The Fifth Column

John Bolton, former U.S. National Security Advisor and longtime hawk on Iran and regime change. He riffs on Iraq and Afghanistan, questions nation-building, defends interventionism and forward defense, and debates Ukraine, Venezuela, and Trump’s transactional foreign policy. He also jabs at Olympic politics and sprinkles in personal anecdotes about curling and his mustache.

Rand Paul, U.S. Senator from Kentucky and libertarian-leaning defender of limited government and free trade. He talks about standing by consistent principles on executive power, taxes, and tariffs. He tackles federal agents and protest rights, worries about GOP protectionism and antitrust misunderstandings, and raises questions about presidential business transparency.

A spirited take on Super Bowl halftime spectacle and whether alternative shows make sense. Colorful analysis of a high-profile performance, its production choices, and cultural stereotypes. Side dives into surprise musical cameos, betting rumors, and the NFL's performer pick strategy. Sharp complaints about Super Bowl commercials, AI in admaking, and the decline of clever ad copy.

John Avlon, journalist, historian, and author of Lincoln and the Fight For Peace, drops by to riff on Epstein documents, media economics, and the rise of conspiracy culture. He talks about how polarized incentives warped journalism, why oral partisan media outcompetes newspapers, and what rebuilding civic guardrails might look like. Short, sharp, and provocative.

They uncover surprising mentions of the hosts in leaked Epstein files and poke fun at bizarre groupings and redactions. They sift through dumped documents, strange attachments, and unverified tips that fuel conspiracy fever. They discuss how mass disclosures can humiliate people, examine Bannon-related footage and legal questions, and sketch Epstein’s attempts to build a star-studded network.

Bill Schulz, comedian and historical storyteller who leads NYC walking tours and resurrects odd Revolutionary War tales. He teases quirky Revolutionary characters and his family link to William Dawes. Short, funny anecdotes and why he became obsessed with Revolutionary lore shine through in lively conversation.

Rapid-fire takes on a dramatic naval threat to Iran and whether big rhetoric means real military action. Deep dives into U.S. immigration fights, DHS funding standoffs, and proposed border oversight reforms. A sidestep into bizarre local fraud reporting and sharp critique of a celebrity apology ad and its uncanny PR vibes.

A heated breakdown of Minneapolis unrest and whether it fits the ‘insurgency’ label. Analysis of Trump’s symbolic taco stunt and GOP spin control. A messy retreat by a short-lived conservative figure and the fallout among state Republicans. Skepticism about early domestic terrorism claims and officials’ evasive phrasing. Concerns about outside agitators escalating local protests.

Peter Moskos, former beat cop turned criminal justice scholar at John Jay College, joins to dissect a recent Minneapolis ICE shooting. He questions federal self-investigations and critiques ICE tactics and training. They review available video, examine custody control errors, and debate whether force was justified.

The discussion kicks off with Trump's controversial remarks about Greenland, revealing his misunderstanding of historical alliances. The panel critiques his imperialistic tendencies tied to vanity and resources. They explore NATO's potential fractures thanks to his rhetoric and how his failure to connect with foreign audiences risks international relations. Legislative alternatives to impeachment are suggested, while issues like ICE tactics and political theater highlight domestic tensions. Finally, the call for responsible leadership echoes throughout the analysis.