Political Gabfest
Voted “Favorite Political Podcast” by Apple Podcasts listeners. Stephen Colbert says "Everybody should listen to the Slate Political Gabfest." The Gabfest, featuring Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz, is the kind of informal and irreverent discussion Washington journalists have after hours over drinks.
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51
The “Justice Department is Dire“
The bonfire of Justice Department resignations amid the corrupt bargain of Eric Adams; Musk and DOGE and the palantír of the IRS and Social Security; and how progressives broke the government.
63 min
52
Gabfest Reads | A Former Haitian President’s Gr...
Rich Benjamin’s new book Talk to Me explores the coup that overthrew his grandfather, and the ripple affects the political upheaval had on his family.
30 min
53
Trump vs. The Judges
A constitutional crisis is developing between President Trump and the courts, the massive cut to NIH research overhead funding, and political sorting among American workplaces
63 min
54
Elon Musk’s DOGE Rampage
Musk’s DOGE rampages through federal agencies; the gap widens between US prosperity and quality of life; and states confront immigration with their own aggressive approaches.
65 min
55
Elon Musk’s Fork in the Road
Chaos and confusion reigns as the White House freezes and thaws federal grants; surprise app DeepSeek overturns assumptions in the AI sector; and Jonathan Rauch writes on Christianity and democracy.
72 min
56
This Time Trump Knows What He’s Doing
President Trump signs a flurry of executive orders; issues sweeping pardons for January 6 rioters; and enjoys a second inauguration chock full of symbolic elements.
68 min
57
Gabfest Reads | Finding Connection in the After...
Yael van der Wouden’s new book The Safekeep explores paranoia, loneliness, and obsession in the post-World War II Dutch countryside.
27 min
58
Every Single Trump Pick Will Be Confirmed
Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees go to the Senate; Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report goes public; and President Joe Biden bids farewell.
58 min
59
One Measly Report
The Donald Trump legal wars end with barely a whisper; billionaires capitulate to MAGA; and the LA wildfires continue.
60 min
60
The “Thank You, Jimmy Carter” Edition
President and Citizen Jimmy Carter: Elon Musk v. MAGA; and Citizens’ Assemblies
59 min
61
The “2024 Conundrums” Edition
Emily, John, and David end 2024 answering questions, big and small.
52 min
62
Gabfest Reads: The Life and Legacy of John Lewis
David Greenberg’s new biography on the Civil Rights icon shows what makes Lewis a legend.
32 min
63
The Shutdown and the Great Capitulation
The capitulation of media and corporate America to Donald Trump; the government shutdown and surrender of House Republicans; and the appeal of TikTok.
58 min
64
Syria’s Collapse, Israel’s Delight
What comes next for Syria after the fall of the al-Assad dictatorship; what it means when one killer is celebrated and another is acquitted; and what could happen to American birthright citizenship.
63 min
65
Is The Democratic Party Doomed?
President Joe Biden pardons son Hunter while President-Elect Donald Trump might un-nominate Pete Hegseth; Democrats ponder what-next; and SCOTUS considers treatment for transgender children.
59 min
66
Are These Trump Tariffs for Real?
Donald Trump’s tariff threat will get real for the next Treasury Secretary; the incoming Federal Communications Commission Chair might endanger free speech; and the “bro-economy” could create financial havoc.
49 min
67
Trump’s Cabinet Keeps Getting Weirder
Donald Trump continues to fill his Cabinet; Texas plans to teach the Bible in public elementary schools; and The Washington Post’s Dan Diamond educates us on health care policy in the next administration.
60 min
68
Gabfest Reads: How Two Rivals Shaped Birth Cont...
Stephanie Gorton’s new book, The Icon & the Idealist digs into the history of two women who changed reproductive rights forever
27 min
69
Attorney General Matt Gaetz?
Donald Trump fills his Cabinet; Democrats work on a way forward; and mass deportation will be difficult and horrible
73 min
70
This IS Who We Are
Donald Trump and Senate Republicans win big; Americans could be the biggest losers; and abortion rights won state battles but might lose the national war.
59 min
71
Floating Island of Garbage
The presidential race: where we stand; the election: what we worry about; and the backlash from non-endorsements: why we care.
63 min
72
The Disinhibited Fascist
Donald Trump might be a fascist…but should we call him out on it?
56 min
73
Gabfest Reads: Finding Happiness During This El...
On the 10th anniversary of Dan Harris’s book, 10% Happier, the author sits down with John Dickerson to talk about how to get through this stressful time.
43 min
74
15 Percent of Black Voters Support Trump
Kamala Harris makes her pitch to Black and Hispanic men; Republican senators in Nebraska, Texas, and Florida are in surprisingly close races; and when conspiracies win, hurricane victims lose on disaster relief.
58 min
75
Is The Blue Wall Cracking?
With Election Day in sight, the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is too close to call; legal experts are worried about a Trump win; and Hurricanes Helene and Milton prove climate change is real.
59 min