The Moynihan Report is an in-depth 1-on-1 interview program broadcast live from 2WAY’s New York studio

The U.S. says it is not a war. Reality looks different. Ships are being sunk in international waters. Militias are firing rockets across the region. Drones are crisscrossing the skies. Assassinations have become an instrument of statecraft. And the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil flows, is more dangerous than ever.

This week we’re joined by Emmy-nominated journalist Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani, former correspondent for VICE News Tonight, to unpack the strange geopolitical standoff between Washington and Tehran and the narrative that seems to hover over it all: the idea that Iran is perpetually on the verge of building a nuclear bomb.

(00:00) Introduction & Upcoming "Automation Nation" Live Event 

(06:16) The Firing of Kristi Noem & DHS Spending Scandals 

(18:46) Anthropic AI vs. The Department of Defense 

(24:14) Middle East Conflict: Oil Prices & Iran's Expanded Retaliation 

(29:06) Interview with Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani Begins 

(31:02) The Mood in Iran: Internet Blackouts & Cautious Optimism 

(38:28) The Lack of a US "Grand Plan" for Post-Regime Iran 

(42:56) The Plight of Political Prisoners & Evin Prison Strikes 

(48:35) Civilian Casualties & Controlling the Information War 

(54:21) Caroline's Family History, US Moral Responsibility, & Book Recommendations

(1:03:23) Closing Remarks

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Attorney Arick Fudali, managing partner at The Bloom Firm and counsel for 11 survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, joins us to break down the latest controversy surrounding the DOJ’s release of millions of pages of Epstein documents. Fudali has said publicly that his clients were never contacted by the DOJ before the recent document dump, calling the rollout a “gross mishandling” that risks exposing survivors while withholding key information.

We discuss what the files reveal, what’s still missing, and why survivors’ advocates say the process falls short on transparency, accountability, and basic protections.

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Michael welcomes Jason Zengerle to discuss his new book, Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind. The book traces Carlson's ascendency, and explains how he became one of the most influential people on the far right.

Buy the book!

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Michael Moynihan is joined by Colby Hall, founding editor of Mediaite, for a wide-ranging discussion on the news of the day — including the release of the Melania Trump movie and what early projections suggest about turnout and ratings. Expect a sharp, candid exchange on media, politics, and what’s actually breaking through right now.

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What do we actually mean when we say “fascism,” and who gets to decide?

In this episode, Michael Moynihan is joined by Professor Roger Griffin of Oxford Brookes University, one of the world’s foremost scholars of fascism, for a careful and unsparing look at a claim now ricocheting through American media and politics: that Donald Trump represents a fascist turn in U.S. history.

The conversation engages directly with Jonathan Rauch’s recent Atlantic essay, “Yes, It’s Fascism,” and uses it as a jumping-off point to interrogate the term itself. What distinguishes fascism from authoritarianism, populism, or demagoguery? How do historians and political theorists define it? And when those definitions are applied rigorously, does Trump qualify?

This is not a debate by slogan or vibe. It is an attempt to slow the moment down, clarify the language, and examine the charge with scholarly precision rather than panic or partisanship.

Atlantic essay referenced:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/america-fascism-trump-maga-ice/685751/

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In this episode of The Moynihan Report, Moynihan tackles the latest New York Times/Siena poll regarding Donald Trump’s approval ratings and the American economy. Moynihan breaks down the disparity between Trump’s overall numbers and his low approval on specific issues like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Epstein files. The conversation then pivots to a critical look at the economic impact of tariffs, citing recent data from the Wall Street Journal on who actually foots the bill for trade wars.

Listeners join the show to discuss heavy-hitting historical and political topics. The discussion covers the definition of fascism versus authoritarianism (and whether modern labels fit Trump), the forgotten contributions of Danish soldiers in the War on Terror, and a deep dive into historical revisionism with Brendan Simms’ biography of Hitler. The episode concludes with a nostalgic look at intellectual combat, featuring William F. Buckley, Norman Mailer, and the classic documentary Town Bloody Hall.

Key Questions Answered in This Episode:

1. What does the latest NYT/Siena poll say about Trump’s approval?

2. Who really pays for tariffs: China or the American consumer?

3. Is buying gold and silver a solution to the U.S. National Debt?

4. What is the difference between Fascism and Authoritarianism?

5. What is Brendan Simms’ theory about Hitler’s motivation?

6. Did Denmark fight in the War on Terror?

7. Who won the debate between Norman Mailer and Feminists in Town Bloody Hall?

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This episode of The Moynihan Report features Swedish author Johan Norberg, who joins Moynihan to discuss the shifting global economic and political landscape in 2026. The conversation begins with a critical look at U.S. trade policy, where Norberg argues that recent tariffs act as a "stupid consumption tax" that harms American manufacturing by raising the cost of input materials. Contrary to the America First narrative, he contends that these costs are absorbed by consumers and businesses rather than foreign exporters, fueling inflation that remains higher in the U.S. than in Europe. While the world has avoided a 1930s-style trade collapse so far by not retaliating, Norberg warns that new threats of tariffs on European nations could trigger a more damaging trade war.

Transitioning to his home country, Norberg dispels the myth of Sweden as a socialist paradise, explaining that its wealth was actually built on a century of ruthless free market capitalism before the stagnation caused by 1970s socialist experiments. He notes that while Sweden is a large welfare state, its tax system is less progressive than America's, relying heavily on taxing the middle class and consumption rather than "soaking the rich." The discussion also touches on the geopolitical fallout of U.S. aggression toward Greenland, which Norberg suggests marks the end of the American world order. This instability is driving European nations to rearm and even consider nuclear deterrents, while global markets begin diversifying away from the U.S. dollar due to perceived political risk.

Finally, they address the paradox of capitalism's declining popularity among young people despite creating unprecedented abundance, which Norberg attributes to a deep-seated human bias toward viewing wealth as a zero-sum game.

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Tonight we examine the growing fallout from ICE raids and federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, and what it signals about the direction of the country. As unrest spreads, Donald Trump is now threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act, raising urgent questions about federal power, civil liberties, and the possible use of the military inside the United States. Joining us are immigration attorney David Leopold and former U.S. Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem to break down what is actually happening, whether enforcement has gone too far, what the law allows, and what Trump’s end game may be.

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Tonight, Michael starts solo with a look at U.S. interest in Greenland and what it means today. Mid-show, journalist and historian Eli Lake joins to dig into Iran, focusing on how the 1953 overthrow of Mohammad Mossadegh is often misunderstood and misused in current debates. Their discussion draws on Eli’s Free Press article, The Wrong Lessons from Iran’s Past

Read Eli’s piece here

Eli's Podcast "Breaking History"

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In this wide-ranging and candid interview on The Moynihan Report, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joins Michael Moynihan for a deep dive into the personal history that shaped his worldview, the complexities of American foreign policy, and the future of progressive politics in NYC.

The conversation begins with a moving reflection on de Blasio’s father, a World War II veteran who lost his leg at the Battle of Okinawa. De Blasio opens up about how his father’s subsequent struggle with PTSD and alcoholism deeply influenced his own understanding of war, mental health, and the importance of family.

The discussion then pivots to a heated but respectful debate on US imperialism and interventionism. Moynihan and de Blasio spar over historical US involvement in Latin America, specifically the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, whom De Blasio defended as seeking a third way between US capitalism and Soviet communism, and the morality of overthrowing sovereign leaders. They also tackle the episode's "ripped from the headlines" topic: the recent US extraction of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela. De Blasio argues that even surgical removals of foreign leaders set a dangerous precedent that could embolden rivals like China and Russia.

Finally, de Blasio reflects on his two terms as Mayor, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the emotional toll of the job, which he managed with a philosophy he calls "don't look down." He offers a ringing endorsement of rising progressive star Zohran Mamdani, debating Moynihan on the feasibility of Mamdani's boldest proposals, including free buses, rent freezes, and public grocery stores.

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