A Whole New Election
Bill and Phil reflect on the dramatic developments in the 2024 presidential campaign, including Biden’s decision to withdraw, Kamala Harris breathing energy and enthusiasm into the Democratic Party, and the Trump campaign’s effort to respond to all the changes.
Assassination Attempt
On this special emergency episode, Bill and Phil break down the implications of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life and the dismissal of the federal classified documents case.
Europe Votes
Bill and Phil break down elections results in France and the UK, as well as the state of the Biden candidacy, then reflect on NATO calling out China for it’s support of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and close by asking whether Mexico should stop watering down its spicy salsas for foreigners.
A Disastrous Debate
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the first presidential debate, its implications, and whether it is time for Biden to step aside.
Trump, Religion, and Moral Accountability
Bill and Phil take a deep dive into the nature and psychology of the Trump supporter; exploring the intersection of religion and politics as well as asking the hard question of whether they bear individual moral responsibility for their support.
Global Election Round-Up
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil ask what we learned about the state of democracy from the recent elections around the world AND why North Korea is sending balloons full of garbage into South Korea.
Making Sense of the Middle East
Bill and Phil break down the latest developments in the Middle East and discuss whether a legal or political solution is the best path forward AND then address the implications of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito hanging the American flag upside down in his yard in the aftermath of the January 6th attacks.
Bad Polls for Biden?
With 6 months to the election, Bill and Phil wonder if Trump has emerged as the clear leading candidate AND whether President Biden made the right call in withholding weapons from Israel.
Disinformation Wars
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss whether democracies can adapt to changing authoritarian propaganda AND what to take make of the first few weeks of the Donald Trump hush money trial.
Presidential Immunity?
Bill and Phil grapple with some pressing legal questions, including what we learned from the Supreme Court’s oral arguments about Donald Trump’s claim of absolute presidential immunity AND what to make of news that the International Criminal Court may issue arrest warrants for Israeli conduct in Gaza.
China’s World
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil grapple with how the world would be different if China were in charge and whether that be a good or bad thing AND given the possibility of a Trump victory in November, should Sonia Sotomayor retire now.
Why Did Iran Attack Israel?
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil grapple with the questions of why Iran launched roughly 300 missiles at Israel and whether Trump’s trial(s) will matter come November.
History’s Lessons
Bill and Phil reflect on the 30-year anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, ponder the complicated relationship between Corporate America and Donald Trump, and close with a look at developments in the world of international law, including Ecuador storming the Mexican embassy, Nicaragua accusing Germany of Genocide in Gaza, and Switzerland being found guilty of violating its citizens’ right to a healthy climate.
The Battle for Liberalism
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil ponder Donald Trump selling Bibles, discuss the backlash against the liberal international order, and consider whether the US should utilize illiberal actions to defend that liberal order.
Piety or Profanity
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil tackle the politics of the political extreme. We begin with a look at the struggle between piety and profanity within the modern Republican Party, then explore Donald Trump’s full embrace of January 6th, transition to Donald Trump’s provocative language from last week, take a look at the Democratic Party and the protest votes against Joe Biden, and close with a game of What’s More Stupid, Aaron Rodgers edition.
The State of the Union
Bill and Phil reflect on Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech, discuss startling new evidence that Russia was seriously contemplating using a tactical nuclear weapon in the early stages of the Ukraine war, assess the implications of Lara Trump being announced as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, and close with a debate over where Katie Britt’s disastrous State of the Union response speech fits in the long list of bad response speeches.
Collective Amnesia
Bill and Phil reflect on the Supreme Court’s decision to keep Trump on the ballot, break down the results from Super Tuesday, ponder whether Americans are suffering from collective amnesia about Donald Trump, and close with a look at some new research suggesting that Americans reward candidates who take hawkish foreign policy positions even when those positions are in direct conflict with the voters’ preference.
The War on Sex
Bill and Phil analyze the Alabama IVF court ruling as part of a broader conservative war on sex, explore the latest in Donald Trump’s ongoing legal troubles, reflect on the state of the Ukraine war on the two year anniversary of Russia’s invasion, and close by asking the hard question of whether the president should be seen eating ice cream.