The Mona Charen Show

Lawfare’s Ben Wittes discusses Lindsay Halligan’s incompetence and malevolence and the importance of grand juries to our liberties.

Francis Fukuyama discusses his theory that the internet, and not economic distress, the Democratic party’s problems, or other things have given rise to populism. Go to https://Oneskin.co and use code: MONACHAREN for 15% off! Take our quick listener survey and help us make The Bulwark even better. https://bit.ly/bulwarkaudio

This week on the Mona Charen Show, Mona is joined by Nico Perrino, Executive Vice President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), for a crucial conversation about the unprecedented assault on the First Amendment under the Trump 2.0 administration. During GhostBed’s Black Friday Sale, you can get 25% off already-reduced prices, for a limited time. Just go to GhostBed.com/mona and use promo code MONA at checkout.

The Atlantic’s Idrees Kahloon discusses the worrying learning losses of the past decade and some signs of hope. Go to https://Quince.com/Mona for free shipping and 365-day returns.

Mona Charen and Financial Times columnist Ed Luce discuss how Trump’s second term has gone from chaos to control — from a fake war in Venezuela to a culture of fear in Washington. They talk about the money, the mobs, the East Wing demolition, and how power in America is now moving at “the speed of light.” Go to https://Quince.com/Mona for free shipping and 365-day returns.

Mona Charen sits down with defense expert Kori Schake to unpack Donald Trump’s latest stunt with the military, the danger of turning U.S. troops into political props, and how Congress has let civilian control slip away. They also discuss Trump’s foreign-policy “own goals,” America’s fraying alliances, and why China and Putin are cheering him on. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code: MONACHAREN at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Get 25% off for a limited time. Go to https://GhostBed.com/mona and use promo code MONA at checkout. Head to https://moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best Sellers Trial Pack or the NEW Plant-Based Trial Pack.

Bill Galston joins Mona to discuss his new book about the vulnerabilities of liberal democracies and how to relearn the importance of rhetoric. Anger, Fear, Domination: Dark Passions and the Power of Political Speech: https://a.co/d/9OPWkKP

Damon Linker on just how crazy awful things are, but with some optimism for climbing out of the abyss.

The Atlantic's Jonathan Chait discusses how MAGA is using Kirk's tragic death as a pretext for full-on authoritarian repression of dissent. Sponsors: For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code MONACHAREN at oneskin.co. 25% off sitewide at GhostBed for a limited time.GhostBed.com/monaMONA

The Bulwark's Jonathan Cohn discusses the harm RFK has already done, and what he's planning, which may be worse. Eat smart at FactorMeals.com/monacharen50off and use code monacharen50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year.

Holly Berkley Fletcher explains the mindset of white evangelicals from a unique perspective—that of missionary kids. She was one. Her new book sheds light on a key MAGA constituency.

Mona welcomes UVA's Brad Wilcox to discuss the latest stats on marriage, what singlehood means for kids, men, and women, and marriage's new alt-Right foes. Head to moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack or the NEW plant-based trial pack. REFERENCES: Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization

Third Way's Matt Bennett and Sarah Longwell join Mona to talk about tanking Democratic voter registration numbers, words you should never say, the working class, the donors, and more. REFERENCES: Was It Something I Said? A memo to All Who Wish to Stop Donald Trump and MAGA from Third Way.

FREOPP's Michael Tanner joins Mona to discuss homelessness causes and potential cures. For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code MONACHAREN at oneskin.co. Go to Quince.com/MONA for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.

Georgetown law professor Stephen Vladeck joins Mona to unpack the Justice Department’s attack on Judge James Boasberg, Trump’s efforts to bend universities to his will, the Supreme Court’s retreat into procedural evasions, and the broader erosion of guardrails in American governance. What happens when process itself—the foundation of the rule of law—comes under assault? Head to moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack or the NEW plant-based trial pack. Eat smart at FactorMeals.com/monacharen50off and use code monacharen50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year.

Walter Olson of CATO discusses the Manhattan Statement on Higher Education, which would license Trump to ignore law, procedure, and precious liberties. REFERENCES: The Manhattan Statement on Higher Education A Troubling Right-Wing Manifesto on UniversitiesPersuasion Go to: OneSkin.co | Code: MONACHAREN

AEI's Sadanand Dhume joins the podcast to discuss Zohran Mamdani's ideological origins, why government stores are not a fresh, new idea, Indian democracy, poverty, capitalism, and how Bangladesh went its own way.

Author Sam Tanenhaus discusses his new biography of the multi-talented Buckley and the movement he did so much to create.

Mona Charen speaks with More in Common co-founders Tim Dixon and Mathieu Lefevre about rising polarization, the “exhausted majority,” and how loneliness, media incentives, and misinformation are fueling division. (Full disclosure: Mona is on More in Common’s board of directors.) They discuss global trends, practical solutions like refugee sponsorship, and the urgent need to rebuild community and trust in democratic societies. Genuine reasons for hope. REFERENCES: “Hidden Tribes: A Study of America's Polarized Landscape”Jo Cox's Maiden Speech Before Parliament

The Atlantic’s Helen Lewis joins Mona Charen to discuss The Genius Myth, her new book exploring whether genius is a real phenomenon or a socially constructed label. They examine how society elevates certain individuals—often more for charisma or timing than raw talent—and how the genius myth can excuse bad behavior while undervaluing empathy, humility, and collaboration. The conversation also touches on the “genius wives,” prodigies, the costs of fame, and Lewis's recent piece on the Skrmetti decision. For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code MONACHAREN at oneskin.co.