WSJ Opinion: Free Expression

From government to business to the media, millions of citizens have experienced a steep fall in public trust and confidence in its key institutions. So how did it happen? On this episode of the Free Expression podcast, editor at large Gerry Baker talks about his new book, "American Breakdown: Why We No Longer Trust Our Leaders and Institutions and How We Can Rebuild Confidence," with Wall Street Journal editorial page editor Paul Gigot about how faith can be returned to these pillars of society.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An economist discusses the economic troubles facing China, including real estate crisis, youth unemployment, and local government debts. The podcast explores whether China is headed towards collapse like the Soviet Union and the consequences for the world economy. It also touches on China's weak economy despite lifted COVID restrictions, demographic challenges, and the implications of China's growth as a challenge to the United States and the rest of the world.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie discusses his strategy to unify the Republican Party despite Donald Trump's influence. They explore disqualifying Trump from running for president and the Republican party's stance on trade and entitlements. Christie shares his view on supporting a convicted Trump as the nominee and the importance of defeating him in the primary to avoid a constitutional crisis.

For the first time, voters got to see the major candidates for the Republican nomination for President on the same stage, with one glaring exception. On this episode of the Free Expression Podcast, GOP strategist and columnist Karl Rove tells WSJ editor at large Gerry Baker why he thinks Vivek Ramaswamy had the worst moment of the night in Milwaukee, how Nikki Haley and Mike Pence advanced their cause and says Ron DeSantis just managed to survive, albeit with a couple of difficult moments. And he argues that Donald Trump's absence exposed his vulnerabilities as the frontrunner and insists the former president can still be beaten.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Attorney General William Barr discusses the legal troubles of Donald Trump and the Biden family. He criticizes the excessive indictment of Trump while the federal charges he faces are stronger. Barr also shares why he believes neither Biden nor Trump will be their party's nominees and suggests Hunter Biden would already be in an orange jumpsuit if he was a member of the Trump family.

On this week’s Free Expression podcast John Bolton, who served as national security adviser to President Donald Trump tells Wall Street Journal editor at Large Gerry Baker there’s a good chance Trump will be convicted of criminal offenses ahead of the 2024 presidential election and if he is nominated by the Republican Party it will lead to unenviable defeat. He also argues the US needs to be doing much more to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine and to deter potential Chinese aggression in Taiwan.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has liberalism really failed and if so, what’s next for America and other democracies? On this episode of the Free Expression Podcast, political science professor Patrick Deneen tells Wall Street Journal editor at large Gerry Baker that the promotion of individual liberty as the organizing principle of society has resulted in the destruction of social cohesion and why it's time for a new political paradigm and the creation of a new elite in tune with true American values. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have Democrats taken African-American votes for granted? Could ethnic minorities find a home in the GOP? On this episode of the Free Expression Podcast, Wall Street Journal editor at large Gerry Baker speaks with Georgia State Rep. Mesha Mainor about her decision last week to join the Republican Party and become the first African-American woman elected representative in the state legislature. She explains what Democrats get wrong about issues like school choice and affirmative action and how they continue to look to the past instead of the future.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is religious faith on the decline in the U.S.? On this episode of the Free Expression Podcast, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Catholic archbishop of New York, tells Wall Street Journal editor at large Gerry Baker that a lack of religion and moral conviction is to blame for our toxic cultural environment. He also discusses how Pope Francis is leading the church worldwide, the importance of the separation of church and state, and where the pro-life movement stands a year after the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Americans celebrate Independence Day this week, the Free Expression Podcast features some of Wall Street Journal editor at large Gerry Baker's best interviews, including conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, 2024 Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., commentator Heather Mac Donald, political scientist Ruy Teixeira and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices