy in the region.

As the end of Donald Trump’s first trial nears, Margaret Hoover sits down with conservative attorney and former Trump supporter George Conway to discuss the case and the prospect of another Trump presidency. Conway defends the Manhattan prosecution, talks about watching Trump in the courtroom, and explains why he disagrees with those who say the case is driven by politics. He also argues Trump has received preferential treatment from the courts, including in the classified documents case overseen by Judge Aileen Cannon, who he says is “corrupt” and “not competent.” Conway, whose ex-wife Kellyanne managed Trump’s 2016 campaign, explains why he sees a second Trump term as a threat to American democracy and why he now believes Trump is a narcissistic sociopath who is unfit for public office. Conway, a longtime member of the Federalist Society, assesses whether Trump’s Supreme Court nominations were worth the damage he has done and why conservative institutions have failed to respond to his abuses of power. He also addresses reports of an upside-down American flag seen at Justice Samuel Alito’s home in January 2021. Conway reflects on his own political evolution from a key player in Bill Clinton’s impeachment to big-dollar donor to Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. He contrasts Clinton and Trump, and he explains why he teared up when he cast a vote for Biden in 2020. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss “An Unfinished Love Story,” her new book recounting the 1960s from her perspective and that of her late husband, presidential speechwriter Dick Goodwin. The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer recalls the genesis of the project and reflects on the difference between writing about her husband and long-dead presidents like Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. She details Dick Goodwin’s work for John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, including writing Johnson’s address to Congress after the Bloody Sunday march in Selma. Goodwin also addresses declining trust in government since Johnson’s presidency, which she traces to his handling of the Vietnam War. She discusses her husband’s later work on Al Gore’s 2000 concession speech and how presidential candidates recognized the importance of putting patriotism before partisanship after close elections prior to 2020.  Goodwin considers parallels between the 1850s and today and the prospect that current divisions will lead to another civil war. She also explains why she sees her own love story with America as unfinished and why she believes the country has a long way to go to live up to its ideals. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

Author and journalist Fareed Zakaria joins Margaret Hoover to talk about his recent book, “Age of Revolutions,” and how past periods of progress and backlash inform our present revolutionary moment. Zakaria, host of CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS,” reflects on a full-blown cultural backlash against decades of social and political change that has fueled the rise of Donald Trump. He also discusses the next industrial revolution driven by artificial intelligence and the progress and disruption it may cause. Zakaria comments on the challenge President Biden faces addressing the crisis at the southern border. He also addresses campus protests over Israel’s actions in Gaza and what he sees as the failure of Biden’s efforts to influence Israeli policy. Assessing America’s place in a changing world, Zakaria makes an argument for aggressive U.S. support for Ukraine and voices concern about the impact of emerging Republican isolationism in a second Trump presidency. He discusses the race between Trump and Biden, the prospect of a historic political realignment, and the parallels between 1968 and 2024. (NOTE: This interview was recorded on May 1, prior to the announcement that the U.S. has put arms shipments to Israel on hold out of concern that American weapons would be used in an assault on the city of Rafah.) Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

New York Times columnist Frank Bruni sits down with Margaret Hoover to talk about college protests, grievance politics, and how to restore humility in a fractured country. Bruni, author of “The Age of Grievance” and a professor at Duke University, discusses the roots of anti-Israel sentiment on campuses and the double standards behind progressive speech codes. He also addresses the rise of a culture of victimhood on the right and explains how grievances manifest differently across the political spectrum. Bruni touches on activists’ response to the arrest of NBA player Brittney Griner in Russia, the “revenge tour” of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and what Gen Z social justice warriors should learn from the success of the campaign for marriage equality.  He also looks ahead to a pivotal presidential election and assesses how the dueling grievances of the left and right could impact the campaign. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

Margaret Hoover sits down with Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer – a Republican election official in Arizona’s most populous county – to discuss the new indictment of allies of Donald Trump for their fake elector scheme in 2020 and how he’s preparing for the 2024 election. Richer recalls the “unrelenting” pressure that Arizona officials faced to overturn the 2020 election results and praises figures like former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bower for resisting the president’s demands. He addresses how Republicans have responded to the indictment and whether Trump should also be held accountable for his actions in Arizona. Richer, who is suing Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake for defamation, talks about the harassment, threats, and conspiracy theories he has confronted and how defending the integrity of Arizona’s elections has alienated him from many in his party. He also explains why he will blame Lake and Trump if anyone in his office is harmed by election deniers. Richer tells Hoover how he is working to bolster confidence in this November’s election as he faces a far-right primary challenge himself, and he reflects on his place in the Republican Party and his future in public service. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.