The Mona Charen Show

David Frum joins Mona to discuss Trump's Canada gripes, how tariffs will/are sabotaging America, NATO, defying court orders, and how best to counter all of it. Go to Hungryroot.com/CHAREN and use code CHAREN to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. REFERENCES: Why Cede the Flag to Trump? by David Frum in The Atlantic (2017)

Famed virologist Dr. Paul Offit describes his encounters with RFK, Jr., vaccine misinformation, trust in medicine, and what he fears most. REFERENCES: Dr. Paul Offit’s Books Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All The Cutter Incident Historical Vaccine References The Cutter Incident ( Andrew Wakefield and Vaccine-Autism Misinformation Lancetlater retracted The Lancet Anti-Vaccine Movement History DPT Vaccine Roulette The impact of anti-vaccine movements in places like Samoa, leading to deadly measles outbreaks. Current Vaccine Issues and Policy Changes The cancellation of the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting.

The Manhattan Institute's Jessica Reidl explains the fake fiscal posturing of DOGE as well as the ground truths about deficits and national debt. Predictions: More inflation, lower growth, less prosperity. Get started at FACTORMEALS.com/FACTORPODCAST and use code FACTORPODCAST to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping.

Josh Barro joins Mona to discuss where the party needs to change, refocus on practical governance, and how to broaden its appeal to win elections against a rising Republican authoritarian threat. References Josh Barro's Substack Very Serious Democrats Need Their Own DEI Purge Josh Barro's PodcastSerious Trouble (with Ken White)

The Bulwark's Cathy Young joins Mona to discuss where DEI went wrong and also the unfathomable racism of the Trump Administration. Referenced Works and Sources Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby by Steven Carter The Bakke Case (Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, 1978) Fisher v. University of Texas(2013, 2016) Implicit Bias Tests (Implicit Association Test, IAT) Yasha Mounk’s The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time New York Times Investigative Report on DEI at the University of Michigan

David French joins to discuss upending the NATO alliance, attacks on the rule of law, and how the pardon power was one of the Founders' worst mistakes. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. Ad-free editions are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Add the show to your player of choice, here, or find it wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Join now Referred Works The Federalist PapersA collection of essays Anti-Federalist Papers ("An Old Whig" – Letter No. 5, 1787) Cited as an early critique of the presidential pardon power and excessive executive authority. Marbury v. Madison (1803)A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case establishing judicial review U.S. Constitution Learned Hand’s Quote on Liberty "Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it." DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (Film, 2022)

AEI's Michael Strain analyzes the mistakes left and right make about middle class stagnation, quality of life, and other matters. Plus, what is risked when Trump/Musk attack foundational institutions. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/mona and get on your way to being your best self. Referenced Works & Figures: Michael Strain’s BookThe American Dream Is Not Dead: (But Populism Could Kill It) Elizabeth Warren & Bill de Blasio Josh Hawley David Autor's "China Shock" Paper Robert Bork’s Antitrust Theories Smoot-Hawley Tariffs Occupy Wall Street & Tea Party Movements Federal Job Training Programs

Mona welcomes Renée DiResta to discuss how social media has distorted our perceptions and how to navigates the world of influencers, online mobs, and lairs. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. Ad-free editions are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Add the show to your player of choice, here, or find it wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Not yet a member? Join The Bulwark today! Eat smart with Factor. Get started at FACTORMEALS.com/monacharen50off and use code monacharen50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. References: Books & Authors: "Invisible Rulers" – by Renée DiResta Historical References: Father Coughlin & Propaganda (1930s) Institute for Propaganda Analysis (1930s) Academic & Media References: Helen Lewis (The Atlantic)“the internet is built to empower extremophiles.” Google's Assertive Provenance Report Key Topics Discussed: Misinformation & Social Media Dynamics Iowa Caucuses (2012 vs. 2020) Measles Outbreak & Anti-Vaccine Misinformation Algorithmic Influence & Content Curation QAnon & Wayfair Conspiracy Theory COVID-19 & Public Trust in Institutions Decline of Trust in Experts Influencers & Audience Capture Solutions & Strategies Pre-bunking Adding Friction Virality Circuit Breakers Watermarking AI-generated Content Institutional Preparedness

In this episode of The Mona Charen Podcast, Mona Charen speaks with author Jonathan Rauch about his new book, Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy. They explore the decline of Christianity in America, its impact on democracy, and whether faith can be depoliticized. Rauch, a self-described “atheistic homosexual Jew,” makes the case that Christianity has been a vital “load-bearing wall” for American democracy and argues for a return to its core principles. The conversation touches on political polarization, the role of faith in public life, and what small-l liberals and conservatives alike can learn from the evolving role of religion in society. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONA at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod REFERENCES: Books by Jonathan Rauch: Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with DemocracyThe Constitution of Knowledge Articles: The Atlantic Books and Works Referenced: The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory Legislation and Policies Referenced:

Mona interviews Georgetown law professor Stephen Vladeck on executive orders, birthright citizenship, Congress not doing its job, and whether Trump will defy the Supreme Court. Referenced Cases: Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer Korematsu v. United States Ex Parte Endo Trump v. Hawaii United States v. Wong Kim Ark INS v. Chadha TikTok-related Executive Orders and Litigation Referenced Works: The U.S. Constitution

Mona welcomes Richard Reeves to discuss the struggles of boys and men, including a debate about whether marriage promotion is good or obsolete in this day and age. Richard Reeves’s bio at the American Institute for Boys and Men Sex Matters by Mona Charen Boy Mom by Ruth Whippman How to Save Marriage in America by Richard ReevesOriginally published in The Atlantic) Pro-Family Policy Priorities for States Shaping Policy, Renewing Culture. Polling and Perspectives from the Sun Belt How family law undermines fatherhood, and how to fix

In the inaugural episode of The Mona Charen Show, Mona welcomes New York Times columnist Pamela Paul to discuss why girls are getting negative messages about womanhood. Also: sex differences, social media, motherhood, and men's struggles. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MONA at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Mona and the gang bid farewell to this format, discuss what will replace it, and offer a glimpse of future plans. Leave a comment Highlights / Lowlights: Mona outlined the future of her new show. Bill previews his forthcoming book on political psychology. Linda: The Silver Candlesticks: A Novel of the Spanish Inquisition, Linda’s forthcoming book, which you can pre-order now! Make sure you sign up for Linda’s Substack. Damon: While Damon finishes his forthcoming book on Leo Strauss, go down the Straussian rabbithole at Notes from the Middleground. Referenced work: Bret Stephens’s “Done With Trump” in the NYT

Noah Smith joins to discuss what Tulsi Gabbard could do to America, the other anti-qualified nominees, the Penny/Mangione cases, and what Syria should remind us of. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Rupert Murdoch's Succession Fiasco, Clive Irving at Vanity Fair Linda: Why Does Pete Hegseth Keep Talking About ‘Warfighters’? Elliot Ackerman at The Free Press. Bill: His WSJ column: Save a Reagan Initiative From Musk and Ramaswamy Damon: When Democracy’s Defenders Turn Into Its Gravediggers, Yascha Mounck Noah makes his reasoned pitch as to why rabbits make excellent pets.

Matt Bennett joins to discuss the most dangerous Trump appointments and the worrying signals of fear by MSNBC and others. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: The Iron Man of America’s op-ed pages (David Von Drehle, WaPo) and Mona’s contribution to the George Will tribute symposium, ‘Conservatism’s Vital Champion.’ The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America by Jeffrey Rosen Matt: The attempted Martial Law coup in South Korea (lowlight) and the response of South Korean politicians and citizens (highlight). Bill: The DOGE versus the NED by James Piereson (The New Criterion) Linda: Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth See the Same Enemies (Carlos Lozada, NYT) Damon: The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the perverse glee of some on the very online left. (Lowlights)

Robert Tracinski joins to discuss Trump's attack on government, his execrable appointees, and what Dems should do going forward. Highlights / Lowlights Damon: Russ Vought's appointment to OMB and the Nancy Mace / Sarah McBride performative cruelty. Linda: JD Vance appearing in all of those Senate meetings with Matt Gaetz, and A Free Press Conversation with Natan Sharansky Mona: Hong Kong's jailing of 45 democracy activists sparks criticism from foreign governments, rights groups (CBS) Bill: House passes bill that would allow Treasury to target nonprofits it deems to support terrorism Robert: The RFK Jr. McDonalds Photo

David French and Larry Diamond join the group to mull the nature of Trump's victory and the stupefying appointments to DOJ and DNI. Highlights / Lowlights David French: Politics are terrible and sports are terrible, at least for David. Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee Titans, and Ja Morant’s injury. Damon Linker: A viral tweet and the disappointing Republican whataboutism. Larry Diamond: A vignette about Matt Gaetz’s selection and surprising a prominent Republican with the news. Bill Galston: The Onion has won the bid for Infowars’ assets Mona Charen: Season 2 of Bad Sisters.

The Atlantic's David Frum joins the group to analyze the election and consider the implications for domestic and foreign policy. Highlights / Lowlights: Damon: The work of Ruy Texiera and Nate Cohn Linda: My Manifesto for Despairing Democrats by Nick Kristof Bill: ‘Invisible’ older women speak up at the ballot box by Karen Tumulty Mona: Trump transition team co-chair endorses Kennedy anti-vax theories and says he would be able to access health data David: Earth experiencing warmest year on record – again, scientists say

Tim Miller joins to discuss the big picture about 2024, why Harris could not run as a change agent, and America's oligarchs. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code BEGTODIFFER at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/begtodiffer Highlights / Lowlights Linda Chavez: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton and the Dodgers World Series Victory (Highlights) Tim Miller: Trump wearing an orange vest and driving a trash truck. (Both) Mona Charen: Derrick Anderson's Fake Family (Lowlight) Bill Galston: The Dodgers (Highlight) Nikki Haley's Get Out the Vote Closing Argument (Lowlight) Damon Linker: Charlie Kirk: Harris Wants Women to Lie to Their Husbands (Lowlight)