RealClearPolitics Podcast

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A True Free Speech Issue Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Tom Bevan, Philip Wegmann, and Emily Jashinsky discuss new reporting on the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel from ABC and the ongoing debate over whether this is a true free speech issue. Then, they discuss a new Axios story saying AOC is considering a presidential run in 2028, and they also give up this week's "You CANNOT Be Serious" picks. Next, Tom Bevan chats with Dr. Scott Atlas, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and Co-Founder of the Global Liberty Institute, about his RCP article on the struggles of GenZ. And finally, RCP contributor Maggie Miller talks with psychologist and lead investigator Christopher J. Ferguson of RealClear Investigations about what many consider one of society’s last taboos: acknowledging that women can also be perpetrators of violence in relationships. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Suspension of Jimmy Kimmel from ABC Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss the reaction to the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel from ABC, and the role that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and President Trump have played in the network’s decision. Then, they talk about President Trump’s announcement from the UK that he will designate Antifa as a major terrorist group, and what that may mean at the Justice Department and the FBI going forward. Plus, they discuss today’s excerpt from Kamala Harris’ forthcoming book published by the Atlantic, in which she says Pete Buttigieg was her first choice as running mate, but thought that pairing a gay man and a black woman on the presidential ticket “was too big of a risk". Then finally, Carl Cannon talks with Tim Shriver, founder and CEO of UNITE and co-creator of the Dignity Index, about how to regain civility in our public discourse. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Where Did This Come From? Sep 16, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the reaction to Attorney General Pam Bondi’s remarks yesterday concerning hate speech, and Stephen Miller’s comments that the Justice Department would pursue “left-wing organizations that are promoting violence in this country.” Then they discuss today’s Senate hearing featuring FBI Director Kash Patel, his handling of the investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and his stewardship of the agency so far. They talk about U.S relations with Venezuela after the U.S. blew up a second Venezuelan vessel that was allegedly carrying drugs destined for America. Also, remembering actor and activist Robert Redford, who died today at the age of 89. RCP Contributor Charlie Stone talks to New York Times journalist and author David Gelles about his new biography, Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away.

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The Debate Over Free Speech, Cancel Culture and the First Amendment Sep 15, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the debate over free speech, cancel culture and the First Amendment in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the President’s assertion that leftwing groups were “already under major investigation". They also talk about the politics behind New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s endorsement of New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Plus, today’s announcement that the United States and China are close to an agreement that will allow TikTok to continue operation in the United States. Then finally, Carl Cannon talks to RCP contributor and former State Department official Peter Berkowitz about his most recent article for RCP, ‘Debunking Genocide Allegations Against Israel". Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect in Custody Sep 12, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss the apprehension of a suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and statements by Republican Governor Spencer Cox of Utah and Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont on the political impact of Kirk’s murder. They also talk about President Trump’s plan to send the National Guard to Memphis, and they give up their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Next, Andrew Walworth talks to RCP contributor Richard Porter about Charlie Kirk’s legacy, and the future of Turning Point USA and other organizations Kirk founded. Will they continue without him? And finally, Carl Cannon talks to RCP contributors Joel Kotkin and Wendell Cox about their recent RCP article, “Revival: Americans Heading Back to the Hinterlands,” concerning why more Americans are moving to smaller communities, and how that demographic trend may affect American politics in the future. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reactions to the Assassination of Charlie Kirk Sep 11, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, including President Trump’s announcement that he would award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously, and the firing of commentator Matthew Dowd for on-air remarks made on MSNBC. Then, they run down the many ways the country is recognizing the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. And, they talk about today’s inflation numbers released by The Bureau of Labor Statistics and next week’s Federal Reserve meeting, when the Fed will vote on whether to raise short-term interest rates and if so, by how much. Plus, a federal judge has ruled that Fed Governor Lisa Cook can participate in the meeting and remain on the job pending resolution of her lawsuit against the Trump Administration. And then finally, Carl Cannon talks to RCP White House Correspondent Phil Wegmann, who has been on pool duty at the White House for the past 24 hours. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Tragic Shooting of Charlie Kirk Sep 10, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the shooting of Charlie Kirk today while speaking on a college campus in Orem, Utah. And they discuss Donald Trump calling for the death penalty for the killer of Iryna Zaratska, a Ukrainian woman murdered in August on a light rail train in Charlotte, South Carolina by an assailant who was out on cashless bail. Then, they talk about the first excerpt from Kamala Harris’ new book 107 Days, published today in The Atlantic, where she discusses Joe Biden’s decision whether to run again in 2024, and says that the White House did not support her during her term as Vice President. Next, they talk about a new executive order that may grossly curtail pharmaceutical advertising on television, and the economic impact that may have on television news programs that rely on advertising by drug companies. And finally, Andrew talks to James Robbins, Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC about Russia’s use of drones to violate Polish airspace last night, and whether the Trump Administration will respond with more sanctions against Russia and its trading partners. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Revisions to Employment Data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Sep 09, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss todays’ revisions to employment data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the reaction to the release of videotape of a horrific attack of a woman riding a bus in Charlotte, N.C. by an assailant who had been arrested 14 times and was released pending trial on cashless bail. They also talk about the release by House Democrats of the birthday card for Jeffrey Epstein allegedly written and signed by Donald Trump, as well as other subpoenaed documents from the Epstein estate. And they discuss the feud between Vice President JD Vance and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) over the U.S. missile attack on a Venezuelan boat that killed 11 alleged drug smugglers. Plus, they discuss “Operation Midway Blitz,” the Administration’s immigration enforcement initiative launched in Chicago, and the reaction of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Then finally, RCP Contributor Maggie Miller talks with RealClear Investigations writer John Murawski about the state of civics education in America’s high schools and the Jack Miller Center, which is training teachers to teach civics using original documents. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Aftermath of the Hyundai ICE Raid Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and RCP senior elections analyst Sean Trende discuss the aftermath of last week’s ICE raid on a huge Hyundai plant in Georgia and the prospects of the National Guard being deployed to Chicago and Boston. They also examine the most recent polls for the upcoming gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virgina, and the mayor’s race in New York City. Plus, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya agrees that Florida is right to lift vaccine requirements, citing Europe’s comparative success with voluntary vaccines. Next, Carl Cannon talks to George Condon of the National Journal about Randal “Duke” Cunningham, who was both a decorated Navy pilot and a convicted member of Congress. Cunningham died last week at the age of 83. And finally, Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon talk to Dr. Matthew Bunson, Vice President and Editorial Director for EWTN about the Catholic Church’s recognition this weekend of two new saints, including Carlo Acutis, a young man who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15 and has been called “the patron saint of the internet” and “God’s Influencer”. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is the Federal Reserve About to Cut Interest Rates? Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss today’s employment numbers, Trump’s reaction to them, and whether the Federal Reserve will cut rates in September. They wonder if Trump will send the National Guard to New Orleans instead of Chicago, and they chat about DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s handling of the takeover of the city’s police department. Then, they discuss author Malcolm Gladwell’s recent statement that he misrepresented his own views on men participating in women’s sports three years ago because he felt “cowed” at the time. Plus, the guys give up this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. Next, Carl talks to RCP contributor and author of "A Declaration of Independents"; Greg Orman about Elon Musk’s political influence and whether Musk should continue his support for the GOP. And finally, Andrew talks to RCP national political correspondent Susan Crabtree about her recent RCP article on the fight between Jewish teachers and the National Education Association, the country’s largest teachers union, concerning teaching the Holocaust and other Jewish topics in public schools. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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