Megan McArdle, John McCormack, and Grayson Logue join Mike Warren to discuss President Donald Trump’s recent trade deal with Japan, the latest in the Jeffrey Epstein story (sigh), Russiagate (another sigh), and the cancellation of shared culture. The Agenda: —A sweetheart deal for Japanese automakers —America’s surprisingly resilient economy —Getting the housing market back in balance —Three weeks into the Epstein drama: “ unverified hearsay ” — Russiagate is just exhausting — Colbert cancelled ...
Jul 25, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined by Michael Smerconish, host of SiriusXM’s The Michael Smerconish Program and CNN’s Smerconish, to discuss the state of centrism and the future of the Republican Party. The Agenda: —Centrism in 2025 —Third-party viability —Government efficiency —The role of media in political division —Trump’s Epstein problem — Trump’s letter to Epstein —Republicans in 2028 The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy,...
Jul 21, 2025•41 min
Is the Jeffrey Epstein issue blowing up the MAGA base? Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and David French join Steve Hayes to discuss the Epstein files and their implications for Vance 2028, delayed resolve toward Russia, and the Supreme Court’s apparent greenlight for Department of Education cuts.And, of course, an extended Not Worth Your Time on soda. The Agenda: —Jeffrey Epstein catch-up — Little Epstein, big Epstein — Why can’t Trump shut this down? —Kudos to First Lady Melania Trump —Putin’s dar...
Jul 18, 2025•1 hr 13 min
We’re flipping the script this week, with executive producer Adaam James Levin-Areddy talking to Jamie Weinstein about Jamie’s interviewing philosophy and the future of the show. The Agenda: —Interviewing bad-faith actors — The Mehdi Hasan interview — Douglas Murray/Dave Smith debate —Future guests and format —Jamie’s most regretted interview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jul 14, 2025•29 min
Mike Warren is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Sarah Isgur, and Kevin Williamson to react to the latest internal fights within Donald Trump’s White House on Ukraine and explain the logic behind flip-flops on immigration enforcement. The Agenda: — Rogue pause on Ukraine aid —Freelancing at the Pentagon —Trump vs. the restrainers — ICE raids in Los Angeles —Trump’s flip-flop on immigration —The Hispanic vote —UFC on the South Lawn The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital ...
Jul 11, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Originally aired on Oct. 16, 2024. Palestinian-American activist and resident senior fellow at The Atlantic Council Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib joins Adaam James Levin-Areddy to discuss growing up in the Gaza Strip, the challenge of polling public opinion in Gaza, the future of Palestinian self-governance, whether there is a meaningful contingent in support seeking peace with Israel. The Agenda: —The story of Gaza —Hamas vs. Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) —October 7 —Breaking down support for ...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Megan McArdle to explain the consequences of passing President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Is fiscal conservatism officially dead? The Agenda: —Big beautiful bill —God save us from “the groups” —The political process is broken —Abandoning Ukraine —Republican divide on Russia —Alliances don’t matter —The Next 250 —What makes America great The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital me...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 4 min
David Frum joins Jamie Weinstein to break down Trump’s Iran strikes, the brewing civil war within MAGA over foreign policy, and the winners (and losers) of the tariff war. The Agenda: —The state of the Trump administration —Analyzing the Iran strikes —MAGA’s foreign policy split —Immigration policy —J.D. Vance and opportunism —What’s going on with the Democratic Party? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy...
Jun 30, 2025•55 min
There’s a growing fog over what exactly American forces accomplished in Iran on Saturday—and whether regime change is still on the table. Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg and Mike Warren to discuss the intelligence-gathering process and why Iran is just not the same as Iraq, as well as New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary. Will Mamdani’s victory be good news for the Trump administration and for Florida’s real estate market? The Agenda: —Iran, Saturday to today — Intelligence, nation...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska to discuss her new book, Far from Home: An Alaskan Senator Faces the Extreme Climate of Washington, D.C. , as well as Congress’ role in the Iran-Israel conflict. The Agenda: —Lessons learned from Congress —Congressional approval and conflict with Iran —Should the U.S. support regime change? —Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill —Political retribution from President Trump — January 6: ‘You cannot unsee what we saw.’ — Age limits in Congr...
Jun 24, 2025•40 min
Former National Security Adviser John Bolton joins Steve Hayes to react to the United States’ attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend and outline what he wants to see next from the Trump administration. Then, Steve is joined by Kevin Williamson, Charlotte Lawson, and retired Army Special Forces officer Mike Nelson to discuss Israel’s role and how Iran might retaliate. The Agenda: — Bolton on what regime change looks like —Should we send boots on the ground? — Vice President J.D. V...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Is it time to take out Iran’s Fordow nuclear site? As pundits gaze through their crystal balls attempting to determine what President Trump will do next, Trump administration officials are fighting over the United States’ direct involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict. Sarah Isgur, Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and John McCormack analyze the many factions of MAGA and the future of Iran. The Agenda: —Israel and Iran: what’s next? — Tulsi Gabbard trying to be relevant —The cult of Trumpism —We’re a...
Jun 20, 2025•56 min
Adaam James Levin-Areddy is joined by Israeli journalist Nadav Eyal to explain Israel’s surprise attack on Iran and its effect on the future of the region. The Agenda: —Degrading Iran’s nuclear capability —Regime change in Iran —America’s role —5-D chess from Trump? —How the ayatollah sees the world —The failure of Islamic republics —The Axis of Terror’s miscalculation —Ballistic missiles vs. cruise missiles The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media...
Jun 14, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Steve Hayes, Sarah Isgur, David French, and Jonah Goldberg break down what counts as an “insurrection” after the L.A. riots —and why the chaos might be hurting Trump in the optics war. The Agenda: —Unrest in Los Angeles —In defense of norms —What is an insurrection? — Polling on Los Angeles unrest —"Worse the better" — Tulsi Gabbard's strange nuke video —SANE / FREEZE part two —NWYT: Child rot summer Show Notes: — Jonah Goldberg on Trump and carnage — Weekly Standard piece on immigration The Dis...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss his experience advising former President Joe Biden, the challenges facing the Democratic Party, and where political messaging fails. The Agenda: —How bad was Joe Biden’s mental decline? —Strategy for the Democratic Party —The immigration debate and its impact on voters —Reaching out to the working class Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Steve Hayes hosted today’s roundtable, joined by Jonah Goldberg, Michael Warren, and Megan McArdle to discuss the disturbing attack against anti-Hamas protesters in Boulder, Colorado, and the horrific rise in antisemitic violence. Plus: Is the “woke right” a thing? The Agenda: —The recent slew of antisemitic attacks —Violence within the pro-Palestinian movement — The house is on fire and Rod Dreher is in the foyer —Young people are entertaining taboos — Jonah's brush with antisemitism and the Tr...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Megan McArdle joins Jamie Weinstein to react to the first few months of Donald Trump’s presidency and to explain why America needs to win the AI race. The Agenda: —Liberation Day: “It was shambolic” —Trump’s shadow Cabinet — What DOGE got right (and wrong) —Elon Musk: A “managerial mad genius?” —Paul Ryan vindicated again — How to adapt to an AI world — Calm before the AI storm The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, a...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Mike Warren is joined by David French, Jonah Goldberg, Steve Hayes, and Grayson Logue to discuss the latest legal challenges to the Trump administration’s Liberation Day tariffs and the most recent round of presidential pardons. The Agenda: — The Cases That Could Stop Trump’s Tariffs —Will Trump double down on tariffs? —Openly corrupt pardons —Can the courts save American politics? —Trump’s transactional politics —Russia-Ukraine peace talks —A new Putin —NWYT: Communal kid discipline? Show Notes...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Seasoned journalist Matti Friedman joins Jamie Weinstein to unpack the current state of Israel’s war against Hamas, exploring the tension between military objectives and the return of hostages. He also delves into the role of American leadership, the morality of warfare, and what the future might hold for Israeli-Iranian relations. The Agenda: —Public trust in Israel's government is at an all-time low —The dilemma of the hostage return —Perception of American leadership and Donald Trump —Qatar: ...
May 27, 2025•50 min
Sarah Isgur is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Steve Hayes, and Michael Warren to discuss Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s new reporting out of Original Sin on Joe Biden’s cognitive decline. Plus, Dispatch Capitol Hill reporter Charles Hilu joins to break down the House's "big beautiful bill." The Agenda: —Big beautiful explanation —No tax on tips? —Biden’s Original Sin —Media accountability —“The media gets a C minus at best.” —NWYT: Is AI taking entry-level jobs? Show Notes: — Rep. Keith Self on the ...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Two governors walk into the Reagan Library and find common ground . Steve Hayes is joined by Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), to discuss bipartisanship, mutual respect, and the value of healthy conflict. The Agenda: —Defining tribes —Media outrage and news cycles —We should all join bowling teams —We can’t explain policy in 280 characters —Intra-party tensions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Jay Nordlinger, formerly of National Review and the author of the Onward and Upward Substack, joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss President Donald Trump’s MAGAfication of the GOP. They explore themes of corruption, transparency, American exceptionalism, and the evolution of the Republican Party, while reflecting on the legacy of conservatism and the future of conservative journalism. —The first 100 days —Andrew Jackson 2.0? —The Middle East tour —Stories about Bill Buckley —The future of conservati...
May 19, 2025•35 min
Michael Warren is joined by Jonah Goldberg and Grayson Logue to discuss the ongoing trade war with China and Trump’s newest aviation toy. The Agenda: —Scott Bessent or Peter Navarro? — What to make of the 90-day pause with China — Golden calf foreign policy —Trump meets with Qatar but skips Israel —Leaving America because of fascism? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspect...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Harvard professor Harvey Mansfield joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss the Trump administration’s fight against Harvard and its protest culture on campus. The Agenda: —Harvard’s lefty culture —Are Jewish students safe on campus? —Let’s stick to the Constitution —Elites in democracy —Defining successful studentsShow Notes: — Professor Mansfield's columns in the Crimson The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non...
May 12, 2025•48 min
Jonah Goldberg and David French join Sarah Isgur to discuss the emerging concept of “abundance” among Democrats while the current administration torpedoes the economy with tariffs. The Agenda: — Three bodies and two dolls —Abundance Democrats and no progress —No one’s talking about DOGE anymore — Big beautiful bills — ICE raids in D.C. — Oh no for au pairs — Ross, Marc, and super-woke employees — NWYT: Alcatraz ? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media co...
May 09, 2025•58 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined by self-proclaimed “MAGA lefty” Batya Ungar-Sargon to defend Donald Trump's first 100 days as president and explain how a "lefty" can be MAGA. The Agenda: —Batya’s MAGA journey —MAGA Reaganites vs. MAGA lefties —Batya on The Fifth Column — Exporting American exceptionalism —Trump’s first 100 days — Trump’s meme coin —North Korea style worship —“Trump sees a tariff like a Swiss army knife.” —Immigration and due process The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Disp...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 37 min
Host Sarah Isgur and contractually obligated Jonah Goldberg are joined by Dispatch contributor Jesse Singal and Mike Pesca, host of The Gist podcast to discuss the Democratic Party's identity crisis. Also: Singal broke news on The Dispatch about the Trump administration's transgender policy. The Agenda: — The cajun rages on — Sarah is smarter than her son — We all know a David Hogg — The Dems should thank Trump for the 80/20 issues —The Trump administration and transgender health care for kids —...
May 02, 2025•58 min
On this special livestreamed conversation, Steve Hayes and Sarah Isgur discussed our recent acquisition of SCOTUSblog and chatted with the newest Dispatcher, Amy Howe, about our plans to build out an extended universe of legal coverage and all things Supreme Court. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 30, 2025•59 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined by Josh Barro , author of the Very Serious newsletter and co-host of Serious Trouble, to explain everything wrong with Donald Trump’s tariff regime. The Agenda: —You can’t undo uncertainty —What does Trump really believe about tariffs? —Reinventing trade alliances —Political consequences for a recession —Will America rebound? —America’s debt crisis Show Notes: — Flexport CEO Ryan Peterson on The Dispatch Podcast The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch ,...
Apr 28, 2025•43 min
Sarah Isgur, David French, Steve Hayes, and Jonah Goldberg discuss President Donald Trump’s foreign policy and his staggered attempts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. The Agenda: — Trump says 'STOP!' to Russia —Of course President Zelensky is being difficult in negotiations —Vice President Mike Pence as an influencer and Vice President J.D. Vance as an enabler —MAGA makes money off Russian bots — 'NASA is fake and gay' — What is even going on anymore ? The Dispatch Podcast is a...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 11 min
