The Dispatch Podcast

Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Kevin Williamson to discuss the Trump administration's ongoing negations with Iran, FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged excessive drinking, and Justice Clarence Thomas' recent speech at the University of Texas. The Agenda: —Is the end near? —Consequences of Trump's impatience —Bad negotiating strategy —⁠Kash Patel's drinking⁠ —⁠Investigating 2020 election fraud⁠ —⁠Justice Thomas' speech on progressivism⁠ —NWYT: ⁠Tucker Carlson's apology⁠ Dispatch Recommendations: —⁠Online Gambling Is Breaking Containment ⁠—⁠The Son Also Rises⁠ —⁠Overturning Religious Precedent⁠ —⁠The emergency docket’s mistaken birthday⁠ Show notes: —⁠John McCormack's reporting on Tucker Carlson⁠ —⁠Steve Hayes' piece on Tucker Carlson⁠ The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by clicking here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, David Drucker, and Mike Nelson to discuss the latest on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and how it is affecting Trump's popularity. The Agenda:—U.S.-Iran negotiations—WSJ reporting on Trump's "public bravado"—U.S. forces seize Iranian ship—The downstream political costs of war—Netanyahu faces domestic pressure—Challenges of modern information environment—Most absurd stories of the week The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by clicking here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, Scott Lincicome, and Megan McArdle to discuss our overly complicated tax code and our launch of Dispatch Markets, featuring Scott's latest newsletter. Steve, Megan, and Mike then discuss New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's pied-à-terre tax and how the democratic socialist mayor has governed so far.The Agenda:—Donald Rumsfeld's tax letter—The cost of tax compliance—Political will for tax reform—Personal vs. corporate tax complexity—Mamdani's pied-à-terre tax—Economic policy in New York—NWYT: J.D. Vance's small crowdDispatch Recommendations:—Trump Retribution Campaign Threatens to Unravel Indiana GOP—Is Private Credit in Trouble?—The Decline and Fall of Orbánism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, Mike Nelson, and Michael Sobolik to discuss the failed negotiations with Iran, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's defeat at the polls. The Agenda:—What we know about the negotiations—How to enforce a blockade—The risk to U.S. troops—The view from China—J.D. Vance as negotiator—Why Taiwan’s defense budget matters—Viktor Orbán’s big loss—NWYT: Trump vs. the pope Dispatch Recommendations:—Trump’s NATO Threats Highlight Deeper Structural Tension—Trans Issues Are No Conspiracy—Identity Politics Is a Problem for Conservative Christians Too—A Peaceful Uneasy Feeling—Pope Leo’s Case Against the Iran War Is Not Political—Come Sail Away With Me (in Sheboygan, Wisconsin)—Orbán’s 16-Year Reign Ends Show Notes:—Chaos Under Heaven: Trump, Xi, and the Battle for the Twenty-First Century—Trump post appearing to depict him as Jesus removed amid backlash The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Sarah Isgur, Michael Warren, and Kevin Williamson to discuss Sarah’s new book, Last Branch Standing; the history of partisan attacks on the Supreme Court; and the state of the two-week ceasefire with Iran. The Agenda:—Trump's attacks on the Supreme Court—Public perception of the court—Sarah's writing process—Ambiguity in the ceasefire—Strait of Hormuz tolls—NWYT: The Masters tournament menu Dispatch Recommendations—Schrödinger’s Ceasefire—Ossining, New York, in the ‘Unwoke’ 1950s—SCOTUStoday: Sotomayor criticizes Kavanaugh—A Peaceful Uneasy Feeling Order Sarah’s book here. The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by clicking here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur is joined by Mike Warren, Kevin Williamson, and David Drucker to discuss the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi and the White House's proposed 2027 fiscal budget.The Agenda:—Pam Bondi's DOJ—The future of the DOJ—Fallout from the Epstein files—Trump's proposed 2027 budget—Trump's midterm messaging—NWYT: TMZ's political coverageDispatch Recommendations—Marriage Got Better—So Why Is It Disappearing?—Welcome to the Party, Christmas and Easter Christians—What the No Kings Protests and Tea Parties Have in Common—The Last Conservatives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah Goldberg is joined by Dispatch contributors David French, Megan McArdle, and Mike Nelson to discuss whether ground operations in Iran are still an option and the significance of Meta's two landmark losses in social media addiction trials. The Agenda:—Trump's prime-time address—Potential ground operations—How to reopen the Strait of Hormuz—True deterrence against Iran—Meta and Google addiction trials—Banning phones in schools—NWYT: Kid Rock's Army flyover Dispatch Recommendations—Why Rubio’s Stock Is Rising With MAGA—Birthright Citizenship Oral Arguments—Birthright Citizenship Has a Long Historical Precedent—The Welfare-Warfare State, Redux The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah Goldberg is joined by Gil Guerra, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle to discuss the nationwide blackouts in Cuba and whether the country will be next in Trump’s crosshairs.The Agenda:—The state of play in Cuba—History of the blackouts—A Russian tanker arrives—How much does Cuba matter to the U.S.?—The case for regime case—The left’s fascination with Cuba—How would the right react?—NWYT: Melania and the educational AI robotDispatch Recommendations:—Meet the Has-Beens, Never-Weres, and Felon Locked in a Trumpy Primary—The Era of Cookbooks Is Not Over—Our Almost-Promised Land—The Institutional Rot of the Right’s Youth PoliticsShow Notes:—Will Cuba Be the Next to Fall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and Mike Nelson to measure the strategic success of the war in Iran so far and discuss the diverging war aims between U.S. and Israel.The Agenda:—Is Iran winning the war?—Trump's shifting rhetoric—Trump's daily video montage briefing—U.S. and Israel's diverging war aims—Bad timing for a shutdown fight—NWYT: The America First awardDispatch Recommendations:—Media’s New Ethical Dilemma: Polymarket and Kalshi—The Gorilla Channel—Meet the Has-Beens, Never-Weres, and Felon Locked in a Trumpy Primary—Will Cuba Be the Next to Fall?Show Notes:—G-File: Two Trump Administrations—Audrey Fahlberg's reporting on Joe Kent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by David Drucker, Mike Warren, and Jonathan Martin, Politico's politics bureau chief, to discuss the upcoming midterm elections and the Democrats' ongoing identity crisis.The Agenda:—The Trump effect on 2026 midterms—Partisan redistricting efforts—Scandals in state primaries—Democratic identity crisis—The GOP after 2028—NWYT: Meals with sourcesShow Notes:—On the Road with Jonathan Martin The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and David French to discuss the growth of prediction markets and the differing goals that Israel and the U.S. may have in the war with Iran.The Agenda:—The harms of sports betting—Fantasy football podcasts and gambling—Monetizing insider trading—How does gambling affect sports?—The libertarian argument regarding addiction—Mismatched aims for the war in Iran—Tension between the U.S. and Israel—NWYT: Can a vegan candidate win in Texas? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren and Dispatch contributors Mike Nelson, a retired Army Special Forces officer and a member of the Atlantic Council's Counterterrorism Project, and Tim Mak, founder of the Counteroffensive and Iran War Dispatches. The Agenda:—Latest updates out of Iran—On-the-ground reporting during war—Internet blackout in Iran—Obama's policy toward Iran—Drone warfare—The Ukraine-Russia war—American support for war—NWYT: A spicy salsa lawsuit The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by clicking here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This roundtable was recorded in Dallas, Texas, on March 11, 2026, at our Dispatch Energy event.Steve Hayes sits down with Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Alex Trembath, the executive director of the Breakthrough Institute and contributor to the Dispatch Energy newsletter, to discuss the war in Iran’s effect on oil markets and what Ronald Reagan got right about energy 50 years ago.The Agenda:—Military success vs. policy success—U.S. energy independence—Prolonged oil disruption—Ronald Reagan's 1974 address—The end of the climate hawks—2026 and beyondShow Notes:—Alex’s latest for Dispatch Energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Mike Warren, and James Sutton to discuss the latest on Iran and how the domestic costs of war could affect the upcoming midterms.The Agenda:—What is “unconditional surrender”?—Rising oil prices—Public support for war—MAGA media’s reaction—J.D. Vance’s isolationism—Young Republican’s reaction— NWYT: McDonald's CEO's burger scandalShow Notes:—Paul Miller on the war with Iran—Tanner Greer's essay on Iraq The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by clicking here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg and Dispatch contributors Mike Nelson and David French to discuss the administration's military campaign in Iran one week in, the administration's weak public messaging, and where we can expect to be five weeks from now. The Agenda:—Why and why now?—Tactical successes so far—Implications of regime change—Trump's personal ambitions—Will China get involved?—Five weeks from now The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by clicking here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by The Atlantic's Elaine Godfrey, Kevin Williamson, Mike Warren, and David Drucker to discuss today’s U.S. Senate primary elections in Texas, as well as both Kevin and Elaine's on-the-ground reporting leading up to the heated contests.The Agenda:—Texas Democratic primary—‘Elaine From Atlantic … She Needs to Leave’—Texas Republican primary—The Trump endorsement—The impact of identity politics—Trump's impact on the midterms—NWYT: Regional chains Show Notes:—Listen to Kevin Williamson read his article here. The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by clicking here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a live Dispatch Podcast, Steve Hayes and Michael Warren were joined by Dispatch contributing writer and retired Army Special Forces officer Mike Nelson as well as Atlantic staff writer Graeme Wood to break down the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against the Iranian regime and explain what might come next. Watch the livestreamed converation on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/live/PmkW7QDgpDs?si=cd-LNKvv6YctKOG6Show Notes:—Graeme Wood: An Iranian Network Is Ready to Act—Mike Nelson: There’s a Case for Striking Iran. President Trump Needs to Make It. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Megan McArdle, Kevin Williamson, and Declan Garvey to discuss the Trump administration's new “war on fraud” and the young adult “dating recession.”The Agenda:—The “war on fraud”—The real driver behind government debt—Misconceptions about waste and abuse—The young adult dating recession —Looksmaxxing, explained—Risk aversion in teens—NWYT: Email inboxesShow Notes:—Alan Cole's bet on DOGE—Yuval Levin for The Dispatch: The Changing Face of Social Breakdown The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by clicking here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address on February 24, and The Dispatch hosted a special Dispatch Live to discuss it all. Steve Hayes was joined by Michael Warren, Kevin Williamson, and David Drucker to discuss the speech, and congressional reporter Charles Hilu, who was at the Capitol, also joined the show to share his reporting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Scott Lincicome, Mike Warren, and John McCormack to discuss the recent Supreme Court decision on tariffs and what it could mean for the U.S. economy and for American politics ahead of the 2026 midterms. Plus: embarrassing concert confessions.The Agenda:—Justice Gorsuch’s opinion—Why tariffs aren’t going away—The weak IEEPA case—Lincicome’s law—The fight over refunds—How tariffs will shape the midtermsShow Notes:—Justice Gorsuch’s opinion—Why Trump’s Section 122 Tariffs Are Illegal—Trump Tariffs: Tracking the Economic Impact of the Trump Trade War—Where Dems Affordability Message Goes Next The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠by clicking here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices