Political Breakdown

In this final episode of the Close All Tabs miniseries, host Morgan Sung examines the increasing power of social media influencers in politics. Joined by WIRED senior tech and politics writer Makena Kelly, Morgan dives into the growing tensions between influencers and traditional journalists and explores how “shadow money” is quietly flowing to influencers for political endorsements, keeping the public in the dark about who’s funding content. Read the transcript of this episode here. Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at podcasts@KQED.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On their final Friday roundtable before election day, Marisa, Scott and Guy share their top under-the-radar races they're following and discuss the biggest burning questions they have ahead of Tuesday's vote. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two of the nation’s largest newspapers have seen upheaval following their billionaire owners' decisions to block endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris and keep the editorial boards silent. NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik joins Marisa and Scott to fill us in on the drama at the LA Times and Washington Post and examine what these non-endorsements could tell us about the media under a potential second Trump presidency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waves of Republicans, including former advisors, have been speaking out against former President Donald Trump, saying he meets the “definition of a fascist” and lacks fitness for office. Scott and Marisa are joined by "Never-Trumper" Republican strategist Sarah Longwell to get her take on the election. Longwell is the executive director of Republican Voters Against Trump, publisher of The Bulwark and host of "The Focus Group" podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A large percentage of voters under the age of 40 say they’re planning to vote, including some 40 million members of Gen Z who will be eligible to vote by November 5th in the U.S. So what are their priorities in choosing a candidate for president? Is it the war in Gaza? The economy? Immigration? Climate change? Scott is joined by KQED's Ezra David Romero, who’s been reporting on how three first-time Gen Z voters in the Bay Area are feeling about the election. Then, Cathy J. Cohen, founder and director of the GenForward Survey, talks with Scott about what polling tells us about young voters' top issues this election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Proposition 33 on the statewide ballot would remove state limits on rent control that have been in place since 1995 and give power back to local governments to enact or change rent control policies. Bay Curious host Olivia Allen-Price talks about Proposition 33 with KQED housing reporter Vanessa Rancaño as a part of Prop Fest, a collaboration from Bay Curious and The Bay podcasts, where they break down each of the 10 statewide propositions that will be on your November ballot. Check out KQED’s Voter Guide for more information on state and local races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Close All Tabs, host Morgan Sung examines the rise of “stan culture” in politics, where passionate supporters rally around political figures with the same fervor typically reserved for pop stars. Morgan is joined by tech and culture reporter Kat Tenbarge to unpack the evolution of cults of personality in digital spaces, what makes some candidates more “stan-worthy” than others, and how all of this has troubling implications for public discourse. Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at podcasts@KQED.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most controversial initiatives on the California ballot this year is Proposition 36, which would roll back some criminal justice reforms and make it easier to send repeat shoplifters and drug users to jail or prison. Marisa and Guy are joined by the San Francisco Chronicle's Sophia Bollag to talk about whether Prop 36 can do what its proponents say it will. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump court Latino voters, Marisa and Scott talk with Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano about the illusive "Latino vote." Arellano recently took a seven day roadtrip through the American Southwest to talk to Latinos about the election and what issues matter to them most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political Breakdown continues their series “Balance of Power” covering California’s key congressional districts that could determine the balance of power in Congress next year. Today, Scott and Marisa are joined by Los Angeles Times enterprise reporter Hailey Branson-Potts to talk about the 27th congressional district race in northern Los Angeles County. Republican incumbent and former Navy combat pilot Mike Garcia is facing Democrat George Whitesides, who’s a former chief of staff at NASA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Election day is just two weeks away and local officials are bracing for what happens before and after the voting ends. In conservative Shasta County, a new election chief is trying to carry out an election that is secure and accurate in the face of widespread rumors, misinformation and false conspiracy theories from local residents. KQED's enterprise and accountability reporter Alex Hall has been reporting on the political climate in Shasta — a county Trump won with 65% of the vote in 2020 — and other counties to see how partisanship and general distrust of government are playing out this election season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the closing weeks of his campaign, former President Donald Trump has ratcheted up threats that if he wins, he’ll use federal agencies like the FBI, the IRS and even the U.S. military to go after perceived enemies who oppose his agenda or criticize him. Scott and Marisa talk about this with Protect Democracy's Ben Raderstorf, who says the Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity makes those threats a real possibility. For more, check out our series from the summer examining Project 2025 and what a second Trump presidency might look like: If Trump Wins: Project 2025 If Trump Wins: Government and Democracy If Trump Wins: Immigration and Foreign Affairs If Trump Wins: Climate If Trump Wins: Economy Plus, listen back to our interview with Raderstorf from June: “Protect Democracy” Warns How Trump 2.0 Could Lead to Authoritarianism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Close All Tabs, host Morgan Sung dives into the world of viral political memes with TechCrunch senior writer Amanda Silberling, unraveling the origins of the infamous JD Vance “couch rumor.” What began as a seemingly frivolous post on X about the Republican VP nominee spiraled into a meme with real-world consequences, shifting the tone of the race. Morgan is also joined by Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, to explore the fragile line between satire and disinformation in modern politics. Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at podcasts@KQED.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the election less than three weeks away, the temperature is rising, the attacks are escalating and the candidates are making last minute moves with an eye toward the finish line. In Oakland, the proposed recall of Mayor Sheng Thao is heating up. Thao has been on a media blitz this week, pushing back against the recall, which will appear on the November ballot. This morning, former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf told Scott that she supports the recall of Thao. Marisa, Scott and Guy discuss this East Bay political battle. Listen to Thao's interview on Political Breakdown from earlier this week: Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Makes Her Case Against A Recall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political Breakdown continues their series examining the key California congressional races that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives next year. Today, Marisa and Scott have conversations with the candidates in the 13th congressional district — a Central Valley district including all of Merced County and parts of Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno and San Joaquin counties. The Republican incumbent John Duarte faces a rematch against Democrat and former state Assemblyman Adam Gray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is facing a recall less than two years after taking office. Her critics say the city is out of control with crime, homelessness and a general lack of leadership. Adding to her problems, the FBI raided her home a several months ago as part of a federal investigation into a recycling company. Thao joins Scott to answer her critics and make her case for defeating the recall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political Breakdown continues their tour of California's key congressional districts that could determine the balance of power in Congress next year. Today, Marisa and Scott go to California's Inland Empire, where Scott's been reporting on the rematch for the 41st congressional district. The Republican incumbent Ken Calvert, who's held the seat for more than three decades, faces the openly gay 39-year-old Democrat Will Rollins, who helped prosecute the January 6th rioters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Close All Tabs, a special KQED podcast series exploring the intersection of internet culture and politics. In this first episode, host Morgan Sung takes us through the evolution of online campaigning—from the early days of dial-up modems to today’s Twitch streams. We’ll revisit iconic moments like “the Dean scream” and “Pokemon Go to the polls,” examine how memes became a legitimate political force, and discuss why Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are turning to podcasters and streamers to reach voters. Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at podcasts@KQED.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Proposition 36 on the statewide ballot would roll back some of the criminal justice reforms voters passed a decade ago and make it easier to increase penalties for some drug and retail theft crimes. Marisa talks with Bay Curious host Olivia Allen-Price about the measure as part of Prop Fest, a collaboration from Bay Curious and The Bay podcasts, where they break down each of the 10 statewide propositions that will be on your November ballot. Check out KQED’s Voter Guide for more information on state and local races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has been a lightning rod for criticism since he was sworn into office in December 2020. The former San Francisco police chief and DA came into office in LA promising a change from the “tough on crime” policies of his predecessor. Now, multiple recall attempts and four years later, Gascón is seeking reelection. His opponent, former federal prosecutor and defense attorney Nathan Hochman, appears to be mounting an incredibly strong challenge for the office. Marisa and Scott discuss the race and candidates with Elex Michaelson, co-anchor of the evening news on FOX 11 LA and host of the weekly statewide political show The Issue Is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices