This week, editors Peter Suderman,  Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss America's declining sense of patriotism and whether it's possible to distrust the government while still loving the country. The panel examines why fewer Americans say they are proud to be American, the growing skepticism toward capitalism, and whether there are still reasons for optimism about America's future.

Next, the editors discuss why World Cup tourists are embracing the United States, from air conditioning to everyday convenience, and what the tournament says about America's global image. They then examine the Supreme Court's latest gun rights rulings and what they mean for the future of the Second Amendment. The panel also compares America's response to extreme summer heat with Europe's resistance to air conditioning. Finally, a listener asks about "stolen land," private property, and the libertarian perspective on historical injustice.

0:00—Patriotism is on the decline

11:31—World Cup visitors embrace America

28:17—SCOTUS ruling on gun rights

34:46—Listener question on "stolen land"

47:07—Europe's resistance to air conditioning

1:00:11—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Why Are Americans Less Patriotic Than Ever?" by Nick Gillespie

"After 250 Years, Are America's Best Days Still Ahead?" by Steven Greenhut

"On America's 250th Birthday, Celebrate Liberty," by J.D. Tuccille

"Americans Will Never Shut Up or Do As We're Told," by Matt Welch

"The World Cup Experience Lives Up to the Hype," by Jason Russell

"How the US Has—Mostly—Avoided the Dark Side of the World Cup," by Ilya Somin

"Balogun's World Cup Red Card Is Suspended—Justly," by Paul Cassell

"Second Amendment Roundup: Cert Granted on Semiautomatic Rifle Bans," by Stephen Halbrook

"Europe May Never Be Cool, but It Can Be Air Conditioned," by J.D. Tuccille

"Zohran Mamdani Goes Full Commie on Air Conditioning," by Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi

The post Can You Hate the Government and Still Love America? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and whether socialism is becoming a mainstream force within the Democratic Party. The panel examines what's driving the DSA's recent gains, whether President Donald Trump has accelerated the movement's rise, and what a more openly socialist Democratic Party could mean for American politics.

Next, the editors discuss the DSA's policy agenda, including proposals on housing, labor, and public spending. They then examine Trump's strategy toward Iran and debate whether the latest round of military escalation has become a recurring cycle of weekend conflicts followed by uneasy ceasefires. The panel also reflects on America's 250th birthday and what the country's founding ideals still mean in an era of political polarization. Finally, a listener asks how low-budget filmmakers should balance fair pay for crew members with the financial realities of independent production.

0:00—Is this the socialist moment?

15:45—DSA policy analysis

28:55—Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz

31:30—Listener question on films and unions

44:00—America's 250th birthday

50:05—Weekly cultural recommendation

"Are Socialists More Like Libertarians Than We'd Prefer To Admit?" by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"The DSA and the Democrats' Retreat Into Economic Fantasyland," by Peter Suderman

"Mamdani Got His Rent Freeze Wish. Don't Expect New York City Housing To Become More Affordable," by Meagan O'Rourke

"Democratic Socialism Remains an Elite Phenomenon," by Robby Soave

"Darializa Avila Chevalier Will Be This Congress' First Campus Radical," by Robby Soave

"Socialists Hijacked My City," by Liz Wolfe

"Dire Strait," by Eric Bohem

"Adam Schiff Wants Federal Tax Credits for Movie and TV Production," by Joe Lancaster

"Film Subsidies Weren't Enough To Keep Marvel in Georgia," by Joe Lancaster

"The Former Drug Dealer Whose Shows Make Millions Without Hollywood," by Ben Fritz

"Don't Let the Country's Wet Blankets Ruin Independence Day," by J.D. Tuccille

"The Gun That Won the Revolution," by David Kopel

"Native Americans Taught Colonists How To Fight—and To Live Without Kings," by Charles C. Mann

"Disillusioned Revolutionaries: Many Founders Died in Despair About the American Experiment," by Matt Welch

"My Very Long Ride on the MAGA Ferris Wheel," by Billy Binion

The post Is Socialism Going Mainstream? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and what it reveals about the United Kingdom's economic stagnation. The panel examines the legacy of Brexit, the rise of the self-described "business-friendly socialist" Andy Burnham, and whether the U.K.'s growing embrace of big government policies offers a warning for the United States.

Next, the editors discuss the growing influence of Democratic Socialists in major American cities, including New York, Washington, and Los Angeles. They then examine Trump's negotiations with Iran and debate whether the administration's deal represents a diplomatic success or a strategic retreat. The panel also discusses Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) decision to abandon plans for new migrant detention centers and what it reveals about the future of immigration enforcement. Finally, a listener asks whether Cuba's latest market reforms signal a genuine shift away from socialism or just another false start.

0:00—Starmer resigns

14:05—Democratic Socialists of America ascendant in blue cities

31:29—Iran negotiations and the Strait of Hormuz

39:12—Listener question on Cuba

45:09—ICE to sell off warehouses

55:03—Weekly cultural recommendations

"British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Has Resigned. His Replacement Will Likely Be More of the Same," by Reem Ibrahim

"England Fans Warned Not To Chant 'Keir Starmer's a Wanker' at World Cup," by Reem Ibrahim

"How Worried Should We Be About a Socialist Mayor in D.C.?" by Christian Britschgi

"Graham Platner Signals a Problem for Democrats, and the Rest of Us," by J.D. Tuccille

"Compromise With Iran Isn't 'Surrender,'" by Matthew Petti

"Bibi Tearing Up the Deal," by Liz Wolfe

"ICE Largely Abandons Plan To Turn Warehouses Into Migrant Detention Facilities," by Joe Lancaster

"ICE Says It's Moved Detainees Out of 'Alligator Alcatraz' For Hurricane Season," by C.J. Ciaramella

The post Why U.K. Socialism Could Soon Be America's Problem appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch, to discuss Elon Musk becoming the world's first trillionaire and whether that milestone represents a triumph of capitalism or a warning sign about inequality. The panel examines the political backlash to extreme wealth, the role government subsidies played in Musk's rise, and whether Americans should be more concerned about how fortunes are made than how large they become.

Next, the editors discuss the Supreme Court's biggest pending decisions, including cases involving birthright citizenship and the Federal Reserve. They also debate Democratic proposals to expand the Supreme Court and what those efforts could mean for the judiciary's future. The panel then examines the economic fallout from the Iran war, including rising inflation and energy prices. Finally, a listener asks whether the free market is responsible for the growing "enshittification" of everyday life, from movie theaters to fast-food restaurants.

0:00—Elon Musk becomes a trillionaire

17:50—The Supreme Court's pending decisions

31:33—Will Democrats pack the Supreme Court?

38:41—Listener question on free market and quality decline

48:57—Iran ceasefire agreement and economic impact

53:37—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Elon Musk Becomes the World's First Trillionaire. Is That Such a Bad Thing?" by Joe Lancaster

"The Iran War Is Over, For Now," by Matthew Petti

"The White House UFC Fight Is the Perfect Event for the Present, Not the Past," by Billy Binion

"Counting Down the Supreme Court Term," by Sarah Isgur and David French

"UFC Stages Successful White House Fight Night—if Not for Obama Insult," by Sean Gregory

"Soccer Participation in the U.S. Is Surging Before the 2026 World Cup," by Sports and Fitness Industry Association

"Soccer Passes Baseball in Race to Be America's Favorite Sport," by Ben Steiner

The post Bernie Sanders Is Wrong About Trillionaires appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Associate Editor Liz Wolfe to discuss New York City's falling crime rates and whether Democrats have really solved their big-city crime problem. The panel looks at the recent Penn Station stabbings, subway disorder, fare evasion, and why many New Yorkers still feel uneasy even as murders and shootings decline.

Next, the editors discuss California's recent elections, including Spencer Pratt's bid for Los Angeles mayor, and what these results reveal about voter attitudes toward political leadership and governance. They then examine the political and economic fallout from President Donald Trump's war with Iran. The panel also discusses proposals from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I–Vt.) and Trump to give the federal government a stake in artificial intelligence companies. Finally, a listener asks whether AI-powered surveillance threatens individual liberty.

0:00—New York City's declining murder rate

18:16—California election results

28:22—The economic fallout of the Iran war

38:33—Listener question on AI threats to liberty

49:47—The push to nationalize artificial intelligence

55:45—Weekly cultural recommendations

"D.C.'s Crime Drop Didn't Require a Military Deployment," by Tosin Akintola

"Trump's Middle Eastern Ceasefire: Fiery But Mostly Peaceful," by Matthew Petti

"Trump and Bibi Are Fighting," by Liz Wolfe

"Bernie Sanders' AI Wealth Fund Bill Shows That He Doesn't Understand AI or Wealth," by Tosin Akintola

"Native Americans Taught Colonists How To Fight—and To Live Without Kings," by Charles C. Mann

"Neil Gorsuch on the Declaration of Independence, Originalism, and Separation of Powers," by Nick Gillespie

The post Do Democrats Still Have a Big-City Crime Problem? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's new Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE). The panel examines Mamdani's claim that bureaucracy is preventing New York from delivering housing, transit, and other services, while questioning whether the commission represents a serious effort at reform or simply a rebranding of the city's existing political priorities. They also consider what Mamdani's embrace of efficiency rhetoric says about the state of the Democratic Party and the growing recognition that government often struggles to deliver on its promises.

Next, the editors discuss former Vice President Mike Pence's claim that "Democrats have lost their mind" and examine the Democratic Party's continuing attraction to polarizing candidates, from Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to California's unsettled gubernatorial race. The panel then checks in on the endlessly unresolved Iran conflict, before debating a proposal to eliminate property taxes for senior citizens and what it reveals about the growing trend toward narrowly targeted tax breaks. Finally, the editors answer a listener's question about whether late Sen. John McCain's (R–Ariz.) opposition to mixed martial arts helped shape the cultural forces that eventually brought the UFC to the White House lawn.

0:00—The Commission on Government Efficiency

14:04—Mike Pence's comments on Democratic Party

22:21—Graham Platner and Democratic candidate quality

30:19—Iran war update

33:01—Listener question on the White House UFC event

42:30—Should seniors pay property tax?

50:05—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Elon Did DOGE. Now Mamdani Is Trying COGE," by Megan O'Rourke

"Mamdani 'Balanced' New York City's Budget—With a Bailout From Albany," by Joe Lancaster

"Confidence in Market Principles," by Mike Pence

"Mike Pence's Sensible (and Probably Doomed) Plan To Fix the National Debt," by Eric Boehm

"Today Mike Pence May Find That All His Temporizing and Obfuscation About the Election Sacrificed His Integrity for Nothing," by Jacob Sullum

"Ken Paxton's Primary Victory Shows How Trump's Grudges Undermine His Party's Interests," by Jacob Sullum

"Don't Get a Nazi Tattoo or Praise Hitler: Advice for New Politicians," by Robby Soave

"Bleeding into the Mainstream," by Greg Beato

"Government's Ongoing Effort to Shutter Mixed Martial Arts," by Kerry Howley

"UFC: One Man's Brutal Spectacle Is Another's Eden," by A. Barton Hinkle

"Stop Giving Property Tax Breaks to Senior Citizens," by Eric Boehm

"Baby Boomers Are the Richest Generation in History. Why Do Politicians Keep Spending More on Them?" by Eric Boehm

"Abolish Property Taxes?" by Christian Britschgi

"Helen Lewis: The Dark Side of Genius," by Nick Gillespie

The post Why Socialism Won't Deliver Government Efficiency appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by The Gist's Mike Pesca to discuss the ongoing Iran conflict, the unstable ceasefire negotiations, and whether anyone in Washington has a coherent explanation for what the United States is trying to accomplish. The panel examines President Donald Trump's shifting rationale for the war, the growing pressure for regime change, and why so many of the same foreign policy debates from the Iraq era seem to be repeating themselves in real time. They also consider whether America's political class has learned anything from the past two decades of interventionism.

Next, the panel turns to Spencer Pratt's surprisingly competitive Los Angeles mayoral campaign and what his rise says about frustration with the city's political establishment. They discuss why media coverage of Pratt increasingly resembles the early anti-Trump backlash, whether one-party political cultures are capable of meaningful reform, and why even critics of Pratt's candidacy acknowledge that Los Angeles governance appears badly broken. The editors then revisit the panic surrounding Project 2025 and ask how much of the agenda actually materialized during Trump's second term. Finally, the panel examines Trump's controversial $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and why even some Republicans see it as an unprecedented abuse of executive power.

0:00—What have we learned from this war with Iran?

9:38—Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo clashes with the Trump administration

14:19—Spencer Pratt and the Los Angeles mayoral race

27:11—Listener question on Project 2025

37:28—The Anti-Weaponization Fund

47:29—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Yes, the Iran War Is a 'War of Choice,' and a Bad One," by Nick Gillespie

"Why Does Trump Keep Bringing Up Decades-Old Foreign Grievances?" by Matthew Petti

"Drew Carey Goes on Foul-mouthed Rant About Spencer Pratt's LA Mayoral Run: 'F–k This Guy,'" by Antoinette Bueno

"The $1.776 Billion in Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' Fits a Pattern of Fanciful Figures," by Jacob Sullum

"Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' Is Built on a Contradiction," by Billy Binion

"The DOJ's Flimsy Legal Theories To Support Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund,'" by Joe Lancaster

The post Does Anyone Know What's Happening in Iran? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason Senior Editor Robby Soave to discuss Rep. Thomas Massie's (R–Ky.) competitive Republican primary challenge and why President Donald Trump has made him one of his top political targets. The panel examines Massie's opposition to the Iran war, his push to release the Epstein files, his longstanding focus on spending, and why his brand of libertarian-style politics has become increasingly rare inside today's Republican Party.

Next, the panel turns to the economy, where inflation continues to rise, the U.S. debt has surpassed gross domestic product (GDP), and working-class voters appear increasingly frustrated with Trump's economic agenda. The editors then examine New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's claim that he closed the city's massive budget gap without cutting services and whether the plan relies more on gimmicks than serious fiscal reform. Finally, a listener asks how to develop political confidence without losing intellectual humility.

0:00—Massie's primary challenge

20:57—Inflation and the national debt

40:31—Listener question on intellectual humility

51:15—Mamdani's $12 billion budget gap

57:41—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Thomas Massie's Moment Has Come," by Robby Soave

"Thomas Massie's Enemies Are Attacking Him With an Unfair Accusation," by Robby Soave

"The War Comes for Your Wallet: Inflation Hits 3.8%, Highest Level in 3 Years," by Eric Boehm

"When Businesspeople Run Government, the Government Doesn't Become a Business," by Veronique De Rugy

"Pete Hegseth Can't Explain Why America Needs a $1.5 Trillion Military Budget," by Eric Boehm

"Trump's 'Golden Dome' Estimated To Cost $1.2 Trillion, New Report Reveals," by Meagan O'Rourke

"Mamdani 'Balanced' New York City's Budget—With a Bailout From Albany," by Joe Lancaster

The post Why Is Trump Trying To Purge Thomas Massie? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman and Katherine Mangu-Ward are joined by Senior Editor Robby Soave and reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss California Gov. Gavin Newsom's "free diapers" initiative and the political controversy surrounding its nonprofit structure. The panel examines whether the program is a useful benefit for new mothers or another example of government turning a simple problem into an expensive, politically connected spending project. They also consider what the backlash reveals about California governance more broadly, from high-speed rail to homelessness spending to a troubled 911 program, and whether frustration with the state's Democratic establishment is creating an opening for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt.

Next, the panel turns to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D–N.Y.) claim that billionaires cannot ethically earn their wealth and her argument that the American Revolution was a revolt against the billionaire class. They also discuss President Donald Trump's ongoing conflict with Iran, whether the war has weakened his negotiating power ahead of a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and what the fallout could mean for U.S. credibility abroad. The editors then examine escalating fights over redistricting in Virginia and Florida. Finally, a listener asks whether rising ticket prices and corporate consolidation are evidence that government should play a larger role in regulating mergers and competition.

0:00—Newsom's "free diaper" program

13:04—Pratt's mayoral campaign

17:30—AOC attacks billionaires

28:40—Has America lost in Iran?

38:51—Listener question on ticket prices

46:00—Redistricting battles escalate nationwide

53:23—Weekly cultural recommendations

"California Spent $450 Million on a Failed 911 System. Now, the State Is Restarting the Project," by Meagan O'Rourke

"Contra AOC, You Don't Have To Be a Billionaire To Be a Leech," by Christian Britschgi

"A Pointless War: How Iran Hawks Finally Got Their Way," by Matthew Petti

"How Much Has the Iran War Actually Cost? A Lot More Than $25 Billion," by Eric Boehm

"How Mortal Kombat Went From National Panic to Nostalgic Camp," by Peter Suderman

The post Gavin Newsom's Free Diaper Disaster appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by special guest Kate Andrews, opinion journalist for The Washington Post, to discuss how big city governance is playing out in Democratic cities. They examine why candidates with strong ties to organized labor and socialist policy agendas, such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, keep winning in major cities, even as affordability worsens and residents leave. The panel also considers whether these outcomes reflect voter preferences, weak alternatives, or a broader failure of reform-oriented factions on the left.

Next, the panel turns to Iran, where President Donald Trump has announced "Project Freedom," a plan for the U.S. Navy to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions and uncertainty over the conflict's trajectory. They discuss the economic stakes, the political fallout, and what the lack of a clear resolution suggests about the long-term direction of U.S. foreign policy. The conversation then shifts to King Charles' visit to the United States and what it reveals about political culture, symbolism, and leadership on both sides of the Atlantic. Finally, a listener asks why voters continue to reward pandering politicians and whether meaningful change is possible within the current electoral system.

0:00—Why big city Democrats keep electing socialists

"Seattle's Socialist Mayor Laughs at Wealthy Residents Leaving To Escape High Taxes," by J.D. Tuccille

The post Why Do Big City Democrats Keep Electing Socialists? appeared first on Reason.com.