The Smerconish Podcast

Is the press giving Donald Trump and Republicans a fair shake? 2WAY Political Analyst Mark Halperin joins Michael Smerconish to argue that America’s “dominant media” applies a different standard to Democrats and Republicans—and that the problem has only intensified in the Trump era. They discuss coverage of Trump’s record and Democratic flip-flops, plus the extraordinary success of Fox News as it marks 30 years on the air today. Then, listeners weigh in, challenging—and defending—Halperin’s case. Original air date 7 October 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Prior to a verdict, who should remain anonymous in a rape accusation case? Only the accuser, both the accuser and the accused, or no one?
Michael examines the difficult balance between victim privacy, the presumption of innocence, and the public’s right to know. Using the Cornell rape case as a backdrop, he looks at why the accuser remains anonymous while the seven accused men have been publicly identified, photographed, and discussed despite no criminal charges. He also considers how social media, newsroom traditions, past false-accusation cases, and the lasting power of online reputational damage complicate an already fraught question. Listen here, then vote. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Listen to Michael's Book Club Podcast interview with Annie Jacobson on her latest book "Biological War: A Scenario"

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should New York Attorney General Letitia James be the person to investigate the Cornell rape case? Michael examines whether AG James can fairly oversee the high-profile Cornell case after publicly referring to the accuser as a “survivor” before an investigation was completed. Drawing on arguments from former federal prosecutor Elie Honig and attorney Justin Dillon, Michael explores the appearance of prejudgment, prosecutors’ ethical obligations, and lessons from the 2006 Duke lacrosse case. The issue isn’t whether the allegations deserve investigation—they do. The question is whether James is the right person to conduct it. Listen here, then cast your own vote - and be sure to RATE, REVIEW, and SHARE this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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The latest developments in the Cornell rape case raise a complicated question: When is someone too intoxicated to legally consent to sex? Michael breaks down New York’s rape laws, the controversial “voluntary intoxication” loophole, and why the distinction between being drugged, unconscious, and voluntarily intoxicated could make this case extraordinarily difficult to prosecute. Plus, new reporting on recorded phone calls involving the Cornell students and Michael’s conversation with listeners about whether New York law should change. Original air date 5 October 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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