It's A Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky

Ryan Girdusky breaks down the biggest moments from the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas and what they reveal about the future of the GOP. Ryan argues that Vance’s convention performance looked increasingly like an introduction to the party’s next leader, while Marco Rubio again indicated he has no plans to run for president in 2028.

But Ryan sees one potential major challenger: Sen. Ted Cruz. Cruz is beginning to separate himself from Vance and Trump on one of the biggest emerging political issues—artificial intelligence regulation. Ryan explains why Cruz’s call for greater AI safeguards could become a defining issue in a future Republican presidential primary.

Plus, Ryan reacts to President Trump’s proposal to give American adults $5,000 if Republicans retain Congress, including the potential trillion-dollar price tag and inflation implications.

And who was the convention’s breakout star? Ryan makes the case for Rep. Brandon Gill, whose opening speech contrasted the Trump and Biden eras and generated one of the convention’s standout moments.

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Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, Kim Phelan shares the deeply personal story of her father, Kenneth Phelan, a New York City firefighter who died responding to the World Trade Center on 9/11.

Kenneth wasn't originally supposed to work that day. He had taken time off months earlier to attend his daughter's high-school ring day and owed another firefighter a tour. On the morning of September 11, 2001, he went to work—made lunches for his four children, said goodbye to his family, and never came home.

Kim recounts what it was like being a high-school student in New York City as the Twin Towers were attacked, initially worrying about an aunt who worked at the World Trade Center before realizing her own father was among the first responders who had gone into the towers. According to the account her family received, Kenneth went into the building, came back out, and then went back inside to help others. His remains were never recovered.

She also opens up about the side of 9/11 that the public rarely sees: waiting for a father who would never come home, comforting a little brother asking when his dad would return, growing up without him, and watching the milestones he should have been there to experience.

Twenty-five years later, Kim wants people to remember that those killed on September 11 weren't simply names on a memorial. They were fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, friends, coworkers, firefighters, police officers, and ordinary Americans living ordinary lives.

For Kim, her father's legacy continues through the family he left behind—including children who followed the family's tradition of public service. And at the 9/11 Museum, another piece of Kenneth Phelan's story lives on through a special Mets jacket honoring the diehard New York sports fan.

Never forget.

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On September 11, 2001, Linda Martin went to work at the World Trade Center expecting an ordinary day. Instead, she found herself trapped high inside the North Tower after American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building.

In this powerful firsthand account, Linda takes Ryan through the morning of 9/11—from feeling the building shift beneath her and seeing smoke fill her floor to learning that the stairwells appeared blocked. Port Authority employees Frank De Martini and Pablo Ortiz eventually helped clear an escape route, allowing Linda and her coworkers to begin the long journey down the tower. Linda says she would not be alive without them.

After making it out of the World Trade Center complex, Linda recalls seeing police officers and firefighters running, turning around and seeing the enormous cloud from the collapsing South Tower, and realizing she couldn't outrun it. She grabbed onto a fire truck and thought she was going to die.

Linda also describes the mysterious NYPD officer who found her in the darkness and debris, the emotional phone call that finally let her family know she was alive, and the trauma and survivor's guilt that followed in the months and years after September 11.

Twenty-five years later, Linda shares her story so a new generation can understand not only the horror of September 11, but also the courage, sacrifice, and humanity of the people who helped one another that day.

Never forget.

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On this episode of It’s a Numbers Game, Ryan Girdusky is joined by VoteHub Head of Data Science Zachary Donnini to break down the polling misses shaking up the 2026 election cycle.

Why did progressive and DSA-aligned candidates dramatically underperform expectations in Wisconsin and Michigan? Ryan and Zach examine the surge in primary turnout, the growing divide between highly educated urban progressives and white working-class voters, and whether pollsters are once again struggling to accurately measure the electorate.

They also dig into Black voter turnout, why Democrats are increasingly focused on electability, the limitations facing far-left candidates outside major cities, and what the latest numbers could mean for Republicans trying to hold the House and Senate in November.

Could a small polling error in states like Texas, Ohio, Iowa or Maine determine control of Congress? And are the warning signs from the Rust Belt pointing toward a much different 2026 midterm election than the national polls suggest?

Ryan and Zach break down the numbers—and what both parties should be watching as November approaches.

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Ryan Girdusky has fresh political intel — and the 2028 Republican presidential race may already be heating up.

On this episode of It’s a Numbers Game, Ryan breaks down signs that Sen. Ted Cruz is positioning himself for another run for president, including repeated trips to Iowa, outreach surrounding a potential 2028 campaign, and Cruz’s increasingly public criticism of Vice President JD Vance. Ryan examines Cruz’s potential strategy, his effort to position himself as an alternative to Vance, and why he’s skeptical that Cruz has learned the right lessons from his 2016 presidential campaign.

But first, Ryan shares some fascinating inside information from a private dinner with Democratic political consultants. They discuss internal polling ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a massive 2024 Democratic ad campaign against Donald Trump that may have actually helped Trump, the changing Jewish vote, and why some Democrats are already preparing for the possibility of Marco Rubio running for president.

Ryan also weighs in on New York City’s move to restrict AI in classrooms, the city’s plans to bring eighth graders to the 9/11 Memorial, new immigration numbers under President Trump, and the latest polling from Iowa and New York. He also looks ahead to Kamala Harris and the 2028 Democratic primary and explains why organized labor could become increasingly important as artificial intelligence transforms the American workforce.

Plus, in Ask Me Anything, Ryan shares deeply personal memories of New York City in the days after September 11, 2001, including his mother’s experience at the World Trade Center and what he remembers about the missing-person posters, uncertainty, fear, and grief that followed the attacks.

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Jasmine Crockett isn't falling in line behind James Talarico — and Ryan Girdusky explains why that could matter in an increasingly competitive Texas Senate race.

On this episode of It’s a Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky, Ryan breaks down the growing tensions inside both parties in Texas. Crockett is refusing to campaign for Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico after their bitter primary battle, while Republican Sen. John Cornyn isn't rushing to help Ken Paxton either.

Ryan examines the voters both former candidates could influence, the controversial past comments now being used against Talarico, and why a relatively small group of Trump voters could ultimately determine whether Paxton wins the Senate seat.

Plus, Ryan turns to Michigan, where Abdul El-Sayed faces new scrutiny as his race against Republican Mike Rogers remains highly competitive. Ryan analyzes the importance of black and Jewish voters, Democratic defections and Van Jones' criticism of El-Sayed.

RIP Wendell Berry

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House Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Andy Harris joins Ryan Girdusky for a wide-ranging conversation about America’s $40 trillion national debt, the future of Social Security and Medicare, the rise of Democratic Socialists, the 2026 midterm elections, and what comes next for the Republican Party after President Trump.

Harris explains why the Freedom Caucus continues to push Republicans to rein in federal spending, discusses the pressure lawmakers face from party leadership and the White House, and warns that interest on the national debt is becoming an increasingly serious threat to America’s fiscal future.

The conversation also turns to Social Security reform, including whether Republicans and Democrats could reach a bipartisan agreement involving changes to the retirement age and payroll taxes.

Plus, Harris weighs in on the growing influence of DSA-aligned Democrats, AOC’s national political prospects, voter ID, the future of the House Freedom Caucus, health care costs, and how conservatives can shape the Republican Party heading toward 2028.

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Meta has agreed to a massive $17.1 billion settlement over allegations involving child privacy, consumer protection, social media addiction, and the impact of its platforms on young users. Could the agreement fundamentally change Facebook, Instagram—and eventually the entire social media industry?

Ryan Girdusky is joined by John Ehrett, counsel at Lex Politica, to break down the landmark Meta settlement and what it could mean for Big Tech.

They examine new restrictions aimed at protecting users under 18, including limits on daily platform use, changes to algorithmic feeds, restrictions on beauty filters, limits on notifications during school hours, and overnight safeguards.

But Meta may only be the beginning.

Ryan and John discuss why TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat could face similar pressure, the growing legal challenges against social media companies, and why states are increasingly taking the lead in regulating Big Tech.

They also dive into Section 230—the powerful legal protection that has helped shield internet platforms from liability for user-generated content—and whether Meta's decision to settle could reduce momentum in Congress for sweeping Section 230 reform.

Plus: Why did Mark Zuckerberg's Meta agree to such a massive settlement? Could continuing lawsuits threaten Big Tech's enormous investments in artificial intelligence? And are AI companies headed toward the same regulatory backlash that Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms are facing today?

Ryan Girdusky and John Ehrett break down what could become a turning point in the battle over Big Tech, social media, child safety and online privacy.

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A new Pennsylvania poll is flashing warning signs for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections — and some of the most surprising numbers involve Donald Trump, Josh Shapiro and Sen. John Fetterman.

On this episode of It’s a Numbers Game, Ryan Girdusky breaks down the latest Pennsylvania polling and what it could tell us about the political environment heading into November. Democratic voters currently show a significant enthusiasm advantage, Josh Shapiro holds a commanding lead in the governor’s race, and Trump’s approval numbers reveal potential weakness with some of his own 2024 voters.

Then there’s John Fetterman. Ryan examines the Pennsylvania senator’s extraordinary political coalition as Fetterman struggles with voters in his own party while receiving surprisingly strong favorable ratings from Republicans and independents. Could Fetterman eventually be forced to run as an independent — or even switch parties?

Ryan also digs into voter attitudes toward the economy, inflation, immigration, health care and AI data centers, including overwhelming opposition to new data center construction among young Pennsylvania voters.

Plus, Ryan examines the Supreme Court’s preliminary decision involving the Trump administration’s mail-in ballot initiative and what it could mean as voting gets underway.

Later, Republican congressional candidate Mike Lipetri joins the show to discuss one of the GOP’s biggest pickup opportunities of 2026: New York’s 3rd Congressional District. The Long Island and Queens district backed Donald Trump in 2024 but is currently represented by Democrat Tom Suozzi. Lipetri explains how Republicans plan to win crossover Democrats, appeal to diverse communities, address affordability and housing, and compete in one of the country’s most closely watched House races.

Ryan closes the show with Ask Me Anything, tackling Paula Jones and Monica Lewinsky, political polling scams, Medicare for All, America’s doctor shortage and the future of health care.

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Ryan Girdusky takes a hard look at America’s marijuana legalization experiment as new data raises questions about cannabis addiction, high-potency THC, and the long-term consequences of widespread recreational marijuana use.

With cannabis use rising among American adults, Ryan examines reported increases in cannabis use disorder and asks whether the country was too quick to embrace the idea that marijuana is harmless. Should HHS and RFK Jr. take a closer look at the potential health and psychological effects of increasingly potent THC products?

Then, Ryan breaks down major political developments heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

The Trump administration is overseeing a dramatic decline in immigrant naturalizations, potentially putting the United States on pace for its lowest naturalization levels in decades. Ryan explains why that shift could have major political consequences.

Plus, Sen. Ted Cruz is jumping into the Texas Senate battle to help Republican Ken Paxton as Democrat James Talarico builds a massive fundraising advantage. Ryan also explains why Libertarian candidates could become an overlooked factor in key Senate races — and how Democrats could potentially use a strategy reminiscent of the 2006 midterms to their advantage.

Finally, Ryan answers listener questions on breaking into political campaigns, why Democratic primary polling has struggled with some races, whether moderate Democrats will support socialist candidates, and what America’s changing immigration patterns could mean for the future.

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