The Dispatch Podcast

GOP Sen. Tom Cotton joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss his news book, Seven Things You Can't Say About China, as well as the looming military threats against Taiwan and the Republican Party’s divided foreign policy views. The Agenda: —Tariff trouble —The China threat is more severe than most Americans realize —Taiwan’s defense spending needs to increase significantly —The foreign-policy divide within the GOP —China’s influence in global trade Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liberation Day has come … and Sarah Isgur is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Steve Hayes, and Michael Warren to help figure out exactly what we’re being liberated from. The Agenda: —Party like it’s 1889 —Tariff myths, debunked —Liberating Republicans from a midterm win —Are the experts right (on tariffs)? —“Every word of Trump's claim is false.” —Democrats win in Wisconsin —NWYT: Third terms The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie Weinstein is joined by John Bolton, former ambassador to the United Nations and Donald Trump’s onetime national security adviser, to discuss the Trump administration’s mass deportation program, the “loss of American prestige,” and the Signal saga. The Agenda: —“Loss of American prestige” on the world stage —How to negotiate with Greenland —The Soviet Union won —“The biggest trade deal in history” —Why does Trump attack our allies? —Groupchat-gate —Trump’s deportations are “performance art” —The "Free World" is gone The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Agenda: —The Atlantic: The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans —The Goldbergs —War plans vs. attack plans vs. whatever —How to handle classified information as a reporter —Hillary was bad, too —Kurt Schlichter: Troll —NWYT: Snow White? Show Notes: —The Dispatch's reporting on Signal —TMD on the Houthi group chat The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Kessler, the executive vice president for policy at the Third Way think tank, joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss the failures of the Biden administration, where Democrats could gain ground, and whether Donald Trump will lose his mojo. The Agenda: —What is Third Way? (00:00) —Did the Democrats botch the government funding fight? (1:48) —Where Trump could lose his mojo (5:00) —Dealing with defeat and Trump’s first few months (7:00) —Democrats are out of touch (15:30) —Transgender issues and winning common-sense battles (19:00) —Israel, education, and young voters (28:00) —Should Joe Biden have stayed in the race? (36:30) The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur is joined by Megan McArdle, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve Hayes to discuss the rise of “Abundance Democrats” and Donald Trump's attack on judicial independence. The Agenda: —Chuck Schumer falls into the John Boehner trap —What are “Abundance Democrats”? —Libs discover supply-side matters —People don’t care about procedure —Did Vladimir Putin laugh at Trump? —Gaza ceasefire breakdown —NWYT: Sad beige homes The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political analyst Juan Williams joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss his new book, New Prize for These Eyes, which argues that America is experiencing a second civil rights movement, distinct from the first. He explores the impact of Barack Obama’s presidency on race relations, the backlash that followed, and the emergence of movements like Black Lives Matter. The Agenda: —Barack Obama’s 2004 speech: a pivotal moment —The use of race in presidential campaigns —Diversity taking care of itself —Black Lives Matter, the movement and the grift —Is a post-racial America possible? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Dispatch Podcast, Sarah Isgur, Michael Warren, Steve Hayes, and David French discuss the battle for the First Amendment. Should Columbia University student protester Mahmoud Khalil be deported over speech? The Agenda: —Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest raises 1A concerns —Shout F.I.R.E and deport Charlie Cooke —How much economic pain will Trump tolerate? —Steve Hayes hardest hit from Spanish wine tariffs —De Gaulle was right —NWYT: secret videotaping and crying children Show Notes: —Trump's Polk painting —Jonah Goldberg: Free Speech Rites —Nick Catoggio: Lesser Evils The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Democratic organizer Brianna Wu joins Adaam James Levin-Areddy for a conversation about her journey from leftist activism to clashing with leftists about antisemitism and the recklessness of transgender politics. Wu opens up on the challenges that come with standing up to one’s own tribe, the importance of defending liberal values, and how to think responsibly—and compassionately—about sex and gender. The Agenda: —How Gamergate changed everything —The (de)evolution of progressive politics —October 7 and Jewish mothers —Can normie liberalism bridge the partisan divide? —Transgender healthcare vs. transgender politics Show Notes: —The Pros and Cons of 'Queer' (w/ Jamie Kirchick) —Jesse Singal for The Dispatch: How The American Media Distorted the Transgender Debate The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To Sarah Isgur's dismay, today's episode is heavy on the foreign policy. Between last week’s humiliation of Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump’s apparent embrace of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and the remilitarization of our European allies, the outlook for Pax Americana isn’t bright.Sarah, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve Hayes also compare notes on the highs and lows from Trump's address to a joint session of Congress before finally getting around to their discussion of woke chili. The Agenda: —Is this Putin's world now? —Zelensky's errors. Trump's disgrace. —The allies step up —Our gelded Congress —Good television —Beans are woke Show Notes: —Better Righteous than Right About Ukraine? —The key to understanding Donald Trump’s approach to the Ukraine war —The Remnant with Chris Stirewalt The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Anti-Defamation League's CEO Jonathan Greenblatt thinks it's time for the organization to reinvent itself. As American Jews face a historic surge in violence, Greenblatt wants the ADL to rethink its old alliances and go on offense: targeting radicals –– and the education system that creates them. He joins Adaam to discuss the ADL's anti-Semitism report card for elite schools (published today), the organization's historical commitment to classical liberalism and a broader civil rights coalition, the left's betrayal of Jews, Elon Musk and the Trump administration, and the challenge of differentiating anti-Semitism from anti-Zionism. The Agenda: -The ADL's history is the story of American civil rights -Playing the liberal game -The Elon Musk gesture and finding new allies -CAIR -Can the Ivy League be saved? (Or is it time to build something new?) -Anti-Semitism vs Anti-Zionism (Can Jews be Anti-Semitic?) -Blindspots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Kirchick, author of The End of Europe, joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss Vice President J.D. Vance’s controversial speech at the Munich Security Conference, the recent German elections, and the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The Agenda: —Vice President J.D. Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference —Breaking down Germany’s political parties —Angela Merkel’s policies contributed to the rise of the AfD —Immigration issues across Europe —Denmark's approach to immigration —What’s going on with the Tate bros? —Rape gang controversies in the UK Show Notes: —James' essay for the New York Times The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, the first several weeks of the second Trump administration has feltchaotic. Many a crazy thing has been spoken, declared, and tweeted.But on today’s episode, Sarah Isgur, Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and David French discuss what Trump has actually done. The Agenda: —NIH cuts causing chaos in the medical field —Foreign policy shift during the recent UN security council vote —Political favoritism —Should there be kid-free spaces? —Anti-woke chili will have to wait Show Notes: —Yuval Levin's piece for The New Atlantis on NIH cuts The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes was joined over the weekend by Chris Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, at the 2025 Principles First summit in Washington, D.C. The two discussed why Christie initially endorsed Donald Trump in 2016, the Trump administration’s decision to side with Vladimir Putin, and where the line of a “constitutional crisis” is. Watch the interview here. The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss the first month of Donald Trump’s presidency and whether or not we should hit the panic button over the elected “king.” The Agenda: —Separating signal from the noise —The seven-year itch (to ghost) —Will SCOTUS stop President Trump? —Using the Justice Department —The future of the GOP The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and Steve Hayes to discuss Trump's social media post calling Zelensky a "dictator," the downside of DOGE, and the White House's monarchy "joke." The Agenda: —Zelensky, “a dictator without elections” —Are we now a pro-Russian country? —Good guys vs. bad guys —Banning the Associated Press from the press room —AP name games —The downside of DOGE —Entitlement reform —“Long live the king” Show Notes: —Peter Baker: Trump flips the switch on Ukraine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

War correspondent Tim Mak joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss the latest news out of Ukraine following President Donald Trump’s calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Agenda: —What’s on the negotiating table? —Throwing Ukraine to the wolves —Ukraine’s response to the Biden administration’s actions —Russia’s economic issues —Controlling rare earth minerals The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur is joined by David French and a tanned Jonah Goldberg to discuss the legacy of cancel culture, the impact President Trump’s negotiating style will have on the future of Gaza, and the sorry state of American public schools. The Agenda: —Cheap grace when forgiving people —A lot of FAFO’ing in the Middle East —Solving the public education crisis —Ending proceduralism —Pro-penny lobby: Talk to us Show Notes: —Tom Friedman's piece on Trump and Gaza Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Einat Wilf, a former member of Israel’s Labor Party and co-author of The War of Return, joins Adaam James Levin-Areddy once again to discuss President Donald Trump’s supposed plan to encourage Palestinians to voluntarily self-deport from the Gaza Strip—and what it means for the future of the conflict. The Agenda: —Consequences for aggressors —Where does the money go? —No one knows Gaza’s future —What is Gaza? —The drip, drip, drip of hostages Show Notes: —Friday’s Dispatch Podcast Roundtable mentioning the Trump-Netanyahu meeting —Dr. Wilf on The Remnant —Dr. Wilf and Adaam discuss the history of UNRWA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur is joined by Jonah Goldberg and Steve Hayes to discuss President Donald Trump’s latest saber-rattling tactics against our allies and enemies—and whether his bluffs will pay off. The Agenda: —Did free trade policies fail? —Global saber rattling (IEEPA?) —Scott Lincicome: Why Donald Trump is wrong about tariffs —Trump fishes with dynamite —Gaz-a-Lago —Will Trump ever follow through? —USAID: Carrot-and-stick or waste? —Let’s not commit war crimes —David Hogg as Democratic National Committee vice chair Show Notes: —Thank God for the stock market. —Our fact check on the Politico-USAID story —Lara Trump to join Fox News The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices