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The Political Scene | The New Yorker: Daily Summaries Delivered
by 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. David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker, presents conversations and feature stories about current events. The senior editor Tyler Foggatt goes deep on a consequential political story via far-reaching interviews with staff writers and outside experts. 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.
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- 2 days ago50 min
Trump’s Self-Dealing and the Question of Kleptocracy
The New Yorker staff writer David D. Kirkpatrick joins Tyler Foggatt and Andrew Marantz to discuss his investigation—published in August, 2025—into the many ways President Donald Trump has profited during his second term, which include a reported private jet (a gift from Qatar), soaring valuations of Trump Media, and a flood of crypto ventures. They discuss whether these attempts at self-enrichment amount to ordinary political corruption, or whether they represent tools for consolidating power that could in turn accelerate democratic backsliding in the United States, much like in kleptocracies and oligarchies abroad.This episode originally aired on August 20, 2025.This week’s reading: “Is There a Remedy for Presidential Profiteering?,” by David D. Kirkpatrick “Trump’s Profiteering Hits $6 Billion,” by David D. Kirkpatrick “This Is What Trumpian Self-Dealing Looks Like,” by John Cassidy “How Trump Created a Slush Fund for His Allies,” by Ruth Marcus “How Pakistan Is Using the Iran War to Reinvent Itself,” by Sudarsan Raghavan “The Strange Emptiness of the Crowded Governor’s Race in California,” by Nathan Heller The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
- 4 days agointerview26 min5-min read
Dan Osborn, the Independent Senate Candidate Who Could Tip Nebraska
Dan Osborn, a blue-collar union mechanic and independent Senate candidate in Nebraska, is running a grassroots campaign against Republican incumbent Pete Ricketts, positioning himself as a populist alternative to both major parties. Despite the challenges of running without party backing, Osborn has gained surprising traction by focusing on economic fairness, anti-corruption, and connecting directly with voters through hundreds of town halls.
- 1 weeks agoconversational29 min5-min read
The Whiplash of the U.S.-Iran Peace Talks
Amid ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to end a war sparked by the Trump administration, Robin Wright argues that while the U.S. holds military superiority, Iran has gained significant leverage by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint. The potential deal—framed as a memorandum of understanding—focuses on extending a ceasefire and reopening trade, but sidesteps core issues like Iran’s nuclear program, missile arsenal, and regional proxies, raising doubts about its long-term viability.
- 1 weeks agointerview48 min7-min read
The U.F.C. President, Dana White, on Donald Trump: “He’s Not a Racist”
UFC President Dana White recounts his journey from jiu-jitsu enthusiast to leader of a $7.7 billion sports empire, while defending his close friendship with Donald Trump and detailing plans for a historic UFC event on the White House lawn to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
- 2 weeks agoroundtable46 min5-min read
Is Washington Up to the Challenge of A.I.?
The episode examines the intensifying political and public backlash against artificial intelligence, driven by fears over job displacement, privacy, democratic erosion, and existential risk. Despite President Trump’s initial move to impose a 90-day national security review on new AI technologies, he abruptly reversed course after lobbying from Silicon Valley investor David Sachs, underscoring the outsized influence of venture capital in shaping AI policy. The discussion centers on whether America’s fractured political system can respond meaningfully to a technological transformation that may outpace governance, particularly as warnings from AI developers themselves grow louder and more urgent.
- 2 weeks agoroundtable39 min5-min read
What Is Hakeem Jeffries’s Plan for the Midterms, and After?
Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader and likely future Speaker of the House, is navigating a delicate political balancing act: maintaining unity within a fractured Democratic caucus while responding to the provocations of Donald Trump. His leadership style—measured, strategic, and consensus-driven—has drawn criticism for being too cautious, yet has also enabled key tactical victories on redistricting and government shutdowns. The episode explores whether Jeffries’ restrained approach is a liability in an era of political spectacle or a quietly effective form of leadership that could guide Democrats to power.
- 2 weeks agonarrative32 min4-min read
The History Wars and America at 250, with the Historian Jill Lepore
The episode explores how Americans have historically grappled with national identity during major anniversaries, particularly the bicentennial in 1976 and the upcoming 250th in 2026, revealing enduring ambivalence, political polarization, and the contested role of history in public life. It argues that while official narratives often sanitize the past, true civic engagement comes from local, grassroots reflection on what the nation has been and could become.
- 3 weeks agoroundtable43 min4-min read
A Member of the “Seditious Six” on Reviving the Democratic Party
Congressman Jason Crow, an Army Ranger veteran and Democratic member of the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, argues that Democrats must confront their failures in connecting with working-class Americans while offering a morally grounded, locally focused message to counter Donald Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and economic mismanagement. He emphasizes that Trump’s disregard for democratic norms, illegal wars, and corruption represent an existential threat to American democracy, and that Democrats must rebuild trust by acknowledging past shortcomings, running hyper-local campaigns, and projecting strength rather than timidity.
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About The Political Scene | 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. David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker, presents conversations and feature stories about current events. The senior editor Tyler Foggatt goes deep on a consequential political story via far-reaching interviews with staff writers and outside experts. 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.
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