Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

New York Times columnist Bret Stephens joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the recent Hamas attack in Israel, the global response, and what it means for the future of the region. Stephens, a former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, discusses how Israelis are processing the horror and why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be held accountable for pursuing policies that divided the country and hampered readiness. As Israel moves to eradicate Hamas, Stephens addresses why he believes Iran played a role in the attack, how this crisis impacts Israel’s normalization of relations with Arab countries, and prospects for a future Palestinian state. The conservative columnist applauds the moral clarity of President Biden’s response, but he expresses alarm at the rise of dangerous anti-Israel sentiments on the left and on college campuses. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Political scientist Yascha Mounk joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his latest book, “The Identity Trap,” and rising threats to democracy on the right and left. Mounk–a professor at Johns Hopkins University and contributing writer for The Atlantic–explains how the identity-focused politics of the left have become a “trap” that he fears is likely to produce more prejudice and division, and he traces the evolution of these ideas as they increasingly take hold in mainstream institutions. He offers examples of the harm this “identity synthesis” has caused in education and health care, details strategies for fighting back against it, and makes the case for a more universalist political philosophy. Mounk, who has previously written about the dangers of populism, also takes on the identity politics of the right and warns that progressives’ embrace of unpopular ideas about race and gender could send Donald Trump back to the White House.  Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Biographer Walter Isaacson discusses Elon Musk's turbulent childhood, SpaceX's role in the Ukraine conflict, Tesla's ties to China, and Musk's tendency to promote conspiracy theories. Isaacson also explores Musk's mindset, impact on various industries, fascination with science fiction, and vision for humanity's future.

Actor Liev Schreiber joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the war in Ukraine and his efforts to provide humanitarian aid through the organization he co-founded, BlueCheck Ukraine. Schreiber discusses his Ukrainian roots and why he was inspired to help Ukraine after Russia’s invasion began. He explains how BlueCheck identifies and vets frontline relief groups to partner with and details some of the projects it has funded.  He comments on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to the United Nations and questions he raised about the effectiveness of the UN, as well as President Biden’s attempts to overcome “Ukraine fatigue” in the U.S. Schreiber also reflects on the decline of political discourse, what he learned from his own visits to Ukraine, and how Zelensky’s training as an actor prepared him for this moment. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Writer, activist and comedian Baratunde Thurston sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss the second season of “America Outdoors” on PBS and how the show attempts to “tell a better story of us” through nature. Thurston reflects on moments in the new season that confront America’s history of racial violence, differing attitudes toward guns, and the impact of climate change, as well as how the outdoors can help bridge cultural and political divisions. Thurston, a founding partner of digital media startup Puck, details his doubts about the evolution of artificial intelligence and what it could mean for society. He also explains the premise and purpose of his podcast, “How to Citizen,” and his concerns about the state of American democracy heading into 2024 and a possible second Trump presidency. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum joins Margaret Hoover from Iowa, where he is campaigning for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, to discuss his strategy and his agenda.  Burgum, a successful CEO who entered politics in 2016, explains why he is now running for president and why he thinks he can win despite frontrunner Donald Trump’s massive lead over the field. He criticizes the Biden administration’s handling of energy, immigration, and national security and details how he would work to increase domestic energy production, secure the border, and win a cold war with China if elected. Burgum reflects on his performance at the first GOP primary debate, voices concerns about the Republican nominating process, and says it’s time for the GOP to look forward rather than focusing on the 2020 election. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Roya Mahboob, who became Afghanistan’s first female tech CEO at 23, reflects on the U.S. withdrawal and how life has changed in the country since the Taliban returned to power. Mahboob discusses her childhood in Afghanistan and Iran and how she became interested in technology, as well as what it was like to be a female CEO in a country where men were used to being in charge. She explains why she formed the Afghan Dreamers, an all-girls robotics team that has competed around the world, and recalls her efforts to get the team and her own family out of Kabul to safety after the government fell. Mahboob, who also co-founded the Digital Citizen Fund, assesses Afghanistan’s loss of freedom and democracy in the last two years and the regression of women’s rights. She also comments on continuing efforts to educate women underground and why she remains hopeful for the country’s future. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

GOP presidential candidate Will Hurd sits down with Margaret Hoover in Iowa to discuss his blunt criticism of Donald Trump, his policy agenda, and what he believes it means to be a modern Republican. Hurd, a former congressman whose district included over 800 miles of the southern border, lays out his immigration reform plan, as well as his approach to gun violence and artificial intelligence. The former CIA officer also assesses the nation’s greatest national security threats, including China. Hurd, who admits he is a “dark horse” candidate, outlines his strategy to appeal to primary voters frustrated by Trump and explains why he sees the GOP frontrunner as a “loser” whose renomination would guarantee Joe Biden’s victory in 2024. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Entrepreneur and GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his vision for America as he rises in the Republican primary polls, earning a spot on the August 23 debate stage.  Ramaswamy said he thought Trump was “actually a very good president” but explained why he thinks Trump “fell short” and how he plans to go even further with an agenda that would radically reshape the U.S. government. Joining “Firing Line” in Des Moines, Iowa just days before Trump was indicted for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election, Ramaswamy said he would pardon Trump because censorship—not the former president—was what ultimately caused the violence on Jan. 6. He has doubled down on that position since the indictment was handed down.  The former biotech executive—who made a name for himself with his 2021 book “Woke, Inc.”—explained his critique of woke capitalism, his plan to end the war in Ukraine, and why he believes that climate change is not “an existential risk for humanity.” Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Sixth Circuit Judge Amul Thapar sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his new book, “The People’s Justice,” and why he believes Justice Clarence Thomas is misunderstood. Thapar explains the judicial philosophy of originalism and how he applies it in his own rulings, as well as addressing some common criticisms of the approach. The federal judge also reflects on the Supreme Court’s recent decision to dismantle affirmative action, Justice Thomas’ support for ending affirmative action, and debates over the history and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment. Thapar, who was on former President Donald Trump’s short list for the Supreme Court, defends Thomas and other justices against allegations of ethics lapses and comments on his own future on the bench.  Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.