Jamie Weinstein is joined by sociologist Larry Diamond to explain how democracies rise and fall and what history might tell us about Donald Trump’s slouch towards tyranny . The Agenda: —Signs of a democratic crisis —Weaponizing the government — Missing the forest for the trees —Trump 1.0 vs. Trump 2.0 —‘Trump isn’t a fascist, he’s a golfer’ —All the president’s men —When to be concerned Show Notes: — Diamond: The Crisis of Democracy Is Here — Diamond’s Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Ra...
Apr 21, 2025•40 min
Sarah Isgur, Michael Warren, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve Hayes discuss political capital when it comes to re-election prospects and reversing presidential decisions. Will public perception influence Trump’s next moves? The Agenda: —Flash back to the George W. Bush administration — The Trump show — Stop tariffs via courts ? Or let Trump sleep in his own bed? —Congress sucks! —Sarah asks a really good question — Bond market woes —Iran ‘to be great,’ but without nuclear powers —We can’t call war crim...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Ryan Peterson, CEO of Flexport , a platform for global logistics, joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss the effects of President Trump’s tariffs and how companies are being swallowed by the trade wars. The Agenda: —Understanding the executive orders —Businesses are devastated by losses —How brands like Walmart are coping —Dealmaking with China —What is the end game? —Invasion of Taiwan and likely trade scenarios —Update on Houthi attacks —Advising President Trump The Dispatch Podcast is a production ...
Apr 14, 2025•38 min
Sarah Isgur, David French, and Jonah Goldberg discuss the sad state of the three branches of government and the wild, wild world of tariffs. The Agenda: —Judicial branch wins for the week —Congress does nothing —The youths yearn for the assembly line —Free trade is good —Abusing emergency powers — Trump's comments on Chris Krebs — Throw cheese slices at your kid? Show Notes: — Our editorial: Slouching Towards Tyranny — Thursday morning's TMD on the budget battle — For premium members: Dispatch T...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr
GOP Sen. Tom Cotton joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss his news book, Seven Things You Can't Say About China , as well as the looming military threats against Taiwan and the Republican Party’s divided foreign policy views. The Agenda: —Tariff trouble —The China threat is more severe than most Americans realize —Taiwan’s defense spending needs to increase significantly —The foreign-policy divide within the GOP —China’s influence in global trade The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch ,...
Apr 07, 2025•50 min
Liberation Day has come … and Sarah Isgur is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Steve Hayes, and Michael Warren to help figure out exactly what we’re being liberated from . The Agenda: —Party like it’s 1889 — Tariff myths, debunked —Liberating Republicans from a midterm win — Are the experts right (on tariffs)? — “Every word of Trump's claim is false.” — Democrats win in Wisconsin —NWYT: Third terms The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, ...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined by John Bolton, former ambassador to the United Nations and Donald Trump’s onetime national security adviser, to discuss the Trump administration’s mass deportation program, the “loss of American prestige,” and the Signal saga . The Agenda: —“Loss of American prestige” on the world stage —How to negotiate with Greenland —The Soviet Union won —“The biggest trade deal in history” —Why does Trump attack our allies? — Groupchat-gate —Trump’s deportations are “performance ar...
Mar 31, 2025•35 min
The Agenda: — The Atlantic : The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans — The Goldbergs — War plans vs. attack plans vs. whatever —How to handle classified information as a reporter —Hillary was bad, too — Kurt Schlichter: Troll —NWYT: Snow White? Show Notes: — The Dispatch 's reporting on Signal — TMD on the Houthi group chat The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative ...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Jim Kessler, the executive vice president for policy at the Third Way think tank, joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss the failures of the Biden administration, where Democrats could gain ground, and whether Donald Trump will lose his mojo. The Agenda: —What is Third Way? (00:00) —Did the Democrats botch the government funding fight? (1:48) —Where Trump could lose his mojo (5:00) —Dealing with defeat and Trump’s first few months (7:00) —Democrats are out of touch (15:30) —Transgender issues and winn...
Mar 24, 2025•47 min
Sarah Isgur is joined by Megan McArdle, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve Hayes to discuss the rise of “ Abundance Democrats ” and Donald Trump's attack on judicial independence. The Agenda: — Chuck Schumer falls into the John Boehner trap —What are “Abundance Democrats”? —Libs discover supply-side matters — People don’t care about procedure —Did Vladimir Putin laugh at Trump? — Gaza ceasefire breakdown —NWYT: Sad beige homes The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company...
Mar 21, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Political analyst Juan Williams joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss his new book, New Prize for These Eyes , which argues that America is experiencing a second civil rights movement, distinct from the first. He explores the impact of Barack Obama’s presidency on race relations, the backlash that followed, and the emergence of movements like Black Lives Matter. The Agenda: —Barack Obama’s 2004 speech: a pivotal moment —The use of race in presidential campaigns —Diversity taking care of itself —Black...
Mar 17, 2025•50 min
On today’s episode of The Dispatch Podcast, Sarah Isgur, Michael Warren, Steve Hayes, and David French discuss the battle for the First Amendment. Should Columbia University student protester Mahmoud Khalil be deported over speech? The Agenda: —Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest raises 1A concerns —Shout F.I.R.E and deport Charlie Cooke — How much economic pain will Trump tolerate ? —Steve Hayes hardest hit from Spanish wine tariffs —De Gaulle was right — NWYT: secret videotaping and crying children Show N...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Former Democratic organizer Brianna Wu joins Adaam James Levin-Areddy for a conversation about her journey from leftist activism to clashing with leftists about antisemitism and the recklessness of transgender politics. Wu opens up on the challenges that come with standing up to one’s own tribe, the importance of defending liberal values, and how to think responsibly—and compassionately—about sex and gender. The Agenda: —How Gamergate changed everything —The (de)evolution of progressive politics...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 5 min
To Sarah Isgur's dismay, today's episode is heavy on the foreign policy. Between last week’s humiliation of Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump’s apparent embrace of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and the remilitarization of our European allies, the outlook for Pax Americana isn’t bright . Sarah, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve Hayes also compare notes on the highs and lows from Trump's address to a joint session of Congress before finally getting...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, thinks it’s time for the organization to reinvent itself. As American Jews face a historic surge in violence, Greenblatt wants the ADL to rethink its old alliances and go on offense, targeting radicals and the education system that creates them. He joins Adaam James Levin-Areddy to discuss the ADL’s newly published “campus antisemitism report card,” the organization’s historical commitment to classical liberalism and a broader civil rights ...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 5 min
James Kirchick, author of The End of Europe , joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss Vice President J.D. Vance’s controversial speech at the Munich Security Conference, the recent German elections, and the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The Agenda: — Vice President J.D. Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference —Breaking down Germany’s political parties —Angela Merkel’s policies contributed to the rise of the AfD —Immigration issues across Europe — Denmark's approach...
Mar 03, 2025•48 min
Yes, the first several weeks of the second Trump administration has felt chaotic. Many a crazy thing has been spoken, declared , and tweeted .But on today’s episode, Sarah Isgur, Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and David French discuss what Trump has actually done. The Agenda: — NIH cuts causing chaos in the medical field —Foreign policy shift during the recent UN security council vote —Political favoritism — Should there be kid-free spaces? —Anti-woke chili will have to wait Show Notes: —Yuval Lev...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Steve Hayes was joined over the weekend by Chris Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, at the 2025 Principles First summit in Washington, D.C. The two discussed why Christie initially endorsed Donald Trump in 2016, the Trump administration’s decision to side with Vladimir Putin, and where the line of a “constitutional crisis” is. Watch the interview here . The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-parti...
Feb 25, 2025•39 min
MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss the first month of Donald Trump’s presidency and whether or not we should hit the panic button over the elected “king.” The Agenda: —Separating signal from the noise —The seven-year itch (to ghost) —Will SCOTUS stop President Trump? —Using the Justice Department —The future of the GOP The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative ...
Feb 24, 2025•51 min
Sarah Isgur is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and Steve Hayes to discuss Trump's social media post calling Zelensky a "dictator," the downside of DOGE, and the White House's monarchy " joke ." The Agenda: — Zelensky, “a dictator without elections” —Are we now a pro-Russian country? —Good guys vs. bad guys —Banning the Associated Press from the press room —AP name games — The downside of DOGE —Entitlement reform — “Long live the king” Show Notes: — Peter Baker: Trump flips the switch on U...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 20 min
War correspondent Tim Mak joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss the latest news out of Ukraine following President Donald Trump’s calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Agenda: —What’s on the negotiating table? —Throwing Ukraine to the wolves —Ukraine’s response to the Biden administration’s actions —Russia’s economic issues —Controlling rare earth minerals The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering poli...
Feb 17, 2025•33 min
Sarah Isgur is joined by David French and a tanned Jonah Goldberg to discuss the legacy of cancel culture, the impact President Trump’s negotiating style will have on the future of Gaza, and the sorry state of American public schools. The Agenda: —Cheap grace when forgiving people —A lot of FAFO’ing in the Middle East —Solving the public education crisis —Ending proceduralism —Pro-penny lobby: Talk to us Show Notes: — Tom Friedman's piece on Trump and Gaza Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr
Dr. Einat Wilf , a former member of Israel’s Labor Party and co-author of The War of Return , joins Adaam James Levin-Areddy once again to discuss President Donald Trump’s supposed plan to encourage Palestinians to voluntarily self-deport from the Gaza Strip—and what it means for the future of the conflict. The Agenda: —Consequences for aggressors —Where does the money go? —No one knows Gaza’s future —What is Gaza? —The drip, drip, drip of hostages Show Notes: — Friday’s Dispatch Podcast Roundta...
Feb 11, 2025•59 min
Sarah Isgur is joined by Jonah Goldberg and Steve Hayes to discuss President Donald Trump’s latest saber-rattling tactics against our allies and enemies—and whether his bluffs will pay off. The Agenda: —Did free trade policies fail? —Global saber rattling ( IEEPA ?) — Scott Lincicome: Why Donald Trump is wrong about tariffs —Trump fishes with dynamite —Gaz-a-Lago —Will Trump ever follow through? — USAID : Carrot-and-stick or waste? —Let’s not commit war crimes —David Hogg as Democratic National ...
Feb 07, 2025•57 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined Michael Singh , the managing director and Lane-Swig senior fellow at The Washington Institute, to explain how the Trump administration can take on a weakened—but potentially nuclear—Iranian regime. The Agenda: — Preventing a nuclear Iran —Iran’s “ring of fire” strategy —Iranian proxies operating abroad —A maximum pressure campaign —Regime change —How to build a nuclear warhead —America’s red line —Relations with Russia and China —Is Iran apocalyptic? Learn more about yo...
Feb 03, 2025•49 min
This is an unlocked episode of our weekly Dispatch Faith podcast, which is typically released on our members-only podcast feed, The Skiff . If you enjoy the conversation, we hope you’ll consider signing up as a full Dispatch member today . President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders related to immigration disrupted the operations of several faith-based charities that aide migrants and refugees—and Vice President J.D. Vance’s comments on CBS News’ Face the Nation further drove a wedge betwee...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel went before Congress this week, and Sarah Isgur, Steve Hayes, Mike Warren, and David French consider whether confirmation hearings are a giant waste of time. Also, Donald Trump’s shaming of Colombia’s president made Sarah rediscover the allure of Great Men of History theory. The Agenda : —The hearings that weren’t worth your (and the nation’s) time —Gerrymandering isn’t the problem you think it is (or is it?) —Everything is broken and I didn’t...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined by Jane Coaston— New York Times contributing opinion writer and previous host of The Argument —to share her expectations for the second Trump term and how she covers the conservative movement. The Agenda: —January 6 —Trump's relationship with voters — Done With Never Trump —"Personal libertarianism" —Manifest destiny and military intervention —Evolution of Trump's Allies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Sarah Isgur is joined by Jonah Goldberg and Steve Hayes to react to Donald Trump’s first few days in office and Joe Biden’s final act of lawlessness. The Agenda: —President Trump’s pardons —Is it time to fix the pardon power? —Whose pardons are worse? —Birthright citizenship — Revoking security details — "The Right Is Winning the Battle for Hearts and Minds" —Is conservatism cool now? Show Notes: — Indictment of Genesis Lee Whitted, Jr. — Advisory Opinions on Birthright Citizenship — The Volokh ...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Kevin Williamson is joined by Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform , to explain the tax policy of the second Trump administration. The Agenda: —“I want to be left alone” —Unionization —State income taxes —Republican record on tax cuts —Tax exempt tips —SALT deductions —Government bullying —Tariffs and deregulation Show Notes: — “Right-wing zealot” The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-par...
Jan 20, 2025•49 min
