The Smerconish Podcast

Michael talks with Steve Atkiss, former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush for Operations and a longtime presidential trip director, about the extraordinary security maneuver that separated President Trump from Air Force One in Turkey. Atkiss takes listeners inside the secretive world of presidential travel and continuity-of-government planning, sharing stories from Bush’s surprise Thanksgiving trip to Baghdad, the Trump–Kim Jong Un summit in Singapore, and other high-stakes moments where security, secrecy and presidential decision-making collide. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Would you accept both higher taxes on yourself and reduced Social Security and Medicare benefits in order to reduce the $40 trillion national debt? Michael confronts a problem Americans overwhelmingly say matters—but one Washington has repeatedly failed to solve. With the national debt now above $40 trillion and interest costs mounting, Michael revisits Pete Peterson’s warnings and the 2010 Simpson-Bowles Commission, which sought shared sacrifice through higher revenue and reduced spending. Today’s poll puts that tradeoff directly to voters: Are Americans willing to personally pay more and receive less if that’s what serious debt reduction requires? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

The U.S. national debt has crossed $40 trillion. So who pays the bill? Michael breaks down how America got here, revisits past efforts to rein in the debt, and asks whether voters would accept higher taxes or reduced Social Security and Medicare benefits. Plus, listeners join the debate with solutions of their own. Original air date 20 August 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is the Natalie Harp story Much Ado About Nothing? Jon Ossoff’s two-word reference to “Natalie” ignited a political and media firestorm around Trump aide Natalie Harp—but is there really a larger story here? Michael examines why Ossoff’s remark went viral, the backlash from conservatives, David Axelrod’s criticism of the attack, Julie K. Brown’s provocative response, and Mark Halperin’s argument that the entire episode may amount to little more than cable-news fascination. As the headlines already begin to fade, Michael asks whether the controversy revealed anything meaningful—or simply proved how quickly a provocative line can dominate the political conversation. Listen here, then vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Michael is joined by Mark Halperin to unpack the sudden scrutiny surrounding President Trump aide Natalie Harp and the backlash to Senator Jon Ossoff’s comments about her. Was Ossoff’s remark sexist—or has Washington turned a half-sentence into “much ado about nothing”? Then Michael opens the phones and hears from listeners on whether the controversy deserves all the attention it’s getting. Original air date 19 August 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.