The Justice Department released millions of pages tied to Jeffrey Epstein — but weeks later, no new charges have followed. Why? Michael Smerconish sits down with former federal prosecutor and Politico senior writer Ankush Khardori to unpack what the Epstein files actually reveal — and what they don’t. Was there evidence of a broader international child sex trafficking ring? Did the DOJ cover anything up? And why haven’t powerful associates been charged? Khardori breaks down a pivotal 86-page mem...
Mar 12, 2026•28 min•Ep. 1777
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Which is more irrational: Trump Derangement Syndrome or Trump Devotion Syndrome?" Michael Smerconish explores whether intense opposition to Donald Trump is more irrational than reflexive support for him. Prompted by a caller’s phrase “Trump Devotion Syndrome,” Michael uncovers a peer-reviewed academic study examining whether political bias toward Trump is symmetrical—or not. The findings suggest supporters may be more likely to shift policy views when Tr...
Mar 12, 2026•12 min•Ep. 1776
Find Mark Halperin at 2WAY, The Next Up Podcast , and on SiriusXM's Megyn Kelly Channel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Mar 11, 2026•29 min•Ep. 1775
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: If the war in Iran were to end today, would the US have been victorious? Michael breaks down the case for calling it a win: a decapitation strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader, significant damage to its nuclear and military infrastructure, and a show of force that may have restored U.S. deterrence—without boots on the ground. But Iran hasn’t surrendered, energy prices are rising, and the regime remains intact. Is this strategic success or just the end...
Mar 11, 2026•16 min•Ep. 1774
Is the war in Iran nearing its conclusion — or is it only just beginning? Michael Smerconish speaks with Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, about conflicting signals from Washington. President Trump says the war is “very complete.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggests major phases of the campaign haven’t even begun. Admiral Stavridis weighs in: Has Iran’s military been effectively destroyed? Could Tehran retaliate by closing the Strait of Hormuz and disrupting 2...
Mar 10, 2026•26 min•Ep. 1773
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "War in Iran: Is this the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end?" President Trump says the conflict is “very complete, pretty much,” while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insists the campaign is “only just beginning.” So which is it? In this episode, Smerconish breaks down the striking contrast in messaging, the military realities on the ground, and what it all means for U.S. strategy and stability in the region. Cast your vote and join the deba...
Mar 10, 2026•13 min•Ep. 1772
Are America and Israel heading toward a strategic collision over Iran? Michael Smerconish speaks with Dr. Thomas Wright of the Brookings Institution about growing tensions between Washington and Jerusalem as the war with Iran escalates. Is Prime Minister Netanyahu seeking regime change while President Trump looks for a quick “mission accomplished” exit? And what happens if oil prices spike, regional instability spreads, or Iran simply waits out U.S. patience? They discuss whether regime change i...
Mar 09, 2026•25 min•Ep. 1771
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "How long will Khamenei’s son last as Iran’s supreme leader? Less than a week, less than a month, less than a year, or longer?" In the wake of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s assassination during joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, Iran’s Assembly of Experts has named his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new supreme leader—plunging the region deeper into crisis. Oil prices have surged, markets have tumbled, and questions swirl about whether this is true regime change or si...
Mar 09, 2026•12 min•Ep. 1770
Are these markets more accurate than traditional polling? Do they invite insider trading and corruption? Should Congress ban wagering tied to government decisions? And is betting on regime change ethically different from betting on the Super Bowl? From Iran to Texas Senate races to the Oscars, this conversation explores the explosive rise of prediction markets — and whether they’re a powerful forecasting tool or a dystopian step too far. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz....
Mar 06, 2026•29 min•Ep. 1769
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: On balance, is it good or bad news that the Pentagon is using artificial intelligence? As the U.S. military deploys advanced AI tools like Palantir’s Maven Smart System to process battlefield intelligence and assist in real-time targeting, a political and ethical firestorm is brewing. After a reported fallout between the Pentagon and AI firm Anthropic, questions swirl about mass surveillance, autonomous weapons, and who controls the future of warfare—the ...
Mar 06, 2026•12 min•Ep. 1768
Former Nebraska Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey joins Michael for a candid, wide-ranging conversation. Kerrey addresses his past meeting with Jeffrey Epstein and the fallout that led him to resign from a corporate board, weighs in on cancel culture and free speech on campus, and shares blunt thoughts on Iran, war powers, and whether Congress should vote before military action. The Medal of Honor recipient also opens up about his recent medical struggles, recovery, and why he credits “social...
Mar 05, 2026•25 min•Ep. 1767
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Who should determine media access to the dignified transfer of remains at Dover? Families of the fallen or the press?" As six U.S. service members are returned home, Michael revisits the long-running debate over the “Dover Test” — who gets to witness the consequences of war and who gets to document it. A tense exchange between the White House's Karoline Leavitt and CNN's Kaitlan Collins reignites questions about press freedom, privacy, and accountability...
Mar 05, 2026•20 min•Ep. 1766
Find Mark Halperin at 2WAY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Mar 04, 2026•33 min•Ep. 1765
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Which statement do you agree with most? A) Israel compelled the US to act against Iran. B) The US compelled Israel to act against Iran. C) Iran's actions triggered US and Israeli responses." After nearly 40,000 votes yesterday on whether force against Iran should end, a new question emerges: who actually drove the decision to strike? Secretary Rubio suggested Israel was poised to act. Speaker Johnson echoed that framing. Prime Minister Netanyahu cited an...
Mar 04, 2026•19 min•Ep. 1764
The conversation also explores the Clintons’ depositions, the timeline of what people knew (and when), and whether the public release of millions of documents is serving justice or fueling indiscriminate shaming. Where’s the line between legitimate accountability and reputational destruction? And what lessons — if any — have we learned from past eras of public overreach? Find Joe Nocera at The Free Press. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...
Mar 03, 2026•31 min•Ep. 1763
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "When should the use of force against Iran end? a) Now; b) When Iran’s military and nukes are neutralized; c)When Iran’s regime changes; or d) Both B and C." As new polling shows most Americans oppose military action against Iran, the White House and its allies argue the strike was preemptive and defensive—designed to prevent greater casualties if Israel were attacked. Michael breaks down fresh data, examines the administration’s justification, and questi...
Mar 03, 2026•14 min•Ep. 1762
The US attacked Iran - now on Day 3 of the deadly conflict, Michael turns to one of the nation’s most experienced military leaders for clarity. Retired 4-star Admiral James Stavridis — former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO — breaks down why the strike happened now, what the true objective may be (regime change? nuclear deterrence? weakening Iran’s proxies?), and whether Iran is stronger than we’ve been led to believe. They discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, the role of R...
Mar 02, 2026•26 min•Ep. 1761
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Agree or disagree: The Epstein fallout is now more about guilt by association than guilt by deeds." As millions of pages tied to Jeffrey Epstein become public, prominent figures are resigning, apologizing, and facing reputational ruin — often without charges or proven wrongdoing. Michael examines whether the national reaction has crossed from accountability into indiscriminate shaming. Are we abandoning the presumption of innocence in favor of public can...
Mar 02, 2026•14 min•Ep. 1760
Hear Ben and Michael break down: The GOP civil war between establishment and MAGA The brutal Cornyn ad targeting Paxton’s personal life Why Trump hasn’t endorsed (and whether he will) Democrats’ unexpected strategy to win back young men And whether “bro politics” and religious messaging can flip Texas Is this race headed for a runoff? Can moderation survive the primaries? And in 2026, does infidelity even matter to voters anymore? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for...
Feb 27, 2026•28 min•Ep. 1759
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Does the value of transparency from release of the Epstein files outweigh the risks of spreading unverified accusations?" As new revelations surface — including missing FBI interview summaries tied to allegations involving President Trump — the debate intensifies over what the public deserves to see. With Bill and Hillary Clinton testifying, selective document releases raising eyebrows, and legal scholars warning about the dangers of dumping raw investig...
Feb 27, 2026•15 min•Ep. 1758
Did you see the "Trump Train" coming? Michael didn’t — and neither did Barack Obama’s inner circle. Drawing from newly released oral history interviews on the Obama presidency, Michael explores how top advisers like David Axelrod, Jen Psaki, and Jon Favreau underestimated Donald Trump’s political rise. From the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner roast to the escalator announcement in 2015, this episode revisits the moments many dismissed — and asks why so many got it wrong. Plus, SiriusXM’s...
Feb 26, 2026•35 min•Ep. 1757
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Should Democrats have stood in agreement at the State of the Union when President Trump said the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens?" Michael revisits the most buzzed-about moment of the State of the Union — when President Trump challenged lawmakers to stand if they agreed with that principle, and Democrats largely remained seated. Was it smart politics, calculated stagecraft, or an obvious trap? Mic...
Feb 26, 2026•13 min•Ep. 1756
Michael is joined by political analyst Mark Halperin to break down President Trump’s State of the Union address — from the viral “stand up” immigration moment to the pivot on affordability, the Supreme Court swipe, and a late warning shot toward Iran. Was it a unifying speech, a midterm campaign kickoff, or pure political theater? Michael and Mark analyze Trump’s disciplined delivery, his strategic framing of immigration and the economy, and the maneuver that put Democrats in a made-for-TV bind....
Feb 25, 2026•29 min•Ep. 1755
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Should an individual's Google searches be private?" A Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling says you may not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in your general Google searches—especially if you haven’t taken steps like using a VPN. Michael breaks down the controversial “reverse keyword warrant” that allows police to ask Google who searched for specific terms tied to a crime. Is typing into a search bar the same as voluntarily sharing information with a...
Feb 25, 2026•12 min•Ep. 1754
On the eve of the State of the Union, Michael sits down with Yahoo News national politics reporter Andrew Romano to preview what President Trump may say in what could be one of his longest addresses yet. With approval ratings hovering in the high 30s, independents slipping away, and major issues looming — Iran, tariffs, immigration, inflation, and a Supreme Court setback — can Trump use the moment to reset the narrative? After the interview, Michael breaks down the latest polling from Yahoo, CNN...
Feb 24, 2026•31 min•Ep. 1753
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Where would you like to see the USA gold medal winning men's and women's hockey teams present at tonight's State of the Union?" Fresh off Olympic gold in Milan, Team USA hockey is riding a rare wave of national unity—but should that moment take center stage at a deeply partisan State of the Union? Michael explores whether inviting the men’s and women’s teams honors a shared American triumph or risks turning sports into political theater. With protests al...
Feb 24, 2026•15 min•Ep. 1752
Is the United States on the brink of striking Iran? Michael is joined by Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, to break down President Trump’s options—from diplomacy and cyber operations to limited precision strikes and the possibility of “shock and awe.” With massive U.S. forces already deployed, has America ever prepared this much firepower without pulling the trigger? Then, listeners weigh in—including sailors and submariners who describe the real-life toll of exte...
Feb 23, 2026•25 min•Ep. 1751
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Should licensed broadcast radio and television stations have to give equal time to competing political candidates?" A Stephen Colbert interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico has reignited debate over the FCC’s nearly century-old equal time rule. After CBS lawyers raised concerns about triggering the regulation, Colbert cried foul — and the controversy exploded online. Michael breaks down what the rule actually says, how it differs from the F...
Feb 23, 2026•15 min•Ep. 1750
As mentioned in this episode, listen to Book Club With Michael Smerconish: Andy Webb, author of "DIANARAMA." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Feb 20, 2026•22 min•Ep. 1749
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Is the use of profanity in politics refreshing or overdone?" From a new Illinois Senate ad repeating “F Trump” to a long list of Democrats and Republicans casually dropping f-bombs, political language has undeniably shifted. Michael examines whether this trend reflects authenticity in an unfiltered era—or a calculated attempt to seem relatable. Listen here, then vote - and please rate, review and share this podcast! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compa...
Feb 20, 2026•14 min•Ep. 1748
