Entrepreneur and GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his vision for America as he rises in the Republican primary polls, earning a spot on the August 23 debate stage. 

Ramaswamy said he thought Trump was “actually a very good president” but explained why he thinks Trump “fell short” and how he plans to go even further with an agenda that would radically reshape the U.S. government.

Joining “Firing Line” in Des Moines, Iowa just days before Trump was indicted for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election, Ramaswamy said he would pardon Trump because censorship—not the former president—was what ultimately caused the violence on Jan. 6. He has doubled down on that position since the indictment was handed down. 

The former biotech executive—who made a name for himself with his 2021 book “Woke, Inc.”—explained his critique of woke capitalism, his plan to end the war in Ukraine, and why he believes that climate change is not “an existential risk for humanity.”

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Sixth Circuit Judge Amul Thapar sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his new book, “The People’s Justice,” and why he believes Justice Clarence Thomas is misunderstood.

Thapar explains the judicial philosophy of originalism and how he applies it in his own rulings, as well as addressing some common criticisms of the approach.

The federal judge also reflects on the Supreme Court’s recent decision to dismantle affirmative action, Justice Thomas’ support for ending affirmative action, and debates over the history and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Thapar, who was on former President Donald Trump’s short list for the Supreme Court, defends Thomas and other justices against allegations of ethics lapses and comments on his own future on the bench. 

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joins Margaret Hoover to discuss her state’s election reforms, how nonpartisan open primaries and ranked choice voting helped her stave off a Trump-backed challenge in 2022, and why she hopes the system can be a model for other states.

Murkowski, who voted to convict Trump at his second impeachment trial, says it would be “unfortunate” if the party renominates the former president in 2024 and weighs in on the alternatives–including a possible independent run by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin.

She comments on the recent Supreme Court term and declining public trust in the nation’s highest court, which she warns could have huge consequences for democracy.

Murkowski, one of only two pro-choice Republicans in Congress, reflects on efforts to forge a compromise on abortion rights and explains why she believes women still need the Equal Rights Amendment.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Singer Jewel Kilcher sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss her musical career, her mental health journey, and how she hopes to help others find happiness.

The Grammy-nominated performer reflects on her escape from an abusive childhood in Alaska, confronting her pain through her music, and why her honesty has resonated with audiences for nearly three decades. 

As a co-founder of the virtual mental health community Innerworld, Jewel explains how the immersive platform works and why she believes it can benefit people who might not have access to traditional therapy.

She also comments on the passing of Tina Turner, her work with former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh before his death, and how she aims to continue balancing her happiness with her evolution as an artist.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Historian Jill Lepore talks to Margaret Hoover about her new audiobook, Who Killed Truth?: A History of Evidence, and why she set out to uncover the truth about truth by examining times of uncertainty from the 19th century to the present.

Lepore, a professor at Harvard University and staff writer for The New Yorker, explains how advances in technology over the last century have led to instability–and why the latest period of uncertainty brought on by the internet and social media has persisted. 

Lepore also discusses how the collapse of trust has impacted politics heading into the 2024 election, reflects on the through-line from the pardon of Richard Nixon to the prosecution of Donald Trump, and explains why the Constitution has become “essentially unamendable.”

Lepore addresses the Supreme Court’s recent decision rejecting Harvard’s affirmative action policies and what the ruling means for both college admissions and public confidence in the court.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.

Former federal and state prosecutor Elie Honig joins Margaret Hoover to break down Donald Trump’s federal indictment over his handling of classified documents and lay out how the prosecution of a former president and current presidential candidate may proceed into 2024.

The CNN senior legal analyst discusses Trump’s potential defenses, explains why the Espionage Act was the appropriate statute to charge him under, and responds to the former president’s latest public comments on the case.

Honig, author of “Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away with It,” addresses comparisons between Trump’s prosecution and cases involving prominent Democrats like Hillary Clinton, and he responds to Republican complaints about Hunter Biden’s plea deal.

Honig also reflects on former Attorney General William Barr’s evolution from Trump enabler to critic and details his concerns about Fulton County, Georgia D.A. Fani Willis’ handling of her investigation of the former president, which he expects will result in another indictment this summer.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper 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.

Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie sits down with Margaret Hoover to talk about his strategy for taking on Donald Trump and why he believes he will succeed where he failed in 2016.

Hours before Trump’s federal indictment was announced, Christie, a former federal prosecutor, explains why the special counsel has no choice but to charge Trump if there is evidence he committed a crime, and he assesses the potential political fallout.

The former two-term New Jersey governor–who launched his campaign this week–discusses how other GOP candidates are approaching Trump and whether he can change the dynamics of the race.

Christie also details why he feels Trump is unfit for office, reflects on how his views of the former president have changed, and accuses both Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s families of profiting off their presidencies.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper 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.

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.