The Political Scene | The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Join The New Yorker’s writers and editors for reporting, insight, and analysis of the most pressing political issues of our time. On Mondays, David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker, presents conversations and feature stories about current events. On Wednesdays, the senior editor Tyler Foggatt goes deep on a consequential political story via far-reaching interviews with staff writers and outside experts. And, on Fridays, the staff writers Susan B. Glasser, Jane Mayer, and Evan Osnos discuss the latest developments in Washington and beyond, offering an encompassing understanding of this moment in American politics.
Episodes
Mentioned books
36 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 45min
The Washington Roundtable on the Iran War
A roundtable unpacks the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and the unclear reasons given for them. They debate shifting administration rationales and the absence of defined strategic goals. The discussion traces lessons from the Iraq War, worries about empowering hardliners, and the political and human costs of entering a broader regional conflict.
56 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 37min
Special Episode: War in Iran
Ishaan Tharoor, foreign-affairs journalist known for sharp analysis of international conflicts, joins to break down the U.S.-Israel strikes in Iran. He walks through Khamenei’s death and Iran’s broad retaliation. He questions whether Washington had an endgame, contrasts U.S. and Israeli aims, and explores regional escalation, economic shock, and risks to Gulf stability.
24 snips
Feb 28, 2026 • 43min
“Everyone is Overreacting” on the Tariff Ruling, Stephen Vladeck Says
Stephen Vladeck, a Georgetown Law professor and Supreme Court scholar, offers crisp court analysis. He unpacks the tariff ruling and its limited significance. He spotlights the rise of the emergency “shadow docket.” He maps conservative fault lines on the Court and weighs risks to court legitimacy.
77 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 37min
How the Epstein Files Are Forcing a Reckoning with Power
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker staff writer and columnist, unpacks the fallout from the Epstein files. He explores why the documents spark both sober questions and wild speculation. He contrasts conspiracy thinking with legitimate doubt. He traces how the chaotic release, online forums, and partisan framing deepen public cynicism about elites and institutions.
61 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 27min
How Tucker Carlson Became the Prophet of MAGA
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker staff writer and author of Hated by All the Right People, traces Tucker Carlson’s arc from contrarian journalist to a media figure reshaping the right. He discusses Carlson’s radicalization after leaving legacy media, his tactics for building a devoted audience, ties to extremists, and his political ambitions and influence within MAGA politics.
76 snips
Feb 21, 2026 • 37min
The MAGA Agenda Is Sinking in Popularity. What Might Donald Trump Do?
A close look at how slipping popularity on the economy and immigration is reshaping a major political playbook. Conversations about control of federal power, court influence, and risks abroad. Debates over fractures in the Republican coalition and Democratic divisions over strategy. Local organizing, protests, and how messaging might shape the midterm landscape.
64 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 35min
What Donald Trump and “Everyone” Knew About Jeffrey Epstein
Julie K. Brown, the Miami Herald investigative reporter who exposed Jeffrey Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, discusses newly released documents. She examines redacted emails, evidence suggesting Trump knew about Epstein earlier, Epstein’s global recruitment network, why powerful people stayed connected, and lingering questions about Epstein’s death.
63 snips
Feb 14, 2026 • 34min
What Happens When a Megalomaniac Begins to Fail
Ruth Ben-Ghiat, historian of dictatorships and author of Strongmen, explains how megalomania forms and how autocrats react when popularity falls. She describes echo chambers, loyalist inner circles, and the risky escalations leaders choose to cling to power. The conversation links historical patterns to modern leaders and explores how societies might respond.
37 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 41min
Can Anthropic Control What It's Building?
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker staff writer known for long-form tech and culture reporting, visits Anthropic to probe Claude and AI safety. He describes company culture, experiments testing model limits, debates over safety versus scale, and engineers’ worries about job loss and control as capabilities accelerate.
34 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 49min
Ben Shapiro Is Waging Battle Inside the MAGA Movement
Ben Shapiro, conservative commentator and Daily Wire co-founder, sparring with MAGA figures over conspiracies and antisemitism. He critiques Carlson and others, parses the Epstein files versus viral narratives, and explains his emphasis on personal responsibility. Short, sharp conversations on media, political allegiances, and where conservative leadership might head next.
