The Smerconish Podcast

A botched execution in Tennessee, a firing squad in Texas, record-setting executions in Florida, and a possible mass commutation of death sentences in California. America's death penalty debate is back in the spotlight. Michael is a longtime supporter of capital punishment, but admits he's questioning his position more than ever. Is the death penalty justice or revenge? Does it deter crime? And what happens when the justice system gets it wrong? Michael examines the latest developments and takes calls from listeners on both sides of this deeply divisive issue. Original air date 8 October 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Do you agree with Mark Halperin that as the media has gotten more diverse, the bias of the dominant media against Trump has worsened?

More media choices than ever—but is mainstream news coverage becoming less fair? Michael Smerconish examines journalist Mark Halperin's provocative argument that legacy media outlets have grown increasingly biased against Donald Trump, even as podcasts, cable news, and independent platforms reshape the information landscape. Halperin contends that anti-Trump sentiment has become embedded in newsroom culture, making it harder for Republicans to receive balanced coverage. But Michael questions whether a truly "dominant media" still exists when Americans can choose news that reinforces their beliefs. Is this systemic bias, justified scrutiny, or something more complicated? Cast your vote at Smerconish.com, 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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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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