CNN's Dana Bash joins Michael for a wide-ranging conversation on the political crossroads facing Democrats after Zohran Mamdani's New York victory, the growing influence of the party's progressive wing, and the road to 2028. She also offers a candid, behind-the-scenes account of moderating the Biden-Trump debate, revealing the moment she realized something was wrong and how she and Jake Tapper navigated one of the most consequential nights in recent political history. Hosted by Simplecast, an Ad...
Jun 26, 2026•13 min•Ep. 1926
Is Donald Trump the cause of America's anger—or its most visible symptom? Michael examines today's Smerconish.com poll question using insights from veteran Democratic strategist Doug Sosnik. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jun 26, 2026•12 min•Ep. 1925
Former Clinton adviser Doug Sosnik joins Michael to unpack the data behind America's political upheaval. Drawing on his latest research, Sosnik argues that Donald Trump is a symptom—not the cause—of deeper economic and cultural forces reshaping the country. They discuss wealth inequality, the decline of upward mobility, the growing education divide, why voters increasingly reject the status quo, and what it all means for the 2026 midterms and the future of American politics. Hosted by Simplecast...
Jun 25, 2026•24 min•Ep. 1924
Today's Poll Question: Is the Left's Israel litmus test driven more by policy or antisemitism? Michael examines the Democratic divide over Israel after Zohran Mamdani's political wins, a high-profile New York primary, and shifting public opinion. Where does legitimate criticism end and anti-Semitism begin? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jun 25, 2026•17 min•Ep. 1923
Michael welcomes political analyst Mark Halperin for a wide-ranging conversation on what New York's latest election results reveal about the future of the Democratic Party. From the growing influence of progressive candidates to the prospects of a Bernie Sanders comeback in 2028, Halperin argues that Democrats are heading toward a defining showdown between the party establishment and its energized left wing. They discuss the political impact of Israel-related debates, the next generation of Demo...
Jun 24, 2026•26 min•Ep. 1922
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie ever be solved? Five months after the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie vanished from her Arizona home, investigators still have no suspect, no arrest, and no clear explanation. Michael examines the baffling case, from blood discovered at the scene and the mysterious “porch guy” captured on camera to ransom messages, conflicting law-enforcement accounts, and Savannah Guthrie’s emotional publi...
Jun 24, 2026•15 min•Ep. 1921
America's birth rate has fallen dramatically over the past two decades—but why? Michael speaks with Middlebury College economist Caitlin Myers about her provocative research linking the rise of smartphones to declining fertility. Using the iPhone's early AT&T-exclusive rollout as a natural experiment, Myers argues that smartphones may have fundamentally changed how people socialize, date, and form relationships. The conversation explores loneliness, social media, pornography, and whether tec...
Jun 23, 2026•30 min•Ep. 1920
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Algae at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool: Act of God, construction, or vandalism? Michael examines the growing controversy surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after a costly renovation was followed by algae blooms, peeling blue coating, vandalism accusations, and political finger-pointing. With America’s 250th birthday celebration approaching, the debate has become a high-profile test of accountability. Is this the result of a rushed con...
Jun 23, 2026•12 min•Ep. 1919
Doug Sosnik, former senior adviser to President Bill Clinton, joins Michael Smerconish to deliver what he calls the "real Democratic autopsy." Sosnik argues that Democrats lost the 2024 election long before Joe Biden's debate performance or Kamala Harris's 107-day campaign. He identifies three key factors—the decision for Biden to seek a second term, early immigration policy choices, and the party's misreading of the 2022 midterms—and explains what Democrats must learn before 2028. Original air ...
Jun 22, 2026•30 min•Ep. 1918
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will democratic socialism be the future of the Democratic Party? New polling data reveals a dramatic shift inside the Democratic Party: favorable views of socialism have surged while support for capitalism has declined. Michael Smerconish examines the numbers highlighted by CNN’s Harry Enten, the growing influence of Democratic Socialists of America candidates, and the political rise of figures including Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Zohra...
Jun 22, 2026•11 min•Ep. 1917
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Agree or Disagree: An athlete's choice to accept or reject a White House invitation shouldn't be judged. The New York Knicks’ decision to accept a White House invitation from President Trump has reignited a long-running debate about sports, politics, and tradition. Michael Smerconish explores how White House visits evolved from largely nonpartisan championship celebrations into cultural flashpoints, tracing examples from Larry Bird and Michael Jordan to S...
Jun 19, 2026•12 min•Ep. 1916
Named The Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World by The Jerusalem Post, and twice named one of the 500 Most Influential People in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal, David Wolpe is the Max Webb Emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple. Rabbi Wolpe has taught at Harvard, the Jewish Theological Seminary, the American Jewish University, Hunter College, and UCLA. Rabbi Wolpe has published widely, including in The New York Times , Los Ang...
Jun 18, 2026•25 min•Ep. 1915
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: How long will the Iran ceasefire hold: Less than six months, six months to a year, or more than a year? Michael examines the newly signed U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement and asks the question at the center of today’s poll: how durable is this peace? He reviews key provisions of the memorandum of understanding, highlights concerns raised by critics, and explains why he believes the ceasefire is likely to last more than a year. The conversation explores unres...
Jun 18, 2026•16 min•Ep. 1914
Michael welcomes political analyst Mark Halperin for their weekly conversation, covering the biggest stories shaping politics and public debate. This week: the New York Times’ deep investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s death, whether unanswered questions still linger, Doug Sosnik’s argument that Democrats lost the 2024 election before President Biden exited the race, Josh Shapiro’s presidential prospects, Gavin Newsom’s emerging challenges, and why Donald Trump may be looking for an exit ramp fro...
Jun 17, 2026•30 min•Ep. 1913
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Was 2024 already lost for Democrats before Biden dropped out? Michael examines a provocative argument from veteran Democratic strategist Doug Sosnik: that the 2024 election was effectively decided long before President Biden exited the race. Drawing on Sosnik’s Washington Post analysis, Michael explores three key factors—the decision to seek a second term, public dissatisfaction with immigration policy, and Democratic overconfidence following the 2022 mid...
Jun 17, 2026•10 min•Ep. 1912
Michael Smerconish sits down with Pew Research Center's Jocelyn Kiley to discuss the organization's newly released political typology, which divides Americans into nine distinct political groups. With nearly half of Americans now identifying as independents, what does the data reveal about the country's evolving political identity? Kiley explains how Pew's research goes beyond traditional Democrat-versus-Republican labels, why polarization continues to grow, and what these new political tribes t...
Jun 16, 2026•29 min•Ep. 1911
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is Trump retreating too soon on Iran? President Trump announces a new agreement with Iran, claiming the Strait of Hormuz will reopen, oil prices are falling, and Tehran has agreed not to pursue a nuclear weapon. But major questions remain: What happens to Iran’s nuclear program? Will sanctions be lifted before meaningful concessions are secured? And after months of military escalation and economic disruption, what has actually been achieved? Michael explo...
Jun 16, 2026•14 min•Ep. 1910
As America approaches its 250th birthday, a new NBC News poll paints a sobering picture of the nation's mood. Michael speaks with NBC senior national politics reporter Jonathan Allen about why most Americans believe the American Dream is harder to achieve, why trust in institutions has eroded, and why many think the country's best days are behind it. Is this simply a rough chapter in American history—or a sign of something deeper? A conversation about patriotism, pessimism, politics, and whether...
Jun 15, 2026•28 min•Ep. 1909
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Genes or money — which shapes a child's brain more? Michael revisits the classic nature-versus-nurture debate, but with a modern twist. Prompted by new research from Washington University in St. Louis, he examines evidence suggesting that socioeconomic factors—including income, neighborhood conditions, stress, sleep, and screen time—may have a profound impact on measurable brain development in children. He also connects the findings to economist Raj Chett...
Jun 15, 2026•11 min•Ep. 1908
Michael speaks with TIME Senior Sports Rorrespondent Sean Gregory about Dana White’s rise, his relationship with Donald Trump, and the unprecedented UFC event set for the White House lawn. Plus, Michael previews his CNN special “The Mingle Project,” exploring America’s loneliness crisis, social isolation, and the urgent need to restore common experience. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adverti...
Jun 13, 2026•34 min•Ep. 1907
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: UFC: Sport or Spectacle? With UFC preparing for an unprecedented event on the White House South Lawn, Michael examines the evolution of mixed martial arts from a once-marginalized attraction derided as “human cockfighting” to a global entertainment powerhouse. He reflects on Dana White’s role in building the UFC brand, the organization’s long relationship with Donald Trump, and the growing mainstream acceptance of MMA. Are UFC fighters elite athletes comp...
Jun 12, 2026•14 min•Ep. 1906
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, and the United States is hosting the largest sporting event on the planet. Michael speaks with Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House FIFA World Cup Task Force, about security, logistics, President Trump's involvement, and why he believes Team USA could make a historic run. Then, Philadelphia World Cup host committee co-chair Dan Hilferty joins the conversation to discuss the economic impact, fan experience, and what visitors can expect when the t...
Jun 11, 2026•30 min•Ep. 1905
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: When attacked, should the U.S. respond proportionally or overwhelmingly? As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate, Michael examines one of the oldest and most consequential questions in foreign policy: when America is attacked, should it strike back in kind or with overwhelming force? Drawing on recent developments in the Gulf, President Trump’s response strategy, a memorable scene from The West Wing, and a provocative Wall Stre...
Jun 11, 2026•13 min•Ep. 1904
Michael Smerconish talks with Mark Halperin about the controversy surrounding Scott Pelley's exit from CBS News, questions of media bias at 60 Minutes, and President Trump's evolving strategy toward Iran. A timely discussion on journalism, politics, and international tensions. Original air date 10 June 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jun 10, 2026•31 min•Ep. 1903
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which would you rather watch: baseball or soccer? As the FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Michael explores how dramatically soccer’s standing has changed in America. Once dismissed as a niche sport, soccer has climbed to become one of the nation’s most popular spectator sports—according to recent data, even edging past baseball. Michael shares fascinating World Cup logistics, from team base camps and travel challenges...
Jun 10, 2026•11 min•Ep. 1902
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis joins Michael to break down the increasingly complicated dynamics between Israel, Iran, Hezbollah, and the Trump administration. Are President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu pursuing different goals? Can a U.S.-Iran deal still happen? And what role does Hezbollah play in the growing tensions across the region? Then, Michael talks with listeners on whether the U.S. and Israel are drifting apart, the challenges of Middle East diploma...
Jun 09, 2026•26 min•Ep. 1901
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Are America's best days ahead or behind us? Michael examines a deceptively simple question that cuts to the heart of America’s national mood. Drawing on new Quinnipiac and AP-NORC polling, he explores a striking contradiction: most Americans believe the country is falling short of its founding ideals, yet more say America’s best days are still ahead than behind. Why do so many remain proud to be American while expressing deep concerns about the nation’s d...
Jun 09, 2026•13 min•Ep. 1900
Can sharing a meal bring people together in an increasingly divided America? Michael sits down with Anuj Gupta, President and CEO of Philadelphia's Welcoming Center, to discuss "Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers," an innovative initiative that uses food and conversation to build community across cultural, political, and social divides. After the interview, Michael and TC explore the lessons behind the project before listeners weigh in on what makes a good neighbor, a strong community, and meanin...
Jun 08, 2026•32 min•Ep. 1899
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should 60 Minutes' Scott Pelley have been fired for humiliating his boss in front of coworkers? Michael examines the controversy surrounding veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley and his dismissal following a tense staff meeting with new leadership. After reviewing reporting, audio accounts, and Pelley's own interview with The New York Times, Michael argues that one key question has been overlooked: exactly what was said in the room that led to th...
Jun 08, 2026•19 min•Ep. 1898
President Trump has named housing executive Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence, a move that's drawing scrutiny from both national security experts and lawmakers. Michael examines the nomination, the qualifications traditionally required for the DNI role, and whether Republican resistance to some of Trump's recent actions signals a broader shift within the party. Former White House counterterrorism advisor Richard Clarke joins the program to explain what the DNI actually does,...
Jun 05, 2026•29 min•Ep. 1897
