This week, Reason editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to analyze Zohran Mamdani's primary win over Andrew Cuomo in New York City's mayoral race and what it signals about the future of Democratic politics. They also discuss the Senate GOP's version of President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" and how Republican views on gay marriage have shifted since the Obergefell decision in 2015. Finally, a listener question prompts a discussion on Modern Monetary Theory and the risks it poses from a libertarian perspective.

0:00—What does it mean to be a party pollster?

2:53—Socialist Mamdani wins NYC Democratic primary

11:59—The politics of the housing crisis

15:18—The abundance agenda and Mamdani

21:15—Mamdani as the Trump of the left

27:07—Listener question on Modern Monetary Theory

37:15—Senate GOP version of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill"

42:45—Republican voters shift on gay marriage

48:28—Is the GOP more libertarian under Trump?

50:28—Chances Trump might prove us wrong on Iran strategy

54:22—Weekly cultural recommendations

"On Housing, All New York Politicians Are Socialists," by Christian Britschgi

The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC!, July 15

The Soho Forum Debate: Jacob Hacker vs. David Goldhill, July 16

Today's Sponsors:

Future of Freedom: If you're tired of cable news debates and Twitter shouting matches, and you're looking for serious, good-faith conversations between people who actually care about liberty, then it's time to check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Each episode dives deep into a single topic—tariffs, campus speech, the Department of Government Efficiency—and brings together two guests who disagree on the best path forward. But here's the twist: This isn't a debate show. No interrupting. No dunking. If you believe the future of freedom depends on more than just winning arguments and you're ready for something deeper than the usual echo chambers, check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Real disagreement. Real ideas. Real conversations. Subscribe to Future of Freedom wherever you get your podcasts.

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Did NYC Vote for Socialism or Against the Establishment? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch examine the latest U.S. military strike on Iran, unpacking the bipartisan pattern of anti-war campaign rhetoric followed by hawkish foreign policy once in office. They debate whether intervention is ever justified, what escalation might look like, and why Congress keeps abdicating its war powers. The hosts also tackle a listener question about public land sales and libertarian principles. Finally, they survey the baffling state of big city governance and the New York City mayoral primary battle between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.

00:22—President Donald Trump abandons "no new wars" promise

9:11—Vice President J.D. Vance kisses the ring

13:28—Are there any good arguments for war with Iran?

19:57—Israel set off a ticking clock

23:22—Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard contradicts Trump's narrative

26:27—What Congress should do now

36:24—Listener questions: public lands selloff

43:41—Big city governance and the NYC mayoral primary

55:32—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Just Don't Call It a War," by Christian Britschgi

"The Attack on Iran Is Unlawful," by Eric Boehm

"Trump Shreds the Constitution By Bombing Iran," by Matthew Petti

"Now Let Us Give Thanks for War," by Nick Gillespie

"Is Trump's America a Reliable Ally?" by Open To Debate

"The Federal Government Owns Too Much Land. Selling It Helps Rural Communities," by Jack Nicastro

"Utah Tells the Feds To Pound Sand," by J.D. Tuccille

"28 Years Later Is Terrifying and Life-Affirming," by Peter Suderman

Today's Sponsors:

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Anti-War President Starts New War. Again. appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Matthew Petti to break down the fallout from Israel's strike on Iran, the likelihood of escalation, and what role the U.S. is already playing in the conflict.

They also cover the Minnesota assassinations and the growing fears of political violence, and offer a firsthand account from one of the nationwide No Kings protests. Finally, they answer a listener's question about libertarian reactions to anti-ICE demonstrations and examine the broader implications of President Donald Trump's shifting immigration enforcement policies.

0:00 - Political violence in America

8:17 - What role does America play in the Israel and Iran conflict?

17:56 - The risk of escalation and expansion in the Middle East

25:26 - How Trump differs from Bush on foreign policy

28:41 - What have we learned from this Middle East conflict?

33:09 - Listener question: Why are libertarians critical of the anti-ICE protests?

38:59 - Observations on the No Kings protests

46:29 - Trump's shifting stance on the ICE raids

51:27 - Is Trump policy driven by personal enrichment?

54:31 - Weekly cultural recommendations

"Israel Attacks Iran—and Burns Down the Off-Ramp With America," by Matthew Petti

"Are We Going to War With Iran or Not?" by Matthew Petti

"Cutting Off Israel," by Matt Welch

"Prediction: 2024 Will See Deadly Political Violence in the Streets," by Matt Welch

"The Tom Cotton Do-Over," by Matt Welch

"More Than 1,800 'No Kings' Protests Aim for Nonviolent Pushback Against Trump Policies," by Nancy Rommelmann

"ICE on Ice," by Eric Boehm

"California Immigration Raids Are Hurting American Citizens Too," by Autumn Billings

"Los Angeles Is Not Burning," by Nancy Rommelmann

"Brian Wilson Was an Exemplary American," by Brian Doherty

Today's sponsors:

• Video Editor: Ian Keyser
• Producer: Paul Alexander

The post Israel Strikes Iran. Is Escalation Inevitable? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm to discuss the political fallout from President Donald Trump's immigration raids and deployment of the National Guard to riots in Los Angeles. They also cover last week's feud between Trump and Elon Musk over the GOP's mega spending bill. Finally, they examine the evolving role of drone warfare, particularly in Ukraine, while expressing concerns about technological militarization.

0:00—Protests over illegal immigration in L.A.

6:08—Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are "too happy" about the protests in L.A.

9:03—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is rounding up immigrants who are working in jobs and contributing to society.

11:04—The importance of "rule of law"

18:24—Is it OK to call in the National Guard to handle protests in L.A.?

21:12—The big, beautiful breakup between Musk and Trump

27:00—An important moment for debts and deficits

34:19—Markets for the win

38:07—Listener question: Should we sunset older laws to stop lawmakers from using obscure laws today?

44:18—Drone strikes increase in the war between Russia and Ukraine

55:08—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Americans' Views of Deportations," by Luis Noe-Bustamante and Jens Manuel Krogstad

"Migrant Arrests at US-Mexico Border Near Record Low in February," by Ted Hesson and Kristina Cooke

"Full List of Republicans Who Voted Against Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill'," by Sonam Sheth

"Full List of Senate Republicans Who Might Vote Against Trump's Tax Bill," by James Bickerton

"Ukraine Changes the Face of War Forever," by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor

Today's sponsors:

• Video Editor: John Osterhoudt

The post Fake Immigration Crisis Triggers Actual Violence appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is already reshaping jobs, education, politics, and personal identity—sharing examples from scam calls and students cheating to Darth Vader swearing in Fortnite. The panel also discusses how Democrats are failing to attract young men, no matter how much money they spend. Finally, they examine President Donald Trump's latest trade policy contradictions from the past week.

0:32—What is one way AI has made life weird?

3:08—Writing with AI is about to get a lot weirder

9:12—Excitement and fear about AI

11:13—How to make entry-level workers more productive

16:12—Has AI created any cultural problems?

22:49—Is AI helping students "cheat" in college?

26:27—How is AI affecting grade school students?

29:18—The AI race with China

36:20—Do Democrats have a problem with men?

44:42—Listener question: Is White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller correct in saying that the 'big beautiful bill' will actually reduce the deficit?

49:28—What is going on with Trump's tariffs in the courts?

53:19—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Budget Reconciliation: Tracking the Trump 2025 Tax Cuts," by Erica York, Garrett Watson, William McBride, Alex Muresianu

"MP holds up a naked photo of herself in parliament to prove an important point," by Sarah Hooper

"The Southern Surge: Understanding the Bright Spots in the Literacy Landscape," by Karen Vaites

"Stephen Miller Egregiously Misrepresented a Supreme Court Order While Trump Nodded Along," by Damon Root

Nick Gillespie on X: "After almost two decades of waning interest in recorded music, Napster rekindled my interest in buying CDs, mostly by acting as a listening service."

Upcoming Reason events:

Reason Versus debate: Jacob Sullum and Billy Binion vs. Charles Fain Lehman and Rafael Mangual, June 24

Reason Speakeasy: Nick Gillespie and Elizabeth Nolan Brown on the MAHA Movement, June 25

The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC! July 15

Today's Sponsors:

• Video editor: Ian Keyser

The post Artificial Intelligence Is Making Everything Weird appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by The Gist's Mike Pesca to discuss the Trump administration's escalating campaign against Harvard. The conversation explores how government overreach in education threatens civil liberties and stable institutional governance. They also discuss corruption concerns they have over Donald Trump's memecoin.

0:00—Introduction

2:53—Trump continues to attack Harvard

7:10—Trump is using the power of the state to punish his enemies

13:35—Are taxes on endowments a good idea?

17:23—Trump wants to give Harvard's money to trade schools instead.

23:41—Trump's memecoin dinner corruption

32:02—Listener question: If someone magically waved a wand and got rid of all federal discretionary spending, would it actually feel like government only got a 25 percent to 30 percent haircut?

37:49—The U.S. Mint has made its last order of pennies.

38:47—Should we eliminate the Institute for Peace?

40:08—Should we eliminate the Saturday service of USPS?

41:31—Should we get rid of everything that is free for congressmen at the U.S. Capitol?

43:34—Should we eliminate the Selective Service?

49:11—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

Today's Sponsors:

• Video editor: Ian Keyser

The post Trump's War on Harvard appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch critique President Donald Trump's proposed tax legislation and its fiscal irresponsibility, discuss the national deficit and credit rating downgrade, examine the media and political cover-up of former President Joe Biden's cognitive decline, and highlight the broader consequences of institutional failure and partisan denial.

0:00—"Big beautiful bill" breakdown

2:21—The MAGA (Money Account for Growth and Advancement) baby account boondoggle

13:54—SALT cap debate and wealthy blue state subsidies

19:12—Proposed Medicaid cuts and "fiscal illusions"

23:02—Moody's Ratings downgraded the U.S. credit rating system. Does this matter?

27:09—The Supreme Court takes up birthright citizenship and nationwide injunctions

34:41—Who pays tariffs? Trump vs. Walmart

40:24—Listener question: Is the economic inequality data bad?

46:09—What did we know about Biden's health and when did we know it?

48:24—How the media didn't responsibly report on Biden's health

1:01:04—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"GINI Index for the United States", by St. Louis Federal Reserve

"Everyone Agrees Government Is a Hot Mess. So Why Does It Keep Getting Bigger?" by Nick Gillespie

"The Long and Whining Road: The Beatles, Boomers, and Boredom," by Nick Gillespie

"Still Fab: Why We Keep Listening To the Beatles," by Charles Paul Freund

"Equal Pay for Equal Work: Appreciating the Female Half of Power Couples," by Nick Gillespie

"Trump's Tax Plan Is a Leftist Economic Agenda Wrapped in Populist Talking Points," by Veronique de Rugy

"Republican Reconciliation Package Will Lead to $3 Trillion Annual Deficits," by Christian Britschgi

"Trump Threatens Walmart Not To React to His Tariffs," Joe Lancaster

"Trump's 'Deal' With China Leaves American Consumers and Exporters Facing Higher Tariffs Than Before," by Eric Boehm

"The Supreme Court May Rule for Trump on Nationwide Injunctions but Probably Not on Birthright Citizenship," by Damon Root

"Trump's Case Against Birthright Citizenship Is a Constitutional Loser," by Damon Root

"Defenders of Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order Offer an Implausible Take on a 127-Year-Old Precedent," by Jacob Sullum

"Joe Biden's Cancer Diagnosis Shouldn't End Scrutiny of the Cognitive Decline Cover-Up," by Robby Soave

"Biden's Cancer," by Liz Wolfe

"Andor Is a Star Wars Show About the Brutality of Bureaucracy," by Peter Suderman

"64 Reasons To Celebrate Paul McCartney," by Ian Leslie

Upcoming Reason events:

Reason Speakeasy: Susannah Cahalan on The Acid Queen, June 3

Reason Versus debate: Jacob Sullum and Billy Binion vs. Charles Fain Lehman and Rafael Mangual, June 24

Today's sponsors:

• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post The GOP Budget Is Big, Bloated, B.S. appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch critique the apparent wind down of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, highlighting its lack of transparency and failure to achieve meaningful spending cuts. They also analyze the GOP's new tax plan, which contradicts promises of fiscal responsibility by significantly increasing the deficit. Finally, the hosts defend classical liberalism against critics like C. Bradley Thompson, arguing that libertarians do fight cultural and policy battles—just not by wielding state power.

0:00—Introduction

2:11—Musk exits DOGE

11:47—Why we need to start paying for government spending

14:57—Extending President Donald Trump's tax cuts

19:08—Is classical liberalism losing?

35:09—Listener question: What domestic policy changes would entice manufacturing to come back to the U.S.?

43:22—Is Trump getting a free plane from Qatar?

46:13—Prescription drug price controls

49:47—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Elon Musk Discovers That Serious Spending Cuts Are 'Really Difficult,'" by Jacob Sullum

"DOGE Has Been a Smashing Success," by Christian Britschgi

"Raising the SALT Cap Is a Gift to High-Tax States," by Jared Dillian

"Trump's New Budget Is Another Blueprint for Big Spending," by Veronique de Rugy

"Trump Wants To Increase Military Spending by $113 Billion," by Jack Nicastro

"The New Right Isn't So New," by Stephanie Slade

"Abundance Makes the Case for 'Supply-Side Progressivism,'" by Virginia Postrel

"Idiot Wind," by David Weigel

"The Idiocracy Candidate," by Matt Welch

"The Mind of Mike Judge," by Jesse Walker

"Is America Entering Her Kakistocracy Era?" by Steven Greenhut

Upcoming Reason events:

Rise Above: Nick Gillespie and Scott Barry Kaufman in Conversation, May 19

Reason Speakeasy: Susannah Cahalan on The Acid Queen, June 3

Reason Versus debate: Jacob Sullum and Billy Binion vs. Charles Fain Lehman and Rafael Mangual, June 24

Today's sponsors:

• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post What Did We Learn From DOGE? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Christian Britschgi to discuss President Donald Trump's proposal for a 100 percent tariff on foreign-made films and his broader attacks on cheap consumer goods, arguing that it represents a bipartisan slide into anti-consumer, anti-capitalist populism. They also criticize the federal government's creeping surveillance and bureaucratic overreach, especially when it comes to Real ID and public broadcasting.

0:00—Introduction

1:46—Trump's attack on families and foreign films

7:20—Why cheap consumer goods are great

12:05—Political movements won't solve spiritual yearning

16:28—How do tariffs affect local zoning?

18:35—Trump's new proposed budget

22:15—Why we need to cut the Department of Homeland Security budget

28:25—Listener question: Are we finally defunding NPR and PBS?

37:28—Every American citizen now needs a Real I.D.

51:07—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Suspected Terrorist," by Brian Doherty

"Trump's War on Foreign Films," by Liz Wolfe

"5 Times the Trump Team Told Americans To Accept Being Poorer," by Eric Boehm

"When Tariff Shortages Arrive, Here's What Might Be Missing," by Eric Boehm

"Trump Admits Tariffs Could Create Shortages, Hike Prices," by Eric Boehm

"Tariffs Won't Fix What's Ailing American Men in the Work Force," by Veronique de Rugy

"You Will Work in the Factory and You Will Like It," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump's Budget Calls for $17 Billion Cut to NIH, Citing Lax Oversight of Gain-of-Function Research in Wuhan," by Christian Britschgi

"Trump Says His Budget Proposal Will End the 'Green New Scam,'" by Jeff Luse

"Can the President Refuse To Spend Money Authorized by Congress?" by Peter Suderman

"Trump Tries To Defund NPR and PBS by Executive Order," by Jesse Walker

"Is REAL ID Actually Happening?" by Emma Camp

"Same energy: Trump on dolls, Sanders on deodorants. Horseshoe theory in action. What a difference a decade makes," by Nick Gillespie

"Take the Public Out of Public Broadcasting," by Nick Gillespie

"How 'Disinformation' Became Public Enemy No. 1," by Zach Weissmueller and Nick Gillespie

"What we are facing in America is not a pandemic, or economic malaise, or resurgence of inequality, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, or lack of options, food, shelter, you name it. What we are facing is a crisis of meaning," by Nick Gillespie

"Brick. Cool lighting. But it's all about the mannequin. Need background story. 8/10 @ nickgillespie," by RoomRater

"Bernie Sanders: Don't Need 23 Choices of Deodorant, 18 Choices of Sneakers When Kids Are Going Hungry," by Ed Krayewski

Upcoming Reason events:

Reason Speakeasy: Robert Rosenkranz on The Stoic Capitalist, May 6, 2025

The Soho Forum Debate: Dave Smith vs. Alex Nowrasteh on Immigration, May 21, 2025

Today's sponsors:

• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Trump's War on Childhood appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss how many current political frustrations— with tariffs, executive overreach, and economic stagnation—are vindicating longstanding libertarian critiques, even as the public resists identifying as libertarian. They also explore Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" agenda.

1:34—Libertarians were right

10:06—The best case for libertarianism in the Trump era

16:52—Are the Democrats pushing a libertarian-ish agenda?

24:40—Tech leaders regret supporting President Donald Trump?

39:47—Weekly listener question: What books should libertarian ladies suggest to their book club?

47:39— What is RFK Jr. doing to "Make America Healthy Again"?

59:03— Weekly cultural recommendations

We're hiring a producer for this show, find more information and submit your application here. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

"The Libertarian Moment," by Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch

"The Libertarian Movement Needs a Kick in the Pants," by Nick Gillespie

"Are Seed Oils Actually Bad for You?" by Alice Callahan

"Food Freedom Is Personal Freedom," by Jeffrey A. Singer

"Alton Brown: A Culinary Legend Offers Food for Thought," by Nick Gillespie

"Nick Gillespie's Last Meal," by Tom Nash

"[Lexi Freiman's The Book of Ayn] Punches up, down, and all around town. A great Xmas gift for Objectivists and Red Scare communistas alike, if such ppl exchange gifts," by Nick Gillespie

"The Big U," by Neal Stephenson

"How Media and Public Health Failed Our Kids (w/ David Zweig)," by Matt Welch

"In Covid's Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us," by Stephen Macedo and Frances E. Lee

"Trump's Understanding of Due Process Is Just As Farcical As His Definition of 'Alien Enemies,'" by Jacob Sullum

"As the Economy Tumbles, so Does Trump's Approval Rate," by Matthew Petti

"Will the 'Abundance' Agenda Make California Great Again?" By Steven Greenhut

"Is This Constitutional? Here's How Due Process Works," by Billy Binion

"By Openly Retaliating Against Disfavored Law Firms, Trump Attacks Free Speech and the Right to Counsel," by Jacob Sullum

"The Trump Administration Continues To Attack Due Process," by C.J. Ciaramella

"George Will: Brace Yourself for Donald Trump & the Authoritarian Moment," by Todd Krainin, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch

"DOGE Has Been a Smashing Success," by Christian Britschgi

"We Don't Need RFK Jr. To 'Make America Healthy Again,'" by Kelvey Vander Hart

"Reopen the Schools!" By Robby Soave

"The Accountant 2 Is a Shaggy, Silly Bro-Hangout Movie," by Peter Suderman

Upcoming Reason events:

Reason Speakeasy: Robert Rosenkranz on The Stoic Capitalist, May 7, 2025

The Soho Forum Debate: Dave Smith vs. Alex Nowrasteh on Immigration, May 21, 2025

Today's sponsors:

• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Trump's Independent Voter Problem appeared first on Reason.com.