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Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Mike Warren to discuss Donald Trump's interview with Kristen Welker and the latest developments in the Iran war. The Agenda: — Trump's Meet the Press interview —Election integrity claims — California vote counting — Trump and Netanyahu —Negotiating with Iran —Reporting on the president —NWYT: Tip creep Show notes: — Kevin on Trump's character — Steve on DOGE and deregulation The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a ...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Michael Warren, and John McCormack to discuss whether Donald Trump has become a lame duck president and reflect on McCormack's piece on Ben Sasse. The Agenda: —Republicans split on slush fund —Standing up to Trump — Bill Pulte as director of national intelligence — Learning from Ben Sasse —The original Remnant cohost —How to talk about death Show notes: — Ben Sasse's remarks during the Kavanaugh hearings — Thom Tillis and Scott Bessent on Bill Pulte — Thu...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Mike Nelson to discuss the “new phase” of the Ukraine-Russia war, the “imminent” deal with Iran, and the partisan cheerleading for Graham Platner and Ken Paxton . The Agenda: —Exaggerating Ukraine's demise —U.S. support for Ukraine —The imminent Iran deal —Similarities between Paxton and Platner —The poison of partisan cheerleading —NWYT: The Great American State Fair Show notes: — Lydia Moynihan on Ken Paxton — Kevin Williamson on the 2...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Mike Warren to discuss Pope Leo’s encyclical on artificial intelligence and explain Jonah’s looksmaxxing routine. The Agenda: —The encyclical —Can AI write good narratives? —AI disclosure laws —Creative destruction —Regulating AI —NWYT: Clavicular's take on books Show notes: — Ben Sasse at the Manhattan Institute — Klon Kitchen on the AI threat The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering pol...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and David French to discuss the potential ceasefire extension with Iran and the Democratic Party's autopsy of its 2024 presidential election loss. The Agenda: —The Iran deal —Domestic consequences —Division on the right —Ceasefires aren't deals —The DNC autopsy —Party constituencies shift —NWYT: Long school years Show notes: — Jonah's "anti-manifesto" on the Iran war The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital medi...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Mike Warren to discuss Donald Trump’s $1.776 billion slush fund and the indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. The Agenda: —The slush fund — The impeachment case —Will Congress grow a spine? —Indictment of Raúl Castro —The Venezuela model —NWYT: Discontinued treats Dispatch Recommendations: — A Time for Choosin’, Texas — Will Trump’s Reverse Midas Touch Cost the GOP Texas? — Keeping Antisemites Out of the Tent — Masculinism a...
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Mike Warren, and David Drucker to discuss Donald Trump’s primary challenges against Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Thomas Massie, along with last week’s U.S.-China summit in Beijing. The Agenda: —Sen. Cassidy’s loss —The consequences of crossing Trump —Texas Republican primary —Trump’s approach to China —Taiwan as a bargaining chip —NWYT: Trump’s $1.776 billion fund Dispatch Recommendations: — Will MAGA Come for Thomas Massie? — Democratic Efforts to Reclai...
Mike Warren is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David Drucker, and Charles Hilu to discuss the nationwide redistricting battles happening in state legislatures and Donald Trump’s low approval for handling inflation. The Agenda: —Impact of Louisiana v. Callais SCOTUS decisio n — Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama redistricting — South Carolina Republican defies Trump — Race and representation — Abysmal inflation approval — Trump: “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation” —Can Republicans win b...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and the Hudson Institute's Michael Sobolik to discuss the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the future of U.S. relations with China, and the prospect of Taiwanese independence. The Agenda: —Is China an adversary? —Xi Jinping's global strategy — Xi's military purges —The Taiwan question —Human rights abuses in China —Dispatch cruises? —NWYT: Sean Duffy's reality TV show Dispatch recommendations: —...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Mike Warren to discuss the potential end of major combat operations against Iran and Trump's retribution campaign against Indiana Republicans who opposed his mid-decade redistricting efforts. The Agenda: —End of Operation Epic Fury —Did the U.S. achieve its military goals? —Post-Iran War U.S. economy —Trump's waning political capital —Indiana GOP primary revenge —The ballroom flip-flop —NWYT: A Dispatch cruise Dispatch Recommendations: ...
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Mike Warren, and Mike Nelson to discuss rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and the disconnect between the White House’s words and actions. The Agenda: —Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz — Who can keep the Strait open — Project Freedom —Trump’s rising political pressure —Democrats’ midterm messaging —NWYT: Philadelphia 76ers ban New York Knicks fans Dispatch Recommendations: — A Pope You Don’t Have To Think About Every Day — ...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Sarah Isgur to discuss the role of populism within the Democratic Party and the second Department of Justice indictment of James Comey . The Agenda: —Maine Gov. Janet Mills drops Senate bid —Right-wing vs. left-wing populism —Populism meets reality — The James Comey indictment —Indicting political opponents —Future of the justice system The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media ...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Michael Warren to discuss the third attempt to assassinate Donald Trump and why the national mood is so bad in the 2020s. The Agenda: — The third assassination attempt —Trump’s ballroom —History of political violence — Why everyone leaves Congress — The national bad mood —NWYT: Iran war’s effect on supply chains Dispatch recommendations: — The Price of Crossing Crypto Could Be Higher in 2026 — Shades of Color in Philipsburg — The End...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Kevin Williamson to discuss the Trump administration's ongoing negations with Iran, FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged excessive drinking, and Justice Clarence Thomas' recent speech at the University of Texas. The Agenda: —Is the end near? —Consequences of Trump's impatience —Bad negotiating strategy — Kash Patel's drinking — Investigating 2020 election fraud — Justice Thomas' speech on progressivism —NWYT: Tucker Carlson's apology...
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, David Drucker, and Mike Nelson to discuss the latest on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and how it is affecting Trump's popularity. The Agenda: — U.S.-Iran negotiations — WSJ reporting on Trump's "public bravado" — U.S. forces seize Iranian ship —The downstream political costs of war —Netanyahu faces domestic pressure —Challenges of modern information environment —Most absurd stories of the week The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dis...
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, Scott Lincicome, and Megan McArdle to discuss our overly complicated tax code and our launch of Dispatch Markets , featuring Scott's latest newsletter . Steve, Megan, and Mike then discuss New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's pied-à-terre tax and how the democratic socialist mayor has governed so far. The Agenda: — Donald Rumsfeld's tax letter —The cost of tax compliance —Political will for tax reform —Personal vs. corporate tax complexity —Mamdani's pied-à-...
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, Mike Nelson, and Michael Sobolik to discuss the failed negotiations with Iran, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's defeat at the polls. The Agenda: —What we know about the negotiations —How to enforce a blockade —The risk to U.S. troops —The view from China —J.D. Vance as negotiator —Why Taiwan’s defense budget matters —Viktor Orbán’s big loss —NWYT: Trump vs. the pope Dispatch Recommendations: — Trump’s NATO Threats Highlight Deeper Structural Tensi...
Steve Hayes is joined by Sarah Isgur, Michael Warren, and Kevin Williamson to discuss Sarah’s new book, Last Branch Standing; the history of partisan attacks on the Supreme Court; and the state of the two-week ceasefire with Iran. The Agenda: —Trump's attacks on the Supreme Court —Public perception of the court —Sarah's writing process —Ambiguity in the ceasefire —Strait of Hormuz tolls —NWYT: The Masters tournament menu Dispatch Recommendations — Schrödinger’s Ceasefire — Ossining, New York, in...
Sarah Isgur is joined by Mike Warren, Kevin Williamson, and David Drucker to discuss the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi and the White House's proposed 2027 fiscal budget . The Agenda: — Pam Bondi's DOJ —The future of the DOJ —Fallout from the Epstein files —Trump's proposed 2027 budget —Trump's midterm messaging —NWYT: TMZ's political coverage Dispatch Recommendations — Marriage Got Better—So Why Is It Disappearing? — Welcome to the Party, Christmas and Easter Christians — What the No King...
Jonah Goldberg is joined by Dispatch contributors David French, Megan McArdle, and Mike Nelson to discuss whether ground operations in Iran are still an option and the significance of Meta's two landmark losses in social media addiction trials. The Agenda: —Trump's prime-time address —Potential ground operations —How to reopen the Strait of Hormuz —True deterrence against Iran —Meta and Google addiction trials —Banning phones in schools —NWYT: Kid Rock's Army flyover Dispatch Recommendations — W...
Jonah Goldberg is joined by Gil Guerra, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle to discuss the nationwide blackouts in Cuba and whether the country will be next in Trump’s crosshairs. The Agenda: —The state of play in Cuba —History of the blackouts —A Russian tanker arrives —How much does Cuba matter to the U.S.? —The case for regime case —The left’s fascination with Cuba —How would the right react? —NWYT: Melania and the educational AI robot Dispatch Recommendations: — Meet the Has-Beens, Never-Wer...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and Mike Nelson to measure the strategic success of the war in Iran so far and discuss the diverging war aims between U.S. and Israel. The Agenda: —Is Iran winning the war? —Trump's shifting rhetoric — Trump's daily video montage briefing — U.S. and Israel's diverging war aims —Bad timing for a shutdown fight —NWYT: The America First award Dispatch Recommendations: — Media’s New Ethical Dilemma: Polymarket and Kalshi — The Gorilla Channel — M...
Steve Hayes is joined by David Drucker, Mike Warren, and Jonathan Martin , Politico's politics bureau chief, to discuss the upcoming midterm elections and the Democrats' ongoing identity crisis. The Agenda: —The Trump effect on 2026 midterms — Partisan redistricting efforts —Scandals in state primaries —Democratic identity crisis —The GOP after 2028 —NWYT: Meals with sources Show Notes: — On the Road with Jonathan Martin The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media ...
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and David French to discuss the growth of prediction markets and the differing goals that Israel and the U.S. may have in the war with Iran. The Agenda: — The harms of sports betting —Fantasy football podcasts and gambling —Monetizing insider trading —How does gambling affect sports? —The libertarian argument regarding addiction — Mismatched aims for the war in Iran —Tension between the U.S. and Israel — NWYT: Can a vegan candidate win in T...
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren and Dispatch contributors Mike Nelson, a retired Army Special Forces officer and a member of the Atlantic Council's Counterterrorism Project, and Tim Mak, founder of the Counteroffensive and Iran War Dispatches . The Agenda: —Latest updates out of Iran —On-the-ground reporting during war —Internet blackout in Iran —Obama's policy toward Iran —Drone warfare —The Ukraine-Russia war —American support for war —NWYT: A spicy salsa lawsuit Show Notes: — Danielle Pl...
This roundtable was recorded in Dallas, Texas, on March 11, 2026, at our Dispatch Energy event. Steve Hayes sits down with Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Alex Trembath, the executive director of the Breakthrough Institute and contributor to the Dispatch Energy newsletter, to discuss the war in Iran’s effect on oil markets and what Ronald Reagan got right about energy 50 years ago. The Agenda: —Military success vs. policy success —U.S. energy independence —Prolonged oil disruption — Ronald...
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Mike Warren, and James Sutton to discuss the latest on Iran and how the domestic costs of war could affect the upcoming midterms. The Agenda: —What is “unconditional surrender”? —Rising oil prices —Public support for war —MAGA media’s reaction —J.D. Vance’s isolationism —Young Republican’s reaction — NWYT: McDonald's CEO's burger scandal Show Notes: — Paul Miller on the war with Iran — Tanner Greer's essay on Iraq The Dispatch Podcast is a production of...
The panel dissects the Trump administration's military campaign against Iran, scrutinizing the ambiguous rationale for war and the administration's failure to articulate clear objectives. They discuss the constitutional implications of bypassing Congress, warn against a "mowing the lawn" strategy that risks future instability, and examine the potential for severe geopolitical blowback and humanitarian crises without a comprehensive post-conflict plan. The discussion also delves into President Trump's motivations and the complex reactions of the Iranian populace.
The Dispatch team breaks down the Texas Senate primaries, discussing the Democratic contest between James Talrico and Jasmine Crockett and the Republican race involving John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, and Wesley Hunt. They explore how candidate personalities, perceived electability against Donald Trump, and cultural divides are shaping voter choices, often overshadowing policy. The conversation also extends to the 2026 midterms, debating the extent to which these elections will be a referendum on Trump and what strategies Democrats might employ.
This episode of The Dispatch Podcast examines the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against the Iranian regime. Experts analyze the initial strikes, including reports of Supreme Leader Khamenei's death, and the strategy behind targeting leadership for potential regime change. The discussion also explores the anticipated responses from the Iranian people, neighboring Gulf states, and international powers like Russia and China, while debating the extent of future U.S. involvement and the challenges of managing a post-regime transition.
