Mark Halperin on The Big Four: Debt Ceiling, Government Shutdown, Reconciliation, and Infrastructure

Find more about Rob Lawless here.Find more about The Mingle Project here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4 Juni 42min

Michael Smerconish welcomes political analyst Mark Halperin for a high-octane breakdown of the week’s biggest—and most overlooked—stories in U.S. politics. Elon Musk's surprise criticism of Trump's economic bill has reportedly infuriated the President, but is it a distraction from deeper GOP infighting and dysfunction? Halperin peels back the curtain on the real stories happening beneath the headlines—including the surprising influence of Stephen Miller, the chaos inside Trump's HHS and Defense Departments, and why Steve Witkoff’s diplomatic role is raising red flags. Original air date 4 June 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4 Juni 26min

Elon Musk fires off a blistering critique of Trump’s major legislative priority - his major bill focusing on tax changes, border security, medicaid changes and more. Musk calls it a ‘disgusting abomination.’ Has the billionaire, who just left his 'DOGE' position at the White House, just derailed Trump's agenda? Michael Smerconish breaks it all down, from fiscal policy to political fallout. Listen in, then vote on today's Smerconish.com poll question: "Did Elon Musk just kill Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4 Juni 12min

Following what the FBI called a "targeted terror attack" in Boulder, Colorado were 8 people were injured by a man attacking them with a flame thrower and Molotov cocktails. The victims who were burned were marching in a parade in support of Israel. Michael turns to Dr. Robert A. Pape, who has researched and taught on this is type of violence, for expertise. He is Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs. Original air date 2 June 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

3 Juni 30min

Do you think public perception of trans participation in sports is negatively influencing the overall perception of transgender rights? That is today's poll question at Smerconish.com. Michael dives into this provocative issue, drawing on fresh polling data, recent high school sports controversies, and the political weaponization of the issue in campaign ads. It’s a nuanced conversation at the intersection of athletics, civil rights, and public sentiment—don’t miss it. Listen, then vote at Smerconish.com! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

3 Juni 16min

Legal heavyweight John Yoo joins Michael in studio to unpack everything from Trump’s war rhetoric and potential suspension of habeas corpus to immigration law, presidential overreach, and Harvard’s political battles. From rejecting a White House job offer to defending the Constitution—this episode goes deep on law, politics, and power. A legal scholar and former government official in the administration of President George H.W. Bush, Yoo is the Emanuel S. Heller Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley.Original air date 2 June 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2 Juni 31min

On today’s episode, Michael Smerconish dives into the latest poll question at Smerconish.com: “Do you agree with Bill Clinton that the book Original Sin is being used to unfairly blame Joe Biden for Donald Trump's election?” After recently interviewing former President Bill Clinton and best-selling author James Patterson about their new political thriller, Michael shares insights on the book’s surprising substance—particularly Clinton’s vision for tackling the national debt, tucked into a beach read. But while Smerconish zeroed in on the book’s fiscal message, others focused on Clinton’s comments regarding President Biden and his role in Trump’s reelection. Is this new narrative fair—or a strategic rewrite of political responsibility? Listen for Michael’s take, then head to Smerconish.com to vote on today’s question and make your voice heard. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2 Juni 17min

Michael asks for help with a commentary he's considering delivering to his CNN audience this weekend, where he says thank you to Elon Musk for his work at DOGE. The first draft of what he's written (and delivers here) may or may not have been fueled by a drink and a cigar. Musk is leaving his role at DOGE and the federal government to return full time at Tesla and SpaceX. Original air date 30 May 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

30 Maj 27min