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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News
Government
Politics
151
Biden: 'Let’s Finish the Job'
President Joe Biden kicks off his re-election campaign; Fox News fires Tucker Carlson, CNN squeezes out Don Lemon; and Bud Light’s not Easy To Enjoy for Dylan Mulvaney.
45 min
152
Gabfest Reads: The Art of Writing Political Sat...
Alexandra Petri’s new book Alexandra Petri’s US History asks “What would sexting between John and Abigail Adams have been like?” among other burning questions.
21 min
153
Was Fox News Punished Enough?
Fox News pays Dominion Voting $787.5 million to settle a defamation lawsuit; House Speaker Kevin McCarthy plays a political game of chicken with the debt ceiling; and detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich appears in a Russian court.
50 min
154
That Shoddy Abortion Pill Ruling
Federal judges limit the availability of mifepristone; the Republican Tennessee state legislature expels two Democratic representatives; and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has an ethics problem again.
50 min
155
No Mugshot For Donald Trump
Donald Trump is arraigned; Janet Protasiewicz wins the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, Brandon Johnson is elected Chicago mayor; and No Labels might play spoiler in the 2024 presidential race.
46 min
156
Gabfest Special: What the Trump Indictment Means
Donald Trump Is Indicted: Will He Be Handcuffed?
23 min
157
Why Netanyahu Blinked
Benjamin Netanyahu stands down, democracy stands up in Israel; TikTok goes to Congress; and will Chris Christie challenge Donald Trump?
43 min
158
Trump Will Be Indicted Next Tuesday
Trump announces his impending arrest; promise or peril from ChatGPT; and unrest in France.
59 min
159
Gabfest Reads: How Do You Solve a Problem Like ...
The pending economic catastrophe is about more than the pandemic, author Chris Miller explains in his new book, Chip War.
33 min
160
Go Ahead, Call It A Bailout
The Silicon Valley Bank bailout; DeSantis advocates abandoning Ukraine; and free speech fights on campus.
62 min
161
Another Florida Man Is Running For President
Ron DeSantis’ pre-campaign, the end of pandemic-era medicaid & food supports, and legal fights over medication abortion.
49 min
162
So It Was A Lab Leak?
Loan forgiveness at the Supreme Court; lab leak politics; and the future of humanities education.
54 min
163
What Tucker Carlson is Saying When You’re Not L...
Anne Applebaum on the year of war on Ukraine; the smoking gun Fox News text messages; and Section 230 at the Supreme Court.
56 min
164
Gabfest Reads: A Boarding School Thriller, But ...
Rebecca Makkai’s new book I Have Some Questions For You is a murder mystery that feels ripped from Twitter.
33 min
165
President Nikki Haley?
Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign; taking the “affirmative” out of affirmative action; and Amanda Ripley on the congressional committee that got things done.
52 min
166
Biden Gets Frisky
The raucous State of the Union; the balloon and U.S.-China relations; and missteps in treating menopause.
52 min
167
Is Police Reform Possible?
The killing of Tyre Nichols; Alec MacGillis on violence interruption efforts; and the State of the Union.
55 min
168
DeSantis University
The rise of Marjorie Taylor Greene; Ron DeSantis’ anti-anti-racist academics; & the bipartisan bashing of monopolist Ticketmaster.
50 min
169
Gabfest Reads: Two Horrifying Days in D.C.
Shahan Mufti discusses his new book, American Caliph: The True Story of a Muslim Mystic, a Hollywood Epic, and the 1977 Siege of Washington, D.C.
32 min
170
Does Alito Hate Sotomayor?
Biden’s document debacle; SCOTUS justices’ open animosity; and Davos during “polycrisis”
48 min
171
Weaponization of Government
The House GOP launches investigations; Marcos Nobre on the insurrection in Brazil; and the British monarchy.
56 min
172
Kevin McCarthy In Hell
The GOP’s speakership debacle; fabulist Rep. George Santos; and improving access to medication abortion.
47 min
173
Conundrum 2022 with Alison Bechdel
Emily, John, and David close out 2022 puzzling over life’s perplexing questions—with special guest Alison Bechdel!
53 min
174
Inciting Insurrection
The January 6th Committee’s findings; Josh Partlow on the brewing water crisis in the West; and looking back on 2022.
52 min
175
Gabfest Reads: Everything You Need to Know Abou...
Gautam Mukunda explains how to predict presidential success – and how to make the right choice for the job - in his new book, Picking Presidents.
39 min