Smerconish on CNN

CNN Michael Smerconish gives Democrats some advice on how to respond to Trump's recent accomplishments. Then, Rahm Emanuel, the former Ambassador to Japan and Chicago Mayor, weighs in on how Democrats should attack President Trump's policies. Also on the show, Washington Post National Health Reporter Paige Winfield Cunningham joins Michael Smerconish to discuss how the Trump administration is considering expanding healthcare coverage for weight loss drugs. And, Free Press Reporter Maya Sulkin shares new reporting about hateful comments the late Blackstone director is receiving online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish gives President Trump some free advice on how to address the Epstein files. Plus, Lanny Davis joins Michael Smerconish to discuss how the Trump administration is mishandling the Epstein files. Also on the show, Michael Smerconish delivers his commentary on Hunter Biden and his criticism towards Democrats. Tara Setmayer, a resident scholar at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, weighs in on the matter. And, CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig answers the poll question and dives into what a possible pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell may look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish unpacks the bombshell Wall Street Journal reporting on the alleged birthday letter President Trump sent to Jeffrey Epstein. And, CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig weighs in on President Trump's latest legal battle with The Wall Street Journal. Then, Political Science Professor Seth Masket and Senior Vice-President of Open Primaries Jeremy Gruber join Michael Smerconish to debate the benefits and drawbacks of open primaries in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Also, California Democratic Congressman Lou Correa weighs in on the latest debate of ICE agents wearing masks during arrests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish examines the latest revelation from Zohran Mamdani's Columbia University admissions application and argues that it's time to end classification by race and ethnicity. Then, Atlantic staff writer Thomas Chatterton Williams joins Michael Smerconish to discuss his latest piece called "Zohran Mamdani reveals the absurdity of affirmative action." And, Washington Examiner National Political reporter Salena Zito unpacks the one-year anniversary of the first assassination attempt against President Trump in her new book called "Butler: The Untold Story of the near assassination of Donald Trump and the fight for America's heartland." Also, Carter Sherman, a reproductive health and justice reporter for The Guardian, joins Michael Smerconish to discuss her new book "The Second Coming: Sex and the next generation's fight over its future." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish describes the best decade in America from his childhood and explains why nostalgia plays a critical role in American politics. And, a breakthrough in genetic editing allows IVF parents to select traits for their embryo. But some experts are warning this new approach may lead to irreversible consequences. Also, a part of Trump's mega bill includes a national "baby bonds" program that will provide every newborn in the U.S. with $1,000 to get ahead in life. But many critics argue this program does not properly resolve generational child poverty for working families. Then, Independent Sports Journalist Joon Lee breaks down the price to access live sports today compared to a decade ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish weighs in on the recent victories for the Trump administration this week. Then, David Urban, a former Trump Campaign adviser, and Xochitl Hinojosa, a former DNC communications director, join Smerconish to discuss how the American public is reacting to Trump's latest wins. Plus, Andrew Daniller, a Pew Research Associate, shares his latest research on how non-voters would have influenced the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. And, the U.S. Supreme Court handed a blockbuster decision to limit judges' from issuing nationwide injunctions against the Trump administration. Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of UC Berkely Law School, weighs in on the court's decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish dives into the conflicting messages from the Trump administration about Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities. Then, Retired Admiral James Stavridis and New York Times National Security Correspondent David Sanger join Smerconish to weigh on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. After that, Retired Lt. General David Deptula discusses U.S. military capabilities in case tensions between Israel and Iran becomes a wider regional conflict. Finally, the L.A. Dodgers are taking a stand against the Trump administration's ICE raids. Los Angeles Times Writer Jack Harris sets the record straight about conflicting reports about a stand off between the L.A. Dodgers stadium and DHS officials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Retired Adm. James Stavridis and New York Times National Security Correspondent David Sanger join CNN Michael Smerconish to weigh in on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Then, Smerconish argues why it's impractical and morally wrong to deport the roughly 10 million undocumented immigrants who work hard, pay taxes, committed no violent crimes, and became productive members of society. Later, Rep. Byron Donalds debates Smerconish on Trump's ICE raids. Finally, Ben Sherwood, author of "Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that could save your life" explains why sitting within five rows of an emergency exit on a plane may have helped the passenger in seat 11A survive the deadly Air India plane crash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ilyse Hogue, co-founder of Speaking with American Men Project, argues that men support progressive policies but feel abandoned by the Democratic Party. And, CNN Michael Smerconish breaks down the battle royale between two of the most powerful men on the planet. Plus, Jeffrey Sonnefeld, founder of Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute, predicts the recent clash between Trump and Musk will hurt Musk more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Smerconish delves into why he's willing to give Musk and President Trump some credit for sparking a conversation about waste, fraud and abuse. Plus, Michael Smerconish speaks with entrepreneur and investor Kevin O’Leary about Elon Musk’s influence on U.S. industry and politics, the future of Tesla, and DOGE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's commencement season. This year's speakers include military leaders, politicians, sports stars, celebrities, even a famous frog. They'll all be addressing many young graduates saddled with college debt and aspirations of making money. Smerconish talks with Owen Zidar, professor of economics at Princeton regarding the secret path to wealth that no one talks about. And, President Biden's debate performance was a turning point, but what came after? The silence, the deflections all may matter more. Which 2028 likely candidates saw the decline and said nothing, or still propped him up? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Holly Otterbein, Politico's National Political reporter who covered President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, discusses her latest article, "The Biden Question Hanging Over The 2028 Field." She explains the potential impact to Democratic lawmakers based on how they dealt with Biden's fitness in 2024, and how it could affect them moving forward in their own elections. Plus, CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig tells CNN's Michael Smerconish how he thinks the racketeering conspiracy charge will play out in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. He explains that, traditionally, the charge is used for mob families, for drug trafficking organizations, and that the prosecution will need to show that Sean Combs was at the head of an organized group that committed multiple interconnected crimes for a common purpose. Honig said that he doesn't think Comb's former girlfriend Cassie Ventura's testimony on its own will get prosecutors there, but that he says to look out for in the coming weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India and Pakistan agree to an immediate ceasefire, as European leaders join Ukraine in calling for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. Michael Smerconish speaks with Ret. Admiral James Stavridis, author of “The Admiral's Bookshelf,” on the growing international pressure for Putin to stand down. Plus, as artificial intelligence reshapes how students learn and perform, Smerconish explores whether traditional college degrees still hold value, or if trade schools are the smarter move in today’s economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Commentary about Bill Belichick's girlfriend Jordon Hudson and how she has been injecting herself in his UNC coaching job. Is our obsession with this story a matter of public concern? Sports journalists Charlotte Wilder and Madeline Hill weigh in. Plus, The Supreme Court on religious charter schools with Kristen Waggoner of Alliance Defending Freedom and conversation with small business owner, Alexandra Fine about tariff surcharges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish shares his take on the public dispute between comedian Bill Maher and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" creator Larry David. Then, would society start crumbling once our global population reaches a sharp decline? Darrell Bricker, CEO of IPSOS Public Affairs and co-author of "Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline," warns about the ramifications of an aging and shrinking population. After that, Admiral William McRaven details his process in managing a crisis through his new book "Conquering Crisis: Ten Lessons to Learn Before You Need Them." Finally, the passing of Pope Francis means that cardinals will elect a new leader for the Catholic Church. Robert Harris, the author of "Conclave" which inspired the Oscar-award winning film, sheds light on how that process will unfold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish delivers his commentary on three key issues the Trump administration wants to take on: Harvard University, Abrego Garcia, and scaling back the IRS. CNN Senior Analyst Elie Honig weighs in on the Supreme Court temporarily pausing deportations under Alien Enemies Act. Then Texas Tech University law professor Bryan Camp addresses how audit rates and tax revenues will drop if the Trump administration makes the largest workforce reduction in history at the IRS. Finally, Harvard professor Steven Pinker reacts to new reporting about the Trump administration mistakenly sending a list of demands to Harvard University. Professor Pinker also welcomes greater viewpoint diversity at Harvard but rejects the idea that the federal government should micromanage a private university. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish argues the biggest problem in the labor market is not a shortage of manufacturing jobs, but the unwillingness for young men to fill them. NYU Professor Scott Galloway & Anthony Scaramucci, a former White House Communications Director, discuss their new podcast called "Lost Boys." The limited series dives into the mental health struggles and social disconnect young men are facing. Salena Zito, a national political reporter for the Washington Examiner, reports on the impact tariffs on U.S. Steel mills near Pittsburgh and what union workers expect from Trump's administration. Scientists have successfully engineered dire wolves, the world's first de-extincted animal, through gene-editing and cloning. Dr. Robert Klitzman, a psychiatry professor and director of the bioethics master's program at Columbia University, warns about the alarming consequences this could have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish shares his take on how the Trump administration is going over law firms that filed lawsuits against him. Then, Erwin Chemerinsky, the dean of UC Berkeley School of Law, weighs in on why law firms and universities targeted by the Trump administration aren't speaking up. After that Peter Navarro, Trump's senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, vows for a market boom from Trump's tariff war. Finally, lawmakers on Capitol hill are expected to introduce two bills aimed at restoring congressional power over Trump's tariffs. But are Republicans willing to back it? Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, the co-authors of "Fight: Inside the wildest battle for the White House" weigh in on the political repercussions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN Michael Smerconish addresses previous White House scandals and questions whether the recent signal group chat controversy will impact Trump's administration in the long run. Then Richard Clarke, the nation's first cyber czar and former White House Counterterrorism Coordinator, warns how foreign adversaries are easily capable of hacking the Signal app. After that, Laura Delano, author of "Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance" raises her personal concerns with psychiatric drugs and how her life has changed without them. Finally, legendary democratic strategist James Carville discusses his bold prediction on the "massive collapse" unfolding inside the Trump administration and how Democrats should respond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The latest attacks against Tesla appear to be targeted towards CEO Elon Musk and his alignment with President Trump. While the Department of Justice is investigating these attacks as domestic terrorism, CNN Michael Smerconish argues this type of vandalism should be investigated as a hate crime. Then, Elie Honig, a former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York explains why politically motivated crimes are not considered hate crimes. After that, Senator Chris Coons weighs in on the Democratic Party's platform as a recent CNN poll shows the party's favorability rating dropping to a record low 29%. Finally, Christine Emba, author of "Rethinking Sex: A Provocation" and a New York Times contributing writer, explains why pornography is dangerously reshaping the minds of young men and setting unrealistic expectations when it comes to dating women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices