TAC Right Now - podcast cover

TAC Right Now

The American Conservativewww.theamericanconservative.com
A weekly current affairs podcast featuring the editors & leadership of The American Conservative. The members of the TAC staff discuss the news of the day from a decidedly TAC perspective: one that is suspicious of big business as well as big government, and localist rather than globalist. Join our movement to reclaim a Main Street conservatism at TheAmericanConservative.com
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Episodes

Ceasefire in Iran, Political Earthquake in New York

Andrew Day, Jude Russo, and Joseph Addington discuss the 12-day Iran war, Zohran Mamdani's surprise victory in New York, and a proposal in Congress to sell federal lands. Recorded June 25, 2025.

Jun 26, 20251 hr

Iraq War 2.0

Andrew Day and Sumantra Maitra talk to Kelley Vlahos of the Quincy Institute about Israel’s surprise attack on Iran, whether President Donald Trump helped Israel carry it out, worrying escalation dynamics, and the odds of America joining a regime-change operation. Recorded June 16, 2025.

Jun 17, 202548 min

LA Riots, Trump-Musk Rift, and Iran War Watch

Andrew Day, Sumantra Maitra, and Joseph Addington discuss ICE raids in Los Angeles, Elon Musk bending the knee to President Donald Trump, and the fragile state of U.S.-Iran diplomacy. Recorded June 11, 2025.

Jun 12, 202558 min

Should Trump "Walk Away" from Russia-Ukraine?

Andrew Day, Sumantra Maitra, and Joseph Addington debate whether America should "walk away" from Russia-Ukraine diplomacy. Then, they discuss President Trump's foreign-policy realism, signs of civilizational politics, and the "big beautiful bill." Recorded May 29, 2025.

May 30, 202554 min

Curt Mills and Jon Hoffman Talk Gaza, Iran, and Russia-Ukraine

Andrew Day and Curt Mills talk to Jon Hoffman of the Cato Institute about the escalating Gaza war, the reported Trump-Netanyahu "rift," Steve Witkoff's "red line" for Iran, and the state of Russia-Ukraine diplomacy. Recorded May 21, 2025.

May 23, 202549 min

Trump-Netanyahu Tensions, Russia-Ukraine Talks

Andrew Day, Jude Russo, and Joseph Addington discuss White House moves that have rankled Israel, Russia-Ukraine direct talks, and the new American pope. Recorded May 14, 2025.

May 15, 202557 min

How Strong Is Anti-War Conservatism?

Andrew Day, Sumantra Maitra, and Joseph Addington discuss the strength of the anti-war right, President Trump's meeting with Canada's new prime minister, and the India-Pakistan conflict. Recorded May 8, 2025.

May 09, 202558 min

Mike Waltz Fired, Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks on the Rocks

Andrew Day, Sumantra Maitra, and Joseph Addington discuss the firing of Mike Waltz, President Trump's first 100 days, and signs that Russia-Ukraine peace talks will fail. Recorded May 1, 2025. YouTube: https://youtu.be/5dkVT8xRpTg?si=o_hAgSHdddH8uaRq

May 02, 20251 hr 3 min

Witkoff's Diplomacy, Trump's Legacy

Andrew Day, Sumantra Maitra, and Joseph Addington discuss Steve Witkoff's diplomatic efforts on Iran and Russia-Ukraine, some immigration controversies, and President Donald Trump's second-term performance so far. Picks of the week: "The Actual Point of the Deportations," by W. James Antle III ( https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-actual-point-of-the-deportations/) "Erdogan's New Turkey--and Old?" by Sean McMeekin. ( https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-actual-point-of-the-deporta...

Apr 17, 20251 hr 2 min

Trump Pauses Tariffs, Flusters Iran Hawks

Andrew Day, Jude Russo, and Joseph Addington discuss President Trump's tariff pause, his Oval Office meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S.-Iran diplomacy. Recorded April 9, 2025. Picks of the week: "Predator or Prey? It's the Wrong Question for Great Powers Today," by Erik Gartzke ( https://www.theamericanconservative.com/predator-or-prey-its-the-wrong-question-for-great-powers-today/) "Steak and Company," by Spencer Neale ( https://www.theamericanconservative.com/steak-and-company/) "Trump ...

Apr 10, 202553 min

America's Liberation Day, France's Tyranny Week

Andrew Day and Sumantra Maitra talk to Jarrett Stepman of The Daily Signal about President Trump's tariffs, Marine Le Pen's legal woes, America's lethal partnership with Ukraine, and more. Recorded April 2, 2025.

Apr 03, 20251 hr

The Incredible Signal-Gate Scandal

Andrew Day, Sumantra Maitra, and Joseph Addington discuss Mike Waltz’s Signal-gate embarrassment, a Mexican cartel killing site, and political turmoil in Turkey. Picks of the week: “Turkey Can Advance Trump’s Foreign Policy Goals,” by Deniz Karakullukcu. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/turkey-can-advance-trumps-foreign-policy-goals/ “The Hidden Themes Behind the Syrian Violence,” by Sumantra Maitra. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-hidden-themes-behind-the-syrian-violence/ "Tr...

Mar 27, 202546 min

Trump Strikes Yemen, Talks to Putin

Andrew Day and Sumantra Maitra talk to Justin Logan of the Cato Institute about U.S. strikes on Yemen, the possibility of war with Iran, and President Donald Trump's efforts to get a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Mar 21, 202546 min

Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire, Trump-Massie Conflict

Andrew Day, Jude Russo, and Joseph Addington discuss U.S. efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Pres. Donald Trump's battle with Rep. Thomas Massie, and the brutal violence in Syria. Picks of the week: "Trump Shouldn’t Do Regime Change in Ukraine, Either," by Doug Bandow https://www.theamericanconservative.com/trump-shouldnt-impose-his-will-on-ukraine/ "The Ugly Reality on the Ground in Syria," by Ali Rizk https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-ugly-reality-on-the-ground-in-syria/ "The Afg...

Mar 13, 202558 min

Trump's "Golden Age" Speech

Andrew Day, Sumantra Maitra, and Joseph Addington discuss President Trump's big speech to Congress, the fallout from the tense meeting with Zelensky, and some downsides of tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Picks of the week: "Whither Pro-Lifers?" by Jude Russo ( https://www.theamericanconservative.com/whither-pro-lifers/) "The Problem in CANZUK Is Nationalism," by Sumantra Maitra ( https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-problem-in-canzuk-is-nationalism/) "What is Realistic in Ukraine?" by W. Ja...

Mar 07, 202551 min

Is Elon Musk Bad for MAGA?

Andrew Day, Joseph Addington and Sumantra Maitra discuss the power and influence of Elon Musk, Addington's coverage of CPAC, and Maitra's Europe tour and reflections on the ongoing tectonic shifts of the continent.

Feb 26, 202550 min

TAC Right Now - Trump and Musk looks at Europe

Joseph Addington, Mason Letteau Stallings, Sumantra Maitra is joined by Jarrett Stepman, to discuss the President Elect's Teddy Roosevelt moment about Greenland and Panama.

Jan 09, 202559 min

TAC Year End episode

Curt, Jude and Sumantra talk H1-B visa, and the wins and losses of 2024, and the promises of 2025 for American conservatism.

Dec 30, 202455 min

TAC Election Review

TAC Right Now Returns after the election, with Senior Editor Sumantra Maitra, Features Editor Spencer Neale, and Editorial Fellow Joseph Addington, to review the election and contours of the new administration.

Dec 16, 202442 min

TAC Election Preview

Executive Director Curt Mills, Senior Editor Sumantra Maitra, and RealClearPennsylvania editor Charles McElwee preview the big event.

Nov 05, 202447 min

Hurricane Season

Sumantra, Joseph, and Helen ask whether President Biden is trying to sabotage Kamala Harris, whether Elon Musk's conversion to Trumpism bodes well, and what's the deal with Ta-Nehisi Coates. Picks of the week: Helen: " Court Applies Environmental Law to Border Disaster ," Phillip Linderman Joseph: " The Dangerous Autocrat on Our Southern Border ," Collin Pruett Sumantra: " Grand Strategy Misses the Point ," Kevin Blachford...

Oct 11, 202448 minSeason 3Ep. 30

Walz Caught in the Headlights

Helen, Spencer, and Joseph discuss the VP debate, Iran's strikes on Israel, and the longshoremen's union. Picks of the week: Helen: " Tucker Carlson: Do You Really Believe Iran Is a Threat ," Nicholas Bartulovic Spencer: " No October Surprises Needed ," W. James Antle III Joseph: " Trump-Washing U.S. History ," James Bovard...

Oct 02, 202436 minSeason 3Ep. 29

War in Lebanon?

Sumantra joins Curt and Helen to discuss the Middle East, Ukraine, and the presidential race. Picks of the week: Helen: " The U.S. Has Hurt Itself with Russia Sanctions ," Helen Andrews Sumantra: " Zelensky's Victory Plan Contains No Victory and No Plan ," Ted Snider Curt: " The Roots of the Trump Assassination Attempts ," Peter van Buren...

Sep 26, 202446 minSeason 3Ep. 28

Assassination, Again

Sumantra, Joseph, and Helen talk about the latest attempt on Trump's life, plus exploding pagers in Lebanon. Picks of the week: Helen: " Another Twist of the Screw ," Collin Pruett Joseph: " Why Can't Trump Break Through ," Scott McConnell Sumantra: " Modern Wars Are Wars of Attrition ," Sean Durns...

Sep 19, 202440 minSeason 3Ep. 27

Debate Postgame

Sumantra joins Helen, Spencer, and Curt for a look at last night's presidential debate. Picks of the week: Curt: " The Real Realignment ," W. James Antle III Helen: " Did Communism Really Fall ," Sean McMeekin Spencer: " Forgetting 9/11 ," Nic Rowan Sumantra: " Kursk Incursion Is a Two-Edged Sword ," Mark Episkopos...

Sep 11, 202442 minSeason 3Ep. 26

Kamala Underwhelms

Sumantra joins Helen and Spencer to talk about the changing presidential odds, North Carolina and Arizona, and Elon Musk's travails in Brazil. Picks of the week: Helen: " The Cartel Takeover in Colorado Is a Dispatch from the Future ," Collin Pruett Spencer: " The Biden Impeachment Report Is a Hollow Vindication ," Peter van Buren Sumantra: " Foreign Affairs Election Results in Thuringia and Saxony Spark More AfD Derangement Syndrome ," Phillip Linderman...

Sep 04, 202446 minSeason 3Ep. 25

RFK Jr. Endorses Trump

Sumantra joins Helen, Joseph, and Spencer to talk about two new endorsements of Trump, Macron's soft coup in France, and the arrest of Pavel Durov. Picks of the week: Helen: " Why Does AI Give Bad Dating Advice ," Rob Mariani Sumantra: " NATO's Arctic Strategy Is an Overreaction ," Alex Little Spencer: " The Empty Symbolism of Sheinbaum and Harris ," Collin Pruett Joseph: " Is There a New Democratic Establishment ," Bradley Devlin...

Aug 28, 202459 minSeason 3Ep. 24

DNC Blues

Sumantra joins Helen and Joseph to talk about the Democratic convention in Chicago, plus the latest developments in Ukraine. Picks of the week: Sumantra: " Shipping Out ," Jude Russo Helen: " Ukraine's Two Wars ," Flavius Mihaies Joseph: " Harris Was Never in Charge of the Border ," Collin Pruett...

Aug 22, 202455 minSeason 3Ep. 23
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