Program - Weekend Show

Townhall Review - December 21, 2024 Hugh Hewitt turns to Jason Smith, Missouri Representative and Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, on the need to deliver early on the Trump tax cuts if the GOP wants to keep the majority in 2016. Charlie Kirk turned to Patrick Bet-David for a look at Donald Trump’s return to the political stage, which has starkly contrasted his previous campaigns in 2016 and 2020. Trump’s approach this time feels fundamentally different, focused on winning and uniting allies—even critics. Hugh turns to Byron York of the Washington Examiner and weighs in on the $16 million settlement involving Disney/ABC and George Stephanopoulos. Mike Gallagher also addresses the settlement, framing it as evidence of dishonesty and bias in the legacy media. He argues the payout reflects years of lies and an effort to avoid accountability for misinformation. John Solomon and Lee Smith, author of Disappearing the President, discuss the erosion of free speech dating back to Trump’s removal from Twitter in 2021, how tactics born in the American liberal movement are influencing global politics, and the importance of restoring institutions like the FBI to serve the American people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - December 14, 2024 Hugh Hewitt turns to Matt Continetti of the Washington Free Beacon for analysis of Israel’s military campaign and its implications. Hugh and Morgan Ortagus, of Polaris National Security and a former State Department official, discuss the U.S. policy missteps in the Middle East. criticizing the Obama-Biden approach to the Middle East. Hugh interviews Senate Majority Leader-elect John Thune about the critical items on Congress’s agenda, including support for the AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act and extending tax cuts to drive economic growth before the midterms. Hugh welcomes Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press and host of the Honestly podcast. Weiss reflects on the fractured media landscape and the rise of alternative outlets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - December 7, 2024 Scott Jennings of CNN, sitting in for Mike Gallagher, talks with Congressman James Comer about the implications of President Biden issuing a full and sweeping pardon for his son, Hunter Biden. Congressman Comer calls it just "the tip of the iceberg" in the Biden family's alleged financial crimes. Chris Stigall, asks retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, for insights on how Trump's resolve to end the stalemated conflict in Ukraine/Russia. Kellogg highlights Trump's focus on "stopping the killing" and reducing the financial burden on the American people. Victor Davis Hanson critiques the Biden administration’s handling of national security and foreign policy. Hanson contrasts Biden's "dark cynicism" with optimism surrounding Trump's plans for his next administration. Larry Elder unpacks the Hunter Biden laptop story, calling it a major instance of election interference by U.S. agencies. He contrasts the treatment of the Biden family with how similar evidence against Trump’s family would be handled. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review – November 30, 2024 Dennis Prager discusses the meaning of Thanksgiving and the words of our first president, George Washington, and President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation during the Civil War that created the holiday. Dennis Prager talks to Alex Epstein about his book, “Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas – Not Less.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - November 23, 2024 Mark Davis, filling in for Hugh Hewitt, talks with Matt Continetti, of the Washington Free Beacon, about Trump’s aggressive approach to staffing his administration. Kurt Schlichter, also in for Hugh, sits down with Senator-elect Jim Banks, who praises Pete Hegseth’s qualifications, calling him the reformer needed to address woke ideology in the military as Secretary of Defense. Victor Davis Hanson analyzes New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's appointment as U.N. ambassador, emphasizing her strong pro-Israel stance. He highlights the deep corruption within the U.N., underscoring the need for bold reform. Joe Piscopo asks Andrew McCarthy to explain the collapse of many legal cases against Trump. The Manhattan case under DA Alvin Bragg remains an exception but faces growing scrutiny. Seth Leibsohn and Brandon Weichert, author of “A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine” examine the Biden administration’s decision to greenlight strikes into Russian territory. Weichert warns of rising global tensions and highlights Netanyahu’s unyielding approach to Israel’s existential conflict, which just crossed its 1,000th day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - November 16, 2024 Hugh Hewitt turns to Matt Continetti of the Washington Free Beacon for a look at President-elect Trump's cabinet picks and appointees to key posts. Larry Elder contrasts the failed border policies of Biden and Harris vs the polices of Trump that effectively closed the border. Charlie Kirk invites Tom Homan, a former ICE director and newly appointed "Border Czar," to outline his plan to tackle illegal immigration under Trump’s leadership. Chris Stigall talks with Salena Zito about the win in Pennsylvania that turned out to be an overwhelming and decisive Trump victory. Hugh Hewitt turns to Pete Hegseth, who is newly tapped as Trump's Secretary of Defense, who also authored a book, “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free.” Charlie Kirk talks with Mike Huckabee, Trump's appointed United States Ambassador to Israel, about the moving of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem during the previous Trump adminstration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - November 7, 2024 This week, we’re exploring a historic moment: Donald Trump's return to the White House. Hugh Hewitt turns to freshly re-elected Florida Congressman Mike Waltz for a look at what made a big difference in Trump's campaign. Joe Piscopo invites Michael Goodwin of the New York Post, to talk about why this election was “one for the ages,” a pivotal moment in American politics. Charlie Kirk and his team at Turning Point USA highlight how voter outreach, registration drives, and early voting strategies played a critical role in mobilizing the conservative base, which they believe brought the Republican Party closer to the people it aims to serve. Dennis Prager reflects on how media bias and collusion have eroded public trust, particularly as they tried to undermine Trump’s campaign. John Solomon and pollster Scott Rasmussen take us into the numbers behind the 2024 election results. Rasmussen analyzes voter trends, including a notable rise in Hispanic support for Republicans, and explains how the GOP's efforts to reach out to new voter groups in places like Pennsylvania proved to be crucial. We close with Scott Jennings, Republican strategist and commentator at CNN, who underscores the missteps the Democrat party took this election cycle and how they massively misunderstood the electorate and what they truly care about. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - November 2, 2024 We dive into the final days before the 2024 election. The spotlight falls on President Biden as his recent controversial remarks about Trump supporters stirred the political landscape, overshadowing Kamala Harris’s own campaign push. Hugh Hewitt sits down with Matt Continetti of the Washington Free Beacon to analyze the potential impact of Biden’s remarks. Matt Whitaker of the Trump campaign shares how this may sway undecided voters in the final hours. Turning to the congressional races, Hugh talks with Nevada Senate candidate and war veteran Sam Brown, who's challenging incumbent Jacky Rosen. On the House side, Orange County’s 47th district is heating up as Scott Baugh campaigns to secure a GOP victory in a tightly contested California district. Hugh investigates. Mike Gallagher dismantles President Biden for his "garbage" comment. Former race car driver Danica Patrick shares her motivations for supporting Trump in a conversation with Charlie Kirk, signaling an interesting shift among influential voices in this election cycle. As Election Day approaches, Trish Regan closes the show with a reminder of the stakes involved, urging listeners to ensure their voices are heard at the polls. Every vote will shape the future, and this year’s election could set the course for years to come. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - October 26, 2024 With just over a week left until Election Day, Hugh Hewitt speaks with President Donald Trump about his strategy in the final stretch. Trump discusses his drive to "run through the tape" and his continued support for Israel during its conflict with multiple adversaries. For the full interview between Hugh Hewitt and President Trump, listen here. Dennis Prager examines the Biden/Harris administration's weak response to Iran's missile attacks on Israel. Prager critiques the administration’s diplomatic strategy and calls for a return to "peace through strength." Ohio Senator and Vice Presidential nominee J.D. Vance addresses the serious issue of a Pentagon staffer leaking top-secret Israeli intelligence. Vance calls for swift identification and prosecution of the perpetrator. Seth Leibsohn and Ed Morrissey reflect on Trump’s knack for connecting directly with everyday Americans. Mike Gallagher shares his perspective on the unpredictable and fast-paced nature of the 2024 election, and Trump’s ability to unsettle the Harris campaign in these final days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - October 19, 2024 In this week’s episode of Townhall Review, host Hugh Hewitt dives into the fast-approaching 2024 election. Charlie Kirk and Trump’s political director, James Blair, discuss the importance of voter turnout, emphasizing that success hinges on getting the right numbers at the polls. Bob Frantz and Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan point out how the strategy of allowing non-citizens to vote is spreading across the country. As the election nears, Hugh touches on the growing phenomenon of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” which Matt Continetti describes as reaching new heights of intensity. Continetti shares his insights during a teaser clip from Hugh’s full hour-long interview. Victor Davis Hanson talks about the Left's efforts to offend autoworkers, minorities, Catholics and more, demographics where the GOP has historically been weak are looking quite strong. Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson talk with Danial Mahony of Assumption University about the left’s increasing repudiation of Western values, illustrated by recent events such as Nottingham University’s decision to issue a trigger warning on Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Dennis Prager reflects on the stark differences between Europe’s changing immigration policies and the United States', highlighting the growing divide between public sentiment and political action on immigration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - October 12, 2024 Charlie Kirk talks with Fox News Contributor, Sara Carter, about the severe damage in Florida and North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene has wiped out entire communities. Carter reports from the scene, sharing stories of resilience and how Americans are stepping up to help their neighbors without federal support. Hugh Hewitt talks with Senator Ron Johnson, who expresses frustration over the federal government's failure to act, accusing the Biden administration of diverting resources to push a progressive agenda instead of focusing on real disaster relief. Former President Donald Trump joins Hugh to discuss the ongoing threat from Iran and the failure of the Biden administration to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions. For the entire interview between Hugh Hewitt and President Trump, check out the full podcast. Mike Gallagher delves into Kamala Harris's recent interviews, including her appearance on 60 Minutes, where she continues to struggle in her role as vice president. Victor Davis Hanson and Sebastian Gorka discuss the failures of the Biden administration’s foreign policy, particularly its weakness on Iran, which they argue has emboldened Tehran to attack Israel. Larry Elder and Joel Rosenberg discuss the looming threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, criticizing past U.S. administrations for allowing the regime to get close to nuclear capability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - October 5, 2024 In this episode, we dive into the heated Vice-Presidential debate between Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. With the election just weeks away, Hugh Hewitt breaks down the key moments, policy clashes, and what’s at stake as voters head to the polls. Key Segments: VP Debate ShowdownMatthew Continetti’s AnalysisRichard Hudson on the GOP’s StrategyMike Garcia on Military ReadinessDerrick Anderson on Israel’s ConflictCongressional Races to Watch Subscribe and Listen: Catch Townhall Review on all major podcast platforms, and stay informed with expert political analysis leading up to Election Day. Don’t forget to follow Hugh Hewitt on X (@HughHewitt) and the program (@TownhallReview). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - September 28, 2024 Hugh Hewitt turns to Florida Congressman Mike Waltz to discuss Israel's overnight attack on Hezbollah, severely damaging its missile fleet and raising questions about a potential conflict with Iran. Joe Piscopo questions retired General Jack Keane about the possibility of U.S. troops being used in a potential ground war in the Middle East. John Solomon and Michael Oren discuss Israel's preparation for possible ground action in Southern Lebanon. Oren also criticizes the lack of consequences for Hezbollah’s violations of UN resolutions and questions the conditional nature of U.S. support for Israel. Tony Perkins, host of “This Week on the Hill” talks with former Secretary of State under Trump, Mike Pompeo, about the Middle East's shift from peace under the Abraham Accords during Trump's tenure to chaos under the Biden administration. Victor Davis Hanson explains that Israel has decisively disrupted Hezbollah’s operations by taking out its leadership and destroying its missile launchers. He emphasizes that Israel is showing strength and resilience against Hezbollah and Iran, leaving their adversaries uncertain about escalating the conflict further. Seth Leibsohn invites Seth Mandel of Commentary Magazine to discuss Leon Panetta’s controversial comments labeling Israel's pager plot against Hezbollah as terrorism. They argue that targeting enemy communication systems is a legitimate, time-honored strategy in warfare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - September 21, 2024 Joe Piscopo and former CIA operative Dan Hoffman look at how Israel sent a very clear and explosive message to Hezbollah via old-school pagers. Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson turn to Roger Kimball, editor of The New Criterion for a look at the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life. Hugh Hewitt turns to South Dakota Senator John Thune for an overview of the battle for control of the Senate. Hewitt talks with Wisconsin Senate candidate Eric Hovde about his campaign against Senator Tami Baldwin. Hewitt interviews Nella Domenici, daughter of the late Senator Pete Domenici, who is running for Senate in New Mexico against the incumbent, Martin Heinrich. Rounding out the show, Hugh talks with former governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, who accomplished an economic turnaround in his first term. Hogan is running for Senate in a race many would think isn't competitive, but it is. Listen to last week's show for updates on more Senate races. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - September 14, 2024 Hugh Hewitt turns to Matthew Continetti of the Washington Free Beacon for analysis of the first and likely only debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Larry O'Connor blasts ABC News for how moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis handled the debate, and how it quickly became clear that they threw down 100 percent with Kamala Harris, not fact-checking her a single time. Hugh Hewitt invites Dave McCormick, who is running against Bob Casey in Philadelphia, to discuss his campaign for Senate. Seth Leibsohn talks with Kari Lake about her Senate contest in Arizona and how she wants to help turn the economy around so Americans can realize the American dream. Hewitt interviews Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, who is looking un-seat Senator John Tester in Montana. Bob Frantz talks with Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Bernie Moreno who is running for Senate in Ohio. Hewitt talks with Jim Justice, who's looking to fill the "Manchin" Senate seat in West Virginia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - September 7, 2024 Hugh Hewitt invites Matthew Continetti of the Washington Free Beacon to look at the interview between CNN's Dana Bash and democratic nominee, Kamala Harris. John Solomon and Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman look at Harris' track record and her proposed agenda, which Hageman argues will immediately destroy the American economy. Hugh Hewitt invites Senator J.D. Vance to talk about the barbaric execution of six hostages by Hamas, one of which was an American. Vance highlights the fact that Hamas has been increasingly emboldened by Kamala Harris' policies. For Hewitt's entire interview with Vance, click here. Dennis Prager speaks with David Friedman, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, about the recent challenges faced by Israel, particularly the impact of Hamas' actions and the complexities of Israeli/Palestinian politics amid ongoing conflicts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - August 31, 2024 Hugh Hewitt and Wisconsin Congressman Derrick Van Orden, also a retired Navy SEAL, ponder why the Biden administration hasn't commended Israel for rescuing hostages from savages. John Solomon and Chris Miller, who was acting Secretary of Defense under President Trump, criticize the lack of accountability for the 13 American lives lost during the Afghanistan withdrawal, emphasizing the disconnect between official statements and reality. Miller warns that this deceit undermines military values and public trust. Hugh Hewitt and Jonathan Schanzer, of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discuss how the Biden Administration has forbidden Israel from ensuring there are consequences to those who attack the State of Israel. Dennis Prager and George Gilder, author of "The Israel Test," talk about the update his book received after the October 7 attack on Israel. Gilder highlights how the United States, in many ways, is more dependent on Israel than Israel is on the United States. Hugh Hewitt invites Walter Russell Mead, author of “The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People,” to talk about the state of the American-Israeli connection today, and how Donald Trump was able to make breakthroughs in the Middle East, unlike any of his predecessors or President Biden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - August 24, 2024 Hugh Hewitt asks President Trump to weigh in on his opponent Kamala Harris, now the formal Democrat nominee. They discuss everything from her position on Israel to the crushing blow price controls will have on the economy. Charlie Kirk looks at Democrats' branding message of “freedom” at the Democrat National Convention, which he describes as the most aggressive propaganda he's seen. Sebastian Gorka invites former President Trump's attorney, Alina Habba, to challenge voters to consider if they were better off under Trump or Biden. Larry Elder highlights the only real policy that the Harris Walz campaign has revealed: price controls, which Larry argues is pure Marxism. He also discusses why the media has been covering for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - August 17, 2024 Hugh Hewitt turns to Byron York of the Washington Examiner to comment on the monumental conversation between Elon Musk and Donald Trump on X this week. Charlie Kirk interacts with portions of the interview between Elon Musk and President Trump, which was easily one of the most viral conversations ever, now with over 1 billion views. Hugh turns to Mike Waltz, GOP representative from Florida’s 6th Congressional district and also a Green Beret to discuss Kamala Harris' pick for VP, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has for a decade used stolen valor to advance his political career. Chris Stigall and Ed Morrissey, of Hot Air, discuss how there is mounting pressure for Kamala Harris to engage more openly with the media to counteract worldwide publicity that President Trump received on X. Larry O'Connor analyzed the Musk-Trump interview as a direct line to the public, bypassing traditional media filters. The conversation's reach, particularly among younger demographics, was seen as a threat to traditional media's control over political discourse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review - August 10, 2024 Hugh Hewitt talks with Thomas Conner, former career-long Professor of History at Hillsdale College, who provides a brief summary of World War I, mentioning that France lost a significant number of soldiers in 1915 and that the war had declared itself fully by that time. Dennis Prager talks with H.W. Crocker about America's role in the war, as described in his book, The Yanks Are Coming!: A Military History of the United States in World War I. Crocker explains how the U.S. entry was pivotal in turning the tide against Germany, and he highlights the heroism of American soldiers while also discussing the broader cultural consequences of the war. Victor Davis Hanson interviews acclaimed figurative sculptor Sabin Howard, discussing his monumental work on the World War I Memorial: A Soldier's Journey. They explore Howard's artistic process, influences, and the cultural significance of his work, as he shares insights into the classical techniques he uses and his vision for future projects. For Victor Davis Hanson's full interview with Sabin Howard, listen here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.