Art of the Arms Deal
The American Mind
As Joe Biden shuffled toward the finish line of his presidency, he and his staff let off a final volley of pardons—but who was really holding the (virtual) pen? This week, the guys sit down to weigh in on the renewed discussion of autopens as the New York Times reports on a cache of emails that may reveal the truth. Trump, meanwhile, caused a stir by agreeing to sell military supplies to NATO, which will then be passed to Ukraine. In the U.K. and Europe, technocrats crack down as triple crises fester: unchecked immigration, rampant crime, and youth radicalization. Plus: book and movie...
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Big Bill, Big Win (ft. Eric Teetsel)
The American Mind
The hosts are joined this week by Claremont's Vice President of Communications and Beck & Stone co-founder Andrew Beck to recount Vice President JD Vance’s speech at Claremont’s 2025 Statesmanship Award dinner, shining a light on the contradictions of liberals—wealthy, yet vehemently anti-billionaire; white, yet self-deprecating—and discussing the conservative mission to build and unify. Roiling also beneath the surface of the Left is an incendiary concoction of mental illness, confused gender ideology, and a propensity toward violence, most recently exposed in a series of attacks...
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New York, New Left (ft. Inez Stepman)
The American Mind
New York assemblyman (and amateur rapper) Zohran Mamdani has hit upon a distilled blend of socialism, anticolonialism, and woke omnicausery to secure a Democratic primary win in New York City’s mayoral race. Does his victory signal the party's new direction after months of post-election flailing? Legal policy analyst and friend of the Institute Inez Stepman joins the hosts to discuss Mamdani’s rise and chances of victory. Then: the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Trump v. Casa doesn't end the birthright citizenship debate, but it does free up the executive from judicial...
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Bunker Busted
The American Mind
The Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee's right—and by extension, the right of other states—to regulate or ban trans medical procedures for children. Meanwhile, Trump’s precision strike against Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities has succeeded in extracting a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The possibility of diplomacy and peace now exists—but will it materialize? The hosts are joined this week by regulars Seth Barron and Matthew Peterson, alongside special guest and Army veteran Will Thibeau to discuss the recent events in the Middle East and global implications. Plus: book and...
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No Kings, No Congress
The American Mind
In a two-man Roundtable throwback, hosts Spencer Klavan and Mike Sabo offer some initial reaction to Israel’s precision strikes against Iran and the subsequent fallout. Memories of past military failures and fear of Mideast regime change swirl online, but Trump seems prepared to back Netanyahu’s attack on Iranian nuclear capacity. Meanwhile, protestors took to the street to declare opposition to kings and kingly powers... which don’t exist. What does exist is judicial overreach and legislative inaction. Details, details. Plus: videogame(!) and other media recommendations!
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Battle: Los Angeles
The American Mind
This week, special guest Peachy Keenan rounds out the cast with a report from LA, where riots are breaking out (again). Governor Gavin Newsom failed to gain control on the ground, so Trump inserted himself and the National Guard to enforce law and order. Meanwhile, it’s not news that Trump and Elon’s bromance has concluded in a spectacular social media exchange, but Elon’s public tailspin in the aftermath merits a closer look. Plus: advice to law-abiding illegal immigrants (and to Elon), as well as media recommendations to help you escape the insanity of daily politics.
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White-Collar Bots
The American Mind
Artificial Intelligence threatens to storm the office as tech companies compete to replace entry-level workers with “agent” underlings. Will this be the next major technological displacement in the workforce? And to what end? Meanwhile, this “Pride month” has lacked the eruption of rainbows typical of June. Is a Pride Shift to go along with the Vibe Shift underway? This week, Blaze Media editor-in-chief and now Claremont Washington Fellow Matthew Peterson joins the guys to discuss the ramifications of AI, the containment of Pride, and to dispense good...
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Putting DOGE Down
The American Mind
Michael Anton—newly dubbed “MAGA’s Machiavelli”—gets a profile in The Free Press and some well-deserved recognition. Well-read, well-spoken, and well-dressed, Anton has done more than many realize to shape U.S. policies and political thought in the Trump Era. Meanwhile, Trump seems to sour on Putin and takes flak from some for not catching wise on Putin. But will he suffer any political consequences? Closer to home, Elon Musk throws in the towel on DOGE in light of a spending bill passed by the House. This week, the hosts discuss the...
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Covering Up the Cover-Ups
The American Mind
The sad announcement of Joe Biden's advanced cancer diagnosis has thrown fuel onto recriminations and speculations about his condition during his presidency, especially with the publication of a new book on the subject by none other than Jake Tapper. Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, on a Sunday interview with Fox Business’s Maria Bartiromo, disavowed the conspiracy theories surrounding the death of notorious sex trafficker Joseph Epstein, spurring an outcry from some of the theorists. Also this week, Trump pushed forward a Big, Beautiful Bill (literally)...
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Congress Take the Wheel
The American Mind
As Europe withers and China rises, Trump makes a trip to the Middle East and charts out a new course. In a speech that raised some interventionist hackles, he delivered a sharp critique of nation building and signaled his intentions to approach the region differently. Meanwhile in Washington, a struggle continues to digest the concept of Congress doing... its job? And the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments over the power of federal judges in light of a universal injunction freezing Trump’s order to halt birthright citizenship. Plus: a round of media...
info_outlineKnives are out as Pete Hegseth’s wife is let in on sensitive information about U.S. operations against the Houthis. Amid rumors of staff churn and conflicts within the right over foreign policy, Trump maintains his prudent approach. Meanwhile, on Easter Monday, Pope Francis passed away, spurring an assessment of his legacy and speculations about the future as the Church faces a critical juncture. The hosts discuss Department of Defense crack-ups, the transformation and future of the Catholic Church, and the egregious use of taxpayer funds by Harvard. Plus: television and book recommendations!