Matter of Opinion

Happy holidays! Our gift to you is full access to a recent subscribers-only bonus episode. After a “stranger than fiction” presidential race, the hosts take a deep dive into the messy movie and television plots that actually put this election to shame. Enjoy! (A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

While we are off this week, we wanted to share a great piece from our colleagues. President Biden has only a few weeks left in office. Here’s what he could do to optimize that remaining time — and improve his legacy. (A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Is Donald Trump the chicken or the egg? On the cusp of his second administration, the hosts of dissect whether the president-elect is a cause or symptom of trends in popular culture. Plus, Michelle brings all the nostalgia to the Christmas party. (A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: The Shape of WaterYellowstoneWhite Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About RacismErasureAmerican FictionThe Elementary ParticlesThe Plot Against AmericaIt Can’t Happen HereReagan: His Life and LegendThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

We are off for Thanksgiving. But we have a special treat for you from “The Opinions,” a fellow New York Times Opinion podcast. After our own Carlos Lozada immigrated to the U.S. from Peru as a child, he never felt being an immigrant was his overriding identity. But after years of hearing Donald Trump talk about immigration, his feelings have changed. If you enjoyed this, subscribe to "The Opinions" wherever you get your podcasts. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

After a “stranger than fiction” presidential race, the hosts take a deep dive into the messy movie and television plots that actually put this election to shame. Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

On this episode, Ross is joined by his good friend Reihan Salam, a former housemate and co-author and the president of the Manhattan Institute. As young conservatives, the two teamed up in the waning days of the George W. Bush era to write “Grand New Party: How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream.” After Donald Trump’s second election victory, the two look back at their prescriptions and debate what they got right and wrong about building a durable Republican majority. (A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

As nominees roll in, the reality of Donald Trump’s second administration is rapidly coming into focus. This week, Ross is joined by Opinion columnist David French to discuss the surprising picks and what they signal about the incoming president’s policy shifts this time around. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: There Will Always Be a Trump. That’s Only Part of the Problem.What JD Vance BelievesDonald Trump Is Dead Serious About Getting Matt Gaetz to DOJThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Democratic Party needs to take a look in the mirror, and fast. This week, our old friend Lydia Polgreen joins the hosts to dissect what went wrong for Democrats, and what kind of leadership the party needs to win back voters in Trump’s America. Plus, something to do other than doomscrolling. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: A Party of Prigs and Pontificators Suffers a Humiliating DefeatStop Pretending Trump Is Not Who We AreToshi ReagonThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In this special post-election episode, the hosts take stock of Donald Trump’s triumphant night and what a return of his right-wing populism says about America. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Is this really the most consequential election of our lifetimes? On this last episode of “Matter of Opinion” before the election, the hosts reflect on some defining moments of the campaign (other than President Biden dropping out), from Donald Trump’s indictments to Project 2025 to Ron Desantis’s lack of charisma. Plus, a visit from the ghosts of election nights past. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: Why Biden Is Unlikely to Defy the NaysayersDemocrats Have a Better Option Than BidenThe Presidential Fantasy Draft America NeedsThe Woke Burnout Is Real — and Politics is Catching UpPolitics Without Winners: Can Either Party Build a Majority Coalition?Why the Heck Isn’t She Running Away With This?The Polls Show a Dead Heat, but They Don’t All Tell the Same StoryThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

There’s a whole world of 2024 elections that don’t involve Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. These races will be key to determining America’s future. As we inch closer to Election Day, the hosts zoom in on the congressional races that reveal something deeper — and stranger — about our politics. Plus, Ross has a new Vice. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: The Hard Truth About Montana and Jon Tester’s Senate RaceThe Senate May Come Down to a Blue State SurpriseTokyo ViceThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have been neck and neck in the polls for weeks. But past elections have proved the polls wrong. Can we trust them this time? This week, the hosts are joined by Kristen Soltis Anderson, a Republican pollster and Times Opinion contributor, to talk through what polls can — and can’t — tell us about how voting day will go. Plus, a taste for All Hallow’s Eve. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: The Selfie VoteMillennials See the GOP as Old-Fashioned and Prejudiced. Here’s How to Change That.These 9 Women Were Solidly With Trump. Here’s What Has Changed.Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Michelle loves Halloween. Ross watches horror movies against his will. And Carlos is making textual comparisons across satanic franchises. It’s a very MoO Halloween bonus ep, y’all! Share your favorite horror recs with us by emailing matterofopinion@nytimes.com or calling 212-556-7440. And tell us what we should chat about next time so Ross doesn’t have to read “Return of the King” to us. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

When Democrats coalesced around Kamala Harris this summer, they set their differences aside in the interest of preventing a second Trump presidency. But at what cost? On this episode, Lydia is joined by her fellow Opinion columnists Jamelle Bouie and Michelle Goldberg to discuss whether this temporary unity is good or bad for the future of the Democratic Party. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: Poll Finds Harris Rising as She Challenges Trump on ChangeKamala Harris and Tim Walz: More From Their ‘60 Minutes’ InterviewsVice President Kamala Harris’s interviewSilicon Valley, the New Lobbying MonsterThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This week the hosts discuss what was obscured by the civility of the V.P. debate, and consider what JD Vance and Tim Walz really offer their running mates and their parties’ futures. Plus, Michelle won’t be washing away her stresses any time soon. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: ‘There’s a Trap Here’: Four Columnists Brace for the Vance-Walz DebateThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This week we're taking a break from the election and turn our attention to the allegations against Sean Combs: Where has #MeToo succeeded or fallen short? And what happens when the lines blur between rumor mill and conspiracy theory? The Opinion columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom and the Opinion writer Jessica Grose join the conversation. Plus, Jessica has a recommendation for Plath-heads. (A full transcript of this episode will be available on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: With Love, Sean CombsSean Combs and the Limits of the ‘Family Man’ DefenseEntitled | How Male Privilege Hurts Women#MeToo Comes for the ArchbishopWhy We Can’t Quit Brad PittRed CometThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Donald Trump and JD Vance have sparked panic over immigration in Springfield, Ohio. This week, the hosts talk about why our country’s immigration debate is now focused on a distraction instead of the core of the issue. Plus, Ross is hot and cold about a particular pet obsession. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: Trump Has Crossed a Truly Unacceptable LineWhat JD Vance BelievesHow the Trump Campaign Ran With Rumors About Pet-Eating Migrants — After Being Told They Weren’t TrueThe Real ‘Border Czar’ Defends the Biden-Harris RecordGo WestMelting Pot or Civil War? A Son of Immigrants Makes the Case Against Open BordersChimp CrazyThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Kamala Harris may have won the debate by baiting Donald Trump. But is it enough to sway undecided voters? This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the Opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie joins our hosts to talk about how each campaign should reconsider its nominee’s visibility in the next seven weeks to win the White House. Plus, Michelle wants to be seen less. Want to see the Valentine's Day card for C-SPAN that Carlos's kids made him? Click here Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Opinion columnist David French is voting for Kamala Harris to save conservatism. Ross is… skeptical. On this very special episode, the two Christian conservatives debate how to chart the right’s course out of Trumpism and to the future. (A full transcript of this episode will be available on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: To Save Conservatism From Itself, I Am Voting for HarrisThis Is Probably Not the Deal the Pro-Life Movement Bargained for With TrumpThoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

While we take a quick summer break, we wanted to recommend a new show: “The Opinions.” Four times a week, in ten minutes or less, you’ll hear one of our columnists — Matter of Opinion hosts included — walk you through their take on an issue or idea you might not have considered. It’s like the Opinion pages come to life. In this episode, our very own Carlos shares what he learned reading Kamala Harris’s two memoirs. He reflects on how her criminal justice message has changed over time, and considers what that may reveal about her candidacy. Listen and subscribe to "The Opinions" on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Thoughts about Matter of Opinion? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.