This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss whether warnings from leading artificial intelligence companies that AI could pose an existential threat should be taken seriously. They debate calls to slow the development of frontier AI and question whether regulation would reduce genuine risks or simply protect today's dominant companies from competition.

The editors also discuss California's new restrictions on social media and AI and the potential consequences for privacy and free expression. They then turn to President Donald Trump's proposal to give $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans win the midterm elections. Would Trump's proposed "dividend" bear any resemblance to a tax cut? And what would a roughly $1.3 trillion payout mean for a country already $40 trillion in debt? A listener asks what the past decade of American politics says about the future of libertarianism, the Democratic Party, and a post-Trump Republican Party. Finally, the editors remember their friend and longtime Reason fan Andrew Wimsatt, who died last week. Matt reflects on Wimsatt's generosity and selflessness, as well as his years of support for Reason and its community.

0:00–Tech leaders call for a slowdown in frontier AI development.
21:45–California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs social media child safety bills.
30:17–Listener question on the past decade in politics
39:58–Trump promises a $5,000 "dividend."
50:53–Remembering Andrew Wimsatt
54:20–Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable's 10th Anniversary—Live in NYC! October 7

The World Premiere of Escaping VenezuelaOctober 13

Mentioned in the Podcast:

"Anthropic CEO Calls for an AI Slowdown, Other Tech Leaders Cosign," by Liz Wolfe
"The Age of Stupid—and Self-Serving—AI Regulation Is Here!," by Nick Gillespie
"AI Doom Is Misguided, Not a Psyop," by Robby Soave
"Is AI Really Taking All the Jobs? Anthropic Co-Founder Reveals the Data," by Nick Gillespie
"This California Social Media Law Is a Privacy and Free Speech 'Nightmare'," by Meagan O'Rourke
"You're Wrong About Social Media Being Addictive," by Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch
"George Will: Brace Yourself for the Authoritarian Moment," by Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch
"I Tried To Find Out What Republicans Think of Trump's $5,000 Checks. Then I Got Trapped," by Billy Binion
"The Flow," by Andrew Wimsatt

The post Is AI Really an Existential Threat? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Senior Producer Zach Weissmueller to discuss why public schools have lost 1.4 million students since the pandemic even as their budgets have grown. They examine the rise of school choice, microschools, and other alternatives to traditional public education. They discuss why families are increasingly opting out and whether declining enrollment will finally force public schools to rethink how they operate.

The panel then discusses Vice President J.D. Vance's proposal to make federal childcare subsidies available to married couples with a stay-at-home parent. They also reflect on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and the ways the government's response permanently changed American life, from the formation of the Transportation Security Administration to warrantless surveillance and the growth of the national security state. Finally, a listener asks whether recent food safety scares can be blamed on cuts to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and how markets could keep food safe with a much smaller regulatory role.

0:00—School choice is winning.

25:12—Federal subsidies for stay-at-home parents

39:15—Listener question on the FDA and food safety

46:59—What has changed most since 9/11?

57:20—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable's 10th Anniversary—Live in NYC! October 7

Mentioned in the podcast:

"We Have Already Passed Peak Public School," by Matt Welch

"American Public Schools Lost 1.4 Million Students Since COVID. Their Budgets Grew by 34% Anyway," by Tosin Akintola

"The Rise of Florida's 'Microschools,'" by Zach Weissmueller

"Why I Left California for Florida," by Zach Weissmueller

"Does School Choice Help Students Learn? All Signs Point To Yes," by Nick Gillespie

"The Decade of Decline in Seattle Public Schools," by Sandeep Kaushik

"Trump Officials Draft Plan to Pay At-Home Parents, Using Funds for Working Ones," by Coral Davenport

"Storks Don't Take Orders From the State," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Make America Fertile Again: The Strange Bedfellows of the New Baby Boom Agenda," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"J.D. Vance and the Politics of Victimhood," by Stephanie Slade

"Study: Even Well-Intentioned Regulators Do More Harm Than Good," by J.D. Tuccille

The post Why Public Schools Lost 1.4 Million Students appeared first on Reason Magazine.

On this special edition ofThe Reason Roundtable, Senior Editor Robby Soave is joined by Associate Editor Liz Wolfe, reporter Reem Ibrahim, and Senior Producer Zach Weissmueller to discuss President Donald Trump's latest threat to use the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against Meet the Press host Kristen Welker. They debate Trump's willingness to use government power against speech he dislikes, whether the FCC has become obsolete in the age of digital media, and what the president's attacks on the press say about the Republican Party's commitment to free speech.

The panel also discusses Trump's escalating war with Iran, Meta's $17 billion settlement over alleged harms to children and whether parents or the government should be responsible for limiting kids' social media use, and the deportation of Milo Yiannopoulos amid his feud with Laura Loomer.

0:00—Trump wants the FCC to punish Welker

13:58—U.S. and Iran trade strikes in the Strait of Hormuz

23:56—Meta settles lawsuit for $17 billion

45:15—Yiannopoulos gets deported

52:08—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable's 10th Anniversary—Live in NYC! October 7

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Trump Declared NBC's Kristen Welker Will Be 'Reported To the FCC For Rebuke or Punishment'," by Liz Wolfe

"A Liberal Think Tank and an Air Force Major Are Trump's Latest Targets for Speech Policing," by Joe Lancaster

"What Craigslist and Backpage Can Tell Us About the Meta Settlement," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Haidt's Moment," by Liz Wolfe

"9/11 Turbocharged America's Worst Foreign Policy Impulses—but Didn't Change Its Direction," by Emma Ashford

"Milo Yiannopoulos Wanted Millions Deported. He Didn't Mean Himself," by Billy Binion

The post Trump Wants the FCC To Punish His Enemies appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Reason Senior Editor Robby Soave to discuss the national debt hitting $40 trillion and whether decades of fiscal irresponsibility are finally beginning to have consequences. They examine how the debt doubled in less than a decade, why federal spending continues to outpace revenue, and whether turmoil in the bond market could force politicians to take deficits seriously. They also consider why both parties abandoned the fiscal restraint that helped produce balanced budgets in the 1990s and what it would take to reverse course.

The editors also discuss President Donald Trump's escalating trade war with Canada and his administration's refusal to return tariff revenue collected illegally, the growing bipartisan backlash against AI data centers, and whether economic growth can realistically help America escape its debt problem. They examine the government's case against Meta and the latest effort to blame social media for harms to children, then turn to calls for restrictions on journalists following the death of Cambridge professor Jason Arday. Finally, a listener asks whether AI could shrink the federal workforce and dramatically reduce the cost of government.

0:00—National debt hits $40 trillion

15:26—Canadian trade war intensifies

26:37—Backlash to data centers

41:52—Listener question on AI and the federal workforce

53:27—Jason Arday and speech regulations

1:03:08—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable's 10th Anniversary—Live in NYC! October 7

Mentioned in the podcast:

"$40 Trillion and Parents' Night Out," by Liz Wolfe

"Why We Need To Shrink the National Debt, and Fast!" by Nick Gillespie

Nick Gillespie on X: "For those of us concerned about national debt, here is federal spending and revenue expressed as pct. of GDP and per capita in 2017 dollars. We are spending too much, not taxing too little."

"How many civilian jobs are in the US federal government?" by USA Facts

"Trump Imposes Harmful and Illegal Section 338 Tariffs Against Many Canadian Imports," by Ilya Somin

"Bad Reasons and Worse Reasons to Hate Data Centers," by Robby Soave

"Data Centers Are Doing Your Dirty Work for You," by Christian Britschgi

"Sen. Ed Markey doesn't know what AI he is using," by Taylor Lorenz

"Censors Seize on Jason Arday's Death as Excuse To Demand More Censorship," by Reem Ibrahim

"TonyIs an Anthony Bourdain Origin Story," by Peter Suderman

"Travel Shows Were Boring as Fuck. Then Came Anthony Bourdain," by Todd Krainin

The post How Did America Get $40 Trillion in Debt? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman,  Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss whether America can afford Medicare for All and the broader Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) agenda. They examine the enormous cost of expanding government-run health care, why taxing billionaires wouldn't come close to covering the bill, and what the experiences of the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and other countries reveal about the tradeoffs of universal health care. They also consider whether either major political party is prepared to confront America's growing deficits and looming fiscal crisis.

The editors then turn to the DSA's growing influence within the Democratic Party and the pushback from Democrats wary of socialism. They discuss President Donald Trump's efforts to reduce America's military presence abroad, including his decision to pull back from exercises with South Korea, and whether his approach represents a genuine foreign policy retrenchment or simply more erratic decision making. The panel also makes the case for giving children more independence and questions laws that punish parents for letting their kids play outside unsupervised. Finally, a listener asks when, during each panelist's lifetime, the government has been most effective and worked best for the American people.

0:00—Medicare for All and American health care

19:12—The DSA's influence in the Democratic Party

28:58—Trump cancels joint military exercises in South Korea

36:21—Listener question on government effectiveness

46:34—The case for free-range parenting

54:39—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming Reason Events

TheReason Roundtable's10th Anniversary—Live in NYC! October 7

Mentioned in the podcast:

"The DSA's Agenda Could Cost More Than $200 Trillion—and You'll Be Picking Up the Tab," by Reem Ibrahim

"Socialists Claim Public Libraries Are Examples of Their Policies. Don't Believe Them," by J.D. Tuccille

"Hong's Swan Song," by Liz Wolfe

"It Can Happen Here," by Arnold Kling, David R. Henderson, and Maurice McTigue

"Trump's Assault on Judicial Review Undermines a Crucial Safeguard Against Tyranny," by Jacob Sullum

"The War on Free-Range Kids Makes The New York Times," by Lenore Skenazy

"In Widow's Bay, the Real Monster Is Utilitarianism," by Christian Britschgi

The post Who Pays for Medicare for All? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's admission that "Woke 1 was crazy" and whether the Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) new focus on affordability represents a genuine break from the politics of 2020. They debate whether progressives have actually moved on from the excesses of the pandemic era, whether the DSA's economic agenda is any more workable, and why affordability has become such a potent message on the left.

The editors also examine how the cost of living is driving infighting on the right, from the online battle over $20 burritos to the larger splits over tariffs, immigration, and the Iran war. They discuss President Donald Trump's latest attempt to end birthright citizenship and what the Jason Arday plagiarism scandal at Cambridge University says about academia's lingering ideological problems. Finally, a listener asks whether enormous CEO pay packages and widespread layoffs undermine the case for capitalism.

0:00—Ocasio-Cortez says "Woke 1 was crazy"

15:19—Conservatives debate the cost of burritos

28:49—Trump's birthright citizenship order

33:12—Listener question on capitalism

46:08—Arday scandal and resignation

55:54—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming events:

Nick Gillespie discusses THC, INC., on Tuesday, August 11, in New York City. Tickets are free but must be reserved.

Mentioned in the podcast:

"The Socialist Surge Revives Failed and Hateful Ideas," by J.D. Tuccille

"The 'Affordability' Agenda That Taxes Your Dinner," by C. Jarrett Dieterle

"Can You Imagine a Future Where Adults Don't Believe in Socialism?" by Steven Greenhut

"Socialist Moment," by Peter Suderman

"Abdul El-Sayed Says He's Not a Socialist. His Policy Agenda Says Otherwise," by Robby Soave

"Socialists Are Trying To Take Hold of the Democratic Party—and They're Winning," by Zach Weissmueller

"The GOP Is Warning About Socialism While Quietly Embracing It," by Veronique de Rugy

"Francesca Hong's Hateful Holidays, Burrito Prices, and Woke 1.0," by Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi

"A Burrito Costs How Much?" by Eric Boehm

"A Viral Tweet Set Off a Discourse on $20 Burritos. Here's the Truth About Inflation," by Reem Ibrahim

"Trump's New Birthright Citizenship Executive Orders Are Mostly Theater," by Billy Binion

"Trump Issues Another Unconstitutional Executive Order Targeting Birthright Citizenship," by Ilya Somin

"The Trump Administration Promises the 'Largest Denaturalization Effort Ever,'" by Billy Binion

"Rethinking the Social Responsibility of Business," by Milton Friedman, John Mackey, and T.J. Rodgers

"Milton Friedman Accused of Making Corporations Greedy," by Brian Doherty

"Phil Magness: Holding Leftists and Libertarians Accountable," by Nick Gillespie

"The 1619 Project Unrepentantly Pushes Junk History," by Phillip W. Magness

"What The New York Times' 1619 Project Gets Wrong About Capitalism: Phillip Magness," by Nick Gillespie

"One Night Only Is a Rare Rom-Com About Regulation," by Peter Suderman

The post Are Socialists Actually Leaving Wokeness Behind? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Associate Editor Liz Wolfe to discuss whether democratic socialism is gaining ground beyond the coasts and what the rise of candidates like Francesca Hong and Abdul El-Sayed means for the future of the Democratic Party.

Next, the editors discuss President Donald Trump's decision to restart talks with Iran and the continuing political fallout from the conflict. They then debate the proposed Warner Bros.-Paramount merger and whether the government should intervene to block it. Finally, the panel revisits the COVID-19 response in the wake of Anthony Fauci's appearance before Congress and asks what lessons, if any, America has learned from the pandemic.

0:00—Democratic socialism goes national

26:57—Trump restarts talks with Iran

34:28—Listener question on Warner Bros.-Paramount merger

53:07—Fauci's appearance before Congress

1:04:39—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Friends Like These," by Liz Wolfe

"Study Says Foxconn Deal Cost Wisconsin $20 Billion in Lost Economic Growth," by Veronique de Rugy

"Trump Backs Down From Yet Another Empty Threat to Iran," by Matthew Petti

"12 States Sue, Call Paramount–Warner Bros. Merger an Antitrust Violation," by Joe Lancaster

"Paramount's Acquisition of Warner Bros. Wouldn't Be the End of Hollywood or Press Freedom," by Jack Nicastro

"Mergers and Disquisitions," by Nick Gillespie

"Don't Sweat Comcast/NBC, Either," by Matt Welch

"The 2024 Campaign Was an Embarrassment for Elite Media," by Matt Welch

"Reasons not to sweat AOL-Time Warner--and other megadeals," by Nick Gillespie

"Another Merger That Didn't Require Antitrust: Time Warner to Ditch Time," by Matt Welch

"What Anthony Fauci's Defenders (and Critics) Get Wrong," by Robby Soave

"Anthony Fauci Refuses to Answer Rand Paul's Questions After Diary Disclosures Go Viral," by Robby Soave and Amber Duke

"At Senate Hearing, Fauci Takes the Fifth To Avoid Accounting for Inconsistent Statements About a Lab Leak," by Christian Britschgi

"What Anthony Fauci's Diary Reveals About COVID," by Robby Soave

"We Will Regret Not Taking the Economic Effects of Mass Quarantine More Seriously," by Nick Gillespie

"In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a Web Slinging Superhero Grows Up," by Peter Suderman

The post Is Democratic Socialism Going National? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss whether the Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) growing influence reflects a serious governing vision or a political movement driven more by symbolism than workable policy. They discuss the DSA's platform, the future of Medicare for All, and what the rise of democratic socialism could mean for the Democratic Party ahead of the midterms.

They also examine President Donald Trump's decision to hit pause on military action against Iran, discuss former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan's return to politics, and make the case for deregulating peptides. Finally, they answer a listener question about what The Odyssey says about liberalism.

0:00—Do Democrats have a socialism problem?

12:53—The DSA's policy agenda

25:31—Trump pauses Iran strikes

32:10—Listener question on The Odyssey

43:56—Deregulating peptides

50:22—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Zohran Mamdani Tells Jon Stewart Socialism Is Just Having a Library," by Robby Soave

"For Thousands of New York City Apartment Buildings, the Math Doesn't Math," by Christian Britschgi

"The DSA, MAGA, and the New Policy Nihilism," by Peter Suderman

"Nobody Likes Red Tape, Not Even Mamdani," by Meagan O'Rourke

"Mamdani's Zombie Apartment Nightmare," by Christian Britschgi

"Waltz: Interceptor Shortage Is Biden's Fault, Fake News, and Illegal To Discuss," by Matthew Petti

"Pentagon Death Numbers," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump Can't Just Pretend Iran War Casualties Don't Count," Joe Lancaster

"Trump's Newest Tariffs Are Likely Illegal Too," by Eric Boehm

"Tariff Man," by Peter Suderman

"Disillusioned Revolutionaries: Many Founders Died in Despair About the American Experiment," by Matt Welch

"The Energy Department Admits the OMB Canceled Grants 'Solely' To Punish Trump's Political Opponents," by Jacob Sullum

The post The Democrats Have a Socialism Problem appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the escalating war with Iran and whether President Donald Trump has any way to bring the conflict under control. The panel examines the deaths of American service members, rising gas prices, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the lack of a clear objective for a war that has continued despite repeated attempts at ceasefires.

Next, the editors discuss Trump's new tariffs on Brazil and the increasingly incoherent use of trade policy to pursue unrelated political goals. They then examine Trump's primetime address on election security and whether his efforts to change election rules ahead of the midterms should be taken seriously. The panel also considers the growing popularity of democratic socialism, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political appeal, and why voters who support free markets may still embrace socialist politicians. Finally, a listener asks whether fears about artificial intelligence amount to a moral panic.

0:00—Iran war intensifies

12:53—Brazil tariffs and trade war escalation

27:56—Trump's primetime address

38:34—Listener question on AI moral panic

47:44—Mamdani's rising popularity

55:08—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"The Iran War Is Back, Sort Of," by Matthew Petti

"As U.S. Starts 'New' Iran War, Lawmakers Want Answers About Deadly Elementary School Strike," by Meagan O'Rourke

"Meet the New War," by Liz Wolfe

"America Has a Huge Trade Surplus With Brazil. Trump Just Put 25% Tariffs on Brazilian Goods Anyway," by Eric Boehm

"Trump's Attacks on Free Trade Have Actually Made It More Popular With Voters," by John Mueller

"The Most Corrupt Presidency in American History, by the Numbers," by Matt Welch

"Election Vulnerability," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump Threatens To Revoke ABC and NBC Licenses for Not Broadcasting His Election Speech," by Joe Lancaster

"Election interference by foreigners: An assessment," by John Mueller

"AI Is the Democratic Party's Next Villain," by Eugene Volokh

"Labor Unions Hate Robots—and It's Stopping Democrats From Delivering on Affordability," by Peter Suderman

"The Age of Stupid—and Self-Serving—AI Regulation Is Here!" by Nick Gillespie

"Is AI Really Taking All the Jobs? Anthropic Co-Founder Jack Clark Reveals the Data," by Nick Gillespie

"Working Class Hero," by Liz Wolfe

"The 'Free Market' is More Popular than 'Capitalism,'" by Ilya Somin

The post Is the War in Iran Spiraling Out of Control? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R–S.C.) and his political legacy as one of Washington's most persistent advocates for an interventionist foreign policy. The panel examines Graham's evolution from John McCain ally and Trump critic to one of the president's most loyal supporters, his role in pushing Trump toward a more hawkish foreign policy, and what his career reveals about the transformation of the Republican Party.

Next, the editors check in on Trump's escalating war with Iran and debate whether there is any plausible case that the conflict has left the United States better off. They also discuss the bipartisan housing bill passed by Congress, whether its permitting and regulatory reforms could meaningfully reduce housing costs, and Trump's refusal to sign it. The panel then examines the collapse of Graham Platner's Senate campaign and what it reveals about Democratic candidate recruitment and populist politics. Finally, a listener asks whether the SAVE America Act's voting requirements could inadvertently produce a more informed electorate and create the conditions for a libertarian moment.

0:00—Lindsey Graham's legacy

10:13—New military strikes on Iran

22:55—21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

30:45—Listener question on the SAVE America Act

39:47—Graham Platner ends Senate campaign

50:24—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Last of the Neocon 'Three Amigos': Lindsey Graham Dies Unexpectedly," by Matthew Petti

"Sen. Mitch McConnell's Hospitalization Proves Again That Gerontocracy Sucks," by Ronald Bailey

"'Scrap It and Start All Over': Ex-Bush and Obama Officials Say the War on Terror's Powers Have Gone Too Far," by Billy Binion

"Lindsey Graham Is Outraged About Federal Surveillance Powers That Lindsey Graham Helped Create and Expand," by Eric Boehm

"Crisis Phase," by Liz Wolfe

"The Sindex: Gas Prices Rose 29% in 2 Months After Trump Went to War With Iran," by Jason Russell

"Can the U.S. Defend Itself if Sequestration Cuts Really Happen?"  by Nick Gillespie

"Will Sequestration Cause the Sky to Fall (Defense Edition)? Not even close," by Nick Gillespie

"Housing Villains," by Christian Britschgi

"New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units," St. Louis Federal Reserve

"The Noncitizen Voting Myth," by Fiona Harrigan

"A Trump-Appointed Judge Quashes a Subpoena Aimed at Validating the President's Stolen-Election Fantasy," by Jacob Sullum

"Has the GOP Lost Its Mind Over Donald Trump and Election Fraud?" by Nick Gillespie

"Graham Platner Dropped Out, but His Shadow Lingers Over Democrats and U.S. Politics," by J.D. Tuccille

"Good Riddance to Graham Platner," by Robby Soave

"Democrats' Maine Problem," by Liz Wolfe

The post Did Lindsey Graham Push Trump Toward War? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman,  Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss America's declining sense of patriotism and whether it's possible to distrust the government while still loving the country. The panel examines why fewer Americans say they are proud to be American, the growing skepticism toward capitalism, and whether there are still reasons for optimism about America's future.

Next, the editors discuss why World Cup tourists are embracing the United States, from air conditioning to everyday convenience, and what the tournament says about America's global image. They then examine the Supreme Court's latest gun rights rulings and what they mean for the future of the Second Amendment. The panel also compares America's response to extreme summer heat with Europe's resistance to air conditioning. Finally, a listener asks about "stolen land," private property, and the libertarian perspective on historical injustice.

0:00—Patriotism is on the decline

11:31—World Cup visitors embrace America

28:17—SCOTUS ruling on gun rights

34:46—Listener question on "stolen land"

47:07—Europe's resistance to air conditioning

1:00:11—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Why Are Americans Less Patriotic Than Ever?" by Nick Gillespie

"After 250 Years, Are America's Best Days Still Ahead?" by Steven Greenhut

"On America's 250th Birthday, Celebrate Liberty," by J.D. Tuccille

"Americans Will Never Shut Up or Do As We're Told," by Matt Welch

"The World Cup Experience Lives Up to the Hype," by Jason Russell

"How the US Has—Mostly—Avoided the Dark Side of the World Cup," by Ilya Somin

"Balogun's World Cup Red Card Is Suspended—Justly," by Paul Cassell

"Second Amendment Roundup: Cert Granted on Semiautomatic Rifle Bans," by Stephen Halbrook

"Europe May Never Be Cool, but It Can Be Air Conditioned," by J.D. Tuccille

"Zohran Mamdani Goes Full Commie on Air Conditioning," by Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi

The post Can You Hate the Government and Still Love America? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and whether socialism is becoming a mainstream force within the Democratic Party. The panel examines what's driving the DSA's recent gains, whether President Donald Trump has accelerated the movement's rise, and what a more openly socialist Democratic Party could mean for American politics.

Next, the editors discuss the DSA's policy agenda, including proposals on housing, labor, and public spending. They then examine Trump's strategy toward Iran and debate whether the latest round of military escalation has become a recurring cycle of weekend conflicts followed by uneasy ceasefires. The panel also reflects on America's 250th birthday and what the country's founding ideals still mean in an era of political polarization. Finally, a listener asks how low-budget filmmakers should balance fair pay for crew members with the financial realities of independent production.

0:00—Is this the socialist moment?

15:45—DSA policy analysis

28:55—Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz

31:30—Listener question on films and unions

44:00—America's 250th birthday

50:05—Weekly cultural recommendation

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Are Socialists More Like Libertarians Than We'd Prefer To Admit?" by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"The DSA and the Democrats' Retreat Into Economic Fantasyland," by Peter Suderman

"Mamdani Got His Rent Freeze Wish. Don't Expect New York City Housing To Become More Affordable," by Meagan O'Rourke

"Democratic Socialism Remains an Elite Phenomenon," by Robby Soave

"Darializa Avila Chevalier Will Be This Congress' First Campus Radical," by Robby Soave

"Socialists Hijacked My City," by Liz Wolfe

"Dire Strait," by Eric Bohem

"Adam Schiff Wants Federal Tax Credits for Movie and TV Production," by Joe Lancaster

"Film Subsidies Weren't Enough To Keep Marvel in Georgia," by Joe Lancaster

"The Former Drug Dealer Whose Shows Make Millions Without Hollywood," by Ben Fritz

"Don't Let the Country's Wet Blankets Ruin Independence Day," by J.D. Tuccille

"The Gun That Won the Revolution," by David Kopel

"Native Americans Taught Colonists How To Fight—and To Live Without Kings," by Charles C. Mann

"Disillusioned Revolutionaries: Many Founders Died in Despair About the American Experiment," by Matt Welch

"My Very Long Ride on the MAGA Ferris Wheel," by Billy Binion

The post Is Socialism Going Mainstream? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and what it reveals about the United Kingdom's economic stagnation. The panel examines the legacy of Brexit, the rise of the self-described "business-friendly socialist" Andy Burnham, and whether the U.K.'s growing embrace of big government policies offers a warning for the United States.

Next, the editors discuss the growing influence of Democratic Socialists in major American cities, including New York, Washington, and Los Angeles. They then examine Trump's negotiations with Iran and debate whether the administration's deal represents a diplomatic success or a strategic retreat. The panel also discusses Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) decision to abandon plans for new migrant detention centers and what it reveals about the future of immigration enforcement. Finally, a listener asks whether Cuba's latest market reforms signal a genuine shift away from socialism or just another false start.

0:00—Starmer resigns

14:05—Democratic Socialists of America ascendant in blue cities

31:29—Iran negotiations and the Strait of Hormuz

39:12—Listener question on Cuba

45:09—ICE to sell off warehouses

55:03—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Has Resigned. His Replacement Will Likely Be More of the Same," by Reem Ibrahim

"England Fans Warned Not To Chant 'Keir Starmer's a Wanker' at World Cup," by Reem Ibrahim

"How Worried Should We Be About a Socialist Mayor in D.C.?" by Christian Britschgi

"Graham Platner Signals a Problem for Democrats, and the Rest of Us," by J.D. Tuccille

"Compromise With Iran Isn't 'Surrender,'" by Matthew Petti

"Bibi Tearing Up the Deal," by Liz Wolfe

"ICE Largely Abandons Plan To Turn Warehouses Into Migrant Detention Facilities," by Joe Lancaster

"ICE Says It's Moved Detainees Out of 'Alligator Alcatraz' For Hurricane Season," by C.J. Ciaramella

The post Why U.K. Socialism Could Soon Be America's Problem appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch, to discuss Elon Musk becoming the world's first trillionaire and whether that milestone represents a triumph of capitalism or a warning sign about inequality. The panel examines the political backlash to extreme wealth, the role government subsidies played in Musk's rise, and whether Americans should be more concerned about how fortunes are made than how large they become.

Next, the editors discuss the Supreme Court's biggest pending decisions, including cases involving birthright citizenship and the Federal Reserve. They also debate Democratic proposals to expand the Supreme Court and what those efforts could mean for the judiciary's future. The panel then examines the economic fallout from the Iran war, including rising inflation and energy prices. Finally, a listener asks whether the free market is responsible for the growing "enshittification" of everyday life, from movie theaters to fast-food restaurants.

0:00—Elon Musk becomes a trillionaire

17:50—The Supreme Court's pending decisions

31:33—Will Democrats pack the Supreme Court?

38:41—Listener question on free market and quality decline

48:57—Iran ceasefire agreement and economic impact

53:37—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Elon Musk Becomes the World's First Trillionaire. Is That Such a Bad Thing?" by Joe Lancaster

"The Iran War Is Over, For Now," by Matthew Petti

"The White House UFC Fight Is the Perfect Event for the Present, Not the Past," by Billy Binion

"Counting Down the Supreme Court Term," by Sarah Isgur and David French

"UFC Stages Successful White House Fight Night—if Not for Obama Insult," by Sean Gregory

"Soccer Participation in the U.S. Is Surging Before the 2026 World Cup," by Sports and Fitness Industry Association

"Soccer Passes Baseball in Race to Be America's Favorite Sport," by Ben Steiner

The post Bernie Sanders Is Wrong About Trillionaires appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Associate Editor Liz Wolfe to discuss New York City's falling crime rates and whether Democrats have really solved their big-city crime problem. The panel looks at the recent Penn Station stabbings, subway disorder, fare evasion, and why many New Yorkers still feel uneasy even as murders and shootings decline.

Next, the editors discuss California's recent elections, including Spencer Pratt's bid for Los Angeles mayor, and what these results reveal about voter attitudes toward political leadership and governance. They then examine the political and economic fallout from President Donald Trump's war with Iran. The panel also discusses proposals from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I–Vt.) and Trump to give the federal government a stake in artificial intelligence companies. Finally, a listener asks whether AI-powered surveillance threatens individual liberty.

0:00—New York City's declining murder rate

18:16—California election results

28:22—The economic fallout of the Iran war

38:33—Listener question on AI threats to liberty

49:47—The push to nationalize artificial intelligence

55:45—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"D.C.'s Crime Drop Didn't Require a Military Deployment," by Tosin Akintola

"Trump's Middle Eastern Ceasefire: Fiery But Mostly Peaceful," by Matthew Petti

"Trump and Bibi Are Fighting," by Liz Wolfe

"Bernie Sanders' AI Wealth Fund Bill Shows That He Doesn't Understand AI or Wealth," by Tosin Akintola

"Native Americans Taught Colonists How To Fight—and To Live Without Kings," by Charles C. Mann

"Neil Gorsuch on the Declaration of Independence, Originalism, and Separation of Powers," by Nick Gillespie

The post Do Democrats Still Have a Big-City Crime Problem? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's new Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE). The panel examines Mamdani's claim that bureaucracy is preventing New York from delivering housing, transit, and other services, while questioning whether the commission represents a serious effort at reform or simply a rebranding of the city's existing political priorities. They also consider what Mamdani's embrace of efficiency rhetoric says about the state of the Democratic Party and the growing recognition that government often struggles to deliver on its promises.

Next, the editors discuss former Vice President Mike Pence's claim that "Democrats have lost their mind" and examine the Democratic Party's continuing attraction to polarizing candidates, from Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to California's unsettled gubernatorial race. The panel then checks in on the endlessly unresolved Iran conflict, before debating a proposal to eliminate property taxes for senior citizens and what it reveals about the growing trend toward narrowly targeted tax breaks. Finally, the editors answer a listener's question about whether late Sen. John McCain's (R–Ariz.) opposition to mixed martial arts helped shape the cultural forces that eventually brought the UFC to the White House lawn.

0:00—The Commission on Government Efficiency

14:04—Mike Pence's comments on Democratic Party

22:21—Graham Platner and Democratic candidate quality

30:19—Iran war update

33:01—Listener question on the White House UFC event

42:30—Should seniors pay property tax?

50:05—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Elon Did DOGE. Now Mamdani Is Trying COGE," by Megan O'Rourke

"Mamdani 'Balanced' New York City's Budget—With a Bailout From Albany," by Joe Lancaster

"Confidence in Market Principles," by Mike Pence

"Mike Pence's Sensible (and Probably Doomed) Plan To Fix the National Debt," by Eric Boehm

"Today Mike Pence May Find That All His Temporizing and Obfuscation About the Election Sacrificed His Integrity for Nothing," by Jacob Sullum

"Ken Paxton's Primary Victory Shows How Trump's Grudges Undermine His Party's Interests," by Jacob Sullum

"Don't Get a Nazi Tattoo or Praise Hitler: Advice for New Politicians," by Robby Soave

"Bleeding into the Mainstream," by Greg Beato

"Government's Ongoing Effort to Shutter Mixed Martial Arts," by Kerry Howley

"UFC: One Man's Brutal Spectacle Is Another's Eden," by A. Barton Hinkle

"Stop Giving Property Tax Breaks to Senior Citizens," by Eric Boehm

"Baby Boomers Are the Richest Generation in History. Why Do Politicians Keep Spending More on Them?" by Eric Boehm

"Abolish Property Taxes?" by Christian Britschgi

"Helen Lewis: The Dark Side of Genius," by Nick Gillespie

The post Why Socialism Won't Deliver Government Efficiency appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by The Gist's Mike Pesca to discuss the ongoing Iran conflict, the unstable ceasefire negotiations, and whether anyone in Washington has a coherent explanation for what the United States is trying to accomplish. The panel examines President Donald Trump's shifting rationale for the war, the growing pressure for regime change, and why so many of the same foreign policy debates from the Iraq era seem to be repeating themselves in real time. They also consider whether America's political class has learned anything from the past two decades of interventionism.

Next, the panel turns to Spencer Pratt's surprisingly competitive Los Angeles mayoral campaign and what his rise says about frustration with the city's political establishment. They discuss why media coverage of Pratt increasingly resembles the early anti-Trump backlash, whether one-party political cultures are capable of meaningful reform, and why even critics of Pratt's candidacy acknowledge that Los Angeles governance appears badly broken. The editors then revisit the panic surrounding Project 2025 and ask how much of the agenda actually materialized during Trump's second term. Finally, the panel examines Trump's controversial $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and why even some Republicans see it as an unprecedented abuse of executive power.

0:00—What have we learned from this war with Iran?

9:38—Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo clashes with the Trump administration

14:19—Spencer Pratt and the Los Angeles mayoral race

27:11—Listener question on Project 2025

37:28—The Anti-Weaponization Fund

47:29—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Yes, the Iran War Is a 'War of Choice,' and a Bad One," by Nick Gillespie

"Why Does Trump Keep Bringing Up Decades-Old Foreign Grievances?" by Matthew Petti

"Drew Carey Goes on Foul-mouthed Rant About Spencer Pratt's LA Mayoral Run: 'F–k This Guy,'" by Antoinette Bueno

"The $1.776 Billion in Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' Fits a Pattern of Fanciful Figures," by Jacob Sullum

"Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' Is Built on a Contradiction," by Billy Binion

"The DOJ's Flimsy Legal Theories To Support Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund,'" by Joe Lancaster

The post Does Anyone Know What's Happening in Iran? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason Senior Editor Robby Soave to discuss Rep. Thomas Massie's (R–Ky.) competitive Republican primary challenge and why President Donald Trump has made him one of his top political targets. The panel examines Massie's opposition to the Iran war, his push to release the Epstein files, his longstanding focus on spending, and why his brand of libertarian-style politics has become increasingly rare inside today's Republican Party.

Next, the panel turns to the economy, where inflation continues to rise, the U.S. debt has surpassed gross domestic product (GDP), and working-class voters appear increasingly frustrated with Trump's economic agenda. The editors then examine New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's claim that he closed the city's massive budget gap without cutting services and whether the plan relies more on gimmicks than serious fiscal reform. Finally, a listener asks how to develop political confidence without losing intellectual humility.

0:00—Massie's primary challenge

20:57—Inflation and the national debt

40:31—Listener question on intellectual humility

51:15—Mamdani's $12 billion budget gap

57:41—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Thomas Massie's Moment Has Come," by Robby Soave

"Thomas Massie's Enemies Are Attacking Him With an Unfair Accusation," by Robby Soave

"The War Comes for Your Wallet: Inflation Hits 3.8%, Highest Level in 3 Years," by Eric Boehm

"When Businesspeople Run Government, the Government Doesn't Become a Business," by Veronique De Rugy

"Pete Hegseth Can't Explain Why America Needs a $1.5 Trillion Military Budget," by Eric Boehm

"Trump's 'Golden Dome' Estimated To Cost $1.2 Trillion, New Report Reveals," by Meagan O'Rourke

"Mamdani 'Balanced' New York City's Budget—With a Bailout From Albany," by Joe Lancaster

The post Why Is Trump Trying To Purge Thomas Massie? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman and Katherine Mangu-Ward are joined by Senior Editor Robby Soave and reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss California Gov. Gavin Newsom's "free diapers" initiative and the political controversy surrounding its nonprofit structure. The panel examines whether the program is a useful benefit for new mothers or another example of government turning a simple problem into an expensive, politically connected spending project. They also consider what the backlash reveals about California governance more broadly, from high-speed rail to homelessness spending to a troubled 911 program, and whether frustration with the state's Democratic establishment is creating an opening for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt.

Next, the panel turns to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D–N.Y.) claim that billionaires cannot ethically earn their wealth and her argument that the American Revolution was a revolt against the billionaire class. They also discuss President Donald Trump's ongoing conflict with Iran, whether the war has weakened his negotiating power ahead of a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and what the fallout could mean for U.S. credibility abroad. The editors then examine escalating fights over redistricting in Virginia and Florida. Finally, a listener asks whether rising ticket prices and corporate consolidation are evidence that government should play a larger role in regulating mergers and competition.

0:00—Newsom's "free diaper" program

13:04—Pratt's mayoral campaign

17:30—AOC attacks billionaires

28:40—Has America lost in Iran?

38:51—Listener question on ticket prices

46:00—Redistricting battles escalate nationwide

53:23—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"California Spent $450 Million on a Failed 911 System. Now, the State Is Restarting the Project," by Meagan O'Rourke

"Contra AOC, You Don't Have To Be a Billionaire To Be a Leech," by Christian Britschgi

"A Pointless War: How Iran Hawks Finally Got Their Way," by Matthew Petti

"How Much Has the Iran War Actually Cost? A Lot More Than $25 Billion," by Eric Boehm

"How Mortal Kombat Went From National Panic to Nostalgic Camp," by Peter Suderman

The post Gavin Newsom's Free Diaper Disaster appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by special guest Kate Andrews, opinion journalist for The Washington Post,to discuss how big city governance is playing out in Democratic cities. They examine why candidates with strong ties to organized labor and socialist policy agendas, such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, keep winning in major cities, even as affordability worsens and residents leave. The panel also considers whether these outcomes reflect voter preferences, weak alternatives, or a broader failure of reform-oriented factions on the left.

Next, the panel turns to Iran, where President Donald Trump has announced "Project Freedom," a plan for the U.S. Navy to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions and uncertainty over the conflict's trajectory. They discuss the economic stakes, the political fallout, and what the lack of a clear resolution suggests about the long-term direction of U.S. foreign policy. The conversation then shifts to King Charles' visit to the United States and what it reveals about political culture, symbolism, and leadership on both sides of the Atlantic. Finally, a listener asks why voters continue to reward pandering politicians and whether meaningful change is possible within the current electoral system.

0:00—Why big city Democrats keep electing socialists
23:01—The Strait of Hormuz and "Project Freedom"
36:35—Listener question on voter behavior
45:34—King Charles visits the U.S.
53:03—Gillespie's interview with Justice Neil Gorsuch
57:08—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Seattle's Socialist Mayor Laughs at Wealthy Residents Leaving To Escape High Taxes," by J.D. Tuccille
"Project Freedom," by Liz Wolfe
"Justice Neil Gorsuch: 'Aspirations for Power Need To Be Checked'," by Nick Gillespie
"Prison Doesn't Work the Way You Think," by Billy Binion
"Is The Devil Wears Prada 2 the Great Millennial Journalism Movie?" by Peter Suderman

The post Why Do Big City Democrats Keep Electing Socialists? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and the media coverage that followed. They examine the shooter's manifesto, why it struck some observers as uncomfortably normal, and what that says about the mainstreaming of extreme political rhetoric. The panel also considers President Donald Trump's renewed push to build his new White House ballroom in the aftermath of the attack.

Next, the editors turn to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's plan for city-run grocery stores, whether government-backed supermarkets can fairly compete with private businesses, and why critics may have helped turn a campaign talking point into actual policy. Then, the panel discusses reports that the Trump administration is considering a bailout that could leave the federal government owning most of Spirit Airlines. The panel then turns to Iran, where uncertain diplomacy and mixed signals over the Strait of Hormuz suggest the conflict remains far from resolved. Finally, a listener asks what the libertarian view of redistricting should be and whether fair maps are ever truly possible.

0:00—The White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting

18:49—Mamdani's city-run grocery store plan

27:42—Spirit Airlines bailout

37:06—Listener question on redistricting

43:23—What is the endgame in Iran?

48:58—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Shots Fired," by Eric Boehm

"What If We Acted Like Political Violence Was a Problem?" by Matt Welch

"Prediction: 2024 Will See Deadly Political Violence in the Streets," by Matt Welch

"Charlie Kirk and America's History With Political Violence," by Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch

"Politically Motivated Violence Is a Small Threat," by Alex Nowrasteh

"Hasan Piker and Jia Tolentino: The Leftists Who Think Stealing Is Great," by Robby Soave

"With His Grandiose White House Ballroom Plan, Trump Again Asserts the Power To Do As He Pleases," by Jacob Sullum

"Mamdani's Fix for Food Deserts: Opening a $30 Million City-Owned Grocery Store Near Other Grocery Stores," by Megan O'Rourke

"Zohran Mamdani's $70 Million Grocery Gamble," by C. Jarrett Dieterle

"Biden Killed the Spirit Airlines Merger. Now Trump Wants Taxpayers To Save the Company," by Joe Lancaster

"Spirit Airlines Didn't Die Because Biden Blocked the JetBlue Merger," by Gary Leff

"The Spirit Airline Is a Bad Idea Built on a Worse Precedent," by Veronique de Rugy and Gary Leff

"Why Redistricting Reform Goes Off the Rails," by Walter Olson

"A Pointless War," by Matthew Petti

"Neither War nor Peace With Iran," by Matthew Petti

"My Books, Essay #5," by Arnold Kling

"Michael Is a Brutally Dull Biopic With Nothing to Say About Michael Jackson," by Peter Suderman

The post The Shooter's Manifesto Was Uncomfortably Normal appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the growing push on the left to "tax the rich," highlighted by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Tax Day message. They examine whether America's tax system is already highly progressive, why wealth taxes and similar proposals have repeatedly disappointed abroad and in blue states, and whether New York risks copying California's mistakes. The panel also asks a broader question: With some of the nation's highest tax burdens, what are taxpayers actually getting in return?

Next, the editors mark 4/20 with a conversation about marijuana legalization, the libertarian case for drug freedom, and whether concerns about public disorder are being wrongly blamed on legalization itself. They also discuss President Donald Trump's executive order expanding psychedelic drug research. The conversation then shifts to Palantir's call for national service and why so many tech leaders suddenly have grand plans for remaking public policy, before returning to Iran, where mixed signals over the Strait of Hormuz and uncertain negotiations raise fears of another drifting conflict. Finally, a listener asks whether today's political divide is best understood as two wings of a broader progressive movement rather than a clash between left and right.

0:00—Do wealth taxes ever work?

19:18—Drug legalization and psychedelics research

31:25—Palantir calls for national service

42:38—Listener question on progressivism

48:46—Is the Strait of Hormuz open?

53:24—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Can This Psychedelic Help Cure Opioid Addiction?" by Rachel Nuwer

Nick Gillespie on X: "Much about this @PalantirTech list outlining the requirement of 'the technological republic' is risible, none more than the call for 'national service,' a form of indentured servitude that always goes easy on the rich and politically connected."

"NYC Schools Are Losing Students and Burning Cash. Mamdani Could Make the Situation Worse," by Danyela Souza Egorov

"Will Donald Trump and RFK, Jr. Psychedelicize America?" by Nick Gillespie

"Kat Rosenfield: Why It's Important for Novelists To Speak Freely," by Nick Gillespie

"Stan Lee Co-author Kat Rosenfield on Rise of Cancel Culture in the Literary World," by Nick Gillespie

The post Can New York Survive Mamdani's Tax Plan? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the collapse of ceasefire talks with Iran and President Donald Trump's decision to order a U.S. military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. They examine Trump's insistence that the conflict is a win for America, what the United States has actually gained, and the mounting costs of escalation. The panel also discusses why voices such as former national security adviser John Bolton still push for escalation and why their foreign policy arguments continue to fail.

Next, the editors turn to Europe after Viktor Orbán's defeat in Hungary and what it says about the limits of nationalist populism, economic performance, and Vice President J.D. Vance's endorsement of the longtime Hungarian leader. They also discuss Kamala Harris hinting at another presidential run and Eric Swalwell's exit from California's governor race amid sexual assault allegations. The editors then examine Anthropic's decision not to release its powerful new Claude Mythos Preview model because of its hacking capabilities. Finally, a listener asks whether Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." can still be embraced as a patriotic song.

0:00—Has the U.S. won anything from the war with Iran?

14:49—Orbán loses reelection

27:41—Democrats have a candidate quality issue

33:45—Listener question on patriotic content

39:05—Anthropic's Claude Mythos

50:04—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Trump Responds to Iranian Blockade of Strait of Hormuz By Blockading It," by Matthew Petti

"Viktor Orbán and His American Apologists All Deserve To Lose," by Matt Welch

"Viktor Orban's Hungary Exemplifies the Perils of Nationalism," by Ilya Somin

"American Presidents Shouldn't Endorse Foreign Political Candidates," by Matt Welch

"How Did Poland Get So Far Ahead of Hungary?" by Eric Boehm

"National Conservatives Can't Find a Good Excuse for Viktor Orbán's Inflation Disaster," by Ryan Bourne

"No Self-Respecting American Should Aspire to Hungarian-Style Nationalism," by Matt Welch

"Hungarian Nationalism Is a Dead End," by Matt Welch

"See Ya, Swalwell," by Christian Britschgi

"Democrats and Republicans Both Want To Regulate AI. They Just Can't Agree on How," by Jack Nicastro

"Sam Altman's (Not So) New Deal for Superintelligent AI," by Jack Nicastro

"The Joys of Data Centers," by Christian Britschgi

"Artemis II Launches a New Era of Lunar Exploration," by Natalie Dowzicky

"The Overly Examined Life of Henry David Thoreau," by Peter Bagge

"'My Thoughts Are Murder to the State,'" by Lester Hunt

"Jacob Mchangama: How Hate Speech Laws Punish Minorities," by Nick Gillespie

"Jeff Kosseff: Why Anonymous Speech Is Good—and Constitutional," by Nick Gillespie

The post Is the War in Iran Totally Pointless? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss President Donald Trump's escalating rhetoric around the war in Iran, including a profanity-laced Easter weekend Truth Social post. They examine what it reveals about a conflict with shifting timelines, unclear objectives, and little public support, along with the domestic consequences of the war, including rising gas prices surging above $4 per gallon. The panel also weighs Trump's proposal for a $1.5 trillion defense budget, the largest in modern history, and what it says about the administration's priorities.

Next, the panel turns to the broader federal budget, where rising spending continues without any serious attempt to address the deficit. The editors then check in on NASA's Artemis program, weighing the excitement of returning to the moon against persistent delays, cost overruns, and the growing role of private space companies. They also answer a listener's question about what libertarian alternatives to Medicare for All might look like, focusing on deregulation, catastrophic coverage, and restoring price signals in the health care system.

Reason is hiring! Check out the two open roles on the video team now:
https://reason.org/jobs/associate-producer/
https://reason.org/jobs/producer/

0:00—Trump's Truth Social Easter rant

14:57—The $1.5 trillion defense budget

22:36—The New York Times student debt story

28:55—Listener question on Medicare for All

43:41—Analyzing Artemis

51:58—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"'I Am Blowing Up Everything,'" by Eric Boehm

"Ro Khanna: Congress Has Surrendered on War," by Nick Gillespie

"Trump's Call for a $1.5 Trillion Military Budget Is Irresponsible, Wasteful, and Unrealistic," by Eric Boehm

"10 Years Ago Today, Trump Promised To Eliminate the National Debt. Instead, It Has Doubled," by Eric Boehm

"Debt Denialists," by Matt Welch

"Generational Warfare," by Nick Gillespie and Veronique de Rugy

"Why I Prefer French Health Care," by Matt Welch

"Artemis II Launches a New Era of Lunar Exploration," by Natalie Dowzicky

"NASA's Artemis Program Is a Monument to Government Waste. It Can Only Go Up From Here," by Quade MacDonald

"The Zendaya Romance The Drama Is Weirder and More Uncomfortable Than You Expect," by Peter Suderman

Green Lantern/Green Arrow, by Dennis O'Neill and Neal Adams

Captain America #156

The post Why Does Trump Want the Biggest Defense Budget Ever? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the recent verdicts against Meta and the growing legal and cultural push to treat social media like a harmful, addictive product. Multiple juries decided that platforms such as Instagram and YouTube were negligently designed and that they contributed to mental health harms among young users, raising comparisons to Big Tobacco and intensifying the debate over which online activities are protected speech. The panel considers whether the real issue is design features such as infinite scroll and algorithmic feeds or simply content itself.

The panel then examines the latest developments in the Iran conflict, where the White House has suggested that the war may be nearing its end even as the Pentagon prepares plans that could include ground troops and the seizure of Iran's nuclear stockpile. They also take up a listener question about how libertarians can make the case for community and human connection without relying on government. Finally, they discuss the deployment of ICE agents to airports during the DHS shutdown. Are those agents helping ease delays, or are they making an already strained system worse?

Reason is hiring! Check out the two open roles on the video team now:
https://reason.org/jobs/associate-producer/
https://reason.org/jobs/producer/

0:00–Is social media addictive?
25:29–Conflicting narratives on Iran war
38:40–Divisions on the right over Iran
41:54–Listener question on collectivism
49:06–ICE agents at airports
54:05–Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"A Jury Hit Meta With a $375 Million Verdict. The Open Internet May Pay the Price," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
"#Addiction," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
"Taylor Lorenz: Is Social Media Responsible for Bad Parenting?" by Nick Gillespie
"Hail to the Censor!" by Matt Welch
"More War," by Christian Britschgi
"Trump's 'Military Operation' Wordplay Can't Hide Iran War," by Joe Lancaster
"Trump's War in Iran Risks Ruining His Entire Foreign Policy," by Daniel Deptris
"How Will Congress Fund a $300 Billion War With Iran?" by Veronique de Rugy
"Trump Can't TACO His Way Out of Iran," by Matthew Petti
"The Iran War Has Already Hurt Oil Production More Than the '70s Energy Crisis Did," by Reem Ibrahim
"'What Are the Goals?' Some Republicans Questioning $200 Billion for Iran War," by Eric Boehm
"Sovereignty Is Such a Lonely Word," by Matt Welch
"Peace Is Hell," by Nick Gillespie
"Mamdani's Promise of the 'Warmth of Collectivism' Is a Lie. Just Ask All the Failed Communes," by John Stossel
"A Socialist Swearing In," by Christian Britschgi
"I Spent Over 3 Hours in a TSA Line. Why Haven't We Abolished This Agency?" by Billy Binion

The post You're Wrong About Social Media Being Addictive appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss whether it's finally time to abolish the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The panel examines the growing chaos at American airports as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents begin replacing TSA officials amid the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding standoff in Washington. They explore how airport security became entangled in broader immigration debates, whether agencies like TSA and DHS serve a necessary function, and what it says about a system where basic travel operations can break down over unrelated political fights.

Next, the panel considers the real legacy of labor leader Cesar Chavez and what it reveals about the influence of unions in modern Democratic politics, before turning to new evidence that blue state tax policies are driving out wealth and high earners. They also discuss a jury's decision to clear Afroman in a defamation case tied to music videos mocking police officers who raided his home. Finally, a listener asks what a libertarian, constitutional approach to U.S. action in Cuba might look like.

Reason is hiring! Check out the two open roles on the video team now:
https://reason.org/jobs/associate-producer/
https://reason.org/jobs/producer/

0:00—Abolish the TSA

15:51—The real legacy of Cesar Chavez

28:21—Blue state wealth taxes

34:41—Listener question on Cuba

40:52—Justice for Afroman

46:27—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Have an ICE Flight," by Eric Boehm

"Government Shutdowns Won't Stop Airport Security If Airport Security Isn't Run by the Government," by Jack Nicastro

"DHS Pledges Not To Deport Any U.S. Citizens if Congress Ends Shutdown," by Joe Lancaster

"Stossel: Government Shutdown Shows Private Is Better," by John Stossel and Maxim Lott

"Would You Be Afraid to Fly If the TSA Were Abolished?" by Ronald Bailey

"Make America Safer: Shut Down the Department of Homeland Security," by Chris Edwards

"Overhauling U.S. Airport Security Screening," by Robert Poole and Shirley Ybarra

"Cesar Chavez's Other Crimes," by Nick Gillespie

"Cesar Chavez Accused of Sexual Abuse," by Peter Suderman

"Forced to Unionize: Is this Cesar Chavez's Legacy?" by Zach Weissmueller

"Harvest of Power," by Patty Newman

"Who's Bankrolling the UFW?" by Patty Newman

"Labor Lost: Why the AFL-CIO's survival strategy is doomed," by Michael McMenamin

"New York Gov. Hochul Begs 'High-Net-Worth' Refugees To Return and Be Taxed," by J.D. Tuccille

"Seattle's Minimum Wage Laws Backfired on Uber and Lyft. Now the Union Wants To Limit Drivers," by C. Jarrett Dieterle

"Mamdani Might Raid a Severely Underfunded Retiree Fund To Balance New York City's Bursting Budget," by Mariana Trujillo

"California's Billionaire Tax Won't Save Hospitals," by Veronique de Rugy

"NYC Spent Over $368 Million To Combat Homelessness This Past Fiscal Year. Now the State Can't Track the Money," by Megan O'Rourke

"Washington State Just Passed a 9.9% Income Tax on Those Making $1 Million," by Jack Nicastro

"California Billionaire Wealth Tax Would Cost the State $25 Billion, New Research Finds," by Jack Nicastro

"Wealth Taxes Are Proven Failures. Will California Take Note?" by Veronique de Rugy

"California's 'Billionaire Tax' Could Bite Harder Than Advertised," by J.D. Tuccille

"As Trump Talks of 'Taking Cuba,' Real Change Requires More Than Replacing Its Leader," by Katarina Hall

"Regime Change in Cuba: 'Just a Matter of Time,'" by Matt Welch

"Jury Clears Afroman of Defamation for Mocking Cops Who Raided His House," by C.J. Ciaramella

"Project Hail Mary Is Another 'You Can Just Do Things' Story From Sci-Fi Novelist Andy Weir," by Peter Suderman

"Project Hail Mary," by Christian Britschgi

"Andy Weir Is Looking Forward to the Space Boom," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"After The Martian, Andy Weir Goes to the Moon," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

The post It's Time To Abolish the TSA appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the legacy of Paul Ehrlich, author of The Population Bomb, and the enduring impact of the overpopulation panic he helped popularize. They examine how dire predictions of mass famine and societal collapse dominated headlines for decades, why those forecasts failed to materialize, and how elite institutions and media outlets often continue promoting similar narratives with little reflection on past errors.

Next, the panel discusses the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) threat to revoke broadcast licenses over war coverage the White House dislikes, before analyzing Vice President J.D. Vance's effort to position himself as an Iran war skeptic inside the White House. Then, the editors answer a listener's question about whether the Department of Homeland Security still serves a useful purpose as a centralized hub for intelligence sharing. Finally, the panel remembers Reason Senior Editor Brian Doherty by reflecting on his enormous influence as a historian of the libertarian movement.

Reasonis hiring!Check out the two open roles on the video team now:
https://reason.org/jobs/associate-producer/
https://reason.org/jobs/producer/

0:00—The myth of overpopulation panic

19:22—The FCC threatens broadcasters over war coverage

24:05—Vance positions himself as an Iran war skeptic

31:46—Listener question on Department of Homeland Security

38:55—Remembering Brian Doherty

46:59—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Population Doomster and False Prophet of Ecological Apocalypse Paul Ehrlich Has Died," by Ronald Bailey

"60 Minutes Promotes Paul Ehrlich's Failed Doomsaying One More Time," by Ronald Bailey

"Civilization Is Doomed, Says Stanford Biologist Paul Ehrlich (Again)," by Ronald Bailey

"Population Doomster Paul Ehrlich's New Forecast: 'Biological Annihilation,'" by Ronald Bailey

"Doomster Paul Ehrlich Unrepentant: 'My language would be even more apocalyptic today.'" By Ronald Bailey

"Betting on Humanity's Future," by Ronald Bailey

"Paul Ehrlich Sounds the Trump of Doom Again: And This Time It's A 'Consensus,'" by Ronald Bailey

"Paul Ehrlich Goes Up Against 'Well-Funded, Merciless Enemies' to Save the Earth from Certain Destruction. Again," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"Julian Simon Was Right: Ingenuity Leads to Abundance," by J.D. Tuccille

"FCC Chair Threatens Media Outlets That Don't Report Good Iran War News," by Joe Lancaster

"Trump Wants To Cover Up Bad News About the Iran War," by Matthew Petti

"Trump and Vance Promised 'No New Wars.' What Happened To That?" by Steven Greenhut

"Homeland Insecurity," by Brian Doherty

"Abolish the Department of Homeland Security," by Nick Gillespie and Justin Zuckerman

"Brian Doherty, Historian of the Libertarian Movement, Dead at 57," by Matt Welch

"Remembering Brian Doherty, Chronicler of and Participant in Wild and Wonderful Subcultures," by Nick Gillespie

"Brian Doherty: The fascinating women and weirdos who founded libertarianism," by Nick Gillespie

"I Dreamed I Saw Joey Ramone Last Night: The P.C. eulogizing of a punk rocker," by Nick Gillespie and Brian Doherty

"Me and the Orgone—The True Story of One Man's Sexual Awakening," by Orson Bean

"Marian Tupy and Gale Pooley: More People Means More Wealth," by Nick Gillespie

"One Battle After Another Lets Leftist Radicals Off the Hook," by Peter Suderman

The post Why the Media Pushes Public Health Myths appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the escalating war with Iran and its growing economic consequences. With oil prices surging past $100 a barrel, the panel examines the risks to global energy markets and the broader economy. They also debate the war's trajectory after Iran elevates a new hardline supreme leader and launches wider counterattacks, raising fears of global escalation, nuclear proliferation, and the White House signaling that Cuba could be the next target.

They also discuss the removal of Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security and what her turbulent tenure says about the popularity of hardline immigration tactics. Then, the editors look at new polling showing that Americans dislike artificial intelligence more than Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), continue to view government as the country's biggest problem, and report collapsing levels of social trust. They also answer a listener's question about drug use in libertarian circles.

0:00—Economic fallout of war with Iran

10:12—China and the risk of global escalation

25:04—Noem removed as secretary of Homeland Security

35:36—Listener question on libertarian drug use

44:27—New polling on AI, social trust, and government approval

57:30—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Regime Change in Cuba: 'Just a Matter of Time,'" by Matt Welch

"What Is Life Like Beneath the Bombs of the Iran War?" by Matthew Petti

"Jobs Are Down While the U.S. Spends $2 Billion a Day on War With Iran," by
Joe Lancaster

"Trump Bragged About Lower Gas Prices. Then He Bombed Iran," by Joe Lancaster

"Senate Punts on Iran War Powers as Ground War Grows More Likely," by Matthew Petti

"Yes, the Iran War Is a 'War of Choice,' and a Bad One," by Nick Gillespie

"The Iran War Is Unconstitutional," by Damon Root

"Temporary Doves," by Matt Welch

"Kristi Noem's Lies About DHS Shootings Don't Seem To Have Figured in Trump's Decision To Fire Her," by Jacob Sullum

"Trump Fires Kristi Noem From DHS," by Robby Soave

"In Senate Testimony on DHS Shootings, Kristi Noem Lies About Her Lies," by Jacob Sullum

"DHS Spent $220 Million on Ads Featuring Kristi Noem. Both Parties Grilled Her About It in the Senate," by Autumn Billings

"Reason's Classic Pot Brownies," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

The post Will the War in Iran Crash the Global Economy? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the U.S. military strikes against Iran, and why the United States repeatedly finds itself pulled into wars in the Middle East. The panel examines the White House's original narrative around the 2025 bombings of Iran's nuclear facilities and what evidence supports claims that Tehran posed an imminent threat to U.S. national security. They debate whether President Donald Trump's approach reflects a coherent strategy or a slide toward another open-ended conflict. The editors also consider Congress' reluctance to assert its war powers, the limited public support for the operation, fractures within Trump's coalition, and the risk of escalation.

They also unpack the Pentagon's clash with Anthropic after the AI company was labeled a supply chain risk when it refused to drop safety guardrails on its technology, a move that will shut the firm out of federal contracts. The editors discuss what that authority means in practice, how it shapes the relationship between Silicon Valley and the military, and what it signals about AI's growing role in national defense. They also respond to a listener's question about whether regime change wars are morally distinct from other conflicts and whether preemptive self-defense fits within libertarian principles.

0:00—How does the White House justify bombing Iran?

9:11—Do the strikes on Iran need congressional authorization?

16:21—Trump's mixed messaging on Iran

29:49—Conservative influencers divided over Iran

38:18—Listener question on regime change

48:13—Anthropic gets blacklisted by the Pentagon

1:00:02—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Bombed Iran," by Robby Soave

"Trump Should Have Made His Case for War to Congress and the American People," by J.D. Tuccille

"The Goalposts of the Iran War Keep Shifting," by Matthew Petti

"Why Don't Democratic Leaders Want To Vote on the Iran War?" by Matthew Petti

"Obama's Doctrine of Preemptive War," by Matt Welch

"Anthropic Labeled a Supply Chain Risk, Banned from Federal Government Contracts," by Jack Nicastro

The post Trump's War With Iran Is Unjustified and Unpopular appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, Reason reporter Eric Boehm joins editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie to discuss the Supreme Court's decision striking down President Donald Trump's "emergency" tariffs. They examine the major questions doctrine, Justice Neil Gorsuch's concurring opinion, and whether the ruling meaningfully restrains executive power or just invites years of new litigation. The panel also considers what the decision means for businesses and foreign governments that rushed to cut deals, and they talk about what Trump's irritated response reveals about his next moves.

They then turn to the Middle East, where a rapid buildup of U.S. military forces has raised fresh fears of a possible war with Iran and renewed debate over how to respond to hostile regimes pursuing nuclear weapons. A listener asks whether a libertarian dream matchup of Rand Paul versus Jared Polis could ever happen and what it would take to convince reluctant candidates to run. The editors also discuss AI, surveillance, and privacy in light of new reporting on how tech companies handle user data.

0:00–Supreme Court ruling on Trump's tariffs
10:33–Congressional authority over tariff policy
24:22–Are we going to war with Iran?
36:52–The Winter Olympics
46:45–Listener question on Rand Paul vs. Jared Polis
54:22–AI surveillance and privacy concerns
1:05:22–Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Trump's New Tariffs Are Probably Illegal Too," by Eric Boehm
"Why Trump's Section 122 Tariffs Are Illegal," by Andrew McCarty
"Iran's Nuclear Facilities Have Been Obliterated—and Suggestions Otherwise are Fake News," by the White House
"The Hawks Are Lying Us Into Yet Another Middle Eastern War," by Matthew Petti
"The Trump Administration Plans To Deport Iranians Amid Deadly Crackdown in Iran," by Matthew Petti

The post Trump Replaces Old Illegal Tariffs With New Illegal Tariffs appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman and Katherine Mangu-Ward are joined by Senior Editor Robby Soave and reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss the rapidly expanding global fight over free speech. The conversation begins with reporting that the Department of Homeland Security is seeking identifying information on Americans who criticize Immigration and Customs Enforcement online. They also examine President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC and the broader international trend toward regulating social media and criminalizing online speech.

The panel then turns to the Federal Communications Commission chair's pressure campaign against Disney and Comcast and calls from Republican officials to investigate Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, and what those moves say about the state of free expression in the United States. They also unpack the latest developments in the Jeffrey Epstein saga, including new reporting on UCLA professor Mark Tramo, the widening circle of consequences for Epstein's associates, and whether the moment resembles a belated reckoning similar to #MeToo. A listener asks how libertarians should think about free speech in the age of AI-generated deepfakes, before the panel examines Trump's failing tariff strategy and the growing rift between the U.S. and key allies.

0:00—DHS wants to identify online critics
05:37—The global attacks on free speech
14:00—The FCC's soft censorship
25:51—Is the Epstein saga a nothingburger?
42:03—Listener question on AI-generated deepfake nudes
51:10—Trump tariffs fail, cause global rifts
1:02:44—Weekly cultural recommendations

The post DHS Wants To Unmask Online Critics appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss Katherine's New York Times op-ed, "Libertarians Tried to Warn You About Trump," which lays out how Trump-era governance has repeatedly vindicated libertarian warnings about executive power, civil liberties, and the risks of trading principle for partisan advantage. The group then turns to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's defense of warrantless Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) searches as a concrete example of how quickly Republican commitments to constitutional limits can erode once a party is in power, and why libertarian ideas so often get embraced only in opposition.

The conversation then shifts to Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show and the now-permanent state of the American culture war, as political figures and influencers on the right, including President Donald Trump himself, weighed in to bash the performance. They discuss whether this cycle of outrage is simply what audiences and politicians now want, and how it crowds out serious debate about governance and the economy. A listener asks when each panelist had their own "aha" moment about the failures of the two-party system, before the editors turn to Trump's decision to continue funding the Department of Education, despite his promises to dismantle it.

0:00—Libertarians warned about Trump

13:56—Johnson complains about the Fourth Amendment

20:30—Bad Bunny and the culture wars

28:35—Trump's racist "Lion King" Obama meme

34:44—Listener question on libertarian lightbulb moments

44:34—Trump continues funding the Department of Education

52:14—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Libertarians Tried to Warn You," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"Trump 2.0, Year 1: A Libertarian Nightmare," by Brian Doherty

"Claiming Bad Bunny Isn't Successful Is as Foolish As Claiming He Isn't American," by Eric Boehm

"Half-Hearted Halftime Outrage," by Christian Britschgi

"Mike Johnson Wants To Spare ICE the Hassle of Getting the Right Warrant Before Forcibly Entering a Home," by Damon Root

"So Much for Abolishing the Department of Education," by Eric Boehm

The post Libertarians Tried To Warn You About Executive Power appeared first on Reason Magazine.

On this special episode of The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are live from Washington, D.C., to discuss growing concerns about the Trump administration's rhetoric around elections. They dig into President Donald Trump's call to "nationalize" elections, the administration's pressure on states over voter data, and how those moves fit alongside January 6 and earlier efforts to overturn election results. The group debates how worried Americans should be about centralized election control and what it would mean for democratic legitimacy if one party gained greater authority over the voting process.

The discussion then moves on to assess Trump's first year back in office, with each panelist reflecting on what concerns them most and what, if anything, they've liked from this administration. Suderman then turns the federal budget into a live guessing game of "How Much Did That Cost?"From there, the editors discuss Washington, D.C., itself, and the state of city governance, before analyzing the Super Bowl and the culture-war expectations around the halftime show.

0:00—Trump wants to nationalize elections

6:10—Reviewing the first year of Trump's second term

14:47—How much did that cost?

18:54—Governance in Washington, D.C.

27:24—Culture wars and the Super Bowl

36:44—Cultural recommendations

The post Do Republicans Want To Control Elections? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the political fallout from a shocking Texas special election,in which a Democrat flipped a district that President Donald Trump had won by 17 points in 2024, amid growing backlash to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics and hardline immigration enforcement. They discuss what the result says about independent voters, the unraveling of the GOP's 2024 coalition, and why immigration politics now appear to be driving everything from a partial government shutdown to open conflict within the Republican Party over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's influence in the administration.

The conversation then turns to Trump's decision to tap Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve and what his record suggests about central bank independence. The editors also scrutinize the administration's broader economic messaging, including Trump's Wall Street Journal op-ed defending his tariff policy and claims that inflation has been brought under control, and how those arguments hold up against the data. They then touch on former CNN journalist Don Lemon's arrest and the White House response before turning to a listener question about whether the rhetoric coming out of AI companies points toward a libertarian utopia or a threat to liberty itself. Finally, the editors discuss Moltbook, an emerging platform built around AI systems meant to govern themselves, and why it's stirring so much debate.

0:00—Democrats win special election in Texas

08:30—Partial government shutdown over DHS funding

23:13—Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve

35:13—Don Lemon indicted by the DOJ

43:10—Listener question on AI and liberty

51:54—Moltbook and self-governing AI

57:59—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable: Live in Washington, D.C.! February 4

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Shutdown Showdown," by Robby Soave

"Stephen Miller's Hardline Immigration Tactics Are Backfiring," by Peter Suderman

"The Minneapolis Shootings Underline the Advantages of Body Cameras, Which DHS Has Been Slow To Adopt," by Jacob Sullum

"Judge Says ICE Violated Court Orders in 74 Cases—See Them All Here," by C.J. Ciaramella

"Trump Taps Kevin Warsh To Lead Fed," by Peter Suderman

"Trump Claims His Tariffs Have 'Brought America Back.' Here Are 3 Things He Got Wrong," by Eric Boehm

"Trump: 'I Want To Drive Housing Prices Up,'" by Jared Dillian

"Key Inflation Metric Hits 3 Percent, Despite Trump's Claim That Rising Prices Are 'Solved,'" by Eric Boehm

"Bessent Says Construction Jobs Are Booming Under Trump's Tariffs. Government Data Show the Opposite," by Eric Boehm

"One Way to Think About the Don Lemon Prosecution," by Eugene Volokh

"Government's Theory for Prosecuting Don Lemon as to Disruption of Minneapolis Church Service," by Eugene Volokh

"Don Lemon's Bad Day, Looksmaxxing, and King Charles II," by Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi

"No, AI Isn't Plotting Humanity's Downfall on Moltbook," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Will AI Benefit Everyone?" by Gene Epstein

The post Democrats Are Flipping Trump Districts in Texas? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by special guest Emily Jashinsky, host of After Party, to examine the killing of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis and the Trump administration's shifting narrative about the shooting. The group discusses the Second Amendment and free-speech implications of statements being made by Trump administration officials and the Republican Party's sudden embrace of gun-control talking points, as well as the broader politics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as the administration pushes for escalation while losing public support on immigration.

The panel also discusses the upcoming Academy Awards and how political themes are shaping expectations for the awards season. A listener asks how to show up and protest against state violence while navigating the ideological baggage of left-wing protest spaces.

0:00—ICE kills Alex Pretti in Minnesota

20:00—Public support for Trump administration policy

39:07—Listener question on protesting state violence

45:23—The influence of politics at the Oscars

53:01—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable: Live in Washington, D.C.! February 4

Mentioned in the podcast:

"The Second Shooting," by Liz Wolfe

"The Trump Administration Is Lying About Gun Rights and the Death of Alex Pretti," by Robby Soave

"DHS Again Promises a Thorough Investigation of a Fatal Shooting After Prejudging the Outcome," by Jacob Sullum

"Democrats Plan To Block DHS Funding After Minnesota Killing. Republicans Should Join Them," by Eric Boehm

"Leaked ICE Memo Claims Agents Can Enter Homes Without Judicial Warrants," by Autumn Billings

"ICE Tells Legal Observer, 'We Have a Nice Little Database, and Now You're Considered a Domestic Terrorist,'" by C.J. Ciaramella

"Vance Goes to Minnesota," by Liz Wolfe

"ICE Demonstrates Why We Need the Second Amendment," by J.D. Tuccille

The post When Did Republicans Stop Caring About Gun Rights? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman and Matt Welch are joined by novelist and Reason contributor Kat Rosenfield and head of media for the Institute of Economic Affairs Reem Ibrahim to assess the mounting confrontation between the United States and its European allies over Greenland. Trump's tariff threats, talk of national security emergencies, exchanges between world leaders, and speculation about military force have pushed an unusual territorial dispute into the center of trans-Atlantic politics. The group considers what the confrontation means for NATO and trade policy with Europe.

The conversation then turns to Minnesota, where masked federal agents continue detaining and harassing people in the aftermath of the Renee Good killing, prompting legal battles, disputes with state officials, and concerns about civil liberties. They also examine Trump's newly announced health care plan and what it signals about his domestic policy priorities. A listener then asks whether libertarians have any reason to want Greenland as part of the United States.

0:00—U.S. maneuvering to acquire Greenland

08:22—Trump's relationships with Russia and Europe

24:09—ICE confrontations spark unrest in Minnesota

40:32—Listener question on libertarian desires for Greenland

45:51—Trump's health care proposal

55:47—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable: Live in Washington, D.C.! February 4

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Trump 2.0, Year 1: A Libertarian Nightmare," by Brian Doherty

"Donroe," by Liz Wolfe

"Greenlanders Don't Consent To Becoming Americans," by J.D. Tuccille

"Seizing Greenland Might Be the Least Popular Idea in American Political History," by Eric Boehm

"As ICE Cracks Down Harder, Support for Abolishing ICE Surges," by Joe Lancaster

"'We Are Not Investigating' the Shooting of Renee Good, the Deputy Attorney General Says," by Jacob Sullum

"ICE Agents Flouted DHS Policies That Could Have Prevented Renee Good's Death," by Jacob Sullum

"Video Shows Feds Shooting ICE Protester With Nonlethal Round at Point-Blank Range, Blinding Him in One Eye," by Autumn Billings

"Federal Agents Used a Battering Ram To Enter a Minneapolis Home Without Valid Warrant, Video Shows," by Autumn Billings

"No, ICE Agents Do Not Have 'Absolute Immunity' From State Prosecution," by Damon Root

"Trump's 'Great Healthcare Plan' Has Promise but Should Add More Freedom for Americans," by J.D. Tuccille

"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Delivers Anarchy in the U.K., Again," by Peter Suderman

"Movies," by John Hospers

The post Is America Really Going to War for Greenland? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason senior editor Robby Soave to discuss the Justice Department's (DOJ) investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and whether this latest tactic is just a form of political retaliation. They discuss whether there is a coherent case for the probe, how much influence presidents should have over monetary policy, and where the line is between oversight and using legal machinery against perceived adversaries.

The conversation then turns to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shootings in Minneapolis and Portland, where federal agents killed Renee Good during an immigration enforcement operation and shot two people outside a federal building days later, even as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem brands the Minneapolis victim a domestic terrorist and local officials accuse Washington of lying about what transpired. The panel talks about accountability for law enforcement, and how Americans can watch the same videos yet reach completely different conclusions. The editors then look at the uprising in Iran and the contrast between President Donald Trump's support for protesters there and his deployment of federal force at home, before examining California's proposed wealth tax and how it might impact the state economy.

0:00—the DOJ investigates the Federal Reserve

7:54—Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates

12:42—ICE shootings divide the country

37:35—Iran protests intensify

43:14—Listener question on Democrats holding Trump accountable

52:28—California wealth tax

1:01:33—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable: Live in Washington, D.C.! February 4

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Demanding Charges Against His Enemies, Trump Conflates Justice With Revenge," by Jacob Sullum

"2 Grand Juries Have Rejected the Grudge-Driven Case Against Trump Foe Letitia James," by Jacob Sullum

"Video of the Minneapolis ICE Shooting Does Not Resolve the Issue of Whether It Was Legally Justified," by Jacob Sullum

"ICE in Minnesota," by Liz Wolfe

"The Trump Administration Says It's Illegal To Record Videos of ICE. Here's What the Law Says," by C.J. Ciaramella

"Iran's Inflation Protests Turned Into an Uprising. Will Trump Get Involved?" by Matthew Petti

"A Breakable Regime," by Liz Wolfe

"No Other Choice Is a Dark Satire of Capitalism and Masculinity," by Peter Suderman

The post End the Fed? Or Turn It Over to Trump? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason senior editor Robby Soave to dig into the U.S. capture of Venezuela's sitting president, Nicolás Maduro, and what it means for the White House to claim it can "run" another country without congressional authorization. They debate what temporary American control is supposed to mean in practice, whether the capture of Maduro was legal, how war powers and congressional authorization fit into it all, and why White House officials keep framing the moment as a fight to expand U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.

The discussion shifts to New York politics after Mayor Zohran Mamdani calls for replacing "the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism," prompting a debate over his motives to use such rhetoric in his inauguration speech. They also examine Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's decision not to seek reelection as attention intensifies around a major fraud case that gained national notice following a viral empty-daycare video. A listener question asks whether immigration policy should weigh factors like culture and religion, and what reforms could reduce corruption and conflict without abandoning the case for legal immigration.

0:00—Can the U.S. "run" Venezuela?

12:46—President Donald Trump's foreign policy ambitions

25:52—Mamdani denounces "rugged individualism"

33:46—Listener question on immigrant assimilation

44:30—Walz not seeking reelection

52:22—Weekly cultural recommendations

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable: Live in Washington, D.C.! February 4

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Did Marco Rubio Lie to Congress About Venezuela?" by Eric Boehm

"Regime Changed?" by Christian Britschgi

"Americans Are Increasingly Skeptical of Foreign Military Intervention," by J.D. Tuccille

"Donald Trump Says the U.S. Will 'Run' Venezuela After Maduro's Ouster," by César Báez

"Trump Should Have Tried To Get Congressional Authorization If He Wanted To Strike Venezuela and Capture Maduro," by Eric Boehm

"A Socialist Swearing In," by Christian Britschgi

"Zohran Mamdani Can't Ruin New York City," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"Nick Shirley, Tim Walz, and the Minnesota Fraud Story: Did the Media Miss It?" by Robby Soave

"The Minnesota Welfare Fraud Story Is Really About a Broken Medicaid Bureaucracy," by Eric Boehm

"Tim Walz Drops Out of Minnesota Governor Race. Good Riddance," by Robby Soave

The post What Does It Mean To 'Run' Venezuela? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason senior editor Robby Soave to share the stories they believe didn't receive sufficient media attention in 2025. Each panelist selected a story from 2025 in the categories of politics, private industry, global affairs, and culture that deserves a closer look as we head into 2026.

0:00—Political stories that deserved more attention

11:14—The year's underreported economic stories

25:56—Global stories the media overlooked in 2025

37:19—Cultural moments that flew under the radar

Mentioned in This Podcast

"The Trump Admin Wants Western Union and MoneyGram To Report on Immigrants," by Matthew Petti

"Treasury Department Surveillance at the Southern Border Faces Fourth Amendment Challenges," by Tosin Akintola

"Taking $200 Out of an ATM Should Not Trigger Federal Financial Surveillance," by Joe Lancaster

"Banks Are Narcing on You Because Congress Forces Them To," by Nicholas Anthony

"How Trump's Travel Crackdown Is Hurting Americans at Home and Abroad," by Matt Welch

"Nepal's Socialist Government Banned Social Media, So Activists Plotted a Revolution—on Discord," by Matthew Petti

"Biden Strengthened the Refugee Resettlement System. Will Trump Undo It?"
 by Fiona Harrigan

"Worldwide Refugee Population Hits All-Time High, U.S. Intake Reaches All-Time Low," by Matt Welch

The post What the Media Didn't Tell You in 2025 appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm to discuss Turning Point USA's AmericaFest and the GOP coalescing around Vice President J.D. Vance as President Donald Trump's successor. They analyze Sen. Rand Paul's (R–Ky.) opposition to endorsing Vance as the party's next standard-bearer, and whether this signals he will challenge Vance for the nomination in 2028. Katherine also shares what it was like attending the conference, plus her debate over marijuana legalization as the Trump administration moves to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.

The editors then turn to the bipartisan backlash over the latest Jeffrey Epstein file release, in which more than 500 pages were completely redacted, prompting Reps. Thomas Massie (R–Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D–Calif.) to threaten charges of "inherent contempt" against Attorney General Pam Bondi. The panel also discusses the Trump administration's seizure of additional Venezuelan oil tankers, plus the announcement of new military strikes in Syria. They dig into Minnesota's widening welfare fraud scandal, and whether conservative media is using it to scapegoat Somali immigrants. A listener asks whether Christmas expands our "socialist bubble" of family and community and what that says about capitalism, socialism, and human nature.

0:00—Debating marijuana at Turning Point USA

4:10—J.D. Vance is the MAGA heir apparent

14:47—Massie and Khanna react to Epstein file release

25:14—U.S. foreign policy in Venezuela and Syria

38:09—Listener question on socialism and Christmas

47:59—Minnesota welfare fraud scandal

1:01:28—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Cannavictory," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump Orders the 'Expeditious' Reclassification of Marijuana," by Jacob Sullum

"Heritage Foundation Undergoes Mass Staff Exodus as Cracks Open on the New Right," by Stephanie Slade

"Epstein Wanted To Turn His Island Into a Resort for Paying Customers," by Matthew Petti

"Oil Tanker Seized," by Liz Wolfe

"If the Syrian War Is Over, Why Are Americans Still Getting Killed in Syria?" by Matthew Petti

"Trump's Somali Insults Are a Disgrace," by Steven Greenhut

"The Real Villain in Minnesota's $1.5 Billion Fraud Scandal Isn't Somalis—It's the Feds," by Jack Nicastro

"Medicare Whac-A-Mole," by Peter Suderman

"What We Get Wrong About the American Revolution," by Nick Gillespie

"Avatar: Fire and Ash Is Part Spectacle, Part Retread," by Peter Suderman

The post Can J.D. Vance Stop a MAGA Civil War? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

Reason's Robby Soave and Elizabeth Nolan Brown square off with Breaking Points' Emily Jashinsky and Ryan Grim in a no-holds-barred debate over Big Tech. The Reason team argues that technology has dramatically improved everyday life—and that those benefits can't be ignored. Their opponents counter that Big Tech's power is inseparable from big government, and that the two can't be untangled.

Resolution: Big Tech does more good than harm.

Affirmative: Robby Soave and Elizabeth Nolan Brown

Negative: Emily Jashinsky and Ryan Grim

Moderator: Peter Suderman

0:00—Andrew Heaton's warmup

6:31—Opening statements

31:03—Moderator questions and debater discussion

53:47—All the debaters make their case using props

1:02:10—Audience questions

1:23:25—Closing statements

1:40:20—Final debate results

The post <em>Reason</em> Vs. <em>Breaking Points</em>: Does Big Tech Do More Good Than Harm? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by associate editor Liz Wolfe to discuss President Donald Trump's executive order blocking states from enforcing their own artificial intelligence regulations. The panel debates whether a single national framework for AI is necessary to keep American tech companies competitive or whether it represents a serious blow to federalism. They also examine the White House potentially reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug and what that change could mean for the cannabis industry, tax policy, and federal drug enforcement.

The editors then turn to mass shootings in Australia and at Brown University, including the actions of a bystander credited with saving lives at Bondi Beach, and what these incidents suggest about gun control debates. They discuss the U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker and threats of land strikes against the Nicolás Maduro regime, and cover the conviction of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai under China's national security law and what it signals for press freedom and U.S.-China relations. A listener asks whether modern socialism reflects moral aspirations that could be redirected toward liberty rather than centralized power.

0:00—Trump blocks states from regulating AI

10:31—Reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug

18:39—Mass shootings in the U.S. and Australia

26:59—U.S. seizes Venezuelan oil tanker

36:48—Listener question on optimism for socialism

46:08—Jimmy Lai found guilty by Hong Kong court

57:12—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Donald Trump Tries To Override State AI Regulations via Executive Order," by Jack Nicastro

"Trump Will Let Nvidia Sell Chips to China—but the Feds Will Get 25 Percent of the Profits," by Tosin Akintola

"Trump's Plan To Reclassify Marijuana Would Leave Federal Prohibition Essentially Untouched," by Jacob Sullum

"Stoner King Trump," by Liz Wolfe

"Shootings at Bondi and Brown," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump Dares Congress To Take Its War Powers Seriously in Venezuela," by Matthew Petti

"Trump Is Still Claiming He Saves '25,000 American Lives' When He Blows Up a Suspected Drug Boat," by Jacob Sullum

"Mark Clifford: A Political Prisoner Fights for Free Speech in China," by Billy Binion

"Is Free Speech Doomed in Hong Kong?" By Jack Nicastro

"'I Owe Freedom My Life': Jimmy Lai Is Imprisoned for Criticizing the Chinese Government," by John Stossel

"Hong Kong's Free Press Is Dying," by Liz Wolfe

The post Should Libertarians Support Federal AI Regulation? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by associate editor Liz Wolfe to sort through the political free-for-all surrounding the Warner Bros. and Netflix merger. They look at why Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D–Mass.) is urging regulators to block the deal, why President Donald Trump says he plans to get personally involved, and how Jared Kushner's role in a rival Paramount bid is reshaping the fight. The panel digs into whether this moment signals a real return to trustbusting or another round of theatrics from both sides.

The editors then turn to the economy, where Trump's tariff strategy is colliding with rising layoffs and growing unease within his own party. They assess the administration's new national security posture as Congress advances a defense bill that exceeds White House requests, and discuss the uproar over Kalshi's push to turn opinion into a tradable market. Also, a listener asks whether a renewed turn toward religious faith could help the country lower its political temperature.

It's that time of year when we ask you to open your wallets, dear listener, and make a tax-deductible donation to Reason's annual webathon: https://reason.pub/4pzsSOE.

0:00—Antitrust and the Netflix-Warner Bros. acquisition

19:17—Tariff failures and rising unemployment

27:43—National security strategy memo

36:50—Listener question on polarization and faith

48:13—Kalshi's controversial online gambling vision

58:33—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Warner Bros. Accepts Netflix's $83 Billion Bid, but Antitrust Threats Still Loom," by Jack Nicastro

"Trump's Tariffs Were Supposed To Cut the Trade Deficit and Boost U.S. Manufacturing. They're Not Working," by Eric Boehm

"Ask Us Anything: Libertarians Answer Your Questions," by Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Robby Soave, and Matt Welch

"Kalshi CEO Says He Wants to Monetize 'Any Difference in Opinion,'" by A.J. Dellinger

"America Pulls Back From Values That Once Defined It, WSJ-NORC Poll Finds," by Aaron Zitner

"CNN's Bari Christmas," by Dylan Byers

Upcoming Reason Events

Reason Versus debate: Big Tech Does More Good Than Harm, December 10

The post Why Elizabeth Warren and Donald Trump Hate the Netflix Deal appeared first on Reason Magazine.

It's that time of year when we ask you to open your wallets, dear listener, and make a tax-deductible donation to Reason's annual webathon: https://reason.pub/4pzsSOE.

In this special episode of The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Robby Soave, and Peter Suderman respond to all of your burning questions. Nothing is off limits!

The post Ask Us Anything: Libertarians Answer Your Questions appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch dig into the disconnect between strong Black Friday spending and a public mood shaped by rising costs, economic anxiety, and slipping approval numbers for President Donald Trump. They explore why so many Americans feel poorer despite higher overall wealth, how regulation and subsidies have distorted key markets like housing and health care, and what to make of polling that shows young voters warming to democratic socialism.

The conversation then turns to the war crime allegations against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who allegedly gave the orders to "kill everybody" on Venezuelan boat strikes that resulted in the killing of survivors, and what limits actually exist on the use of military force. The editors also examine a new federal ban on hemp products and the damage it could inflict on a growing legal industry. A listener asks whether recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions signal a troubling erosion of constitutional protections, and the group takes time to reflect on the legacy of playwright Tom Stoppard and his long association with free speech and small government ideals.

Join us this Thursday, December 4, at 2:30 p.m. ET for a special live edition of The Reason Roundtable as part of our annual webathon. Send your questions for the Reason editors to podcasts@reason.com with "Webathon" in the subject line.

Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaOOdtJqzmY

0:00—Economic anxiety and standards of living

18:45—War crime allegations against Hegseth

32:09—Federal hemp ban threatens industry

37:35—Listener question on ICE constitutionality

46:45—The legacy of Tom Stoppard

56:31—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Toplines - Heartland Nov 2025 Democratic Socialism," by Rasmussen Reports

"New Low in U.S. 'Very Satisfied' With Personal Life," by Gallup

"'Kill Everybody,'" by Christian Britschgi

"Trump's Venezuela Escalation Could Destroy MAGA, Warns Rand Paul," by Jacob R. Swartz

"What Does Fentanyl Have to Do With Alleged Drug Boats 2,600 Miles Away? Absolutely Nothing," by Tosin Akintola

"Trump Allegedly Misidentified a Colombian Fisherman as a Venezuelan 'Narcoterrorist,'" by Jacob Sullum

"The Constitution Does Not Allow the President To Unilaterally Blow Suspected Drug Smugglers to Smithereens," by Rand Paul

"They Built a Hemp Business in Good Faith but Washington Is About To Crush It," by Brittany E. Hunter

"Trump vs. the Constitution," by Damon Root

"5% of People Detained By ICE Have Violent Convictions, 73% No Convictions," by David J. Bier

"Hot August Fright: The Month Republicans Lost Their Minds Over Immigration," by Matt Welch

"How Lou Reed Inspired Anti-Communist Revolutionaries and the Rest of Us," by Matt Welch

"Václav Havel's Funeral: Why Truth Needs Love," by Matt Welch

Upcoming Reason Events

Reason Versus debate: Big Tech Does More Good Than Harm, December 10

The post Is Economic Anxiety Driving People to Socialism? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Reason senior editor Robby Soave to discuss President Donald Trump's unexpectedly warm White House meeting with New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and why he now describes the socialist's agenda as "practical." They examine what this moment suggests about Trump's shifting political instincts, how it fits with his recent comments on tariffs and the state of the economy, and what the disbanding of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) signals about his governing approach.

The group then looks at Trump's attempt to influence the pending Warner Bros. merger and the broader media landscape, including worries about misinformation and new reporting that major MAGA influencer accounts on X are operating from overseas. The panel also considers the implications of six Democrats telling service members they do not have to obey illegal orders and the ensuing backlash. A listener asks how to reconcile consumer benefits from intense market competition with the need to preserve incentives for long-term innovation and investment.

0:00—DOGE disbands

4:02—Trump meets Mamdani in the oval office

14:50—White House seeks influence over Warner Bros. merger

27:58—Red Scare, Oliva Nuzzi, and cancel culture

38:46—Listener question on preserving incentives in a market economy

51:29—Democrats encourage military not to follow illegal orders

57:49—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Republican Socialism," by Eric Boehm

"To the Socialists of All Parties," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"A Dirge for DOGE," by Christian Britschgi

"How I Found Out: Part 1," by Ryan Lizza

"FDR's War Against the Press," by David T. Beito

"Mamdani Understands Something About Trump That European Leaders Don't," by Matthew Petti

Upcoming Reason Events

Reason Versus debate: Big Tech Does More Good Than Harm, December 10

The post Trump Embraces Mamdani Socialism as 'Practical' appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm to unpack President Donald Trump's sudden shift on the Jeffrey Epstein files after trying to block the vote, the GOP pressure campaign behind it, and what the episode suggests about his grip on the party. They also examine Trump's mixed signals on tariffs, including his move to roll back duties he imposed in the first place, and whether this moment reinforces the basic economic arguments critics have made for years. The group also digs into whether Trump's proposed tariff dividend makes any economic sense.

The conversation then turns to rising tensions with Venezuela as unauthorized strikes continue and Trump signals interest in direct talks with Nicolás Maduro. A listener then asks what would need to change in order to push American health care away from government-run insurance and toward a system shaped by private plans.

0:00—The Epstein files fracture Trump's coalition

18:12—Tariff rollbacks and stimulus checks

36:17—Listener question on government healthcare

47:33—More unauthorized military strikes in Venezuela

56:54—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Trump's Epstein Reversal," by Liz Wolfe

"Jeffrey Epstein: Trump 'Spent Hours At My House' With Victim," by Matthew Petti

"State of U.S. Tariffs: October 30, 2025," by Yale Budget Lab

"Trump's Tariffs Are Likely To Make Toys More Expensive This Christmas Shopping Season," by Eric Boehm

"The Trump Administration Finally Admits That Tariffs Raise Prices," by Eric Boehm

"Tariff Stimulus Checks Are an Unserious Idea," by Eric Boehm

"Wanted: Honesty on Health Care," by Shikha Dalmia

"What Free Market Health Care Would Actually Look Like," by John Osterhoudt

"How Making GLP-1s Available Over the Counter Can Unlock Their Full Potential," by Jeffrey A. Singer

"Presidential Drift: Clinton's Haiti policy has no anchor," by Nick Gillespie

"Don't Send Cubans and Venezuelans Back To Suffer Under Communism," by Billy Binion

"Maduro and His Crony Made Millions While Venezuelan Children Starved," by César Báez

"Britain and Colombia Cut Off U.S. Intelligence Access Over Caribbean Boat Bombings," by Matthew Petti

Upcoming Reason Events

Reason Versus debate: Big Tech Does More Good Than Harm, December 10

The post How the Epstein Files Turned MAGA Against Trump appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, Reason editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by the editor in chief of The Argument, Jerusalem Demsas, to discuss the end of the government shutdown and what Democrats actually gained from it. They examine the renewed focus on Obamacare subsidies and how both parties are struggling to articulate a coherent health care vision that moves beyond stale talking points.

The group then turns to Zohran Mamdani's win in New York and what it reveals about the uneasy overlap between the abundance movement and the rising progressive wing of the Democratic Party. The panel digs into President Donald Trump's talk of $2,000 tariff "dividends," and whether it undermines his claim that affordability is "a con." They also examine the differences and similarities between modern-day liberals and libertarians. A listener then asks whether fixing America's broken health care system should start with reforming insurance or dramatically expanding the supply of doctors.

0:00—What did Democrats gain from the government shutdown?

19:34—Obamacare subsidies and healthcare in the spotlight

26:30—The abundance agenda vs. socialism

41:34—Tariff dividend checks and the affordability "con"

46:14—Listener question on health insurance

57:07—Difference between liberalism and libertarianism

1:13:11—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Reopening?" by Liz Wolfe

"America's Longest Government Shutdown Shows Why We Must Free Air Traffic Control from Politics," by Robert Poole

"Mamdani's Win Suggests a Socialist Future for Democrats and a Rocky One for American Politics," by J.D. Tuccille

"No Excuses for Zohran Mamdani and Radical Socialism," by Robby Soave

"Mamdani Teaming Up With Lina Khan Paints a Grim Picture of What's To Come," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"New York Voters Say Yes to Faster Housing Approvals," by Christian Britschgi

"Mamdani Claims 'Mandate' for Bigger Government: 'There Is No Problem Too Large for Government To Solve,'" by Joe Lancaster

"6 Zohran Mamdani Campaign Promises That New York City Can't Afford," by Jack Nicastro

"The People Who Wrecked N.Y. Schools Love Zohran Mamdani," by Matt Welch

"Trump Seems Very Confused About 'Affordability,'" by Eric Boehm

"Abundance Makes the Case for 'Supply-Side Progressivism,'" by Virginia Postrel

"The Death of Contrarianism," by Matt Welch

The post Did Democrats Blow It on the Government Shutdown? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the upcoming New York City mayoral election and what a Zohran Mamdani victory could mean for both the city and national politics. They weigh the best-case/worst-case scenarios of a leftward turn in New York, asking whether Mamdani represents a lasting anti-AI socialist movement or simply the newest iteration of the Democratic big tent.

The editors then turn to the governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey, where Democratic wins would signal continued strength for the party's centrist wing. They examine a federal judge's order requiring the government to keep SNAP funded during the ongoing shutdown, and then analyze Trump's tariff case as it heads to the Supreme Court and what a ruling could mean for presidential trade powers. Finally, a listener asks whether libertarians who work in the defense industry are violating their principles or simply operating within the system as it exists.

0:00–The best-case scenario and worst-case scenario for a Mayor Mamdani

8:09–Gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia

20:04–SNAP benefits and shutdown politics

29:32–Does the GOP have an Obamacare alternative?

34:57–Listener question on ethical contradictions

44:37–Tariffs case reaches the Supreme Court

55:05–Weekly cultural recommendation

Mentioned in This Podcast

"The Democratic Thrill for Mamdani Is a Tell," by Matt Welch
"Will Democrats Find Their Way?" by Liz Wolfe
"Mamdani's Socialist Mayorship Will Make New York a Worse Place To Live and Do Business," by Nick Gillespie
"Zohran Mamdani's $5 Billion Corporate Tax Hike Threatens NYC's Status as the World's Financial Capital," by Filippo Borello
"3 Reasons Why Zohran Mamdani's City-Run Grocery Stores Will Fail," by Natalie Dowzicky
"New York City Is About To Elect a Socialist Mayor in Zohran Mamdani. Why Won't This Failed Ideology Die?" by Zach Weissmueller
"About 1 in 5 Kids Are at Risk of Losing SNAP. Centralized Control Keeps Failing Low-Income Families," by Romina Boccia and Tyler Turman
"SNAP Stops," by Liz Wolfe
"In Tariff Case, Trump's Attorneys Can't Decide if Foreign Investment Is Good or Bad for America," by Eric Boehm
"Trump Hopes To Bully SCOTUS Into Upholding His Tariffs," by Damon Root
"Trump's Tariff Tantrum Proves He Shouldn't Have That Power," by Joe Lancaster
"In Yorgos Lanthimos' Bugonia, Elites Are Alien Creatures," by Peter Suderman
"I'm Just A Shill (FT. Zohran)," by Andrew Cuomo

The post Will a Mamdani Victory Push the Democrats Further Left? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by associate editor Liz Wolfe to discuss Argentine President Javier Milei's strong midterm showing and what it suggests about the durability of his libertarian reform agenda. They debate whether the results vindicate Trump's earlier currency-swap bailout, how Milei's spending-cut program is playing out, and what lessons his success may hold for other governments confronting inflation.

The editors then turn to Washington, where Trump's decision to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods followed an Ontario ad featuring Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. They also discuss the continued U.S. bombings in Venezuela, and the administration's alleged involvement in the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, along with the symbolism of replacing the East Wing with a ballroom. The panel considers the rise of socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York City and why his ascension could have national significance. Finally, a listener asks if protests like the recent "No Kings" rallies accomplish anything.

0:00–Milei's party wins landslide election in Argentina

16:08–Trump escalates trade war with Canada over advertisement

23:51–Are we headed into an unauthorized war with Venezuela?

34:40–The Paramount-Warner Bros. merger

39:47–Listener question on the power of protest

53:57–What does the rise of Zohran Mamdani mean for the country?

61:58–Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Javier Milei Wins Argentina's Midterm Election, Gaining More Power To Push Reforms," by César Báez"

The Government Shutdown Isn't Stopping Trump From Amassing 'Emergency' Powers," by Katherine Mangu-Ward
"The Constitution Does Not Allow the President To Unilaterally Blow Suspected Drug Smugglers to Smithereens," by Rand Paul
"Trump Dares Congress To Take Its War Powers Seriously in Venezuela," by Matthew Petti
"Trump Allegedly Misidentified a Colombian Fisherman as a Venezuelan 'Narcoterrorist,'" by Jacob Sullum
"Trump Campaigned on Free Speech. That Isn't How He's Governed." By John Stossel
"Abolish the FCC," by Ilya Somin
"The FCC's Paramount/Skydance Decision Aims To Reshape Broadcast Journalism by Bureaucratic Fiat," by Jacob Sullum
"Zohran Mamdani's Socialist Housing Plan Could Crash New York's Rickety Rental Market," by Howard Husock
"Mamdani's Fare-Free Buses Wouldn't Be NYC's First Wasteful Public Transit Boondoggle," by Emma Camp
"The Socialist Transit Plan That Could Break NYC," by Kennedy and Natalie Dowzicky
"Brandon Johnson's Chicago Is a Preview of Zohran Mamdani's New York," by Christian Britschgi
"Is Everyone Who Opposes a New School Zoning Plan in Brooklyn Racist?" By Matt Welch

The post Javier Milei's Libertarian Policies Win Shock Election appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch examine Argentina's $20 billion bailout and what it means for President Javier Milei's promise of a libertarian turnaround. They debate whether foreign aid undermines his free market agenda and what the deal suggests about Washington's own commitment to fiscal restraint.

The editors also discuss this weekend's "No Kings" protests. They analyze Trump's growing use of executive authority during the ongoing government shutdown, including his decision to keep paying troop salaries amid federal layoffs. The panel then looks to Trump's continued bombing of the alleged drug boats off Venezuela's coast, and the decision to repatriate survivors. Finally, a listener asks what checks and balances could exist in a truly libertarian country to prevent the kind of centralization of power seen in the United States today.

0:00—The U.S. bailout of Javier Milei's Argentina

15:11—The "No Kings" protests and Trump's response

32:54—Growing executive power during the government shutdown

41:45—Listener question on checks and balances

48:56—Bombing of alleged Venezuelan drug boats

57:05—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Javier Milei's Libertarian Experiment is in Jeopardy. Argentina's Midterm Elections Will Determine Its Fate," by César Báez

"Vast Right-Wing Astroturf Conspiracy Revealed!" by Matt Welch

"Medical Mosh Pits," by Jesse Walker

"Forget Obama: Trump's Pen and Phone Are Bigger Even Than FDR's," by Matt Welch

"Did the U.S. Just Kill a Random Fisherman?" By Liz Wolfe

Upcoming Reason Events

Mini Documentary Screening: The Socialist Housing Plan for New York, October 29

The post Does Argentina's Bailout Prove Libertarians Wrong? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch celebrate the release of over 2,000 hostages, political prisoners, and detainees, while considering whether President Donald Trump's Israel–Gaza deal represents a genuine step toward lasting peace in the Middle East. They discuss whether Trump's foreign policy approach is consistent, examining his recent strikes in Venezuela, and whether his record abroad compares favorably to his chaotic record at home.

The conversation then turns to Trump's new China tariffs, which rattled markets and underscored his erratic approach to trade policy, followed by yet another round of bailouts for struggling farmers. The editors also examine Congress' indifference amid another government shutdown and the growing sense that lawmakers have ceded their role entirely to the executive branch. They discuss a federal judge's weekend ruling that limits Trump's ability to deploy National Guard troops into U.S. cities, and what it signals about the courts' willingness to check his power. Finally, they assess the Democrats' persistent candidate-quality problem, from Virginia to California, and how it reveals a party struggling to find competent leadership. A listener asks whether a libertarian could offer a meaningful alternative in New York City's next mayoral race.

0:00—Trump brokers peace in the Middle East

13:32—Is Trump's foreign policy more successful than his domestic record?

18:03—Tariff threats escalate trade war with China

25:04—Government shutdown leads to federal layoffs

34:44—Is the judiciary the only check on Trump's authority?

43:02—Listener question on Libertarian Party in NYC

47:27—The Democratic Party's candidate-quality problems

55:36—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"All 20 Surviving Hostages Freed," by Liz Wolfe

"What If the U.S. Cuts Off Aid to Israel?" By Matt Welch

"The U.S. Military Is Helping Arab Dictatorships Run Psyops," by Matthew Petti

"New York's Libertarian and Green Parties Petition Supreme Court Over New York's Restrictive Ballot Access Laws," by Brian Doherty

The post Trump's Art of the Deal for Peace in the Middle East appeared first on Reason Magazine.

Reason and the Cato Institute go head-to-head with our friends at the National Review and the Center for Immigration Studies in a thought-provoking debate on one of America's most divisive issues: immigration.

Resolution: Mass Immigration Is Good for America

Affirmative: Reason's Katherine Mangu-Ward and Cato's Alex Nowrasteh

Negative: National Review's Rich Lowry and Center for Immigration Studies' Steven Camarota

Moderator: Peter Suderman

Reason Versus is a debate series where Reason journalists and policy experts face off against pundits and strategists who challenge their ideas—no talking points, no shouting, just sharp arguments and real discussion.

The post <em>Reason</em> Versus <em>National Review</em>: Is Mass Immigration Good for America? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm to discuss Paramount's $150 million acquisition ofThe Free Press and Bari Weiss' promotion to editor in chief at CBS News. They examine whether this represents a backlash to "woke" media, and debate if the success of outlets on Substack and YouTube shows that journalism may be entering a period of entrepreneurship and renewal rather than decline.

The panel then turns to President Donald Trump's controversial National Guard deployments to cities like Portland and Chicago, weighing its constitutional limits and political consequences. They also cover the leaked texts from Virginia's Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones about shooting his Republican rival, and the fallout for Democrats in a critical election year. A listener asks the editors to reflect on whether libertarians should focus more on defending freedom as an end in itself or on steering society toward specific outcomes. Finally, the conversation touches on Argentina's economic crisis and what it means for libertarians.

0:00—Bari Weiss named editor in chief at CBS News

13:32—Consolidation and the changing media landscape

20:58—Federal troops deployed to Chicago and Portland

38:17—Democrat attorney general candidate fantasizes about political violence

48:07—Listener question on prioritizing process over purpose

56:37—What Argentina's bailout means for libertarianism

1:00:35—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"The Future of the Free Press," by Bari Weiss

"Letter To All CBS News Employees," by Bari Weiss

"Domination Fantasies: Does Rupert Murdoch control the media? Does Anyone?" by Ben Compaine

"Mergers & Disquisitions: Reasons not to sweat AOL-Time Warner--and other megadeals," by Nick Gillespie

"Trump's Troops Return to a City That Moved On: Dispatch From Portland," by Nancy Rommelman

"Sending in the Guard," by Liz Wolfe

"Oregon Court Strikes Down Trump's Federalization of National Guard," by David Post

"Deploying Federal Troops Is Not a Sustainable Solution to Crime in American Cities," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"A Judge Blocked the Trump Administration From Deploying National Guard Troops to Oregon," by Shawn Hubler, Anna Griffin, and Eric Schmitt

"Dem AG Nominee Jay Jones Fantasized About Shooting Former Virginia GOP Speaker: 'He Receives Both Bullets,'" by Audrey Fahlberg

"Politically Motivated Violence Is Rare in the United States," by Alex Nowrasteh

"The Agony of Abundance," by Nick Gillespie

"Bail Out Argentina," by David Frum

"Why Is Trump Bailing Out Argentina?" by Paul Krugman

"Why is Argentina the IMF's biggest deadbeat?" by Steve Hanke

Today's Sponsors:

The post Does Bari Weiss Prove Woke Media Is Collapsing? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss whether the impending government shutdown will actually rein in the federal bureaucracy. They consider whether there is anything to gain from a shutdown, how past shutdowns have played out, and whether the risk of growing executive power outweighs the risk of uncontrolled spending.

They also examine the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey and whether it's about retribution or substance, President Donald Trump's deployment of federal troops to Portland, and New York Mayor Eric Adams' decision to exit the mayoral race. A listener question prompts a conversation about cyclical theories of history and whether frameworks like The Fourth Turning help explain our current moment or merely provide the illusion of clarity.

0:00—Shutdown showdown and shrinking the government

9:24—Russell Vought and the growth of executive power

25:34—James Comey faces an indictment

31:38—Eric Adams drops out of NYC mayoral race

40:42—Listener question on cyclical frameworks in history

48:06—Trump sends federal police to Portland

56:30—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Government Set To Shut Down Tomorrow," by Liz Wolfe

"The American New Right Looks Like the European Old Right," by Jack Nicastro and Phillip W. Magness

"How GOP Fiscal Sanity Died, in 7 Easy Steps," by Matt Welch

"Shutdown Highlights Basic Fact: Most of Government is 'Non-Essential'," by Nick Gillespie

"The Libertarian Case for Postmodernism," by Nick Gillespie

"In Trump's Tussle With James Comey, You Should Hope Everybody Loses," by J.D. Tuccille

"Trump's Public Comments Could Further Complicate the Shaky Case Against James Comey," by Jacob Sullum

"Kash Patel Tellingly Ties James Comey's Indictment to the Legally Unrelated 'Russiagate Hoax,'" by Jacob Sullum

"The Deep-State Liars of the #Resistance," by Matt Welch

"What Does It Mean for Trump To Designate Antifa a 'Terrorist Organization'?" by Matthew Petti

"The Tom Cotton Do-Over," by Matt Welch

"The Dream of the '90s Died in Portland," by Nancy Rommelmann

"Assata Shakur Stood With the Oppressors," by Billy Binion

r/NYC on Reddit: "Eric Adams wore this custom made robe to a Rosh Hashanah service in Brooklyn yesterday."

Upcoming Reason Events

"Is mass immigration good for America?"Join us for a Reason Versus live debate on October 2 in Washington, D.C.

Today's Sponsor:

You believe in limited government and support organizations that champion the ideals of a free society.  But have you ensured that your charitable giving will leave a lasting legacy of liberty? Without a plan in place, your charitable legacy could fade—or worse, be redirected to causes that don't align with your values. At DonorsTrust, they help you secure your philanthropic vision for the long term. With a donor-advised fund, you can ensure that the groups you care about continue to receive support, even beyond your lifetime. And unlike other donor-advised funds, DonorsTrust respects your libertarian principles and ensures your charitable capital remains committed to advancing individual liberty. Your giving should reflect your values—not just today, but for years to come. Your Vision.  Your Values.  Your Impact. Go to http://DonorsTrust.org/Reason to ensure your philanthropy continues to champion liberty for generations to come.

The post Will a Shutdown Finally Shrink Government? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch examine President Donald Trump's claim that overwhelmingly negative coverage of him is "no longer free speech," suggesting that criticism of the president could be treated as illegal. They explore how this rhetoric fits into his broader war on the press, from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) pressure that pushed ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel to new speech restrictions floated by senior officials, and why these moves strike at the core of the First Amendment.

The editors then turn to disclosures about a closed bribery investigation involving Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, and what it signals about corruption risks around immigration policy. They assess the implications of U.S. strikes on Venezuelan drug boats and the danger of rapid escalation of tensions, along with Trump's hints about reentering Afghanistan. A listener question then prompts each editor to name the view their colleagues would likely consider least libertarian.

0:00—Does free speech cover criticism?

23:09—Holman's bribery scandal

39:09—Listener question on least libertarian views

49:28—Venezuela and Afghanistan foreign policy news

57:43—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"The FCC's Involvement in Canceling Jimmy Kimmel Was 'Unbelievably Dangerous,' Ted Cruz Says," by Jacob Sullum

"America's Free Speech Culture Is Under Attack From Within," by J.D. Tuccille

"Should Elected Officials Censor Americans? Trump's Administration Says Yes," by Joe Lancaster

"The FCC Should Let Jimmy Kimmel Be," by Robby Soave

"Brendan Carr Flagrantly Abused His Powers To Cancel Jimmy Kimmel," by Jacob Sullum

"Pam Bondi Is Really Wrong About Hate Speech," by Robby Soave

"Abolish the FCC," by Nick Gillespie

"Hail to the Censor!" by Matt Welch

"The $100,000 Visa," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump Is Openly Using the Presidency To Enrich the Trump Brand," by Matt Welch

"Americans Like Drugs. Killing Drug Traffickers Won't Change That," by Tosin Akintola

"Donald Trump Is Not a Peace President," by Steven Greenhut

"Another Military Strike on a Speedboat Confirms Trump's Policy of Murdering Suspected Drug Smugglers," by Jacob Sullum

"The Government Was Lying to You About Afghanistan. Dan Krauss Has the Receipts," by Matthew Petti

Upcoming Reason Events

Reason Versus—Mass Immigration Is Good for America, October 2

Today's Sponsor:

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The post Free Speech Means You Can Criticize Anyone appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch confront the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination. They open with reflections about the history of political violence in the U.S. and whether reactions online are amplifying fear rather than clarity. The panel critiques early attempts to pin the blame on social media—highlighting Trump and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox's calls for new restrictions—while contrasting them with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis's argument that responsibility rests with individuals, not platforms.

The panel also considers how quickly tragedies get folded into pre-existing narratives, and whether calls for broad regulation risk undermining civil liberties without addressing the real problem. The conversation then turns to attempts to punish speech, including proposals to fire public-university employees and revoke licenses for those who made offensive remarks about Kirk's death. A listener question about the books on the panelists' shelves offers a brief detour, with each host highlighting a few favorites in view of the camera.

"Is mass immigration good for America?"Join us for a Reason Versus live debate on October 2 in Washington, D.C.

0:00–The role of social media in Charlie Kirk's assassination

18:15–Crisis politics and the growing censorship creep

39:30–What is the path forward?

52:30–Listener question on host's bookshelves

58:00–Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast:

"Social Media Didn't Kill Charlie Kirk", by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
"The Standard for 'Vicious' Speech Trump Laid Out After Kirk's Murder Would Implicate Trump Himself", by Jacob Sullum
"What the Messages on the Bullets of Charlie Kirk's Assassin Mean", by C.J. Ciaramella
"Charlie Kirk and America's History With Political Violence", by Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch
"The Killing of Charlie Kirk: 5 Idiotic Responses on Social Media", by Robby SoaveWhat If "We Acted Like Political Violence Was a Problem?", By Matt Welch

"The Apocalyptic Faithlessness of Trump/Bannon Conservatism", by Matt Welch

"Politically Motivated Violence is Rare in the United States", by Alex Nowrasteh

Upcoming Reason Events:

Reason Versus — Mass Immigration Is Good for America, October 2

Today's Sponsor:

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50 percent per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise—so you can find the right fit. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit http://betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

The post To Honor Charlie Kirk, Reject Cancel Culture appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch dig into Sen. Josh Hawley's (R–Mo.) speech at the National Conservatism Conference, where he denounced artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies as threats to liberty. They debate why MAGA populists are embracing anti-tech rhetoric, how this mirrors parts of the labor left, and what it means for President Donald Trump's simultaneous push for AI investment and closer ties with Silicon Valley.

Our editors also break down the latest jobs report, analyzing labor force participation, manufacturing losses, and whether tariffs and immigration limits are holding back growth. They then turn to New College of Florida's talk of privatization following its clash with Gov. Ron DeSantis, and what that would mean for university governance. A listener question prompts each editor to explain how they came to identify as libertarian and why the label matters to their work. Finally, the panel examines the Justice Department's move to ban transgender Americans from gun ownership.

How can we make The Reason Roundtable better? Take our listener survey and get a chance to win $300: http://reason.com/podsurvey

0:00—Does AI threaten liberty?

11:53—AI social anxieties

20:01—Abundance agenda embraces AI

23:40—Trump jobs report raises alarms

32:37—New College of Florida talks privatization

44:31—Listener question on becoming libertarian

52:15—Gun ban for transgender Americans

1:04:33—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Josh Hawley's Anti–Driverless Cars Policy Would Kill a Lot of People," by Jennifer Huddleston

"Google's Industry Dominance Isn't Unprecedented—and It Isn't Forever," by James Czerniawski

"MAGA Economics Is Losing," by Eric Boehm

"A Bad Jobs Report," by Liz Wolfe

"American Manufacturing Needs Relief From Trump's Tariffs," by Eric Boehm

"Major Gun-Rights Groups Oppose the Trump Administration's Idea To Ban Trans People From Owning Guns," by C.J. Ciaramella

"The Proposed Ban on Gun Possession by Transgender People Would Be Neither Legal Nor Constitutional," by Jacob Sullum

"Graham Linehan's Speech Must Be Defended," by Robby Soave

Upcoming Reason Events

Why Europe Can't Get Rich, September 10

The Soho Forum Debate: Melanie Thompson vs. Kaytlin Bailey, September 15

Reason Versus—Mass Immigration Is Good for America, October 2

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The post MAGA Is Wrong About AI. Trump Is Right. appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward and Matt Welch are joined by Senior Producer Zach Weissmueller and Senior Editor Robby Soave to unpack RFK Jr.'s tumultuous week at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from leadership shake-ups and changes to COVID-19 vaccine access to mounting backlash from employees and former agency directors. They examine what this chaos says about the politicization of public health and the risks of concentrating so much authority in a single agency.

The conversation then shifts into the brewing fight over deploying the National Guard in Chicago, weighing the constitutional questions and the practical realities of federal intervention in local crime. A listener question prompts a discussion around strategies for holding your ground when you're outnumbered in a debate. The panel then weighs in on a federal court ruling on Trump's tariffs, what it could mean for trade policy, and how it intersects with the broader libertarian legal movement.

How can we make The Reason Roundtable better? Take our listener survey and get a chance to win $300: http://reason.com/podsurvey

0:00—Chaos at the CDC

9:45—RFK Jr.'s Health and Human Services report card

23:00—Trump and the Chicago crime crackdown

35:17—Listener question on debating when outnumbered

43:55—Liberation Day tariffs ruled unconstitutional

49:06—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Neither Cranks Nor Hacks Should Head HHS," by Matt Welch

"Is RFK Jr. 'Weaponizing Public Health'?" by Ronald Bailey

"Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: COVID, Ukraine, Bitcoin, Guns, Free Speech, and More," by Nick Gillespie and Zach Weissmueller

"Should Vaccines Be Mandatory?" by Matt Welch, Ronald Bailey, Jeffrey A. Singer, and Sandy Reider

"When It Comes to Fighting Crime With the National Guard, Trump Says, He Can Do 'Anything I Want To Do,'" by Jacob Sullum

"Chicago Next for National Guard?" by Liz Wolfe

"Federal Appeals Court Says Trump's Tariffs Are Unlawful, Allows Them To Remain in Place," by Eric Boehm

"The Federal Circuit's Tariff Ruling Highlights the Audacity of Trump's Power Grab," by Jacob Sullum

"Trump's Tariff Spin Is Putting Republicans in an Awkward Spot," by Eric Boehm

Upcoming Reason Events

Why Europe Can't Get Rich, September 10

REASON VERSUS — Mass Immigration Is Good for America, October 2

The post RFK Jr.'s Wild Week appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm to break down Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's signals of an upcoming interest rate cut and President Donald Trump's very public pressure campaign on the Fed. They discuss what a rate cut could mean for jobs, inflation, and investment, how tariffs are distorting basic economic signals, and why the Fed's growing politicization should worry anyone who values a functional economy.

The conversation then turns to the administration's new trade deal with the European Union (E.U.), what it signals for tariffs, reciprocity, and the costs of everyday goods. They also field a question from a libertarian listener about the appeal of former Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D–Ill.) as a presidential candidate before examining the FBI's raid on former National Security Adviser John Bolton's home, weighing whether it's a legitimate investigation into mishandled classified documents, or a case of political retribution.

How can we make The Reason Roundtable better? Take our listener survey for a chance to win a $300 gift card: http://reason.com/podsurvey

0:00—The impact of the Fed rate cuts

12:21—E.U. trade deal, tariffs, and their revenue

21:04—Cracker Barrel and the state of conservative commentary

33:07—Listener question on a Rahm Emanuel for president

42:19—FBI raids the home of John Bolton

51:21—Trump's order on burning the U.S. flag

52:39—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Powell's Last Stand," by Liz Wolfe

"Tariffs Begin Taking a Bite out of the Economy," by J.D. Tuccille

"Trump's New Trade 'Deal' With the E.U. Leaves Out Beer, Wine, Booze," by Eric Boehm

"The Europoors Are Choosing To Have Less Than Americans. It Doesn't Have To Be This Way," by Sam Bowman

"Trump's Steel Tariffs Now Apply to Milk and Hundreds of Other Products That Aren't Steel," by Eric Boehm

"Trump's Plans for Intel Take a Page From Bernie Sanders' Playbook," by Eric Boehm

"Cracker Barrel Didn't 'Go Woke.' It Just Went Broke," by Billy Binion

"The Justice Department's Investigation of John Bolton Seems Like a Witch Hunt," by Robby Soave

"My Conversations With John Bolton," by Matt Welch

Ken Kleppenstein on X: John Bolton thinks Chelsea Manning should get the death penalty

Marcus Lemonis on X: official statement on California regulatory system

Today's Sponsor:

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50 percent per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise—so you can find the right fit. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

The post Is It Too Late To End the Fed? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch dig into the Trump administration's increased meddling in the tech sector, from profit-sharing deals to a possible government stake in Intel. They discuss the recent spike in the consumer price index, the president's controversial pick to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and what the latest data signal for the economy.

The conversation then shifts to Washington, D.C., where President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency, put the local police under federal control, and deployed National Guard troops from multiple states as part of a sweeping crime crackdown. Despite over 1,700 officers and agents on the streets last week, the arrests were no higher than an average day, raising questions about whether the operation is more about politics than public safety. Later, the hosts turn to Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where threats of "severe consequences" gave way to softer rhetoric and even the adoption of some of Putin's language. A listener question lightens the mood by imagining the Roundtable as a band, with Peter on sousaphone.

0:00—Has Trump created a banana republic economy?

15:42—Consumer price index, jobs report, and the new BLS nominee

20:54—D.C. police department now under federal control

38:48—Listener question on a Roundtable musical group

45:14—Trump's meetings with Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy

55:34—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast

"Intel Is Reportedly the Latest Company Trump Wants a Piece Of," by Joe Lancaster

"Trump's Tracking of AI Chip Shipments Exposes Flaws in His Export Control," by Tosin Akintola

"Trump Administration Plans To Tax More American Companies on Overseas Sales," by Jack Nicastro

"Soaring Wholesale Prices Mean Higher Inflation Is Coming. Are Tariffs To Blame?" by Eric Boehm

"Republican Governors Send National Guard to D.C.," by Liz Wolfe

"The Government Sent '20 Police Officers' With Riot Gear To Rearrest D.C. Sandwich Thrower, Says Attorney," by Billy Binion

"D.C. Residents Are Right To Protest Unconstitutional Police Roadblocks," by C.J. Ciaramella

"For Ukraine, 'Losing Slowly' Might Be a Winning Strategy," by Paul Schwennesen

"Does Donald Trump Know What a Dictator Looks Like?" by Matt Welch

"The End of Prestige," by Ross Barkan

Today's Sponsor:

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50 percent per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise—so you can find the right fit. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

The post The Trump Economy Is Now Pay To Play appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by special guest Reem Ibrahim, head of media for the Institute of Economic Affairs. They begin with Jim Acosta's AI-generated interview featuring a deceased child urging gun control, using it as a springboard to discuss nationwide declines in violent crime and the political tendency to focus on banning specific tools. The conversation then shifts to the White House's decision to deploy the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and the dangerous precedent this could set for using federal forces to address local crime.

The panel then turns to President Donald Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss Ukraine, weighing whether it could lead to peace or embolden authoritarian demands, as well as the role of European nations. From there, they examine the decision by Texas Democrats to flee the state amid redistricting battles and the FBI's efforts to locate them. A listener question from the United Kingdom prompts a conversation about free speech restrictions and the growing use of psychological studies to justify censorship, leading into a discussion of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's (FIRE) lawsuit against the Trump administration over immigrant First Amendment rights.

0:00—Media exploitation of children for gun control

11:02—National Guard deployed to D.C. amid falling crime rates

15:02—Trump meeting with Putin in Alaska

25:51—Texas Democrats flee state over GOP redistricting map

35:35—Listener question on free speech rights in the U.K.

47:00—FIRE lawsuit against Trump administration over protected speech

54:55—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast:

"Hostile Takeover: Trump Federalizes Law Enforcement and Deploys National Guard in D.C.," by Tosin Akintola

"Big Balls Attacked," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump says crime in D.C. is out of control. Here's what the data shows," by Olivia George, John D. Harden, Jenny Gathright, The Washington Post

"How the New Texas Map Changes the Outlook for Control of the House," by Nate Cohn, The New York Times

"The UK's Online Safety Act is a licence for censorship – and the rest of the world is following suit," by Taylor Lorenz, The Guardian

"LAWSUIT: FIRE challenges unconstitutional provisions Rubio uses in crusade to deport legal immigrants over protected speech," by FIRE

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The post Lower Crime Hasn't Stopped Gun Control Push appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm and special guest Emily Jashinsky, host of After Party. They begin with the media's growing fixation on men and masculinity, from a wave of New York Times essays to broader questions about dating, education, and work. What does this coverage reveal about how the media sees men, and about younger male voters drifting from the Democratic Party?

The panel then examines President Donald Trump's escalating tariff policy, its economic consequences, and how it fits into the administration's broader approach to trade and inflation. A listener question prompts a discussion of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's shift toward deregulation, and the growing calls to reverse course. The panel also looks at Trump's overseas business activity and the ethical questions it raises about the use of public office for personal gain.

0:00–How men are characterized in the media

13:00–The publishing industry's struggles with men

19:15–The tradeoffs of Trump's tariff policies

42:52–Listener question on NCAA deregulation

50:56–The ethics of personal profits as president

1:00:14–Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"Your Relationship Problems Aren't Always About the Patriarchy," by Emma Camp

"Yes, Tariffs Are Raising Prices," by Eric Boehm

"Firing the Data-Collectors," by Liz Wolfe

"Amateur Hour Is Over: College Athletes Can Get Paid by Schools," by Jason Russell

"Trump Is Openly Using the Presidency To Enrich the Trump Brand," by Matt Welch

"The Naked Gun Is Stupid in the Best Possible Way," by Peter Suderman

Today's Sponsors:

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50 percent per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise—so you can find the right fit. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

The post <i>The New York Times</i> Doesn't Understand Men appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by ReasonSenior Editor Robby Soave to discuss the $1.5 billion renewal of South Park and why the show remains one of the most important libertarian pop culture creations of the past 30 years. They reflect on its enduring relevance, its crude but effective political metaphors, and its broad appeal across ideological lines. The panel also revisits the Hulk Hogan lawsuit which led to the fall of Gawker and what it revealed about public trust in media, then turns to President Donald Trump's new AI executive order and the growing tendency to frame tech policy as part of the culture war. A listener question sparks discussion of Trump's deregulation record and how it connects to the One Big Beautiful Bill, followed by a look at the latest developments around a potential government shutdown.

00:59—South Park's renewal and the political implications

08:19—Late night TV, the Paramount merger, and cord cutting

17:20—The legacy of Hulk Hogan's Gawker's lawsuit

28:15—Trump's anti-woke AI executive order

36:05—Listener question on Trump's deregulation track record

42:24—Are we heading toward another government shutdown?

50:52—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"South Park Libertarians," by Nick Gillespie and Jesse Walker

"The FCC's Paramount/Skydance Decision Aims To Reshape Broadcast Journalism by Bureaucratic Fiat," by Jacob Sullum

"Meet Stephen Colbert's Biggest Fans: Congressional Democrats," by Robby Soave

"By Settling Trump's Laughable Lawsuit Against CBS, Paramount Strikes a Blow at Freedom of the Press," by Jacob Sullum

"Gawker Was Killed for Publishing Embarrassing Truths. That's Bad News," By Brian Doherty

"Gawker Documentary Fails to Make Case for Publishing Sex Tape," by Glenn Garvin

"'Woke' AI Is the Latest Threat to Free Speech," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Baseball, and the Vanishing Art of Forgiveness," by Matt Welch

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The post South Park Is Saving Free Speech! appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch examine what, if anything, the Jeffrey Epstein saga reveals about the MAGA movement and its ties to conspiracy culture. They debate whether the scandal could derail President Donald Trump's agenda or simply reinforce the need for more government transparency. The editors also weigh in on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's explosive allegations that former President Barack Obama and his administration engaged in a "treasonous conspiracy" to discredit Trump's 2016 victory. Then they turn to the GOP's $9 billion Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) rescission bill and its impact on public broadcasting. Plus, a listener question prompts reflections on how the Roundtable crew really gets along behind the scenes.

00:26—Epstein conspiracies come full circle

06:13—The Epstein files and government transparency

16:52—Trump's made-for-TV administration showing cracks

21:42—Gabbard and the treasonous conspiracy accusations

38:03—Listener question on panelist relationships

45:27—DOGE rescissions and public broadcasting cuts

56:08—The declining influence of institutional media

1:00:28—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"The Case Against Ross Ulbricht Was About Government Power," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"Free Ross Day One," by Nick Gillespie

"Trump, Who Wants To 'Straighten Out the Press,' Sues The Wall Street Journal Over 'Fake' Epstein Letter," by Jacob Sullum

"Enigmas Never Age," by Liz Wolfe

"MAGA's Epstein Files Fight Shows the Long Tail of QAnon," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"The CEO of NPR Made the Best Case for Defunding It," by Billy Binion

"The Senate Was Right To Defund NPR and PBS," by Robby Soave

"How To Keep Your Radio Station Going When the Government's Checks Don't Come," by Jesse Walker

Mothers Against Cruel Sentencing

Today's Sponsors:

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50% per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise - so you can find the right fit.  Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10% off your first month.

The post What Should Libertarians Make of the Epstein Files? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

Join us on July 15 at 6:20 E.T. to hear from Reason's Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch for a live episode of The Reason Roundtable from New York City.

It will be a night of unscripted, uncensored, and unhinged conversation about whatever the hell is happening in America this week—including the bizarre reality that President Donald Trump and New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani each represent a kind of populism. What does it mean when a word applies to both a billionaire president and a leftist intellectual? Chaos, apparently. You don't want to miss this. Watch live on Youtube here.

The post Trump and Mamdani Battle for the Populist Crown appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie and Reason reporter Eric Boehm unpack the passage of President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, focusing on its tax carve-outs, its special-interest subsidies, and what happens when key provisions expire in 2028. They also examine the potential fallout from Trump's looming trade deadline with the European Union, answer a listener question about the legality of masked federal law enforcement, and discuss the viability of Elon Musk launching a new political party.

0:00—America is still the greatest country on earth

6:18—The One Big Beautiful Bill becomes law

12:39—Medicaid cuts and what they mean

20:51—Sunset clauses will cause more instability

33:33—Listener question on masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents

42:16—Elon Musk announces new third party

49:47—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in This Podcast

"The Secret Police Are Here," by Mike Brock

"Errol Morris and Jacob Soboroff: Trump's Immigration Policies Are Indefensible," by Nick Gillespie

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC! July 15

The Soho Forum Debate: Jacob Hacker vs. David Goldhill, July 16

Today's Sponsors:

Future of Freedom: If you're tired of cable news debates and Twitter shouting matches, and you're looking for serious, good-faith conversations between people who actually care about liberty then it's time to check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Each episode dives deep into a single topic—tariffs, campus speech, the Department of Government Efficiency—and brings together two guests who disagree on the best path forward. But here's the twist: This isn't a debate show. No interrupting. No dunking. If you believe the future of freedom depends on more than just winning arguments and you're ready for something deeper than the usual echo chambers, check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Real disagreement. Real ideas. Real conversations. Subscribe to Future of Freedom wherever you get your podcasts.

The post The Insanity of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, Reason editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to analyze Zohran Mamdani's primary win over Andrew Cuomo in New York City's mayoral race and what it signals about the future of Democratic politics. They also discuss the Senate GOP's version of President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" and how Republican views on gay marriage have shifted since the Obergefell decision in 2015. Finally, a listener question prompts a discussion on Modern Monetary Theory and the risks it poses from a libertarian perspective.

0:00—What does it mean to be a party pollster?

2:53—Socialist Mamdani wins NYC Democratic primary

11:59—The politics of the housing crisis

15:18—The abundance agenda and Mamdani

21:15—Mamdani as the Trump of the left

27:07—Listener question on Modern Monetary Theory

37:15—Senate GOP version of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill"

42:45—Republican voters shift on gay marriage

48:28—Is the GOP more libertarian under Trump?

50:28—Chances Trump might prove us wrong on Iran strategy

54:22—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast

"On Housing, All New York Politicians Are Socialists," by Christian Britschgi
"Libya, End Zone Taunting, and the Success Curse," by Matt Welch
"Sovereignty Is Such a Lonely Word," by Matt Welch

Upcoming Reason Events

The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC!, July 15

The Soho Forum Debate: Jacob Hacker vs. David Goldhill, July 16

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The post Did NYC Vote for Socialism or Against the Establishment? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, andMatt Welch examine the latest U.S. military strike on Iran, unpacking the bipartisan pattern of anti-war campaign rhetoric followed by hawkish foreign policy once in office. They debate whether intervention is ever justified, what escalation might look like, and why Congress keeps abdicating its war powers. The hosts also tackle a listener question about public land sales and libertarian principles. Finally, they survey the baffling state of big city governance and the New York City mayoral primary battle between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.

00:22—President Donald Trump abandons "no new wars" promise

9:11—Vice President J.D. Vance kisses the ring

13:28—Are there any good arguments for war with Iran?

19:57—Israel set off a ticking clock

23:22—Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard contradicts Trump's narrative

26:27—What Congress should do now

36:24—Listener questions: public lands selloff

43:41—Big city governance and the NYC mayoral primary

55:32—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this Podcast

"Just Don't Call It a War," by Christian Britschgi

"The Attack on Iran Is Unlawful," by Eric Boehm

"Trump Shreds the Constitution By Bombing Iran," by Matthew Petti

"Now Let Us Give Thanks for War," by Nick Gillespie

"Is Trump's America a Reliable Ally?" by Open To Debate

"The Federal Government Owns Too Much Land. Selling It Helps Rural Communities," by Jack Nicastro

"Utah Tells the Feds To Pound Sand," by J.D. Tuccille

"28 Years Later Is Terrifying and Life-Affirming," by Peter Suderman

Upcoming Reason Events

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The post Anti-War President Starts New War. Again. appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Matthew Petti to break down the fallout from Israel's strike on Iran, the likelihood of escalation, and what role the U.S. is already playing in the conflict.

They also cover the Minnesota assassinations and the growing fears of political violence, and offer a firsthand account from one of the nationwide No Kings protests. Finally, they answer a listener's question about libertarian reactions to anti-ICE demonstrations and examine the broader implications of President Donald Trump's shifting immigration enforcement policies.

0:00 - Political violence in America

8:17 - What role does America play in the Israel and Iran conflict?

17:56 - The risk of escalation and expansion in the Middle East

25:26 - How Trump differs from Bush on foreign policy

28:41 - What have we learned from this Middle East conflict?

33:09 - Listener question: Why are libertarians critical of the anti-ICE protests?

38:59 - Observations on the No Kings protests

46:29 - Trump's shifting stance on the ICE raids

51:27 - Is Trump policy driven by personal enrichment?

54:31 - Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this Podcast:

"Israel Attacks Iran—and Burns Down the Off-Ramp With America," by Matthew Petti

"Are We Going to War With Iran or Not?" by Matthew Petti

"Cutting Off Israel," by Matt Welch

"Prediction: 2024 Will See Deadly Political Violence in the Streets," by Matt Welch

"The Tom Cotton Do-Over," by Matt Welch

"More Than 1,800 'No Kings' Protests Aim for Nonviolent Pushback Against Trump Policies," by Nancy Rommelmann

"ICE on Ice," by Eric Boehm

"California Immigration Raids Are Hurting American Citizens Too," by Autumn Billings

"Los Angeles Is Not Burning," by Nancy Rommelmann

"Brian Wilson Was an Exemplary American," by Brian Doherty

Upcoming Reasonevents:

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The post Israel Strikes Iran. Is Escalation Inevitable? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm to discuss the political fallout from President Donald Trump's immigration raids and deployment of the National Guard to riots in Los Angeles. They also cover last week's feud between Trump and Elon Musk over the GOP's mega spending bill. Finally, they examine the evolving role of drone warfare, particularly in Ukraine, while expressing concerns about technological militarization.

0:00—Protests over illegal immigration in L.A.

6:08—Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are "too happy" about the protests in L.A.

9:03—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is rounding up immigrants who are working in jobs and contributing to society.

11:04—The importance of "rule of law"

18:24—Is it OK to call in the National Guard to handle protests in L.A.?

21:12—The big, beautiful breakup between Musk and Trump

27:00—An important moment for debts and deficits

34:19—Markets for the win

38:07—Listener question: Should we sunset older laws to stop lawmakers from using obscure laws today?

44:18—Drone strikes increase in the war between Russia and Ukraine

55:08—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Americans' Views of Deportations," by Luis Noe-Bustamante andJens Manuel Krogstad

"Migrant Arrests at US-Mexico Border Near Record Low in February," by Ted Hesson and Kristina Cooke

"Full List of Republicans Who Voted Against Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill'," by Sonam Sheth

"Full List of Senate Republicans Who Might Vote Against Trump's Tax Bill," by James Bickerton

"Ukraine Changes the Face of War Forever," by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor

Upcoming Reasonevents:

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The post Fake Immigration Crisis Triggers Actual Violence appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is already reshaping jobs, education, politics, and personal identity—sharing examples from scam calls and students cheating to Darth Vader swearing in Fortnite.The panel also discusses how Democrats are failing to attract young men, no matter how much money they spend. Finally, they examine President Donald Trump's latest trade policy contradictions from the past week.

0:32—What is one way AI has made life weird?

3:08—Writing with AI is about to get a lot weirder

9:12—Excitement and fear about AI

11:13—How to make entry-level workers more productive

16:12—Has AI created any cultural problems?

22:49—Is AI helping students "cheat" in college?

26:27—How is AI affecting grade school students?

29:18—The AI race with China

36:20—Do Democrats have a problem with men?

44:42—Listener question: Is White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller correct in saying that the 'big beautiful bill' will actually reduce the deficit?

49:28—What is going on with Trump's tariffs in the courts?

53:19—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Budget Reconciliation: Tracking the Trump 2025 Tax Cuts," by Erica York, Garrett Watson, William McBride, Alex Muresianu

"MP holds up a naked photo of herself in parliament to prove an important point," by Sarah Hooper

"The Southern Surge: Understanding the Bright Spots in the Literacy Landscape," by Karen Vaites

"Stephen Miller Egregiously Misrepresented a Supreme Court Order While Trump Nodded Along," by Damon Root

Nick Gillespie on X: "After almost two decades of waning interest in recorded music, Napster rekindled my interest in buying CDs, mostly by acting as a listening service."

Upcoming Reason events:

Reason Versus debate: Jacob Sullum and Billy Binion vs. Charles Fain Lehman and Rafael Mangual, June 24

Reason Speakeasy: Nick Gillespie and Elizabeth Nolan Brown on the MAHA Movement, June 25

The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC! July 15

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The post Artificial Intelligence Is Making Everything Weird appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by The Gist's Mike Pesca to discuss the Trump administration's escalating campaign against Harvard. The conversation explores how government overreach in education threatens civil liberties and stable institutional governance. They also discuss corruption concerns they have over Donald Trump's memecoin.

0:00—Introduction

2:53—Trump continues to attack Harvard

7:10—Trump is using the power of the state to punish his enemies

13:35—Are taxes on endowments a good idea?

17:23—Trump wants to give Harvard's money to trade schools instead.

23:41—Trump's memecoin dinner corruption

32:02—Listener question: If someone magically waved a wand and got rid of all federal discretionary spending, would it actually feel like government only got a 25 percent to 30 percent haircut?

37:49—The U.S. Mint has made its last order of pennies.

38:47—Should we eliminate the Institute for Peace?

40:08—Should we eliminate the Saturday service of USPS?

41:31—Should we get rid of everything that is free for congressmen at the U.S. Capitol?

43:34—Should we eliminate the Selective Service?

49:11—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

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The post Trump's War on Harvard appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch critique President Donald Trump's proposed tax legislation and its fiscal irresponsibility, discuss the national deficit and credit rating downgrade, examine the media and political cover-up of former President Joe Biden's cognitive decline, and highlight the broader consequences of institutional failure and partisan denial.

0:00—"Big beautiful bill" breakdown

2:21—The MAGA (Money Account for Growth and Advancement) baby account boondoggle

13:54—SALT cap debate and wealthy blue state subsidies

19:12—Proposed Medicaid cuts and "fiscal illusions"

23:02—Moody's Ratings downgraded the U.S. credit rating system. Does this matter?

27:09—The Supreme Court takes up birthright citizenship and nationwide injunctions

34:41—Who pays tariffs? Trump vs. Walmart

40:24—Listener question: Is the economic inequality data bad?

46:09—What did we know about Biden's health and when did we know it?

48:24—How the media didn't responsibly report on Biden's health

1:01:04—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"GINI Index for the United States", by St. Louis Federal Reserve

"Everyone Agrees Government Is a Hot Mess. So Why Does It Keep Getting Bigger?" by Nick Gillespie

"The Long and Whining Road: The Beatles, Boomers, and Boredom," by Nick Gillespie

"Still Fab: Why We Keep Listening To the Beatles," by Charles Paul Freund

"Equal Pay for Equal Work: Appreciating the Female Half of Power Couples," by Nick Gillespie

"Trump's Tax Plan Is a Leftist Economic Agenda Wrapped in Populist Talking Points," by Veronique de Rugy

"Republican Reconciliation Package Will Lead to $3 Trillion Annual Deficits," by Christian Britschgi

"Trump Threatens Walmart Not To React to His Tariffs," Joe Lancaster

"Trump's 'Deal' With China Leaves American Consumers and Exporters Facing Higher Tariffs Than Before," by Eric Boehm

"The Supreme Court May Rule for Trump on Nationwide Injunctions but Probably Not on Birthright Citizenship," by Damon Root

"Trump's Case Against Birthright Citizenship Is a Constitutional Loser," by Damon Root

"Defenders of Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order Offer an Implausible Take on a 127-Year-Old Precedent," by Jacob Sullum

"Joe Biden's Cancer Diagnosis Shouldn't End Scrutiny of the Cognitive Decline Cover-Up," by Robby Soave

"Biden's Cancer," by Liz Wolfe

"Andor Is a Star Wars Show About the Brutality of Bureaucracy," by Peter Suderman

"64 Reasons To Celebrate Paul McCartney," by Ian Leslie

Upcoming Reason events:

Reason Speakeasy: Susannah Cahalan on The Acid Queen, June 3

Reason Versus debate: Jacob Sullum and Billy Binion vs. Charles Fain Lehman and Rafael Mangual, June 24

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The post The GOP Budget Is Big, Bloated, B.S. appeared first on Reason Magazine.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch critique the apparent wind down of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, highlighting its lack of transparency and failure to achieve meaningful spending cuts. They also analyze the GOP's new tax plan, which contradicts promises of fiscal responsibility by significantly increasing the deficit. Finally, the hosts defend classical liberalism against critics like C. Bradley Thompson, arguing that libertarians do fight cultural and policy battles—just not by wielding state power.

0:00—Introduction

2:11—Musk exits DOGE

11:47—Why we need to start paying for government spending

14:57—Extending President Donald Trump's tax cuts

19:08—Is classical liberalism losing?

35:09—Listener question: What domestic policy changes would entice manufacturing to come back to the U.S.?

43:22—Is Trump getting a free plane from Qatar?

46:13—Prescription drug price controls

49:47—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Elon Musk Discovers That Serious Spending Cuts Are 'Really Difficult,'" by Jacob Sullum

"DOGE Has Been a Smashing Success," by Christian Britschgi

"Raising the SALT Cap Is a Gift to High-Tax States," by Jared Dillian

"Trump's New Budget Is Another Blueprint for Big Spending," by Veronique de Rugy

"Trump Wants To Increase Military Spending by $113 Billion," by Jack Nicastro

"The New Right Isn't So New," by Stephanie Slade

"Abundance Makes the Case for 'Supply-Side Progressivism,'" by Virginia Postrel

"Idiot Wind," by David Weigel

"The Idiocracy Candidate," by Matt Welch

"The Mind of Mike Judge," by Jesse Walker

"Is America Entering Her Kakistocracy Era?" by Steven Greenhut

Upcoming Reason events:

Rise Above: Nick Gillespie and Scott Barry Kaufman in Conversation, May 19

Reason Speakeasy: Susannah Cahalan on The Acid Queen, June 3

ReasonVersus debate: Jacob Sullum and Billy Binion vs. Charles Fain Lehman and Rafael Mangual, June 24

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The post What Did We Learn From DOGE? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Christian Britschgi to discuss President Donald Trump's proposal for a 100 percent tariff on foreign-made films and his broader attacks on cheap consumer goods, arguing that it represents a bipartisan slide into anti-consumer, anti-capitalist populism. They also criticize the federal government's creeping surveillance and bureaucratic overreach, especially when it comes to Real ID and public broadcasting.

0:00—Introduction

1:46—Trump's attack on families and foreign films

7:20—Why cheap consumer goods are great

12:05—Political movements won't solve spiritual yearning

16:28—How do tariffs affect local zoning?

18:35—Trump's new proposed budget

22:15—Why we need to cut the Department of Homeland Security budget

28:25—Listener question: Are we finally defunding NPR and PBS?

37:28—Every American citizen now needs a Real I.D.

51:07—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Suspected Terrorist," by Brian Doherty

"Trump's War on Foreign Films," by Liz Wolfe

"5 Times the Trump Team Told Americans To Accept Being Poorer," by Eric Boehm

"When Tariff Shortages Arrive, Here's What Might Be Missing," by Eric Boehm

"Trump Admits Tariffs Could Create Shortages, Hike Prices," by Eric Boehm

"Tariffs Won't Fix What's Ailing American Men in the Work Force," by Veronique de Rugy

"You Will Work in the Factory and You Will Like It," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump's Budget Calls for $17 Billion Cut to NIH, Citing Lax Oversight of Gain-of-Function Research in Wuhan," by Christian Britschgi

"Trump Says His Budget Proposal Will End the 'Green New Scam,'" by Jeff Luse

"Can the President Refuse To Spend Money Authorized by Congress?" by Peter Suderman

"Trump Tries To Defund NPR and PBS by Executive Order," by Jesse Walker

"Is REAL ID Actually Happening?" by Emma Camp

"Same energy: Trump on dolls, Sanders on deodorants. Horseshoe theory in action. What a difference a decade makes," by Nick Gillespie

"Take the Public Out of Public Broadcasting," by Nick Gillespie

"How 'Disinformation' Became Public Enemy No. 1," by Zach Weissmueller and Nick Gillespie

"What we are facing in America is not a pandemic, or economic malaise, or resurgence of inequality, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, or lack of options, food, shelter, you name it. What we are facing is a crisis of meaning," by Nick Gillespie

"Brick. Cool lighting. But it's all about the mannequin. Need background story. 8/10 @ nickgillespie," by RoomRater

"Bernie Sanders: Don't Need 23 Choices of Deodorant, 18 Choices of Sneakers When Kids Are Going Hungry," by Ed Krayewski

Upcoming Reason events:

Reason Speakeasy: Robert Rosenkranz on The Stoic Capitalist, May 6, 2025

The Soho Forum Debate: Dave Smith vs. Alex Nowrasteh on Immigration, May 21, 2025

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The post Trump's War on Childhood appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss how many current political frustrations— with tariffs, executive overreach, and economic stagnation—are vindicating longstanding libertarian critiques, even as the public resists identifying as libertarian. They also explore Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" agenda.

1:34—Libertarians were right

10:06—The best case for libertarianism in the Trump era

16:52—Are the Democrats pushing a libertarian-ish agenda?

24:40—Tech leaders regret supporting President Donald Trump?

39:47—Weekly listener question: What books should libertarian ladies suggest to their book club?

47:39— What is RFK Jr. doing to "Make America Healthy Again"?

59:03— Weekly cultural recommendations

We're hiring a producer for this show, find more information and submit your application here. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

"The Libertarian Moment," by Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch

"The Libertarian Movement Needs a Kick in the Pants," by Nick Gillespie

"Are Seed Oils Actually Bad for You?" by Alice Callahan

"Food Freedom Is Personal Freedom," by Jeffrey A. Singer

"Alton Brown: A Culinary Legend Offers Food for Thought," by Nick Gillespie

"Nick Gillespie's Last Meal," by Tom Nash

"[Lexi Freiman's The Book of Ayn] Punches up, down, and all around town. A great Xmas gift for Objectivists and Red Scare communistas alike, if such ppl exchange gifts," by Nick Gillespie

"The Big U," by Neal Stephenson

"How Media and Public Health Failed Our Kids (w/ David Zweig)," by Matt Welch

"In Covid's Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us," by Stephen Macedo and Frances E. Lee

"Trump's Understanding of Due Process Is Just As Farcical As His Definition of 'Alien Enemies,'" by Jacob Sullum

"As the Economy Tumbles, so Does Trump's Approval Rate," by Matthew Petti

"Will the 'Abundance' Agenda Make California Great Again?" By Steven Greenhut

"Is This Constitutional? Here's How Due Process Works," by Billy Binion

"By Openly Retaliating Against Disfavored Law Firms, Trump Attacks Free Speech and the Right to Counsel," by Jacob Sullum

"The Trump Administration Continues To Attack Due Process," by C.J. Ciaramella

"George Will: Brace Yourself for Donald Trump & the Authoritarian Moment," by Todd Krainin, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch

"DOGE Has Been a Smashing Success," by Christian Britschgi

"We Don't Need RFK Jr. To 'Make America Healthy Again,'" by Kelvey Vander Hart

"Reopen the Schools!" By Robby Soave

"The Accountant 2 Is a Shaggy, Silly Bro-Hangout Movie," by Peter Suderman

Upcoming Reasonevents:

Reason Speakeasy: Robert Rosenkranz on The Stoic Capitalist, May 7, 2025

The Soho Forum Debate: Dave Smith vs. Alex Nowrasteh on Immigration, May 21, 2025

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The post Trump's Independent Voter Problem appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss how President Donald Trump is de-prioritizing due process by not adhering to a ruling from the Supreme Court. They also talk about how Harvard University's tax status could be in jeopardy and reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis.

0:00—Introduction

0:12—The Pope's legacy

5:56—Is the democracy emergency here?

15:27—Deportations without due process

29:19—Harvard funding pause

41:25—Weekly listener question

48:11—Lightning round: What's happening at the Pentagon? What's going on with tariffs now? And what's next for AI?

54:33—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"On the 'Invasion' of 'Libertarianism,' Pope Francis' Ignorance Is Showing," by Stephanie Slade

"Pope Francis Is Wrong. Property Rights Are Human Rights," by Steven Greenhut

"The Pope Who Helped Bring Down Communism," by Stephanie Slade

"Alex Nowrasteh and Bryan Caplan: The Case for More Immigration," by Nick Gillespie

"Mass Deportations Are Bad for Everyone's Liberty," by Steven Greenhut

"You know who admitted that Abrego Garcia's deportation was a mistake? The Trump admin," by Nick Gillespie

"Anti-US Sentiment Could Deliver a $90 Billion Hit to US GDP This Year," by Rachel Wolff

"Trump Advisers Took Advantage of Navarro's Absence To Push for Tariff Pause," by Alexander Saeedy and Josh Dawsey

"Trump Tariffs: The Economic Impact of the Trump Trade War," by Erica York and Alex Durante

"Peter Navarro's No-Good Economic Nationalism," by Eric Boehm

"U.S. Confidence in Higher Education Now Closely Divided," by Jeffrey M. Jones

"Steven Pinker: What Went Wrong at Harvard," by Nick Gillespie

"Pope Francis Has Died," by Liz Wolfe

"Pope Francis Supports Free Speech, Unless It Offends People," by Jacob Sullum

"What Happens When Presidents Defy Court Orders?" by Damon Root

"Ignoring SCOTUS," by Liz Wolfe

"Federal Appeals Court Rejects Trump Administration's Attempt To Block Return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia," by C.J. Ciaramella

"The Trump Administration's Increasing Hostility to Basic Due Process," by Joe Lancaster

"Federal Judge in Deportation Case Finds Probable Cause To Hold the Trump Administration in Contempt," by Jacob Sullum

Reason Events

The Soho Forum Debate: Eric Brakey vs. Andrew Heaton, April 26, Concord, New Hampshire

Reason Speakeasy: Robert Rosenkranz on The Stoic Capitalist, May 6, New York City

The Soho Forum Debate: Dave Smith vs. Alex Nowrasteh on Immigration, May 21, New York City

We are looking for a producer for our show! Please submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@reason.com with the subject of the email labeled as "Podcast producer."

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The post Why Due Process Matters appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, Matt Welch, and special guest Mary Katharine Ham discuss President Donald Trump's trade war with China. They also talk about the taxes they hate the most—just in time to celebrate Tax Day.

4:30—Trump's trade war with China

15:36—How will Trump's tariffs affect the U.S. manufacturing industry?

23:06—Is the U.S. middle class hollowed out?

34:52—Tax Day is upon us, once again

43:31—Listener question about Thomas Jefferson's list of grievances

50:21—The Department of Government Efficiency's cost savings update

59:59—Cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Apple, Nvidia Score Relief From US Tariffs With Exemptions," by Debby Wu, Josh Wingrove, and Shawn Donnan

"For me, one of the main benefits of making some money is not having to wear a gimp suit for anybody," by Cliff Asness

"Taxes: The Price We Pay for Civilization," by Meredith Bragg and Nick Gillespie

"A Current Snapshot of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit," by Juliette Cubanski

"Medicare Madness," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"Global Village or Global Pillage?" by Mario Vargas Llosa

"Viva Mario!" by Michael Valdez Moses

Reason on Mario Vargas Llosa

Hearts of Fire, starring Bob Dylan, directed by Richard Marquand

"Even on Pause, Trump's Trade War Runs Up a Big Price Tag," by J.D. Tuccille

"Trade War With China," by Liz Wolfe

"Rand Paul on China, Free Speech, and Banning TikTok," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"America Gained Nothing From Trump's Latest Tariff Stunt," by Eric Boehm

"Markets Rally as Trump Pauses Tariffs. Should Presidents Have This Much Power?" by Joe Lancaster

"Trump's Tariffs Violate the Constitutional Separation of Powers," by Damon Root

"Dealing with Despots," by Virginia Postrel

"Happy Birthday, Medicare Part D! Now Die! Die! Die!" by Nick Gillespie

Today's sponsors:

The post Why Trump's China Tariffs Won't Work appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the economic and political fallout from President Donald Trump's new tariffs. They debate the role Congress, the courts, and billionaire influencers like Elon Musk could play in reversing these policies.

2:00—What goods could be most affected by Trump's tariffs?

8:10—Can Congress stop Trump's tariffs?

18:00—Can the courts challenge Trump's tariffs?

22:00—Will Musk stop Trump's tariffs?

27:14—Who is defending Trump's tariffs?

35:35—RFK Jr. cut 10,000 jobs from the Health and Human Services—maybe?

50:08—Should journalists keep steelmanning Trump's policies?

1:01:25—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned on this podcast:

3 Myths About American Decline, by Nick Gillespie

Poll: 63% of Americans Want To Increase Trade with Other Nations, 75% Worry Tariffs Are Raising Consumer Prices, by Emily Ekins

Bye-Bye American Pie, by Nick Gillespie

Can RFK Jr. Fix Our Dysfunctional Public Health Agencies? by Ronald Bailey

How The Brady Bunch Handled Measles, byThe Highwire

HVAC jobs, by Bureau of Labor Statistics

Why is there a shortage of plumbers and electricians? by Andrew Dorn

Trump's Tariffs: It's Not Just the Stock Market That's In Trouble, by Eric Boehm

The Trump Administration Should Focus on Deregulation, Not Tariffs, by J.D. Tuccille

Trump Is Wrong About McKinley's Tariff Legacy, by Matt Welch

Trump's Longtime Obsession With Trade Deficits Suggests His Tariffs Won't End Soon, by Jacob Sullum

Trump Is Making Affordable Goods Expensive, by Jack Nicastro

Trump's Tariff Blueprint Called for 'Careful Planning' and 'Precise Execution,' by Eric Boehm

Nintendo Delays Switch 2 Preorders Over Trump Tariffs, by Joe Lancaster

Are Trump's Tariffs Constitutional? By Jack Nicastro

White House Cites Tariff Reports That Undermine Its Own Claims, by Erica York

All Trade is Reciprocal. Trump's Tariffs Interfere With That Reciprocity, by J.D. Tuccille

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

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The post Can Anyone Stop Trump's Tariffs? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch recorded a live episode in Austin, Texas, at Reason Weekend and covered a wide range of topics: the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tariffs, deportations without due process, and President Donald Trump on free speech.

02:18—What does the audience think about Trump?

04:28—A DOGE dance party?

15:56—Trump announces new tariffs

22:11—Deportations without due process

29:28—Is Trump good for free speech?

38:27—What is the funniest thing about Trump 2.0?

44:09—Democrats and the abundance agenda

50:37—Manny Klausner, RIP

57:24—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Trump's New Car Tariffs Are a $100 Billion Tax Increase No One Wants," by Eric Boehm

"How Pokémon Helps Explain DOGE," by Eric Boehm

"Trump Ends Program for Legal Migrants From Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela," by Fiona Harrigan

"Manuel Klausner, RIP," by Brian Doherty

"Remembering Manny Klausner," by Robert Poole

Reason Speakeasy: Jeffrey A. Singer, April 8, 2025

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Time for a DOGE Dance Party appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie welcome a very special guest, Andrew Sullivan, to discuss President Donald Trump's defiance of court orders on deportations, his antagonism toward Canada, and the COVID-19-era lies told by Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

11:55—Trump deportations ignore due process and defy court order

38:19—Canada as the 51st state?

50:38—Weekly listener question

58:09—The five-year anniversary of COVID-19 and Fauci's lies

1:07:30—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Trump's Reading of the Alien Enemies Act Defies the Usual Meaning of Its Terms," by Jacob Sullum

"Trump Administration Deports Alleged Venezuelan Gang Members Despite Court Order," by Katarina Hall

"Did ICE Deport This Guy Over a Real Madrid Tattoo?" by Eric Boehm

"Pesky Judges," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Trump's Judge Bashing Provokes a Rebuke From Chief Justice John Roberts (Again)," by Jacob Sullum

"Forget Woke Snow White. Disney's Remake Is More Like Socialist Snow White," by Peter Suderman

"Why Did This Man Mislead Us?" by Andrew Sullivan

Reason Speakeasy: Jeffrey A. Singer, April 8, 2025

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The post Trump's War With the Courts appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch explain why eliminating the Department of Education entirely is long overdue.

02:52—Trump administration cuts to the Department of Education

25:55—Mahmoud Khalil detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement

37:13—Weekly listener question

45:22—Lightning round: Congress passes a continuing resolution budget deal

53:41—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Is This the Beginning of the End for the Department of Education?" by Emma Camp

"DOE Set To Die," by Liz Wolfe

"U.S. Attorney Threatens Georgetown Law for 'Teaching DEI,'" by Emma Camp

"Abolish the Department of Education," by Neal McCluskey

"The Next President Should Abolish Everything," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"The Ever-Shifting Politics of the Department of Education," by Jesse Walker

"An Education in Empire Building," by John Fund and Martin Wooster

"Mahmoud Khalil Is an Easy Call," by Robby Soave

"Mahmoud Khalil, the Great Rorschach Test," by Liz Wolfe

"Is it Constitutional To Deport Immigrants for Political Speech?" by Jack Nicastro

"The Case Against Deporting Immigrants for "Pro-Terrorist" Speech [Updated]," by Ilya Somin

"Who Is the Palestinian Columbia Student Detained For His Protest Activity?" by Matthew Petti

"Trump Administration Deports Alleged Venezuelan Gang Members Despite Court Order," by Katarina Hall

"The House's Budget Bill Cuts Earmarks, but Spending Will Be Going Up Anyway," by Jeff Luse

"The House GOP Budget Blueprint Promises More Borrowing, More Debt, and Not Enough Spending Cuts," by Eric Boehm

"Rand Paul: Businesses and Workers Think Tariffs Are a Bad Idea," by Robby Soave

"Rep. Thomas Massie: 'We don't really have 218 conservatives here [who] meant what they said when they said they wanted to repeal Obamacare,'" by Matt Welch

"Rand Paul: Budget Deal Should Be Renamed 'The Status Quo Protection Act,'" by Matt Welch

"House Republicans Voted To Keep the Government Working," by Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole

"COPS on Hiatus?" by Nick Gillespie

"Renowned British Writer, a Virulent Anti-Semite, Being Considered for Sainthood," by Robert Philpot

"The Back of the World," by Adam Gopnik

Reason Speakeasy: Is Satire Still Possible? March 20, New York City

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The post Why We Don't Need the Department of Education appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the frantic uncertainty in the economy due to President Donald Trump's various tariff policies and trade war antics.

03:22—Trump's tariff uncertainty

26:15—Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) check-in

38:35—Weekly listener question

49:01—Five years since COVID-19

56:12—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Trump's Trade War With America's Neighbors Is All Cost and No Benefit," by Eric Boehm

"In Speech to Congress, Trump Promises More Tariff Madness," by Eric Boehm

"Trump Loves Tariffs. Fentanyl Is Just an Excuse." by Joe Lancaster

"Tariffs Are In Effect. Expect Everything To Become More Expensive." by Jeff Luse

"How the Looming 'Fiscal Cliff' Is Killing the Economy," Nick Gillespie

"How Would Milton Friedman Do DOGE?" by Veronique de Rugy

"Yes, Cutting Government Waste Is Important," by Veronique de Rugy

"No, HHS Didn't Spend $8 Million 'Making Mice Transgender,'" by Joe Lancaster

"Contrary to What Trump Said, Even DOGE Does Not Claim To Have Identified 'Hundreds of Billions' in Fraud," by Jacob Sullum

"Dead People Aren't Bankrupting Us," by Liz Wolfe

"DOGE and Congress Should Take a Chainsaw to Corporate Welfare," by J.D. Tuccille

"Hey DOGE: If You Want To Make Yourself Useful, Kill the Federal Energy Loan Program," by Jeff Luse

"The Myth of Homeownership Wealth Creation," by Anthony Randazzo

"Jay Bhattacharya's Confirmation Hearing Proves the Lockdown Skeptics Won," by Christian Britschgi

"The Great COVID Rupture," by Matt Welch

"Two Years To Slow the Spread," by Matt Welch

"I Can't Quit New York," by Matt Welch

"We Will Regret Not Taking the Economic Effects of Mass Quarantine More Seriously," Nick Gillespie

"How the Coronavirus Might Kickstart the 21st Century," Nick Gillespie

"Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties," Tom O'Neill with Dan Piepenbring

"Shipwrecks, Treasure and Cannon Fire-The True Story of an American Privateer," by Nick Gillespie and Meredith Bragg

Reason Speakeasy: Is Satire Still Possible? March 20, New York City

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The post It's Trump's Economy Now appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch react to last week's dramatic exchange in the White House over the war in Ukraine between President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

04:08—Trump and Zelenskyy clash in the Oval Office

27:30—House Republicans agree to increase federal budget deficit

40:32—Weekly listener question

47:18—Lightning round: National Security Agency sex chats, measles in Texas, and the Epstein files

55:29—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Say Thank You," by Liz Wolfe

"NATO Could Effectively Die This June," by Matt Welch

"Ukraine Minerals Deal Won't Fix America's Mineral Problem," by Jeff Luse

"U.K. Pledges To Support Ukraine After Trump Snubs Zelenskyy," by Joe Lancaster

"Ukraine Will Fight On, With or Without the West," by Paul Schwennesen

"After the War," by Matt Welch

"The House GOP Budget Blueprint Promises More Borrowing, More Debt, and Not Enough Spending Cuts," by Eric Boehm

"The New Republican Budget Plan Is Unserious," by Veronique de Rugy

"How GOP Fiscal Sanity Died, in 7 Easy Steps," by Matt Welch

"Unvaccinated Kid Dies of Measles in Texas," by Ronald Bailey

"So Much For RFK, Jr.'s Promise of 'Radical Transparency' at HHS," by Ronald Bailey

"The Sad Quest for a Secret 'Epstein Client List,'" by Matthew Petti

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

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The post Trump vs. Zelenskyy: Democracy Dies in Drama? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss democratic messaging and policy in the age of Trump, before turning to President Donald Trump's shifting stance on the war in Ukraine and its implications for global politics.

02:11—Democrats losing the plot on messaging and policy

20:28—Trump and Ukraine

41:39—Weekly listener question

43:43—Lightning round: Argentine President Javier Milei's memecoin, Department of Government Efficiency dividends, and Elon Musk's email to federal workers.

51:45 - This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"What Did You Do Last Week?" by Liz Wolfe

"Democrats Need Their Own DEI Purge," by Josh Barro

"One Simple Question for Democrats," by Ruy Teixeira

"Trump's Shameful Betrayal of Ukraine," by Ilya Somin

"Ayn Rand in Ukrainian Crimea," by Paul Schwennesen

"Did Biden Blow the Best Chance of Preventing War in Ukraine?" by Matthew Petti

"U.S. Tells Europe To Handle Its Own Defense," by J.D. Tuccille

"Is Trump Getting Ready To Cut Ukraine—and Europe—Loose?" by Matthew Petti

"America is being sold out by its leaders," by Noah Smith

Reason Speakeasy: Brian Doherty, February 27, 2025

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The post Are Democrats Actually in Disarray? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie welcome special guest Justin Amash to weigh in on President Donald Trump vs. the rule of law, Congress' inability to budget, and Vice President J.D. Vance's big trip to Europe.

04:04 - Trump quotes Napoleon

19:36 - DOGE wants to cut, Congress still wants to spend big

29:05 - Defunding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

38:37 - Weekly listener question

47:21 - Vance goes to Europe

56:58 - This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Justin Amash: 'I'd Impeach Every President,'" by Nick Gillespie

"The Problem With Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order," by Justin Amash

"The War on Bureaucracy," by Liz Wolfe

"DOGE Needs Data To Survive. These Lawsuits Are Trying To Starve It of Information," by Christian Britschgi

"Elon Musk's 'Proof' of Government Waste Is in the Pudding," by Robby Soave

"Kerry Howley: A Journey Through the Deep State," by Nick Gillespie

"Trump's 'Reciprocal' Tariffs Could Be Largest Tax Increase Since World War II," by Eric Boehm

"The Republicans' Underwhelming Budget," by Jessica Riedl

"Douglas Irwin: Why Trump's Tariff Plans Are Dangerous," by Nick Gillespie

"Trump Tariffs: Tracking the Economic Impact of the Trump Trade War," by Erica York

"DOGE Begins Publishing Data After Transparency Complaints," by C.J. Ciaramella

"The Disappointing Results of Trump's 'Deferred Resignation' Plan Are Part of a Pattern," by Jacob Sullum

"The 5 Worst Things About the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau," by Veronique de Rugy

"Elizabeth Warren's Hubris Allowed Trump To Defund the CFPB," by Eric Boehm

"The Media Love Negative Trends, but America Keeps Moving in the Right Direction," by Eric Boehm

"J.D. Vance Brings the Culture War to Europe: 'There Is a New Sheriff in Town,'" by Matthew Petti

"U.S. Tells Europe To Handle Its Own Defense," by J.D. Tuccille

"CBS Is Wrong About Free Speech in Germany and the Rise of Nazism," by Robby Soave

"The New Captain America Film Has Important Lessons for Trump and Biden Stans," by Matthew Rozsa

Reason Speakeasy: Brian Doherty, February 27, 2025

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

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The post Justin Amash on Why the President Isn't Above the Law appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and special guest Christian Britschgi assess the first steps taken by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut government spending and slash federal agencies.

01:52—DOGE vs. the Deep State

39:50—Weekly listener question

46:50—Lightning round: Gaza takeover, RFK Jr. confirmation, President Donald Trump sues CBS

55:28—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Will Elon Musk Cut as Much Government as Al Gore Did?" by Joe Lancaster

"5 of the Worst USAID Scandals in History," by Matthew Petti

"Has DOGE Already Lost Its Way?" by Eric Boehm

"John Cochrane: How Will DOGE 'Disrupt' the Government?" by Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe

"USAID Paying for Politico Is a Nontroversy," by Robby Soave

"America Is Going Broke. Will the Department of Government Efficiency Help?" by John Stossel

"The Freakout Over 'Big Balls' and DOGE," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump's Middle East Policy: Pull Troops Out of Syria To Put Them in Gaza?" by Matthew Petti

"Riviera of the Middle East," by Liz Wolfe

"Just Asking Questions About RFK Jr.'s Senate Hearing," by Ronald Bailey

"We Don't Need RFK Jr. To 'Make America Healthy Again,'" by Kelvey Vander Hart

"Trump Is Flat-Out Lying About the 60 Minutes Interview With Harris," by Jacob Sullum

"How the FCC's 'Warrior for Free Speech' Became Our Censor in Chief," by Joe Lancaster

Reason Speakeasy: Brian Doherty, February 27, 2025

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

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The post DOGE vs. Deep State appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and special guest Eric Boehm lament the beginning of what could become a terrible trade war between the United States and its three largest trading partners—Canada, Mexico, and China.

01:51—President Donald Trump signs orders imposing tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China

24:18—The Trump administration attempts to freeze federal aid and offers federal workers buyouts

43:20—Weekly listener question

52:08—Quick news lightning round: DCA plane crash, Elon Musk and government payment systems, China's Deepseek AI

58:26—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Stupid Trade War," by Liz Wolfe

"Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China Could Start This Weekend," by Eric Boehm

"Trump's Tariffs To Tank Tequila," by Eric Boehm

"Challenge Trump's Tariffs Under the Nondelegation and Major Questions Doctrines," by Ilya Somin

"How Trump Could Unilaterally Place Tariffs on Mexico and Canada," by Eric Boehm

"Trump's Role Model McKinley Tariffed His Way to Imperialism," by Matt Welch

"Trump's Pro-Growth, Anti-Trade Positions Are on a Collision Course," by Veronique de Rugy

"The White House's 'Feverish Dream' About $50 Million for Condoms in Gaza," by Matthew Petti

"Why Is Paramount So Keen To Settle Trump's Laughable Lawsuit Against CBS?" by Jacob Sullum

"Trump's Orders Feature Nonexistent Emergencies, Illegal Power Grabs, and Blatant Inconsistencies," by Jacob Sullum

"Understaffed Air Traffic Control, DEI Are Unlikely Causes of D.C. Plane Crash," by Christian Britschgi

"How a Chinese AI Company Found a Way Around America's Export Controls," by Jack Nicastro

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

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The post Trump's Dumb Trade War appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie attempt to describe the ongoing cultural shifts occurring in the wake of President Donald Trump's re-election.

01:53—Donald Trump and cultural "vibe shift"

30:40—Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

41:00—Weekly listener question

45:50—Trump outrage lightning round

53:55—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Trump Barely Won the Election. Why Doesn't It Feel That Way?" by Ezra Klein

"The Vibes They Are a-Shiftin,'" by Matthew Yglesias

"Are we entering a Conservative Golden Age?" by Nate Silver

"Last Boys at the Beginning of History," by Mana Afsari

"How Popular YouTubers Pushed Young Male Voters Toward Trump," by Davey Alba, Leon Yin, Julia Love, Ashley Carman, Pryanjana Bengani, Rachael Dottle, and Elena Mejía

"Trump's Tech Love Affair Won't Last," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Why Companies Are Ditching ESG," by John Stossel

"Stargate: Artificial Superintelligence in 4 Years?" by Ronald Bailey

"The Tech Bros Love Trump Because the Democrats Pushed Them Away," by Robby Soave

"Gillespie: 'Politicians Are Lagging Indicators,'" by Nick Gillespie

"Is the Women's March Melting Down?" by Leah McSweeney and Jacob Siegel

"Charles Gasparino: 'Woke' hypocrisy is hurting businesses," by Nick Gillespie

"Who's In Charge of Black Lives Matter's Millions of Dollars?" by Robby Soave

"Finding Trillions in Federal Cuts Is Easy. But Will Trump and Musk Follow Through?" by Eric Boehm

"Not Everything Is a National Emergency," by Bonnie Kristian

"Justin Amash Introduces Bill To End Forever National Emergencies," by Billy Binion

"Rand Paul, Ron Wyden Want To End Endless National Emergencies," by Eric Boehm

"Trump's Orders Feature Nonexistent Emergencies, Illegal Power Grabs, and Blatant Inconsistencies," by Jacob Sullum

"Trump's Illegal First-Day Executive Actions," by Ilya Somin

"Trump Targets Birthright Citizenship and Calls for Military Role in Deportations," by Fiona Harrigan

"Trump Tries To Fire Inspectors General, Likely Violating Federal Law," by Eric Boehm

"What Washington's Farewell Address Tells Us About Trump's America (Reason Podcast)," by Nick Gillespie and Ian Keyser

"Big Blue Men," by Sara Rimensnyder

George Washington- [Brad Neely]

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The post The Cultural Consequences of Trump's Victory appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie react to the second inauguration of President Donald Trump. The gang parses some of his contradictory ideas before touching on the saga of banning TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media application, in the United States.

01:46 - Donald Trump's second inauguration

14:20 - Trump's Day 1 executive actions

28:34 - Joe Biden's farewell address

42:25 - Weekly listener question

48:04 - TikTok ban

57:10 - This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Day 1," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump Signals a Crackdown on Legal and Illegal Immigration," by Fiona Harrigan

"Trump Promises To Be a 'Peacemaker,' Threatens Panama," by Eric Boehm

"Trump's 'External Revenue Service' Is a Public Relations Effort. It Won't Change How Tariffs Work," by Eric Boehm

"Many Workers Don't Want To Return to the Office. That Could Help Shrink the Government," by J.D. Tuccille

"The Equity Mess," by Matt Welch

"Biden's Preemptive Pardons Undermine Official Accountability and the Rule of Law," by Jacob Sullum

"Biden Attempts To Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment by Blog Post," by C.J. Ciaramella

"The Tech Bros Love Trump Because the Democrats Pushed Them Away," by Robby Soave

"State-Run TikTok Coming Soon?" by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"TikTok Is Back Online as Trump Proposes Nationalizing It," by Joe Lancaster

"These Lawmakers Actively Use TikTok Even After Voting To Ban It," by Joe Lancaster

"SCOTUS Rules in Favor of TikTok Ban as Some Supporters Realize It's a Bad Idea," by Robby Soave

"Was David Lynch the Original Libertarian Democrat?" by Nick Gillespie

"Twin Peaks and the Moment TV Changed," by Jesse Walker

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

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The post Donald Trump's Chaotic and Contradictory Day 1 appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman reflect on the failed policy decisions that have exacerbated the L.A. wildfire crisis, as well as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's announcement that the company is ditching third-party fact checking on Facebook.

01:54—L.A. wildfires and failed policy

28:06—Weekly listener question

37:36—Zuckerberg announces the company nixes third-party fact checking

47:06—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"California's Fire Catastrophe Is Largely a Result of Bad Government Policies," by J.D. Tuccille

"Looting Is Bad. So Are Curfews," by Jack Nicastro

"What's Wrong With a Private Firefighter?" by Liz Wolfe

"Los Angeles Zoning Laws Pushed People and Homes Toward Fire-Prone Areas," by Jack Nicastro

"Fires Incinerated the Facade of California Governing Competence," by Matt Welch

"Hell Out West," by Liz Wolfe

"A Failed State," by Liz Wolfe

"Burning Los Angeles," by Nick Gillespie

"California Regulations Prevent Insurers From Accurately Pricing Wildfire Risk, so Now They're Fleeing the State," by Ronald Bailey

"Why is the bureaucracy and red tape there in the first place?" by Nick Gillespie

"Zuck Finds His Spine," by Liz Wolfe

"Mark Zuckerberg Was Right To Fire Facebook's Rogue Fact-Checkers," by Robby Soave

"Facebook's New Free Speech Policy Shows Business Getting Back to Business," by J.D. Tuccille

"An Urgent Meeting of the Fact-Check Legion of Doom," by Robby Soave

"Let's Stop Talking about Free Speech and Start Defending It," by Nick Gillespie

"Why Facebook 'Welcomes' Regulation, by Todd Krainin," Nick Gillespie, and Jim Epstein

"Mark Zuckerberg: 'I Believe We Need a More Active Role for Governments and Regulators,'" by Nick Gillespie

"TikTok Took a Beating at the Supreme Court," by Robby Soave

"Trump Dodged My Question About the Federal Debt," by Nick Gillespie

"Parents, Not the Government, Should Make IVF Decisions," by Ronald Bailey

"Breeder Reactionaries: The 'feminist' war on reproductive technologies," by Wendy McElroy

"The Brutalist Is Great American Cinema," by Peter Suderman

Event:

Reason Speakeasy: Bryan Caplan and David Bier, January 21, 2025

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The post How Awful Policies Fueled the L.A. Fires appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman chime in on the ongoing online debate over a federal visa program for high-skilled workers and look back at the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter.

04:04—H-1B visa debate

21:07—Biden blocks sale of U.S. Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel

30:49—Weekly listener question

41:13—Former President Jimmy Carter dead at 100

57:59—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Can Nativists and Dynamists Coexist Within Trump's MAGA Coalition?" by Eric Boehm

"Bernie Sanders Is Still Wrong About Immigration," by Joe Lancaster

"Trump Promised More Legal High-Skilled Immigration. His Record Says Otherwise," by Kevin Garcia-Galindo

"Trump Suddenly Loves Immigration," by Liz Wolfe

"Democrats Learned that Voters Don't Like Border Chaos," by Alex Nowrasteh

"Don't Blame Melania Trump for Breaking Immigration Laws: CHANGE THE DAMN LAWS," by Nick Gillespie

"Miller outlines how Trump administration would prioritize mass deportations," by Rebecca Falconer and Russell Contreras

"The U.S. benefits from immigration but policy reforms needed to maximize gains," by Daniel Costa, Josh Bivens, Ben Zipperer, and Monique Morrissey

"Blocking the U.S. Steel Sale Is a Perfectly Disgraceful End to Biden's Political Career," by Eric Boehm

"Corpse President Says Companies Can't Do What They Want," by Liz Wolfe

"Bootleggers and Baptists in the U.S. Steel Deal," by Eric Boehm

"Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel Merger Poses No National Security Threat," by Jack Nicastro

"Trump's Vow To Block U.S. Steel's Sale Sends Stock Tumbling," by Eric Boehm

"Abolish Amtrak," by Jason Russell

"Privatize the Postal Service, Amtrak, Airports, and More," by Veronique de Rugy

"This Company Is Running a High-Speed Train in Florida—Without Subsidies," by Natalie Dowzicky

"How Are Your State's Roads Funded?" by Janelle Fritts

"Congressional Testimony: The Long-Term Solvency of the Highway Trust Fund," by Robert W. Poole

"How Do Long Distance Trains Perform Financially?" by Amtrak

"Why Can't We Build Anything?" by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"The $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Spends a Lot More Money on the Same Old Highway Programs," by Christian Britschgi

"America's Highways Need That Trillion Dollars Congress Already Spent," by Matt Welch

"Road to Ruin," by Robert Poole

"RIP Jimmy Carter, the 'Passionless' President," by Gene Healy

"Jimmy Carter, 'The Great Deregulator,' 1924–2024," by Nick Gillespie

"Jimmy Carter Supported Federal Pot Decriminalization for Half a Century. It Still Has Not Happened," by Jacob Sullum

"Jimmy Carter's Gift to Hollywood Was No Gift to Georgia Taxpayers," by Joe Lancaster

"Jimmy Carter Sparked a Craft Beer Explosion by Getting Government Out of the Way," by Eric Boehm

"What Jimmy Carter and Jerry Brown Can Teach Us About Deregulation," by Matt Welch

"Energy and the National Goals—A Crisis of Confidence," by Jimmy Carter

"Why Do We Have a Department of Education? Jimmy Carter's Debt to a Teachers Union," by Anthony Fisher

"Tom Wolfe, RIP," by Matt Welch

"Tom Wolfe Is Dead but the 'Me Decade' Lives On (and That's a Good Thing)," by Nick Gillespie

"Tom Wolfe on 2012 Election: 'I Wrote in Ron Paul,'" by Brian Doherty

"Does Bob Dylan Have a Politics and if Yes, What the Hell Are They? by Nick Gillespie, Brian Doherty, and Andrew Kirell

"Jeffrey Edward Green: Why Bob Dylan's Prophecies Continue To Fascinate," by Nick Gillespie

"Positively Fourth Rate," by Nick Gillespie

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

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The post Why MAGA Is Fighting Over High-Skilled Immigration appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In the last episode of The Reason Roundtable in 2024, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman select undercovered stories from the past year across three categories: politics, global affairs, and private industry. Au revoir, 2024!

00:14—Undercovered stories in politics

18:07—Undercovered stories in global affairs

33:14—Undercovered stories in private industry/commerce

48:24—2024 under the radar cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"No, California's $20 Minimum Wage for Fast-Food Workers Did Not Create Jobs," by Aaron Brown

"We Have Already Passed Peak Public School," by Matt Welch

"A Week of Failing To Pay With Bitcoin in El Salvador," by Katarina Hall

"IMF Pressures El Salvador To Stop Pushing Bitcoin," by Katarina Hall

"A Glimmer of Success in Miserable Moldova," by Matt Welch

"Guillaume Verdon: Should We Have a 'Second Amendment for AI'?" by Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe

"Nic Carter: Did Bitcoin Win the Election?" by Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe

"Influencers Are Here To Stay—Now It's Time To Modernize Labor Laws," by Liya Palagashvili and Susannah Petitt

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

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The post 2024's Most Undercovered Stories appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Peter Suderman welcome special guest Tim Carney to the show. The panelists discuss Joe Biden's commutations of 37 out of 40 federal death row sentences, before unpacking the latest on the traditional end-of-year struggle in Congress to pass a spending deal.

00:39 - Joe Biden commutes federal death row sentences
06:41 - Congress scrambles to pass spending deal
29:32 - Weekly listener question
36:12 - Will Trump administration policies be more family-friendly?
48:59 - This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"We Don't Need Terrorism Laws When Murder Is Already Illegal," by Matthew Petti
"Cancerous Politics," by Eric Boehm
"Third Time's the Charm?" by Christian Britschgi
"The Crony Capitalism Litmus Test," by Timothy Carney
"Tim Carney: Why Aren't People Having More Kids?" by Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe
"Baby Incentives," by Liz Wolfe
"Government Can't Fix America's Baby Bust," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
"Storks Don't Take Orders From the State," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
"Report from 'Alienated America': Podcast," by Nick Gillespie

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

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The post Was Biden Right To Take Prisoners Off Death Row? appeared first on Reason Magazine.

For the very first ReasonVersus debate this week, Reason was joined by The Bulwark for a lively, thought-provoking discussion. The resolution: "You Don't Have To Pick a Side in Politics."  

Reason's Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch argued for the affirmative, while The Bulwark's Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell argued for the negative. The debate was moderated by Reason's Peter Suderman.

Whether you've made up your mind about the necessity of choosing sides or are questioning the whole premise, this debate will challenge your assumptions and broaden your perspective. The discussion was recorded in front of a live audience at the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. A full video of the event can be found here.

The post Do You Have To Choose a Side in Politics? <em>Reason</em> Versus <em>The Bulwark</em> appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie welcome special guest Jacob Sullum to discuss President Joe Biden's latest batch of pardons and clemency grants, as well as President-elect Donald Trump's plans to pardon January 6 Capitol rioters.

01:01—Biden's clemency grants and pardons

14:13—Trump intends to pardon January 6 rioters

37:57—Weekly listener question

50:36—This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Biden Issues More Pardons and Commutations Under Pressure From Criminal Justice Groups," by C.J. Ciaramella

"Biden Shouldn't Have Commuted the Sentence of a Judge in the 'Kids for Cash' Kickback Scandal," by C.J. Ciaramella

"Biden Faces Mounting Pressure To Clear Federal Death Row and Issue More Commutations After Pardoning His Son," by C.J. Ciaramella

"The President Still Has Time To Show His Mercy Extends Beyond His Own Son," by Jacob Sullum

"What Happened to Biden's Ambitious Criminal Justice Reform Plans?" by C.J. Ciaramella

"Trump Decries Disproportionate Drug Penalties While Threatening Dealers With Death," by Jacob Sullum

"It's (Almost) Always the Feds: How the FBI Fabricates Schemes To Entrap Would-Be Radicals," by C.J. Ciaramella

"Vivek Ramaswamy Really, Really Wants You To Know He Thinks January 6 Was an 'Inside Job,'" by Matt Welch

"With 22-Year Sentence, Ex-Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Pays Hefty 'Trial Penalty,'" by Christian Britschgi

"Stewart Rhodes Gets 18 Years After the DOJ Reiterates a Conspiracy Claim That Jurors Rejected," by Jacob Sullum

"Kash Patel's QAnon Dalliances Reflect an Outlook That Pits Trump Against Evil Conspirators," by Jacob Sullum

"When Deciding Whether To Investigate His Opponents, Trump Says, He Will Defer to 'Very Fair' Kash Patel," by Jacob Sullum

"Kash Patel's Threats Against Journalists Make Him an Alarming Choice To Run the FBI," by Jacob Sullum

"Jordan Neely Needed to Be Institutionalized," by Josh Barro

"Debate: Mentally Ill Homeless People Must Be Locked Up for Public Safety," by Jared Meyer and Mike Riggs

"Eric Adams' Plan To Involuntarily Hospitalize Mentally Ill Homeless People Will Face Legal Challenges," by C.J. Ciaramella

"Curing the Therapeutic State: Thomas Szasz interviewed by Jacob Sullum," by Jacob Sullum

Upcoming Events:

Reason Versus, December 18, 2024

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Biden's Messy Mercy appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman assess the situation in Syria after Bashar al-Assad flees the country and dig into the health care policy debate in the wake of the recent assassination of United Healthcare's CEO, Brian Thompson.

02:58 - Bashsar al-Assad ousted in Syria
15:36 - Murdered United Healthcare CEO's death stirs debate
34:42 - Weekly listener question
48:56 - This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:
"Assad Gone at Last," by Liz Wolfe
"Outlaws on Pickup Trucks Accomplish What $1 Billion in CIA Money Couldn't," by Matthew Petti
"Why Is America Still In Syria?" by Matthew Petti
"Constantly Shifting Alliances in Syrian Civil War Are Orwell on Steroids," by Nick Gillespie
"Obama Explains His Syria Failure on 60 Minutes," by Nick Gillespie
"There Are No Good Reasons for the U.S. To Wage War in Syria," by Nick Gillespie
"John Kerry's Morally, Linguistically, and Historically Obscene Case for War in Syria," by Matt Welch
"Wacko Birds vs. Angry Birds: This Time it's War," by Matt Welch
"Delay Deny Depose," by Liz Wolfe
"Hit on a CEO," by Liz Wolfe
"You're Either With Us, Or With the Insurance Companies," by Matt Welch
"5 Major Reasons Why VA Disability Claims Get Denied," by Turley Redmond & Rosasco, L.L.P.
"No one knows how often health insurers deny claims. Here's why," by Bruce Gil
"How Doctors Broke Health Care," by Christy Ford Chapin
"The U.S. Physician Shortage Is Only Going to Get Worse. Here Are Potential Solutions," by Elaine K. Howley
"If You Want More Doctors, Maybe Depending on the Feds Is a Bad Idea," by J.D. Tuccille
"Remy: People Will Die!" by Remy
"This Just In: Conspiracy Theorists Not Quite as Kooky as Previously Reported," by Jesse Walker
"How the Political Spectrum Turned Inside Out," by Jesse Walker
"Ron Paul Slams 'Cultural Marxism' with a Quickly Deleted Bigoted Cartoon," by Brian Doherty
"Going Protectionist Over a Fantasy Highway," by Shikha Dalmia and Leonard Gilroy
"Ron Paul's Rally," by David Weigel
"Tucker Carlson, Jesse Ventura, and the Ron Paul Rally," by Dan Hayes and David Weigel
"A Tale of Two Libertarianisms," by Brian Doherty
"Hunter Biden's Pardon Is Unprecedented," by Robby Soave
"After Hunter's Pardon, Joe Biden Should Support De-Weaponizing Government Power," by J.D. Tuccille
"Errol Morris Is Fascinated by and Terrified of Steve Bannon," by Nick Gillespie
"Errol Morris on Donald Rumsfeld, The Unknown Known, and Evidence-Based Journalism," by Nick Gillespie and Jim Epstein
"Still Fab: Why We Keep Listening To the Beatles," by Charles Paul Freund
"Long and Whining Road: The Beatles, the Boomers, and Boredom," by Nick Gillespie

Upcoming Events:
Reason Versus, December 18, 2024

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Hunt Beaty
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Why Socialists Are Cheering the Death of an Insurance CEO appeared first on Reason Magazine.

In this special live episode of The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman will respond to your burning questions. Tune in at 1 p.m. (EST) on December 4 on YouTube, X, or wherever you watch your podcasts.

Watch the episode live here: https://youtube.com/live/JOrlrWLmttc.

It's that time of year again, dear listener, when we ask you to open your wallets and make a tax-deductible donation to Reason's annual webathon! Go to reason.com/donate for more information.

The post Libertarians Answer Your Questions: Webathon 2024! appeared first on Reason Magazine.