RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon preview tonight’s address to the nation by President Donald Trump and discuss the politics surrounding the fact that Congress will likely end the year without extending subsidies to the ACA. Then, Democratic strategist Maria Cardona joins the guys to discuss the state of the Democratic Party, strategies to win Congress in 2026, and the presidency in 2028. And finally, they discuss President Trump’s $10 billion libel suit against the BBC and Mediaite’s list of the most influential people in the news media in 2025, which includes Megyn Kelly who they ranked as number three. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles interview with Vanity Fair published today, where she said the President has an “alcoholic personality” and spoke critically of some top Trump Administration figures. They also talk about a Washington Post article based on Rasmusen pollster Mark Mitchell’s meeting with President Donald Trump which outlines the stressed relationship between President Trump and his MAGA base. Next, lawyer and frequent RCP contributor Richard Porter joins the guys to discuss Mayor Brandon Johnson’s leadership in Chicago and Illinois governor JB Pritzker’s chances to win the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Then, they discuss Vice President JD Vance’s visit today to Pennsylvania, where he addressed affordability. And finally, they talk about the conviction by Chinese authorities of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai for sedition, and whether the US and Britain can take steps to free him. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss three violent incidents from the weekend: the antisemitic massacre at Bondi Beach in Australia that left 15 dead and 40 wounded, the shooting at Brown University where the assailant is still at large, and the attack on U.S. troops in Syria that left two US soldiers and an interpreter dead. Then, they discuss CBS News Editor Bari Weiss’ town hall event with Erika Kirk and the announcement that Kirk plans to meet privately with Candace Owens. Next, they talk about the fight over control of Warner Bros/Disney between Netflix and Paramount, and what it may mean for the future of CNN. Then finally, they discuss the release by House Democrats of new photos and images from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, including pictures of Donald Trump. And tragically, director and political activist Rob Reiner and his wife were murdered this weekend, Reiner’s son is in custody, and President Donald Trump reacted with a social media post. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss President Donald Trump’s social media post pardoning ex-Colorado election office Tina Peters, who was convicted on state charges of election interference and sentenced to a nine-year prison term. Trump’s pardon raises questions of the limits on presidential pardons, which are largely understood to apply only to federal crimes, not to convictions by individual states, as is in the Peters case. Also, the Indiana Senate yesterday rejected a Trump-backed redistricting map, and other states are seeming to back off from efforts to gerrymander districts for partisan gain before the 2026 midterms. Then, they discuss new videos, photos and files obtained by CBS News showing what alleged Minnesota Somali scammers did with the proceeds of COVID related fraud against the federal government. Also, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was grilled yesterday during a House hearing, in which Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) referred to the ambush of two National Guardsman in Washington, DC as an "unfortunate accident". Then, they talk about Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s announcement that the city would proceed with a corporate head tax on employees working within the city, despite objections from fellow Democrats. And finally, the guys share their "You Cannot Be Serious" stories for the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss the interception of an oil tanker by the U.S. Navy yesterday off the coast of Venezuela, today’s Senate vote on healthcare subsidies, and where Congress will go next on funding Obamacare. Then, Jonathan Butcher, author of the new book The Polarization Myth, joins the guys to discuss research Butcher says reveals that Americans are less divided on certain key social issues than is portrayed by the media. And then, they talk about today’s introduction of the “Trump Gold Card,” a new U.S. visa that foreigners can purchase for $1 million and is predicted to raise billions for the U.S. treasury. Also, controversy surrounds the new Barrack Obama Presidential Library, scheduled to open in six months in Chicago on land that was formerly part of the historic Jackson Park. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.