A federal court strikes down most of Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. Michael Smerconish breaks down the legal reasoning behind the ruling and asks: Is this really a political loss for Trump, or a strategic win? GOP strategist David Urban joins to discuss how this could actually help Trump moving forward. Plus: What this means for markets, businesses, and the future of U.S. trade policy.

Today’s poll at Smerconish.com asks: Trump’s battle with which institution has the highest stakes for the nation? Big Law, the Media, or Academia? Michael breaks down the cases against each—from legal threats and media lawsuits to academic defunding. Which of these institutions is most vital to democracy—and most at risk? Tune in as he analyzes the implications of each fight and shares his own take. Plus, reflections on First Amendment tensions in schools, following yesterday's poll question on the Supreme Court case over a middle school student wearing a provocative shirt.

A Massachusetts student’s t-shirt reading “There Are Only Two Genders” ignited a national free speech debate—and the Supreme Court just passed on the case. In this episode, Michael dives into what Justice Alito's fiery dissent reveals, whether schools are suppressing student viewpoints, and why ignoring the controversy might have been the better option. Are public schools upholding the First Amendment—or playing favorites? Be sure to vote on today's daily poll question at Smerconish.com: Does the First Amendment protect a public middle school student’s right to wear a t-shirt saying: “There Are Only Two Genders”?

What happened to deep male friendships?

Michael speaks with author Sam Graham-Felsen about his deeply personal and widely resonant New York Times essay on the quiet epidemic of male loneliness. From childhood sleepovers to adult solitude, Graham-Felsen explores how once-intense male friendships fade with age—and what that says about masculinity, society, and emotional intimacy today. Together, they unpack historical shifts, social norms, and powerful data showing that American men are increasingly disconnected from one another. With reflections on politics, social media, and what we can learn from Abraham Lincoln and Herman Melville’s letters to their male friends, this is a conversation about what it means to be a man—and a friend—in today’s world. A must-listen for anyone navigating modern relationships—male or female. Original air date 27 May 2025.

Michael breaks down today’s poll question: "Are we seeing the beginning of the end of the Russia-Ukraine war — or the end of any hope for peace?" He dives into Trump’s wild Memorial Day posts, Putin’s brutal escalation, and why he fears Ukraine may be on the losing end. A sobering, can't-miss episode for anyone tracking global conflict and U.S. foreign policy.

For two years, police in New Orleans secretly relied on facial recognition technology to scan city streets in search of suspects. It is a surveillance method without any known precedent - Michael talks about it with Nathan Freed Wessler, Deputy Director of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy and Technology Project. Original air date 20 May 2025.

In today’s episode, Michael dives deep into a thought-provoking question inspired by his own jury summons: Would you be more or less likely to believe the testimony of a police officer because of his or her job? As part of today's poll at Smerconish.com, Michael explores the nuances behind public trust in law enforcement and shares how his own views have evolved over the years.

But that’s not all—this episode takes a personal turn as Michael recounts fascinating stories from his trial lawyer days, including courtroom battles involving boxing promoter Don King and the Fraternal Order of Police. Packed with legal insight, personal anecdotes, and thoughtful reflection on the justice system, this episode is both timely and timeless.

What do Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather” and Colin Powell’s life rules have in common? According to Admiral James Stavridis—quite a bit.

Listen in as Michael sits down with the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander to unpack his bold and unconventional commencement address recently delivered at Adelphi University. Drawing surprising leadership lessons from The Godfather, Stavridis inspires graduates with wisdom from Don Corleone to Colin Powell. The conversation then widens to geopolitics including NATO strategy and the Russia-Ukraine war, Israel and Iran, and the controversy over the gifted Qatari jet. Timely, thoughtful, and unexpectedly entertaining—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Original air date 22 May 2025.

Is Donald Trump about to board a luxury $400 million jet gifted by Qatar—and use it as Air Force One? Michael breaks down the jaw-dropping New York Times report detailing the backdoor deal, the secret talks, and the national security concerns over retrofitting the jet for presidential use. Will Trump cut corners to get in the air fast? Plus: the ethical firestorm over Trump's private dinner with crypto investors, meme coins, and the biggest questions yet about presidential pay-to-play politics. Listen to Michael's take before you head over to Smerconish.com to answer today's daily poll question: Will Donald Trump ever fly on the gifted Qatari jet as AF1 while he's still President?