The Political Scene | The New Yorker cover art
Podcast · 169 episodes

The Political Scene | The New Yorker, page 3

by The New Yorker · English

Join The New Yorker’s writers and editors for reporting, insight, and analysis of the most pressing political issues of our time. On Mondays, David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker, presents conversations and feature stories about current events. On Wednesdays, the senior editor Tyler Foggatt goes deep on a consequential political story via far-reaching interviews with staff writers and outside experts. And, on Fridays, the staff writers Susan B. Glasser, Jane Mayer, and Evan Osnos discuss the latest developments in Washington and beyond, offering an encompassing understanding of this moment in American politics.

All episodes, page 3

The U.F.C. President, Dana White, on Donald Trump: “He’s Not a Racist”Dana White, UFC president/CEO, discusses UFC’s origins and rules, its growth and regulation, and his long friendship with Donald Trump, including his claim that Trump is “not a racist.” He also…25 May 2026 · 49 min · 21 chapters
Is Washington Up to the Challenge of A.I.?The episode asks whether Washington can regulate AI, after Trump withdrew an AI safety executive order and public backlash against AI is growing (including boos at Eric Schmidt’s speech and protests…22 May 2026 · 46 min · 17 chapters
What Is Hakeem Jeffries’s Plan for the Midterms, and After?Profile interview on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries—his response to Trump’s racist Truth Social video, his strategy for the 2026 midterms and beyond (especially redistricting), and what kind…20 May 2026 · 39 min · 13 chapters
The History Wars and America at 250, with the Historian Jill LeporeAmerica at 250 and the “history wars” over how the U.S. founding should be commemorated—whether celebrations will be sanitized, commercialized, or used for political messaging.18 May 2026 · 33 min · 20 chapters
A Member of the “Seditious Six” on Reviving the Democratic PartyDemocrats’ 2026 midterm strategy amid economic anxiety and national-security turmoil, featuring Congressman Jason Crow’s case for “standards” in war and domestic life, plus his critique of Trump’s…16 May 2026 · 44 min · 18 chapters
Hungary Avoided Democratic Collapse. Can We?Hungary’s democratic reversal after Viktor Orbán’s defeat—whether Peter Magyar can unwind Orbanism without becoming an authoritarian, and what the case teaches other democracies facing democratic…13 May 2026 · 40 min · 14 chapters
Barack Obama in the Trump EraThe episode discusses Barack Obama’s post-presidency during the Trump era, framed by the recurring question “Where is Obama?” It argues that Trump’s presidency has “guardrails down,” threatens rule…11 May 2026 · 26 min · 15 chapters
Have Billionaires Gone Too Far?A backlash against “broligarchs” (ultra-rich elites) who, after the Trump era, are seen as flaunting wealth and using political power without democratic legitimacy—sparking pitchfork-style class…9 May 2026 · 43 min · 11 chapters
Kash Patel’s Strategic, Frivolous Lawsuit Against The AtlanticThe episode examines Kash Patel’s $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic after the outlet published reporting alleging Patel was excessively drinking on the job, and uses it to discuss…7 May 2026 · 40 min · 12 chapters
How a Trump-Endorsed Republican Could Become California’s Next GovernorSteve Hilton, a Trump-endorsed Republican, explains how he could win California governor despite Democrats’ registration advantage, arguing California’s one-party rule has produced high unemployment,…4 May 2026 · 22 min · 11 chapters
An Assassination Attempt and a Royal Visit to WashingtonA surreal, frightening week in Washington during Donald Trump’s second term—starting with a shooting attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and followed by King Charles III and Queen…30 Apr 2026 · 28 min · 10 chapters
Why Senator Rand Paul Voted to Limit Donald Trump’s War PowersSenator Rand Paul explains why he voted to restrict President Trump’s war powers regarding strikes in Iran, arguing Congress should authorize war absent an imminent threat, and criticizing…27 Apr 2026 · 29 min · 11 chapters
Donald Trump’s Economic Warfare Abroad Comes HomeThe episode argues that Trump’s aggressive use of economic warfare has destabilized the global economy and fractured MAGA, with the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure as the clearest example.25 Apr 2026 · 44 min · 17 chapters
What Pro Wrestling Taught Linda McMahon About PoliticsHow Linda McMahon’s WWE leadership “apprenticeship” shaped her approach as Trump’s Secretary of Education, and how her tenure has hollowed out the Department of Education while conservatives argue…23 Apr 2026 · 47 min · 16 chapters
A Genocide Scholar Asks “What Went Wrong” in IsraelConversation with historian Omer Bartov about Israel’s war in Gaza, his claim that it constitutes genocide (under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention), and how Zionism/state ideology evolved into…20 Apr 2026 · 39 min · 16 chapters
Corruption Toppled Viktor Orbán. Could Donald Trump Be Next?Hungary’s 2026 election that toppled Viktor Orbán and what it signals for global far-right politics and the U.S. (including whether Donald Trump could be next).17 Apr 2026 · 41 min · 21 chapters
Is Zohran Mamdani’s “Sewer Socialism” Resonating?Interview about whether New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s “sewer socialism” and media-heavy governing style are resonating after his first 100 days, and how his affordability agenda is being…15 Apr 2026 · 41 min · 21 chapters
Sam Altman’s Trust Issues at OpenAIThe episode is a conversation about Ronan Farrow and Andrew Morantz’s New Yorker investigation into Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, focusing on “the blip” when Altman was abruptly fired and then…13 Apr 2026 · 49 min · 19 chapters
Will J. D. Vance Inherit MAGA?J.D. Vance’s political identity and trajectory—whether he can be a “MAGA heir” as he faces loyalty tests over the Iran war and high-stakes diplomacy, plus his rise from Rust Belt origins to Trump’s…10 Apr 2026 · 38 min · 16 chapters
Pam Bondi Fails to Make Her CaseThe episode dissects why U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was fired and what it means for the Justice Department under acting AG Todd Blanche, focusing on Bondi’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files…8 Apr 2026 · 42 min · 14 chapters
How Donald Trump’s War on Iran Helps Vladimir Putin’s War on UkraineHow U.S. policy toward Iran and Ukraine is strengthening Vladimir Putin’s war effort, with a focus on Russia-Iran military cooperation and Ukrainian perceptions of U.S. abandonment.6 Apr 2026 · 36 min · 17 chapters
The Art of No Deal: Trump’s Approach to the Iran WarThe episode argues that Trump’s Iran war approach is “no deal”: heavy on bluster and self-praise, light on strategy for ending the conflict or reopening the Strait of Hormuz.4 Apr 2026 · 38 min · 9 chapters
A Former Federal Prosecutor on Why He Quit Donald Trump’s Department of JusticeTroy Edwards, a former DOJ national security prosecutor, explains why he resigned after Donald Trump’s second-term DOJ leadership (Attorney General Pam Bondi) allegedly directed prosecutors to carry…31 Mar 2026 · 22 min · 10 chapters
A Mamdani Strategist’s Advice for Democrats in the 2026 MidtermsDemocrats’ prospects in the 2026 midterms, whether they can capitalize on anti-Trump momentum, and how to message on the Iran war, prices, and inequality; plus the role of “No Kings” protests.28 Mar 2026 · 47 min · 22 chapters