Will Democratic Socialism Expand Nationwide?

This week’s edition brings together editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch, accompanied by Associate Editor Liz Wolfe, to evaluate whether democratic socialism is gaining traction beyond coastal strongholds and to interpret what the rise of figures such as Francesca Hong and Abdul El-Sayed signals for the Democratic Party’s broader direction.

The discussion then shifts to President Donald Trump’s move to renew negotiations with Iran and the ongoing political fallout stemming from the conflict. The conversation continues with a closer look at the proposed Warner Bros.–Paramount merger and the question of whether government intervention should block the deal. Finally, the panel revisits the COVID-19 response in light of Anthony Fauci’s appearance before Congress and asks what, if anything, the United States has learned from the pandemic.

0:00—Democratic socialism goes national
26:57—Trump restarts negotiations 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,” a piece by Liz Wolfe

“Study Says Foxconn Deal Cost Wisconsin $20 Billion in Lost Economic Growth,” an article by Veronique de Rugy

“Trump Backs Down From Yet Another Empty Threat to Iran,” an analysis by Matthew Petti

“12 States Sue, Call Paramount–Warner Bros. Merger an Antitrust Violation,” a report 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

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