Episodes

  • Did Trump Tower Predict the East Wing Demolition?

    Did Trump Tower Predict the East Wing Demolition?
    Nov 4 2025
    On this episode, Andrew is joined by USA Today senior editor Dan Morrison. Dan reveals how Trump’s pattern of construction during his time as a private real estate developer help explain the White House Ballroom build. Dan discusses Trump Tower, the old Commodore Hotel, and the Old Post Office.
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • Why Did Trump Pardon George Santos?

    Why Did Trump Pardon George Santos?
    Oct 28 2025
    Andrew sits down with Amy Gaines McQuade, the producer behind Deep Cover: George Santos to unpack the latest in the fabulist’s wild tale and commutation. McQuade discusses how he scammed donors, landed a seven-year sentence, and, ultimately, served just a small amount of time. McQuade also discusses what Santos’s future career could look like and whether more prosecutions lie ahead.
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • Are We in a Golden Age of Sycophancy?

    Are We in a Golden Age of Sycophancy?
    Oct 22 2025
    Globe and Mail features writer Ian Brown joins host Andrew Zucker to discuss his latest piece, “We Live in a Golden Age of Sycophancy.” Brown discusses global leaders’ use of flattery with Trump, how Canada reacted to the Carney-Trump meeting, and the dangers of bootlicking in business and beyond.

    Read Ian’s article:
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • Who Really Controls The TikTok Feed?

    Who Really Controls The TikTok Feed?
    Oct 14 2025
    Emily Baker-White, the author of Every Screen on the Planet, joins host Andrew Zucker to discuss TikTok’s rise and its ties to the Chinese government. Baker-White also reveals why Trump changed his tune about the app, and talks about the proposed deal to sell TikTok’s U.S. arm and what that means for the app’s all-powerful algorithm.
    Get more info about Emily’s new book "Every Screen on the Planet: The War Over TikTok" - https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324086673
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Meet The Man Behind Pete Hegseth’s Church

    Meet The Man Behind Pete Hegseth’s Church
    Oct 7 2025
    Wall Street Journal reporter Aaron Zitner joins host Andrew Zucker to discuss the rise and beliefs of Doug Wilson, the firebrand Christian nationalist pastor. Wilson’s controversial denomination, the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, has incredibly incendiary beliefs and recently expanded to D.C. Although tiny, CREC is becoming more popular on the right and Pete Hegseth attends one of CREC’s member churches. So what is Christian nationalism and will Wilson be a force in Republican politics in the years ahead? Zitner answers all of that and more
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Elie Honig: Jack Smith Never Had a Chance

    Elie Honig: Jack Smith Never Had a Chance
    Sep 30 2025
    On this episode, CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig discusses his new book, When You Come at the King: Inside DOJ's Pursuit of the President, from Nixon to Trump. Honig shares stories about Brett Kavanaugh’s involvement in the Ken Starr investigation, how President Grant dealt with investigations into his own presidency, and why Jack Smith couldn’t compete with the timeline Merrick Garland gave him.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Why Did Carr Go After Kimmel?

    Why Did Carr Go After Kimmel?
    Sep 24 2025
    After the Jimmy Kimmel Debacle for Trump and the FCC Andrew Zucker Is joined by WSJ reporter Maggie Severns to discuss Brendan Carr’s meteoric career ascent and recent moves at the FCC. The two chat about how Carr thinks about public interest, how he’s expanding the FCC’s mandate, and what his next moves might be at the independent agency.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • Inside the NASA-Elon Connection with Franklin Foer

    Inside the NASA-Elon Connection with Franklin Foer
    Sep 16 2025
    Andrew Zucker invites Franklin Foer to explore Elon Musk's obsession with Mars, the interdependence of SpaceX and NASA, the role of Starlink in SpaceX's business model, the political dynamics surrounding space exploration, and the evolving role of NASA in the context of privatized space exploration.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins