Dr. Fei-Fei Li, known as the godmother of AI, talks to Margaret Hoover about the ethical development of artificial intelligence and the challenge of regulating the rapidly advancing technology.

Li, who recently received a lifetime achievement award at the Webbys for her AI research, explains why she focuses her work on “human-centered AI” and how she believes human dignity can be protected as AI progresses.

Li discusses the role of government funding in academic research and the importance of diversity in science, and she outlines a pragmatic approach to AI governance rooted in science, rather than science fiction.

Li, co-founder of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute, comments on the AI race between the U.S. and China, the concerns raised by potential military applications of the technology, and whether it is safe to place AI in the hands of children.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Peter and Mark Kalikow, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Annie Lamont through The Lamont Family Fund, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Susan Rasinski McCaw Fund, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. 

Historian Niall Ferguson sits down with Margaret Hoover to assess the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term and the challenges that lie ahead for the White House.

Ferguson, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, contrasts Trump with FDR and considers whether his early actions will have lasting impact. He also explains why he sees Trump 2.0 as “Richard Nixon’s revenge.”

Ferguson criticizes Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine and his sweeping use of tariffs that have rattled the global economy. He also questions Trump’s strategy on China and warns of a potential showdown over Taiwan.

As a conservative and a former professor at Harvard, Ferguson reacts to the Trump administration’s assault on Harvard and other universities, and he explains why the president needs to remember that he is “not a king.”

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Peter and Mark Kalikow, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Annie Lamont through The Lamont Family Fund, The Susan Rasinski McCaw Fund, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. 

Actor Kelsey Grammer joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his new book, his decadeslong journey of healing after tragedy, and his politics.

When most people think of Grammer, they think of his charming character Dr. Frasier Crane on “Cheers” and “Frasier,” but there is a darker side to his story. In “Karen: A Brother Remembers,” Grammer reflects on the vicious murder of his sister Karen, who was raped and stabbed 42 times in 1975 when she was 19.

“She was my North Star,” Grammer tells Hoover in an emotional interview. He also recalls how acting helped him overcome his grief and his self-destructive behavior in the wake of his sister's murder. “I had this almost miraculous outlet that made me a whole person.”

Grammer was inspired to write the book after working with a medium who helped him connect with Karen and discover her wish for him to write her story. Grammer takes the reader on a long,  stream-of-consciousness style journey through his memories and emotions. After spending three years writing the book, Grammer says he is more grateful now than ever before, and he hopes that this book will help other people heal, too. 

Grammer is well known as a rare conservative in Hollywood and has even been seen at Mar-a-Lago. He defends President Trump as representing the “common man,” and he rejects claims that the country is moving towards oligarchy. “Oligarchy is malarkey,” he says.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Peter and Mark Kalikow, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Annie Lamont through The Lamont Family Fund, The Susan Rasinski McCaw Fund, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. 

Robert Lighthizer, who served as U.S. trade representative in Donald Trump’s first term, sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss the president’s trade agenda, his use of tariffs, and their impact on the economy.

Lighthizer, author of No Trade Is Free, explains why he favors “balanced trade” over free trade and makes his case that tariffs can revive American manufacturing. He tells Hoover why he doubts chaos in financial markets will unseat the dollar as a global reserve currency, but he argues a weaker dollar could have benefits.

A longtime critic of NAFTA and open trade with communist China, Lighthizer credits Trump for changing the debate about trade in America and trying to solve the problems caused by globalization. He also challenges critics who say tariffs are the wrong approach to come up with a viable alternative.

Lighthizer assesses the potential for tariffs to drive up consumer prices and whether they could fuel broader inflation. He admits Trump’s implementation of his “Liberation Day” tariffs was not perfect, and he reflects on whether he would join the new administration if asked.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Peter and Mark Kalikow, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Annie Lamont through The Lamont Family Fund, The Susan Rasinski McCaw Fund, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. 

As wars continue to rage in Ukraine and Gaza, chef and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his approach to humanitarian aid in disasters, his reaction to losing aid workers in Gaza, and his new book, “Change the Recipe.” 

Andrés, whose organization has served millions of meals in Ukraine, urges the Trump administration to change course amid threats to walk away from peace negotiations. "I support his willingness to achieve peace, but he has to achieve peace on the side of Ukraine."

One year after an Israeli drone strike killed seven of his World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza, Andrés says he will "forever" remember their sacrifice. "Those are people that make the decision to be next to the voiceless and next to the poor and the hungry."

After watching governments respond slowly and inefficiently to disasters around the world, Andrés urges the U.S. to think about how it can be more efficient when it comes to giving. “Doing good is okay, but today in the 21st century, we must do smart good."

Andrés also talks about tackling food insecurity in the U.S., President Trump’s deportation efforts, and threats to the rule of law.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Peter and Mark Kalikow, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Annie Lamont through The Lamont Family Fund, The Susan Rasinski McCaw Fund, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. 

As the world reels from President Trump’s trade war, conservative economist Glenn Hubbard joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the impact of Trump’s tariffs, his doubts on the return of manufacturing jobs, and the difficulty of decoupling from China.

While Hubbard credits President Trump with recognizing the problems of globalization, he says tariffs are not the way to fix the problem. “It means higher prices, disrupted supply chains, job losses and lost output,” he says, adding that it also creates uncertainty for businesses.

Hubbard, who once served as chair of Pres. George W. Bush’s Council of Economic Advisors, says it is “not at all obvious” that reviving U.S. manufacturing will solve America's economic challenges. “Even if we bring back a big manufacturing sector,” he says, “we're not going to bring back manufacturing employment.”

Hubbard says China poses legitimate national security concerns for the U.S., but that tariffs are not the “most effective” way to respond. "We can never truly be decoupled from China," he adds, noting a need to cooperate in response to global crises.

Hubbard also discusses the danger of lost confidence in U.S. markets, how Congress should tackle tax cuts and deficits, and why Bush didn’t listen when he advised against imposing steel tariffs.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Peter and Mark Kalikow, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Annie Lamont through The Lamont Family Fund, The Susan Rasinski McCaw Fund, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. 

Politico politics bureau chief Jonathan Martin, New York Times reporter Adam Nagourney, and USC Center for the Political Future Director Bob Shrum join Margaret Hoover to discuss challenges facing the media in Donald Trump’s second term, threats to freedom of the press, and the future of journalism.

In a panel recorded at the CPF’s Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics in January, Nagourney says the obligation to call out Trump’s lies puts the media in a difficult position. "If you don't go far enough, people say that you're carrying his water. If you go too far, you're being hostile."

In an evolving and increasingly fragmented media landscape, Martin is less concerned about the survival of national papers than more regional and local ones like The Washington Post and the L.A. Times. “The benevolent billionaire model clearly isn't working now.”

Shrum, a veteran Democratic strategist, says the loss of local news poses a “huge” threat to democracy and the dangers facing journalism run much deeper than just Trump.

The panelists also address the impact of Trump’s litigation against media outlets, the rise of podcasters and influencers, and how changes in media are affecting political messaging.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Peter and Mark Kalikow, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Annie Lamont through The Lamont Family Fund, The Susan Rasinski McCaw Fund, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. 

In September 1994, an 18-year-old musician named Lawrence Perelman sent a letter to William F. Buckley Jr., offering to perform a piano recital for him as a thank you for Buckley’s political work. The friendship that ensued lasted until Buckley’s final moments, all of which Perelman recounts in his new book, American Impresario: William F. Buckley Jr. and the Elements of American Character.

One hundred years after Buckley’s birth, Perelman joins “Firing Line with Margaret Hoover” to discuss his friendship with the original host of the program, which became the “centerpiece” of his life as he performed regularly at Buckley’s dinner parties. Perelman says Buckley had a “superpower” for friendship, enabling him to develop relationships across the political spectrum and influence the world.

"If not for William F. Buckley Jr., there would be, I believe, no Ronald Reagan," says Perelman, whose parents were Soviet immigrants. "There would have not been an end to the Soviet Union, and we wouldn't have the freedoms that we had."

Perelman also reflects on Buckley's character, the values he represented, and how Buckley might understand what’s become of American conservatism since his death. 

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Peter and Mark Kalikow, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Annie Lamont through The Lamont Family Fund, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. 

As President Trump wages tariff wars around the world and upends the U.S. alliance with Ukraine, conservative New York Times columnist Ross Douthat and Margaret Hoover discuss the president’s actions, his address to Congress, and the future of the GOP.

While Douthat defends the Trump administration's goal of achieving an armistice in Ukraine and convincing Europe to take on greater responsibility, he says that calling Zelensky a dictator “is not a good plan.” He also suggests a lasting peace will depend on whether Putin negotiates in good faith and whether the U.S. and Europe can provide a credible security guarantee.

Douthat explains why tariffs appeal to Trump, but he says the way the administration has approached threatening and imposing them on allies like Mexico and Canada does not amount to a “coherent, long-term policy plan.”

Douthat also talks about his new book on The New York Times bestseller list, “Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious." He reflects on signs of growing openness to religion in society, the mystical side of UFO culture, and the stumbling blocks that deter some people from embracing faith. The devout Catholic also comments on the state of the Catholic Church as Pope Francis’ health declines.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Peter and Mark Kalikow, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Annie Lamont through The Lamont Family Fund, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. 

Before Kevin Hassett was named director of President Trump’s National Economic Council, he sat down with Margaret Hoover last September to discuss Trump’s economic record and his second-term agenda.

In this new cut of that interview, Hassett assesses the impact of tariffs in Trump’s first term and defends his threats to impose new ones, including reciprocal tariffs on goods from countries that tax U.S. imports.

Hassett, who previously served as chairman of Trump’s White House Council of Economic Advisors, pushes back against Kamala Harris’ criticisms of Trump’s policies and predicts federal spending cuts if he is elected.

He also comments on the importance of an independent Federal Reserve and responds to fellow Republicans who called Trump a threat to democracy after January 6th.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, Peter and Mark Kalikow, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Annie Lamont through The Lamont Family Fund, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.