The David Frum Show

Latest Episodes:

Can Republicans Quit Trump? Nov 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his thoughts on how President Trump will behave after suffering a humiliating defeat in the 2026 midterms. David warns that the final two years of President Trump’s term could be filled with multiple constitutional crises.

Then, David is joined by Bob Inglis, a former Republican representative, to discuss what it is like to lose an election, the mindset of the defeated Republicans in 2026, and whether Republicans will do some real soul-searching after being wiped out by a blue wave. Frum and Inglis also talk about the future of faith-based politics in the GOP.

Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of the novel “All for Nothing”by Walter Kempowski, a story of a German family living out the end of the Second World War.

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How Republicans Lost Their Grip on Power Nov 07, 2026

Show notes

On this Saturday episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum discusses the consequences of the 2026 midterms and how the collapse of Republican gerrymanders could reshape American politics for decades to come.

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.

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Can Democrats Hold Trump Accountable? Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with a reminder on how hard President Trump has worked over the past two years to prevent free and fair elections in 2026.

Then David is joined by Dave Rapallo, former longtime staff director of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, for a conversation on what tools Democrats in Congress would have to investigate President Trump and how the president might respond. David and Rapallo discuss both the challenges and the opportunities for Congress ahead for reasserting the rule of law in America.

Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of “I, Robot” by Isaac Asimov and its influence on today’s tech world.

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America’s Most Useless Congress Faces the Midterms Oct 31, 2026

Show notes

On this Saturday episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic discusses the upcoming midterm elections and how they present the American people an opportunity to hold Congress accountable for its negligence. David discusses how the 2024 Congress is asleep at the wheel and the problems a new Congress, with a new majority, would urgently need to address.

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The Man Who Risked Death Documenting ISIS Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with thoughts on the coming midterm elections and the difficult position Republicans now face. He explains the political “fork” confronting Republican candidates: Having attached themselves to an increasingly unpopular president, they risk alienating either moderate voters or Trump’s loyal base.

Then, David is joined by Omar Mohammed, the formerly anonymous blogger behind Mosul Eye, to discuss his new book, Mosul Eye: A Scholar’s Clandestine War Against ISIS. They discuss life under ISIS rule, the atrocities Mohammed witnessed firsthand in Mosul, and the dangers he faced in documenting them.

Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of the role opera plays in our society.

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Is an AI Recession Coming? Oct 24, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s Saturday edition of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum discusses the possibility of an AI bubble and the bleak forecast for the American economy under President Trump.

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Will the Tech Oligarchs Turn on Trump? Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his thoughts on the growing calls for Medicare for All. David discusses how Medicare for All might actually work, why it’s impractical, and why it is fundamentally a promise Democrats cannot keep.

Then, David is joined by Kara Swisher to discuss her new podcast with Hillary Clinton, the dangers of unregulated AI, and the power of the AI oligarchs over American politics. David and Kara discuss the potential of an AI bubble and what responsible oversight of AI would look like.

Finally, David ends the episode with a discussion of “The Rise and Fall of American Growth: The U.S. Standard of Living Since the Civil War” by Robert Gordon, and whether the AI revolution changes any of Gordon’s pessimistic assessments of what has happened to American growth since 1970.

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Who Profited From Trump’s Plans? Oct 17, 2026

Show notes

On this Saturday episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum discusses the series of amazingly well-timed trades in the oil market that raise urgent questions about corruption inside the Trump administration.

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How Trump Is Selling Out Ukraine Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum discusses President Trump’s announced diesel deal with Russia, the administration’s abandonment of Ukraine, and why Trump is giving up so much to gain very little.

Then, David is joined from Kyiv by Illia Ponomarenko, a Ukrainian journalist and the author of the new book “The Land of Tears and Hope.” David and Illia talk about the history of Ukraine, its current state as the war with Russia rages on, and how and why the Trump administration seems so hostile to the country.

Finally, David concludes with discussion about why so little literature exists about the history of slavery in Eastern Europe.

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Did Marco Rubio Just Start His 2028 Campaign? Oct 10, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s Saturday episode of “The David Frum Show,” The Atlantic’s David Frum discusses Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s speech at the Acropolis in Greece and what it means for the future of the Republican Party.

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