Smerconish on CNN

CNN's Michael Smerconish shares his take on how Congress averted a shutdown and where Democrats align with President-elect Trump. Then, White House Wall Street Journal Reporter Annie Linskey says President Biden did not speak regularly with key cabinet members and high-ranking officials, a claim the White House denies. Followed by University of Chicago Political Science professor Robert Pape says American political violence has crossed a new, dangerous threshold into corporations. Finally, Hilary Sheinbaum, author of "Going Dry," explains why the rising popularity of non-alcoholic beverages is shifting the way Americans drink, live, and socialize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish looks back at other memorials from tragic deaths and asks if others will memorialize the UnitedHealth CEO. NYU Stern Business School Professor Scott Galloway shares his take on the public condemnation towards the healthcare industry after a suspect shot and killed UnitedHealth's CEO Brian Thompson. Two New Jersey state representatives are asking the federal government to step in and take down these drones to understand their origin. ACLU lawyer Lee Gelernt addresses the legal and ethical challenges of whether undocumented migrants could be arrested at schools, places of worship, and domestic violence centers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN's Michael Smerconish gives his take after social media users criticized the healthcare industry amid the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A retired FBI special agent joins Smerconish to discuss the latest on the manhunt for the gunman who killed a healthcare CEO in midtown Manhattan. A former CIA officer joins Smerconish to discuss the background check process that Pete Hegseth will face as Trump's Defense Secretary nominee. John Ramsey, the father JonBenét Ramsey, joins Smerconish to discuss how the new Netflix documentary surrounding his daughter's murder case will lead to an arrest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Captain for the University of Nevada Reno Women's Volleyball team joins CNN's Michael Smerconish to explain why her team chose to forfeit their game against San Jose State after hearing about an alleged trans athlete on the opposing team. Physician and Republican Ohio Congressman Brad Wenstrup shares his view on Biden's proposal to expand healthcare coverage for weight-loss drugs. Annie Jacobsen, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and New York Times Best Selling author of "Nuclear War: A Scenario" discusses the latest escalation in Russia's War against Ukraine. Finally, CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig explains how Trump's criminal cases filed by Special Counsel Jack Smith could have reached a different outcome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

House Representative Nancy Mace announced plans to introduce legislation that would bar transgender women from using women's restrooms and changing rooms in the Captial. Zoey Tur, a transgender journalist, joins CNN's Michael Smerconish to discuss the latest and how it is affecting the larger conversation on transgender rights. Then, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist, Peggy Noonan, joins to discuss Trump's latest cabinet picks and give her predictions for his presidency. Finally, did you know that nearly 70% of the United State's food supply is made up of ultra-processed foods? Michael Moss, the author of "Salt Sugar Fat," joins Smerconish to dissect why that is and introduce ways families can incorporate healthier choices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jessica Levinson, a constitutional law professor, joins CNN's Michael Smerconish to discuss what it will mean for the other branches of government if Trump's cabinet appointees are confirmed through recess appointments. Then, a senior adviser for Trump's campaign explains what Trump's mass deportation plan will look like once he's sworn into office. Finally, Thomas Frank, the author of "What's The Matter With Kansas," accurately predicted in his book 20 years ago how the rise of culture wars would drive white, working-class voters towards right-wing movements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN's Michael Smerconish takes a close look at the 2024 presidential campaigns and explains what he thinks was the biggest surprise for President-elect Donald Trump. A senior campaign adviser for Trump explains how the president-elect secured votes from the Latino community and the "massive disconnect" voters have with the Democratic Party. NYU professor of marketing Scott Galloway speaks about "aspirational masculinity" and why young men gravitated towards Trump's message. Finally, Admiral James Stavridis discusses how Russia's War in Ukraine could end and what Europe will face under Trump's second term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The polls in 2016 and 2020 underestimated Trump's popularity among voters... So what will that mean for the outcome of 2024? James Carville, David Axelrod, and Florida Congressman Byron Donalds review the divisive rhetoric echoed in the final week before Election Day and whether it'll make a difference to voters. Finally, a Princeton University lecturer argues democracy is not a winning message that will motivate voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN's Michael Smerconish interviews the U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on whether the postal service will deliver all mail-in ballots on time for the 2024 election. David Axelrod and Mark McKinnon discuss the impact of Trump's interview with Joe Rogan while Harris rallies in Houston, TX with Beyonce. Later, Marty Baron, a former executive editor for the Washington Post, chats with Michael about the Post's recent decision to not endorse a presidential candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The betting markets, stock market, cultural trends, pundits, and conventional polls are all predicting the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. Many polls in 2016 and 2020 underestimated Trump's appeal to voters. So, have pollsters adjusted their metrics for the upcoming election? CNN Political Commentator Bakari Sellers tells Michael Smerconish the narrative has completely flipped with Harris doing more press while Trump dodges debates and interviews. Finally, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Bob Woodward discusses his new book "War." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are we a nation of hope or fear? Michael Smerconish asks which emotion is more potent in this election and how both candidates are trying to connect with voters. Former Pennsylvania Congressmen Conor Lamb and Charlie Dent predict which counties will tip the keystone state and determine the winner of the 2024 presidential election. Early analysis shows homeowners will lose billions of dollars in property damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. An unsettling trend finds millions of American homeowners relocate due to the rising cost of climate disasters. And finally, retired Admiral James Stavridis discusses the chances of wider regional conflict in the Middle East and the potential spike of global oil prices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN’s Michael Smerconish asked presidential historian Allan Lichtman about the October surprise and if it ever impacts his prediction for who will win the race for the White House. Democratic strategist James Carville and senior political commentator David Urban debate on whether Vice-President Harris is playing it safe in this election. Best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell joins Michael to discuss his new book "Revenge of the Tipping Point." Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gives her take about U.S. military presence in the Middle East and her new memoir "Something Lost, Something Gained." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Smerconish begins with the breaking news out of Beirut, Lebanon where Hezbollah confirms their leader was killed from an Israeli strike on Friday. Aaron David Miller, a former State Department Middle East negotiator, tells Smerconish that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may see this regional conflict as an "opportunity" to stay in power. Tim Ryan and Dr. Scott Jensen share their predictions for the CBS News Vice-Presidential Debate after both men shared a debate stage with JD Vance and Tim Walz, respectively. Finally, David Sanger, author of "New Cold Wars" believes that Netanyahu found himself in a unique moment in American politics which allows him to defy the United States and President Biden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Smerconish and Richard Clarke, a former White House counterterrorism coordinator, discuss the looming global threats facing the U.S. while the presidential race is saturated with salacious headlines. Corey Lewandowski, a senior Trump campaign official, addresses the latest scandal involving North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. A Purdue University Political Science professor and AI expert finds that politicians can benefit from blaming AI for real scandals instead of apologizing. A national campaign tested "mobile voting" for a few military families across the country and saw an increase in voter turnout. The pilot program is now advocating for all Americans to cast their ballots through their phones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Smerconish gives his take on the ABC News Presidential debate and discusses the latest on the 2024 race with Bakari Sellers and Salena Zito. Nearly three dozen election officials are warning the U.S. Postal Service may delay the mail-in ballot count. Former President Trump will also have access to $2 billion if he decides to sell his shares from Trump Media. Max Boot, a Washington Post Columnist and Pulitzer Prize finalist speaks with Smerconish about Ronald Reagan's legacy and his success as a moderate Republican. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Too close to call? New polling show Vice President Harris and former President Trump are neck and neck in critical swing states. The stakes of the upcoming debate are even higher as both campaigns prepare to face each other for the first time. Smerconish speaks with Republican Congressman Byron Donalds to get his reaction on Dick and Liz Cheney’s recent statements. Former Senior Advisor to the Obama White House David Axelrod also joins the show to discuss the latest on Trump’s sentencing hearing and how it could potentially impact the election. Later, ProPublica Reporter Annie Waldman breaks down the lack of mental health access under insurance providers despite ‘more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults living with a mental illness.” Following recent shootings, why aren’t more politicians advocating for a change to the system? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Smerconish and Scott Galloway dissect the widening gender divide within Gen Z voters. Smerconish breaks down Trump's latest controversy following his recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Smerconish sits down with a military family member who lost her Daughter-in-Law during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Later, co-author of "The Canceling of the American Mind," Greg Lukianoff discusses Mark Zuckerberg's recent letter and Facebook's role in the 2020 election cycle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Third-Party candidates played a critical role in the 2016 presidential election. Now that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump... who will benefit more from his exit, Harris or Trump? Plus: Michael Smerconish speaks with Washington Post Columnist Perry Bacon, Jr. about why Harris needs to take questions from journalists across local news outlets. And patriotism takes center stage at DNC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Trump is reverting back to personal attacks now that Vice-President Harris rose to the top of the Democratic ticket. Michael Smerconish questions whether Harris' success derives from Trump's inability to stay on message or is the media giving her a free ride? Also on today's show: ** Is Kamala Harris getting a free pass from the media? ** Pollster predicts a wide gender gap among voters in the 2024 election ** Will not taxing tips help or hurt the service industry? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

VP possibility Josh Shapiro’s popularity “is really off the charts, extraordinary in a polarized era.” Harris' mispronounced name controversy. With possibility of nuclear arms being used in Ukraine and Iran, an expert warns, “nuclear war is as dangerous to civilization…. as the incoming asteroid was to the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices