Former conservative radio host Charlie Sykes sits down with Margaret Hoover to talk about the state of the Republican Party, the 2024 election, and the future of American democracy.

Sykes, who co-founded The Bulwark in 2018 after retiring from radio, assesses the Republicans who may challenge Trump for the 2024 nomination–including Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence–and he explains why he is likely to support President Joe Biden over whoever the GOP picks.

The author of “How the Right Lost Its Mind” discusses how the conservative media ecosystem and the mindset of the audience have shifted in recent years. He also reflects on the difficulties the mainstream media faces in covering Trump.

Sykes comments on the threat of political violence in America, the prospect of a third-party candidacy, and what it might take to finally restore sanity in the GOP.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.

Axios chief financial correspondent Felix Salmon joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the lasting changes the COVID-19 pandemic has caused for the economy.

Salmon, author of “The Phoenix Economy: Work, Life and Money in the New Not Normal,” discusses cooling inflation, the continued strength of the labor market, and why millennials have shifted their perspective on investing.

As the U.S. faces the threat of a debt default, Salmon explains why he believes the debt ceiling should be abolished, and he reflects on the pros and cons of the proposal to mint a trillion-dollar coin to avert a global economic catastrophe.

Salmon, who co-hosts Slate’s Money podcast, also addresses how artificial intelligence could impact the economy and why Americans persistently believe the country is in a recession when it is not.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.

Actor Richard Dreyfuss sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his initiative to improve civics education in America and why he fears the future of the nation is at stake.

Dreyfuss reflects on how the study of civics has changed since he was in school, explains how he believes curriculums should be reformed, and criticizes efforts to limit students’ exposure to opposing viewpoints.

The Academy Award winner addresses the decline of civility in public discourse on both sides, including his own harsh rhetoric toward former President Trump. 

Dreyfuss also voices concerns about new inclusion requirements for films to be eligible for the Best Picture Oscar and questions Hollywood’s aversion to taking creative risks.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.

Conservative New York Times columnist David French joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the latest developments at Fox News, ethical questions engulfing the Supreme Court, and America’s political landscape heading into 2024.

As President Joe Biden launches his reelection campaign, French, the author of “Divided We Fall,” reflects on the potential impact of a Trump-Biden rematch on an already-divided country. The political commentator also assesses the appeal of Ron DeSantis and the source of evangelical loyalty to Trump. 

French, who worked as an attorney for two decades, comments on the criminal investigations surrounding Trump and the possibility that any of the cases could land the former president behind bars. He also discusses declining public confidence in the Supreme Court.

French addresses the fallout from the Fox News settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, as well as Tucker Carlson’s sudden departure from the network. 

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a political newcomer and rising star in the Democratic Party, sits down with Margaret Hoover in Annapolis to discuss his first legislative session and the progress made toward his priorities.

Moore grew up on the brink of poverty after witnessing his father’s death at age three, struggled in school until he was sent to a military academy, and went on to become a Rhodes scholar, a White House fellow, and a best-selling author. Before being elected as Maryland’s first Black governor, he headed the anti-poverty Robin Hood Foundation.

He tells Hoover why he believes the state can end child poverty and explains how his budget aims to address Maryland’s rising homicide rate. He also defends his push to cut a school choice program, despite acknowledging concerns about the performance of some public schools.

Moore contrasts his approach to governing with a supermajority in the legislature to some Republican governors, and he addresses the speculation already brewing about his prospects for higher office just three months into his first political job.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.

Writer Thomas Chatterton Williams sits down with Margaret Hoover to explain why he decided to “unlearn” race and how he believes his approach could pave the way to equality.

Williams, the son of a white mother and Black father who grew up seeing himself as Black, recalls how the birth of his light-skinned daughter led him to rethink entrenched racial categorizations. The author of “Self-Portrait in Black and White: Unlearning Race” responds to critics of his views and discusses the practicality of convincing others to fundamentally shift their perspective on race.

A contributing writer to The Atlantic, Williams also comments on America’s political debate over so-called “wokeness,” details his objections to the anti-racism movement, and explains why he believes police violence is more of an economic issue than a racial one.

Williams addresses the recent controversy surrounding “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams and the potential cultural ramifications of Donald Trump’s 2024 run, as well as the ongoing societal fallout from the summer of 2020.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.

After the first indictment of a former president in U.S. history, longtime federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the 34 felony charges against Donald Trump and what may come next.

Weissmann, who served as a lead prosecutor on special counsel Robert Mueller’s team investigating Trump, details the legal challenges ahead for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Trump’s defense team.

The law professor and podcast host responds to Republican criticisms of Bragg’s case and explains why he would have preferred if one of the other jurisdictions probing Trump on what he says are more serious charges had indicted him first.

Weissmann also addresses Trump’s personal attacks on the judge in his case, the impact of the 2024 campaign on legal proceedings, and whether this indictment could open up a Pandora’s box of politicized prosecutions in America.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.

Model Paulina Porizkova sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss her career in front of the camera and her recent book, “No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful.”

Born behind the Iron Curtain, Porizkova recounts her childhood in Soviet-controlled Czechoslovakia, her path to freedom, and her rise to become one of the top models of the 1980s and 1990s.

Porizkova reflects on ageism in the modeling industry, what has and has not changed since her youth, and the challenges of presenting herself as sexy in her 50s.

She also talks about her struggles with anxiety and grief and her use of social media to share her pain. She comments on the terror of occupation and why she finds Ukraine’s fight for freedom inspiring.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his recent announcement that he will not seek the GOP nomination in 2024 and whether anyone else could successfully challenge Donald Trump in the primaries.

Hogan reflects on his two terms as the popular Republican governor of a deep blue state, how his approach to politics could work for the party at the national level, and why the GOP base does not seem interested in following his lead.

Hogan assesses fellow governors who are running or considering running in 2024 and explains why he believes the party needs a more positive message than the one offered by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He also addresses the impact a third-party candidate could have on the presidential race and whether he would consider running as an independent.

The former governor also talks about current debates over fiscal responsibility and education reform, calling out some fellow Republicans for exploiting parents’ legitimate concerns about what their children are being taught for political gain. 

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his panel’s bipartisan mission to educate Americans about the CCP’s threat.

The Wisconsin Republican argues that a new cold war with China has already begun and explains what he believes it will take to keep that war from turning hot. He reflects on his recent visit to Taiwan and the need for greater strategic clarity in the Taiwan Strait.

Gallagher talks about the potential danger posed by Chinese-owned TikTok, the challenge of selectively decoupling the U.S. economy from a top trading partner, the relationship between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, and what he wants members of Congress to know about the activities of China’s United Front Work Department.

Gallagher also comments on the release of new surveillance video from January 6th and whether he stands by his 2021 statement that former President Donald Trump had permanently lost his support.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.