The David Frum Show

Latest Episodes:

Cuba Is Collapsing. Will Trump Invade? Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his thoughts on Trump’s new Iran deal and how it affects the future of the Republican Party and J. D. Vance’s presidential aspirations. David discusses the predicament that Vance finds himself in as the administration’s most vocal Iran War skeptic.

Then, David is joined by CNN’s Patrick Oppmann, who has been reporting from Cuba since 2012. Patrick and David discuss the current state of the country, the pressure that the Trump administration is putting on the ruling regime, and whether or not America will invade Cuba.

Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of Shakespeare’s “Othello” and how ancient plays can emancipate readers from some of their modern prejudices.

Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Republicans vs. the Fourteenth Amendment Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his thoughts on the Brexit vote, which was cast 10 years ago this month. David explains why Brexit has not only been a failure but has led to years of political instability in the U.K. in the decade following the British vote to leave the European Union.

Then, David is joined by professor David W. Blight to discuss the blood-soaked aftermath of the Civil War and the stumbling project to bring freedom to the former slaves of the South through the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments. David and Blight discuss Trump’s project to gut the Fourteenth Amendment to say that some people born on American soil will no longer be Americans.

Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of “1873” by Liaquat Ahamed. David reflects on the financial crisis of that year and the long price depression that followed.

Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How to Save the Supreme Court From Itself Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The David Frum Show, The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his thoughts on growing extremism in the Democratic Party. Frum compares this to the paranoia and conspiratorial thinking that cost the Republican Party dearly in the 2010s and cautions the Democrats against making the same mistakes.

Then David is joined by Kate Shaw, a co-host of the “Strict Scrutiny” podcast and a professor of law at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. David and Kate discuss the current state of the Supreme Court, whether it can be reformed, and the potential dangers of radical changes to the Court.

Finally, in honor of the class of 2026, David ends the episode with thoughts on the word “graduate” and how changes in the way we use that word reveal changes in our attitude toward individual accomplishment in American life.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Has Trump Corrupted the Military? May 27, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s episode of The David Frum Show, The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his thoughts about the recently reported peace talks between the United States and Iran. David argues that these reported talks indicate the United States is losing the war in Iran, and that the loss highlights what has always been true: The presidency is too big a job for Donald Trump.

Then David is joined by Representative Jason Crow of Colorado to discuss Trump’s politicization of the American military, lessons from the war in Iran, and the chaos at Pete Hegseth’s “Department of War”.

David ends with a discussion of James Boswell’s classic biography, The Life of Samuel Johnson.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump’s Iran War: America's Loss Is China’s Win May 20, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his reaction to President Trump’s shocking settlement with the IRS and his new $1.8 billion slush fund for victims of political “weaponization.”

Then, David is joined by Phillips O’Brien, a military historian and a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews, for a discussion about the fallout from the war in Iran, Russia’s stalemate with Ukraine, and Trump’s recent meeting with President Xi Jinping in China. Frum and O’Brien discuss Trump’s lack of commitment toward Taiwan and how he has greatly diminished America’s standing with China.

Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of “What Science Says About Astrology,” by Carlos Orsi.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What Happens if the U.S. Defaults? May 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his reaction to recent reporting surrounding the Trump family’s “patriotic,” Trump-branded cellphones. David explains how this is yet another instance of the most powerful sowing doubt about the fairness of American business and destroying confidence in the ideals of American enterprise.

Then, David is joined by Lloyd Blankfein, a former chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state of the American economy. They discuss Blankfein’s new memoir, “Streetwise”; the expanding American debt; the American people’s faith in the economy; and the challenges that lie ahead.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How to Survive Losing a Child May 06, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,” David is joined by his wife, the writer Danielle Crittenden, to discuss her new memoir, “Dispatches From Grief,” and the loss of their daughter Miranda.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who Is the Real Base of the Democratic Party? Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,”The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his thoughts about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. David examines the role of the dinner in an administration that rejects the basic concepts of honesty with and respect toward independent media. During previous administrations, there was some norm of good faith between the White House and the press. But now, as the president systematically misleads the media and is openly hostile to the press, David asks what the point of this night of pretended common purpose is.

Then, David is joined by Jamal Simmons, a host of the “Trailblaze”podcast and a former communications director for Kamala Harris, for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of the Democratic Party. David and Simmons discuss Harris’s profile among her party’s constituents, how much the online left should dictate Democratic policy, what happened in 2024, and what Democrats should do in 2028.

Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of “The Magician,” by Colm Tóibín.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Brink of Global Recession Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,”The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with a discussion of the likelihood that the partisan balance of power will shift from Republicans to Democrats at the state-government level.

Then, David is joined by the president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Adam Posen, for a conversation about the state of the world’s economy. David and Posen discuss the economic effect of the war in Iran, the United States’ reputational hit caused by Trump’s tariffs, and the chance of global recession.

Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of “Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed,” by Maureen Callahan, and reflects on why reactions to the abuse of women by men in power seem to have become a partisan issue.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Anybody Actually Winning Trump’s Iran War? Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his reaction to the recent election in Hungary and the defeat of Viktor Orbán. David counters Orbán defenders who claim that this loss proves Orbán was never a threat. Antidemocratic leaders often face institutional constraints, and it was those institutional constraints that compelled Orbán to accept a defeat after years of abuse of power.

Then, David is joined by former U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Matt Pottinger to discuss the current state of President Trump’s war in Iran. David and Pottinger talk about the recent failed negotiations between the two sides in Pakistan, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and what could happen next. They also discuss how the Iran war is viewed in China and how it has been a financial gain for Russia.

Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of “Labyrinths,” by Jorge Luis Borges.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected