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
What Happens When Government Breaks
DOGE’s cuts are endangering American lives; Trump tests limits of free speech with attacks on universities and the arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil; and the politics of the Texas measles outbreak.
63 min
52
Trump’s Display of Dominance
Trump addresses Congress and plays chicken with tariffs in a show of power; Trump and Vance betray Ukraine’s Zelensky to his face and align with Russia; and we all grapple with the ways Covid changed America.
60 min
53
So Europe is Our Enemy Now?
The transatlantic alliance is over and mobster tactics reign; the House GOP budget resolution portends likely Medicaid cuts to fund tax breaks for the rich; and Trump makes aggressive moves against the press
67 min
54
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
55
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
56
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
57
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
58
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
59
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
60
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
61
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
62
One Measly Report
The Donald Trump legal wars end with barely a whisper; billionaires capitulate to MAGA; and the LA wildfires continue.
60 min
63
The “Thank You, Jimmy Carter” Edition
President and Citizen Jimmy Carter: Elon Musk v. MAGA; and Citizens’ Assemblies
59 min
64
The “2024 Conundrums” Edition
Emily, John, and David end 2024 answering questions, big and small.
52 min
65
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
66
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
67
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
68
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
69
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
70
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
71
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
72
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
73
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
74
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
75
The Disinhibited Fascist
Donald Trump might be a fascist…but should we call him out on it?
56 min