Matter of Opinion

Could Donald Trump’s promise to be a dictator on day one come true?

On this episode of “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts debate which policies could be most consequential in a potential second Trump term and whether a proposal set out by conservative allies could provide the tools to execute his vision.

And Michelle Cottle shares her passion for a trend that can only be achieved with lots of volume.

(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)

Mentioned in this episode:

• February 2024 Times/Siena Poll of Registered Voters Nationwide
• “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise,” edited by Paul Dans and Steven Groves
• “What I Learned When I Read 887 Pages of Plans for Trump’s Second Term,” by Carlos Lozada in The Times
• “Border Wars: Inside Trump’s Assault on Immigration,” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Michael D. Shear
• “The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021,” by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser
• “Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America,” by Maggie Haberman
• “Trump Can’t Be Dictator on ‘Day One’ — Or in a Second Term. Here’s Why,” by Asli Aydintasbas in Politico

Thoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440.

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When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the Republican Party declared victory.

But the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision last month that frozen embryos are considered “extrauterine children,” which prompted hospitals to suspend I.V.F. procedures, has complicated that victory. Given Americans’ overwhelming support for in vitro fertilization, conservative politicians have tried to distance themselves from the ruling.

The hosts discuss that political scramble and ask whether the Republicans have made up their minds over what it means to be “pro-life.” The hosts also consider how much public opinion should influence the decisions of lawmakers and judges, and where the debate over reproductive rights is headed.

Plus, listeners weigh in on how much the economy is going to affect their vote.

(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that frozen embryos should be considered children

Thoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected]. And tell us your thoughts on where you think the abortion debate is headed by leaving a voicemail at (212) 556-7440.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Why does the economy look so good to economists but feel so bad to voters? The Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman joins the hosts to discuss why inflation, interest rates and wages aren’t in line with voters’ perception of the economy. Then, they debate with Paul how big of an influence the economy will be on the 2024 presidential election, and which of the two presumed candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, it could benefit. Plus, Ross's lessons on aging, through Michael Caine impressions.

Mentioned in this episode:

• “Believing Is Seeing,” from Paul Krugman’s newsletter
• “The Age of Diminished Expectations,” by Paul Krugman
• “The Trip” scene: “This Is How Michael Caine Speaks”

(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)

Thoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected]. And tell us how the state of the economy will – or won’t – affect your 2024 vote and why in a voice mail message by calling (212) 556-7440.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Who’s your ideal American president? A strategic thinker who is calm in a crisis? A charmer with boundless aplomb? Perhaps a principled leader with an unwavering moral compass?

This week, the hosts discuss what voters expect from “America’s daddy” and whether concerns about President Biden’s and Donald Trump’s fitness are overblown, given the history of the office they each hope to keep or retake.

(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)

Mentioned in this episode:

• “Unmaking the Presidency: Donald Trump’s War on the World’s Most Powerful Office,” by Susan Hennessey and Benjamin Wittes
• “Joe Biden: The Life, the Run, and What Matters Now,” by Evan Osnos

Thoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected].

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What do Princess Diana’s wedding, the “Survivor” first season finale and Prince’s 2007 Super Bowl halftime show all have in common? They were huge cultural moments that brought millions of Americans together. In an era of streaming, social media bubbles and sharp political divides, are unifying events like these becoming relics of the past?

On today’s episode, the hosts make a case for the secular ritual of the Super Bowl and ask whether we need more mass cultural events to bring Americans together.

(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)

Mentioned in this episode:

• “Bowling Alone,” the 1995 essay in the Journal of Democracy and 2000 book by Robert D. Putnam
• “The Wiz,” the 1978 American musical featuring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson
• Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs perform “Fast Car” at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards

Thoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected].

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Around the world, the youngest cohort of voters are dividing themselves politically along gendered lines. What’s behind this “great gender divergence”?

This week, the hosts debate the causes and consequences of a gender-divided world. Plus, Ross has some timing advice should you choose to improve the national birthrate.

(A full transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.)

Mentioned in this episode:

• “A New Global Gender Divide Is Emerging,” by John Burn-Murdoch in The Financial Times
• “Taylor Swift, Donald Trump and the Right’s Abnormality Problem,” by Ross Douthat in The Times

If you're a Gen Z listener, let us know your thoughts about the episode by leaving us a voicemail at 212-556-7440 or email us at [email protected]. We welcome messages from other generations, too!

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

It’s an old truism that Americans don’t care about foreign policy when it’s time to cast their ballots. But with the crisis in Gaza, a prolonged conflict in Ukraine and a trade war brewing with China, could 2024 be the year that American voters finally care about what’s going on beyond the water’s edge?

The hosts take a look at the importance (or lack thereof) of foreign affairs in American elections. Plus, Lydia  recommends a film Oscar nominations were wrong to skip.

(A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.)

Mentioned in this episode:

• “A Titanic Geopolitical Struggle Is Underway” by Thomas L. Friedman
• “We Aren’t Just Watching the Decline of the Oscars. We’re Watching the End of the Movies.” by Ross Douthat

Thoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected].

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The hosts take apart why Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis can’t seem to form competitive coalitions against Donald Trump, and whether Haley, DeSantis, the Supreme Court “or God himself” can keep the former president from becoming the Republican nominee.

Plus, Michelle Cottle reveals her Plan B if her political reporting career doesn’t work out.

(A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.)

Mentioned in this episode:

• Suffolk University-Boston Globe poll of likely New Hampshire Republican primary voters
• Hot dog car sketch on “I Think You Should Leave”

Thoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected].

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This week, the hosts do the dirty work of strategizing the best vice-presidential candidate for Donald Trump to campaign with, and break down what goes into consequential (and not so consequential) V.P. picks.

Plus, Carlos’s team has a Fightin’ chance next year.

(A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.)

Mentioned in this episode:

• “Picking the Vice President,” by Elaine Kamarck
• “Which Trump Toady Would the MAGA King Pick as His No. 2?” by Michelle Cottle in The Times
• “The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021,” by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser
• “Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President,” by Jimmy Carter

Thoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected].

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Is Donald Trump an insurrectionist who should be barred from the ballot? On this episode of “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts discuss who should get to decide if the former president can try to return to the White House. Plus, the hosts lay out what other stories are on their 2024 political bingo cards.

(A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times website.)

Mentioned in this episode:

• “The Antidemocratic Quest to Save Democracy From Trump,” by Ross Douthat in The New York Times
• December 2023 Times/Siena poll
• “The 2023 High School Yearbook of American Politics,” by Michelle Cottle in The Times
• “Trump’s 2024 Playbook,” episode of “The Daily” from The Times
• “The World Should Fear 2024,” by Aris Roussinos in UnHerd

Thoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected].

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.