CNN Michael Smerconish addresses previous White House scandals and questions whether the recent signal group chat controversy will impact Trump's administration in the long run. Then Richard Clarke, the nation's first cyber czar and former White House Counterterrorism Coordinator, warns how foreign adversaries are easily capable of hacking the Signal app. After that, Laura Delano, author of "Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance" raises her personal concerns with psychiatric drug...Show mores and how her life has changed without them. Finally, legendary democratic strategist James Carville discusses his bold prediction on the "massive collapse" unfolding inside the Trump administration and how Democrats should respond.

Mar 29, 2025

The latest attacks against Tesla appear to be targeted towards CEO Elon Musk and his alignment with President Trump. While the Department of Justice is investigating these attacks as domestic terrorism, CNN Michael Smerconish argues this type of vandalism should be investigated as a hate crime. Then, Elie Honig, a former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York explains why politically motivated crimes are not considered hate crimes. After that, Senator Chris Coons weighs in...Show more on the Democratic Party's platform as a recent CNN poll shows the party's favorability rating dropping to a record low 29%. Finally, Christine Emba, author of "Rethinking Sex: A Provocation" and a New York Times contributing writer, explains why pornography is dangerously reshaping the minds of young men and setting unrealistic expectations when it comes to dating women.

Mar 23, 2025

Republicans are rallying behind Tesla as the electric car company faces consumer backlash geared towards CEO Elon Musk. Can President Trump encourage more of his supporters to buy EVs after slamming Biden's clean energy proposals? Next, Wall Street Tech analyst Dan Ives raises concerns from Tesla investors and why Elon Musk's venture into politics may damage the company's brand. After that, free speech expert Greg Lukianoff weighs in on the arrest of green card holder Mahmoud Khalil and why his ...Show morepotential deportation may lead to unfavorable U.S. foreign policy consequences. Finally, Democratic influencer "Jojofromjerz" joins Michael Smerconish to discuss if Gov. Gavin Newsom's new podcast will help or hurt him politically.

Mar 15, 2025

CNN Michael Smerconish gives his take on the signs and attention-grabbing stunts pulled by Democratic members of Congress during Trump's speech. Then, New York Democratic Congresswoman Laura Gillen joins Michael Smerconish to explain why she chose to censure her Democratic colleague and why she stood up for a 13-year-old brain cancer survivor. After that, Admiral James Stavridis details the fallout from Trump and Zelensky's meeting and the future of NATO if the United States pulls out. Finally, South Carolina State Representative Brandon Guffey warns about the alarming trend of "sextortion" cases targeting young boys and how it led his 17-year-old son Gavin to take his own life.

Mar 8, 2025

CNN Michael Smerconish shares his take on the contentions Oval Office showdown between President Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Then, Admiral James Stavridis joins Smerconish to explain how Ukraine can move forward without U.S. support. Later, a former Zelensky Cabinet Member says he believes the shouting match inside the Oval Office was triggered by a moment lost in translation that could have been avoided. After that, Michael Peterson, the chairman ...Show moreand CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, explains the main drivers that will help tackle the national debt. Finally, Erin Murphy, an NYU Law Professor and forensic DNA expert, explains the legal and ethical challenges behind law enforcement using genealogy databases for forensic investigations like the Idaho murder trial.

Mar 2, 2025

The Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk claims it saved American taxpayers about $55 billion through cost-cutting measures. But where will those extra savings go to? James Fishbank, a CEO, investor, and creator of the DOGE dividend joins CNN Michael Smerconish to explain how Americans could get a $5,000 tax refund check based off the money Elon Musk claims he saved. Then, Tymofiy Mylovanov, a former Member of President Zelensky's administration, joins CNN Michael Smerconish to d...Show moreiscuss the latest developments in efforts by the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia to end the war in Ukraine. After, CNN Senior Data Reporter Harry Enten joins Michael Smerconish to debunk several mistruths about air travel and explain how the current news cycle can unintentionally raise the fear of flying.

Feb 22, 2025

The Department of Justice is in turmoil over President Trump's desire to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. CNN Michael Smerconish shares his take on the slew of recent DOJ resignations. Elie Honig, CNN Senior Legal Analyst and former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, says U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has a management and leadership problem. Ukraine's President Zelensky is vowing that his war-torn nation isn't accepting any deals ma...Show morede between Russia and the U.S. without his involvement. Mixed messaging from Trump, Vance, and Hegseth makes the future of Ukraine's NATO membership uncertain. Finally, leaked audio recordings from JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon spotlights his unfiltered take on remote work policies in the nation's largest bank.

Feb 15, 2025

The U.S. Agency for International Development is on the brink of being dismantled by the Trump administration. Should U.S. Taxpayers be funding humanitarian programing for things like Sesame Street in foreign countries? CNN's Michael Smerconish breaks down the different between 'soft power,' and 'hard power,' taking a deeper look into which one historically has been most effective. And later, Hollywood is buzzing with questions circulating around who deserves the 'Best Actress' award after old t...Show moreweets resurfaced complicating one star's chances. Founder of 'The Wrap,' Sharon Waxman is here to discuss. And finally, the Philadelphia Eagles are set to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio joins to give his take on the matchup.

Feb 8, 2025

Jo Ellis, a transgender Black Hawk pilot with 15 years of U.S. military service, addresses the hate and threats she received online after she was wrongfully accused of flying the helicopter in the fatal DC plane crash. This comes after President Trump blamed Democrats and DEI policies for the crash that killed 67 people on board a commercial flight and Black Hawk helicopter. Then, Florida Republican Congressman Byron Donalds joins Smerconish to discuss the latest DOJ firings and trade wars with ...Show moreAmerica's largest trading partners. Finally, Derrick Darby, a Rutgers University professor who studies the intersection of hip-hop and political philosophy, explains how money, power, and influence led to Trump's comeback.

Feb 1, 2025

CNN's Michael Smerconish examines the potential political risk behind President Trump's pardon for all defendants in the January 6th insurrection. Then, David Urban and Paul Begala join Smerconish to breakdown President Trump's first week back in office and his response to the nation's recent natural disasters. After that, Brad Meltzer, co-author of the New York Times Best Seller "The JFK Conspiracy," details in his new book a lesser-known 1960 assassination plot against John F. Kennedy before h...Show moree started his presidential term. Lastly, Michael Oren, a former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., applauds the release of additional Israeli hostages but warns that freeing convicted terrorists through negotiations with Hamas will only incentivize kidnapping more hostages.

Jan 25, 2025