The Moynihan Report

In the final episode of The. Moynihan Report, Michael Moynihan takes a deep dive into the "stupid era" of modern media and the weaponization of history. From the useful idiots romanticizing the Cuban regime to the decline of the public intellectual in favor of the hyper-reactive influencer, Moynihan dissects how context is lost in our chopped-up media landscape.
The conversation moves from the town square test of free societies to the curious parallels between far-left and far-right propaganda. Michael also answers listener questions regarding his tenure at The Fifth Column, his diverging paths with other media figures, and why studying history is the only defense against an epidemic of dangerous stupidity.
(00:00) Welcome and Announcement: The Final Episode in This Format
(01:16) How to Stay Connected via Substack
(01:56) The "Open Swim" Q&A: Addressing Online Criticism
(02:35) Confronting "Useful Idiots" and the Trip to Cuba
(02:59) Discussing Brace Belden and the TrueAnon Podcast
(03:46) Criticizing Hassan Piker and The Young Turks
(04:44) The Culture of Chopped-Up Media and Contextual Misunderstandings
(06:08) Natan Sharansky’s "Town Square Test" for Free Societies
(08:17) Debunking Pro-Castro Myths and the Reality of Cuban Repression
(12:59) The Exoticization of Poverty and Propaganda Tours
(14:18) Examining Cuban Foreign Policy and Historical War Crimes
(16:13) Fact-Checking Ryan Grim and Misinformation Regarding Cuban Hotels
(20:18) Audience Question: The Similarities Between Far-Left and Far-Right Propaganda
(23:48) Douglas Murray and the Challenges of Independent Journalism
(25:07) Paul Hollander and the Psychology of Anti-Americanism
(27:29) Documenting Russian Casualties in the Ukraine War
(30:12) Audience Question: The Rise of Influencers Over Public Intellectuals
(32:42) The Benny Johnson Plagiarism Scandal and "Deep State" Narratives
(35:43) Victor Klemperer and the Manipulation of Language
(39:26) Audience Question: Diverging Paths with Megyn Kelly
(43:41) The "Real Housewives" of Conservative Politics: TPUSA and Candace Owens
(46:12) Reflecting on Ten Years of The Fifth Column
(48:33) Audience Question: Anti-Semitism and the Influence of the Israel Lobby
(55:10) Analyzing Public Support and Bipartisan Policy Toward Israel
(59:37) Audience Question: Why We Study History and the "Weaponization" of the Past
(01:10:39) Distorting Figures like Winston Churchill and Oswald Mosley
(01:13:58) Final Sign-off: Shaking Up the Snow Globe
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Eli Lake of The Free Press joins Michael Moynihan to break down his latest reporting on Donald Trump’s strategy toward Iran—what the administration is trying to achieve, how serious the military threat is, and what it could mean for the region.

They’ll unpack the policy, the politics, and the risks of escalation.

(00:11) Intro & Recent Violent Attacks
(03:27) Welcoming Eli Lake & Trump's Iran Plan
(11:41) The "Day After" in Iran & Regime Change Scenarios
(15:25) The History of Iranian Protests & State Violence
(23:43) October 7th, Hamas, & Western Leftist Support for Iran
(26:09) Critiquing Tucker Carlson & the "Israel Controls America" Narrative
(32:03) Israeli Intelligence, Operations, & Military Subsidies
(38:42) Megan Kelly, Ryan Grim, & Justifying Anti-Semitism
(54:29) MAGA Polling on Iran & Independent Media Conspiracies
(01:01:42) Show Wrap-up & Upcoming Automation Nation Event
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The Moynihan Report is an in-depth 1-on-1 interview program broadcast live from 2WAY’s New York studio

The U.S. says it is not a war. Reality looks different. Ships are being sunk in international waters. Militias are firing rockets across the region. Drones are crisscrossing the skies. Assassinations have become an instrument of statecraft. And the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil flows, is more dangerous than ever.

This week we’re joined by Emmy-nominated journalist Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani, former correspondent for VICE News Tonight, to unpack the strange geopolitical standoff between Washington and Tehran and the narrative that seems to hover over it all: the idea that Iran is perpetually on the verge of building a nuclear bomb.

(00:00) Introduction & Upcoming "Automation Nation" Live Event
(06:16) The Firing of Kristi Noem & DHS Spending Scandals
(18:46) Anthropic AI vs. The Department of Defense
(24:14) Middle East Conflict: Oil Prices & Iran's Expanded Retaliation
(29:06) Interview with Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani Begins
(31:02) The Mood in Iran: Internet Blackouts & Cautious Optimism
(38:28) The Lack of a US "Grand Plan" for Post-Regime Iran
(42:56) The Plight of Political Prisoners & Evin Prison Strikes
(48:35) Civilian Casualties & Controlling the Information War
(54:21) Caroline's Family History, US Moral Responsibility, & Book Recommendations
(1:03:23) Closing Remarks
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Attorney Arick Fudali, managing partner at The Bloom Firm and counsel for 11 survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, joins us to break down the latest controversy surrounding the DOJ’s release of millions of pages of Epstein documents. Fudali has said publicly that his clients were never contacted by the DOJ before the recent document dump, calling the rollout a “gross mishandling” that risks exposing survivors while withholding key information.

We discuss what the files reveal, what’s still missing, and why survivors’ advocates say the process falls short on transparency, accountability, and basic protections.

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Michael welcomes Jason Zengerle to discuss his new book, Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind. The book traces Carlson's ascendency, and explains how he became one of the most influential people on the far right.

Buy the book!
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