Michael is joined by longtime Trump adviser David Urban for a candid conversation about the president’s controversial Truth Social post following the tragic murders of Rob and Michele Reiner. Urban, who ran Trump’s 2016 Pennsylvania campaign, publicly called the post “indefensible”—and here he explains why. Together, he and Michael explore the political fallout, the human cost behind the Reiner family tragedy, and what the moment reveals about decision-making inside Trump’s orbit. A sobering and insightful discussion on leadership, restraint, and the national mood. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Antisemitic incidents are rising across the U.S. and around the world. Michael's answer to today's Smerconish.com poll question, "Is antisemitism becoming normalized in our society today?" is, sadly, "Yes." Listen here to hear his take, then vote, and please rate, review, and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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In this episode, Michael speaks with attorney Shane Pennington, a leading expert on cannabis rescheduling, about reports that President Trump is preparing an executive order to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. Pennington explains what a reclassification would mean for consumers, the legal cannabis industry, medical research, criminal justice, and state–federal power.

Michael also explores the contrasting New York Times and JAMA analysis questioning the medical benefits of cannabis—and hears from listeners whose real-world experiences tell a different story.

A fast-moving, deeply informative conversation about federal drug policy, politics, and the shifting landscape of cannabis in America. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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In this episode, Michael Smerconish confronts a deeply troubling question: Are mass shootings a permanent part of American life? Following a devastating weekend—from the Brown University shooting to tragedies abroad—Michael unpacks today’s poll question at Smerconish.com and shares why he’s grown pessimistic about meaningful change. In a prepared statement he reads from each time there is a mass shooting, he revisits the Second Amendment, the Heller decision, and the political realities that keep America stuck. A candid, sobering reflection on a crisis that shows no signs of slowing. Listen here, then vote at smerconish.com, and please rate, review, and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Michael explores the political impact of the massive intergenerational wealth transfer underway. With over $124 trillion set to pass from Baby Boomers to Millennials and Gen X, could this spark a political divide or even a civil war? Joined by Eric Levitz, Senior Correspondent at Vox, the discussion dives deep into how inherited wealth might shape future political battles, the rise of economic inequality, and the shifting landscape of U.S. politics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Michael digs into today’s poll question: Who should regulate AI — the federal government, the states, or no one at all? With Trump’s new executive order, escalating job losses, a shocking wrongful arrest tied to facial recognition, and global AI competition heating up, Michael breaks down why the stakes have never been higher. Plus, reactions to Time’s “AI” Person of the Year and the political twists shaping the regulation battle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Raw, emotional, and fiercely divided—today’s Smerconish Program features some of the most intense calls yet. Listeners share heartbreaking stories of fentanyl loss, defend or condemn Trump’s deadly anti-drug boat strike, question military orders, and debate the legality and morality of the operation. From “sink the boat” to “dead men tell no tales,” this episode captures the full spectrum of America’s reaction to the border controversy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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TIME Magazine has officially named the “Architects of AI” as the 2025 Person of the Year — and Michael says it was the only possible choice. In today’s episode, he breaks down why AI’s impact, for better or worse, outweighs any single human, and revisits the history of TIME’s most controversial picks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Michael and political analyst Mark Halperin unpack Trump’s marathon Pennsylvania speech and the instantly infamous late-night Truth Social post that followed. They dive into Trump’s ongoing message-discipline problem, the GOP’s economic and healthcare vulnerabilities, the latest reporting on a possible Ukraine deal, and Halperin’s early power rankings for the 2028 Democratic nomination—including surprising movement for Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom. A fast, wide-ranging conversation about the political stakes heading into 2026 and beyond. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Australia just logged out more than a million under-16 social media accounts — an unprecedented national ban aimed at protecting kids from the harms of Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and more. Today, Michael Smerconish breaks down the sweeping new law, the public reaction, and why figures like Rahm Emanuel say the U.S. should follow Australia’s lead. Michael revisits the data, insights from Dr. Jean Twenge's research on youth mental health, and today’s Smerconish.com poll question: Should America adopt the same ban? Tune in, vote, and join the conversation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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