Episodes

  • Smerconish: Don't Spend That Doge Dividend Just Yet

    Smerconish: Don't Spend That Doge Dividend Just Yet
    Feb 22 2025
    The Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk claims it saved American taxpayers about $55 billion through cost-cutting measures. But where will those extra savings go to? James Fishbank, a CEO, investor, and creator of the DOGE dividend joins CNN Michael Smerconish to explain how Americans could get a $5,000 tax refund check based off the money Elon Musk claims he saved. Then, Tymofiy Mylovanov, a former Member of President Zelensky's administration, joins CNN Michael Smerconish to discuss the latest developments in efforts by the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia to end the war in Ukraine. After, CNN Senior Data Reporter Harry Enten joins Michael Smerconish to debunk several mistruths about air travel and explain how the current news cycle can unintentionally raise the fear of flying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Civil War at the DOJ

    Civil War at the DOJ
    Feb 15 2025
    The Department of Justice is in turmoil over President Trump's desire to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. CNN Michael Smerconish shares his take on the slew of recent DOJ resignations. Elie Honig, CNN Senior Legal Analyst and former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, says U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has a management and leadership problem. Ukraine's President Zelensky is vowing that his war-torn nation isn't accepting any deals made between Russia and the U.S. without his involvement. Mixed messaging from Trump, Vance, and Hegseth makes the future of Ukraine's NATO membership uncertain. Finally, leaked audio recordings from JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon spotlights his unfiltered take on remote work policies in the nation's largest bank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Cloudy Day for Sesame Street?

    Cloudy Day for Sesame Street?
    Feb 8 2025
    The U.S. Agency for International Development is on the brink of being dismantled by the Trump administration. Should U.S. Taxpayers be funding humanitarian programing for things like Sesame Street in foreign countries? CNN's Michael Smerconish breaks down the different between 'soft power,' and 'hard power,' taking a deeper look into which one historically has been most effective. And later, Hollywood is buzzing with questions circulating around who deserves the 'Best Actress' award after old tweets resurfaced complicating one star's chances. Founder of 'The Wrap,' Sharon Waxman is here to discuss. And finally, the Philadelphia Eagles are set to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio joins to give his take on the matchup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Trans Army Pilot: "I Was Not Surprised by the Hate. This is My Reality."

    Trans Army Pilot: "I Was Not Surprised by the Hate. This is My Reality."
    Feb 1 2025
    Jo Ellis, a transgender Black Hawk pilot with 15 years of U.S. military service, addresses the hate and threats she received online after she was wrongfully accused of flying the helicopter in the fatal DC plane crash. This comes after President Trump blamed Democrats and DEI policies for the crash that killed 67 people on board a commercial flight and Black Hawk helicopter. Then, Florida Republican Congressman Byron Donalds joins Smerconish to discuss the latest DOJ firings and trade wars with America's largest trading partners. Finally, Derrick Darby, a Rutgers University professor who studies the intersection of hip-hop and political philosophy, explains how money, power, and influence led to Trump's comeback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Will Trump's January 6th Pardons Backfire?

    Will Trump's January 6th Pardons Backfire?
    Jan 25 2025
    CNN's Michael Smerconish examines the potential political risk behind President Trump's pardon for all defendants in the January 6th insurrection. Then, David Urban and Paul Begala join Smerconish to breakdown President Trump's first week back in office and his response to the nation's recent natural disasters. After that, Brad Meltzer, co-author of the New York Times Best Seller "The JFK Conspiracy," details in his new book a lesser-known 1960 assassination plot against John F. Kennedy before he started his presidential term. Lastly, Michael Oren, a former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., applauds the release of additional Israeli hostages but warns that freeing convicted terrorists through negotiations with Hamas will only incentivize kidnapping more hostages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Smerconish: Biden's Low Approval Rating May Bounce Back

    Smerconish: Biden's Low Approval Rating May Bounce Back
    Jan 18 2025
    CNN's Michael Smerconish makes the case on why President Joe Biden's approval ratings may rise after he leaves office. Then, New York Times Congressional Correspondent Annie Karni reports on how Obama, Schumer, and Jeffries worked behind closed doors to urge President Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. After that, Richard Clarke, a former White House Counterterrorism Coordinator, explains the hypocrisy behind the Tik Tok ban. Finally, New York Times Foreign Affairs Columnist and 3-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas L. Friedman explains the roadblocks President-elect Trump will face in order to resolve conflict in the Middle East. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Sen. Whitehouse: Effects of Climate Change Could Plummet the U.S. Economy

    Sen. Whitehouse: Effects of Climate Change Could Plummet the U.S. Economy
    Jan 11 2025
    As the California wildfires continue to rage, CNN's Michael Smerconish breaks down how the climate crisis affects the insurance industry. Rhode Island Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins the program to warn about how the effects of climate change could potentially lead to another U.S. economic downfall. Kate Klonick, an associate professor at St. John's University School of Law gives her take on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg removing fact-checkers from moderating content across Meta's platforms. And finally, the editor of Cleveland.com joins Michael to discuss how U.S. newspapers are giving previously convicted or wrongfully accused Americans the "right to be forgotten." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Tragedies Demand Transparency, Not a Troupe

    Tragedies Demand Transparency, Not a Troupe
    Jan 4 2025
    CNN Michael Smerconish shares his take on why the press conferences that followed the New Orleans terrorist attack were in poor taste and counterproductive. Bruce Hoffman, a senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations, explains the indirect connection between the New Orleans terrorist attack and the Tesla Cyber truck explosion in Las Vegas. Legendary Democratic strategist James Carville breaks down why the economy will always be the central issue in any presidential election and what Democrats need to do to win. Richard Reeves, author of "Of Boys and Men," explains how economic, social, and cultural issues are driving a wedge between young men and women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    47 mins