The Smerconish Podcast
by SiriusXM
Latest episode
Is J.D. Vance in Trouble? Mark Halperin's Stunning 2028 Election…
Is J.D. Vance in Trouble? Mark Halperin's Stunning 2028 Election…
About this podcast
Spirited discussions of government, politics, and current events without predictable left/right bias. The Smerconish Podcast is for Independent Minds.
The Michael Smerconish Program airs live on SiriusXM's POTUS Channel 9AM-12PM ET and replays 9PM-12AM East, Monday-Friday.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 2,133 episodes
- Is J.D. Vance in Trouble? Mark Halperin's Stunning 2028 Election Prediction · 19 min · Episode 2114The race for the White House in 2028 is taking an unexpected turn. Mark Halperin joins Michael with surprising insights into J.D. Vance's weakening political standing, Josh…
- Today's Poll: Is The Lesson Of The Midterms That Centrists Are the Democrats’ best model for 2028? · 8 min · Episode 2113Did moderate Democrats hold the key to the 2026 midterm elections? A new analysis from Third Way suggests that centrist candidates outperformed their progressive counterparts…
- The Untold Story of the Bin Laden Raid: Fear, Sacrifice, and Survival · 36 min · Episode 2112"We thought we were going to die." Navy SEAL Rob O'Neill takes Michael inside the secret mission to kill Osama bin Laden, revealing the terrifying moments inside the compound and…
- Today's Poll: Trump Privately Wrote Biden A Gracious Letter in 2021. Is His Public Combativeness Mostly An Act? · 13 min · Episode 2111What if the Donald Trump you see on TV isn't the real Donald Trump? A newly discussed private letter to Joe Biden paints a dramatically different picture of the president than…
- Independent Voters Decided the Midterms. So Why Can't They Win Elections? · 42 min · Episode 2110ndependent voters helped deliver a Democratic wave in the 2026 midterms, but why couldn't independent candidates win? Michael sits down with Heather Manchin, daughter of former…
- Today's Poll Question: The Effort To Impeach Secretary Hegseth Is Motivated By: Policy Or High Crimes and Misdemeanors? · 11 min · Episode 2109Is the push to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about actual wrongdoing—or just political disagreements? After a narrow House vote stalls the impeachment effort, Michael…
- Can We Agree: War On Terror · 1 h 10 min · Episode 2108This is the audio version of "Can We Agree?" Episode #7. "Can We Agree?" is the program that asks whether two brilliant minds from opposite corners of an argument can find any…
- Today's Poll Question: Should states give their electoral votes to the national popular vote winner, even when their own voters didn’t? · 11 min · Episode 2107Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should states join a compact to give their electoral votes to the national popular vote winner, even when their own voters didn't?…
- Trump Won This District by 14 Points. Democrats Just Flipped It | Jon Ralston · 37 min · Episode 2106A political earthquake in Nevada—and a preview of the battle for the White House in 2028. Michael broadcasts from Las Vegas and sits down with Jon Ralston, founder and CEO of The…
- Today's Poll Question: Why Did President Trump Make Stephen Miller His Chief Of Staff? · 10 min · Episode 2105Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: After losing Congress, why did Trump make Stephen Miller chief of staff? Was it to reward loyalty or to fight? Following a bruising…
- Trump Lost. Democrats Won. But Independents Hold the Real Power. · 27 min · Episode 2104Democrats swept the 2026 midterms, but are they drawing the wrong conclusions from their victory? Michael examines two overlooked forces behind the historic blue wave…
- Today's Poll Question: Was the rebuke of President Trump based more on his policies or personality? · 8 min · Episode 2103Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Was the Tuesday rebuke of President Trump based more on his policies or personality? Democrats won on Tuesday, but what exactly were…
- The Biggest Winner of the 2026 Midterms Wasn't the Democrats · 29 min · Episode 2102Democrats won control of Congress, President Trump accepted defeat, and America experienced something increasingly rare: an election without widespread chaos or controversy. But…
- Today's Poll Question: Did Democrats Win on Policy—or Did Voters Just Reject Trump? · 10 min · Episode 2101Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: How should the winning Democratic candidates interpret their victories in Tuesday's elections? Did Democrats win because voters embraced…
- Democrats Crush Republicans: Is JD Vance Turning on Trump? | Mark Halperin · 37 min · Episode 2100Democrats have delivered a stunning rebuke to President Donald Trump, capturing both the House and Senate in a sweeping 2026 midterm election victory. But was it a resurgence of…
- Today's Poll Question: Did You Split Your Ticket? · 9 min · Episode 2099Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Did you split your ticket? Democrats have captured the House and Senate, President Trump says he accepts defeat, and the 2026 midterm…
- Can We Agree: The National Debt · 60 min · Episode 2098This is the audio version of "Can We Agree?" Episode #6. "Can We Agree?" is the program that asks whether two brilliant minds from opposite corners of an argument can find any…
- Today's Poll Question: If Democrats win big today, will AOC Progressives or Shapiro Moderates Win 2028? · 9 min · Episode 2097Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: If Democrats win big today, who becomes better positioned for 2028? An AOC-style progressive or a Shapiro-style moderate? Election Day…
- Trump Wants to Change Your Clocks AGAIN—Before the Year Is Over? · 31 min · Episode 2096We JUST turned our clocks back. Could President Trump make us spring forward AGAIN before the year is over? Michael Smerconish talks with Washington Post White House reporter Dan…
- Today's Poll Question: Does Haley Stevens owe more of a duty to her conscience or her party? · 13 min · Episode 2095Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: To what does Haley Stevens owe more of a duty, her conscience or her party? Just 48 hours before the midterm elections, Michigan…
- The Childhood We Had Would Get Our Parents Arrested Today · 36 min · Episode 2094A Florida mom was arrested for leaving her four children, ages 9 to 14, home alone while she traveled for work—even though she'd arranged for a babysitter to check on them. Was…
- Today's Poll Question: Will the midterms mark the end of the Trump era? · 10 min · Episode 2093Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will the midterms mark the end of the Trump era? Michael examines political strategist Doug Sosnik's provocative analysis of the coming…
- Is the Trump Era About to End? Doug Sosnik's Stunning Midterm Forecast · 28 min · Episode 2092Is the Trump era nearing its end? veteran Democratic strategist and former Clinton White House adviser Doug Sosnik joins Michael for a revealing, data-driven look at what could…
- Today's Poll Question: Is Recruiting A Candidate With Your Opponent’s Name A Dirty Trick Or Fair Game? · 12 min · Episode 2091A dirty political trick or just smart campaign strategy? A stunning New York Times investigation reveals an alleged scheme involving Democrats recruiting a second candidate named…
- Mark Halperin: An October Surprise Could Change EVERYTHING Before Election Day · 28 min · Episode 2090With Election Day just days away, could an October Surprise change everything? Veteran political analyst Mark Halperin joins Michael for a final look at the 2026 midterms…
- Today's Poll Question: Will AI do more good or harm in your lifetime? · 11 min · Episode 2089Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will AI do more good or harm in your lifetime? Artificial intelligence could cure cancer, fight Alzheimer's, and revolutionize government…
- Can Trump Strip Ilhan Omar of Her Citizenship? Immigration Attorney Explains · 29 min · Episode 2088Can President Donald Trump really strip Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of her U.S. citizenship—and potentially have her deported? As the Trump administration investigates the Minnesota…
- Today's Poll Question: Do We Vote Our Values—or Just Follow Our Demographics? · 11 min · Episode 2087Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which drives voters more, their demographics or their values? We like to believe our votes reflect our values. But what if race, gender…
- This Democrat Is Fighting For School Choice · 33 min · Episode 2086Should taxpayer dollars fund schools—or follow students? Pennsylvania State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams is a Democrat who's breaking with his party on school choice, arguing…
- Today's Poll Question: How will the midterm elections end for the House? · 12 min · Episode 2085Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: It takes 218 seats to control the House. How will the midterms end? a) Republicans keep control, b) Democrats win narrowly (218–229…
- Can We Agree: Data Centers In Your Town · 1 h 7 min · Episode 2084This is the audio version of 'Can We Agree?' Episode #5. "Can We Agree?" is the program that asks whether two brilliant minds from opposite corners of an argument can find any…
- Today's Poll Question: How will J.D. Vance's defending of Ramaswamy's attack ad affect his '28 GOP nomination chances? · 11 min · Episode 2083Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Did JD Vance help or hurt his chances of winning the 2028 GOP nomination by defending Ramaswamy's ad? Vice President JD Vance is standing…
- Are the Kids Alright? Michael Smerconish’s Urgent Message to America’s Youth · 33 min · Episode 2082Are the kids alright? After joining former RNC Chairman Michael Steele for a conversation with 600 students at Pennsylvania's Hill School, Michael shares his message to America's…
- Today's Poll Question: Will Ramaswamy's Attack Ad Using His Rival's Mother Help Or Hurt Him? · 13 min · Episode 2081Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Ramaswamy's ad using his rival's mother will: a) help him, b) hurt him, or c) make no difference. Vivek Ramaswamy's latest attack ad in…
- Will Trump Endorse JD Vance in 2028? Halperin Reveals What Vance Told Him · 33 min · Episode 2080Will JD Vance run for president in 2028, and would Donald Trump immediately endorse him? 2WAY Editor-in-Chief Mark Halperin joins Michael with exclusive insights from his…
- Today's Poll Question: Will Europe's wave of violent protests reach America soon? · 15 min · Episode 2079Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will Europe's wave of violent protests reach America soon? France is experiencing a wave of unrest, with protests spreading across Europe…
- Can We Agree: Has Trump Changed Presidency Forever? · 44 min · Episode 2078This is the audio version of "Can We Agree?" Episode #4. 'Can We Agree" is the program that asks whether two brilliant minds from opposite corners of an argument can find any…
- Today's Poll Question: Smartphones vs. School Pressure...What's Really Making Kids Anxious? · 15 min · Episode 2077Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which has done more to harm kids' mental health: smartphones and social media, or school pressure and less free play? We've spent years…
- Can We Agree: Lindsay Clancy Trial Holdout Juror · 1 h 6 min · Episode 2076This is the audio version of "Can We Agree" Episode #3. "Can We Agree?" is the program that asks whether two brilliant minds from opposite corners of an argument can find any…
- Today's Poll Question: Could a Democratic Congress rein in President Trump? · 9 min · Episode 2075Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Could a Democratic Congress rein in President Trump? The 2026 midterm election 'concludes' two weeks from tomorrow. Michael examines what…
- Can We Agree: Regulating AI · 1 h 12 min · Episode 2074This is the audio version of "Can We Agree" Episode #2. "Can We Agree?" is the program that asks whether two brilliant minds from opposite corners of an argument can find any…
- Today's Poll Question: Which is the bigger midterm prize, the House or the Senate? · 9 min · Episode 2073Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which is the bigger midterm prize, the House or the Senate? Election Day is just over two weeks away - Michael breaks down what's really…
- GOP Midterm Disaster? Mark Halperin Warns It Could Be Worse Than Anyone Thinks · 34 min · Episode 2072With less than three weeks until the 2026 midterm elections, are Republicans facing a much bigger defeat than anyone expects? Political analyst Mark Halperin joins Michael to…
- Who Cut Ukraine’s Starlink - Trump, Musk, Both, or a Glitch? · 13 min · Episode 2071Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Who cut Ukraine's Starlink service this week? Was it Trump? Was it Musk? Was it both or was it a glitch? As Ukrainian forces face a…
- Can We Agree: Democratic Socialism · 44 min · Episode 2070This is the audio version of "Can We Agree?" Episode #1. 'Can We Agree" is the program that asks whether two brilliant minds from opposite corners of an argument can find any…
- Today's Poll Question: Will the midterm election results cause the president to make significant changes to his cabinet and/or policies? · 13 min · Episode 2069Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will the midterm election results cause the president to make significant changes to his cabinet and/or policies? With Democrats favored…
- Neil Bush on What America Has Lost Since His Father Was President · 30 min · Episode 2068What would George H.W. Bush think of today's deeply divided America? Michael sits down with the former president's son, Neil Bush, to reflect on his father's extraordinary…
- Today's Poll Question: Will Elon Musk’s $276 million in donations keep the Senate in Republican hands? · 13 min · Episode 2067Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will Elon Musk's $276 million in donations keep the Senate in Republican hands? With Republicans facing a difficult Senate map and…
- Is Trump About to Expand the Iran War? Admiral Stavridis Weighs In · 27 min · Episode 2066Deadly Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have put President Trump at a dangerous crossroads in the war with Iran. Retired four-star Admiral and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander…
- Today's Poll Question: Is serving in public office today worth the risk of violence? · 15 min · Episode 2065Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is serving in public office today worth the risk of violence? Death threats, assassination attempts, and escalating political hostility…
