The Spectacle Podcast: The Official Podcast of The American Spectator

After three weeks of silence, Mitch McConnell and his staff set out to end the speculation about whether he is still alive by posting a “proof of life” photo of him and his wife together. However, that photo only left more questions than answers.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss McConnell’s political tenure, how he has been an obstruction to Trump’s agenda, and why he is a symptom of a broken system. Melissa and Scott explain the implications of replacing his Senate seat and offer arguments as to why the 17th Amendment should be repealed. They also discuss Lindsey Graham’s passing, his legacy, and the speculation around his death. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Conservative commentators like Ben Shapiro, Allie Beth Stuckey, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt have either welcomed new additions to their families or are currently expecting children. Celebrities like Barbara Sprouse, Anne Hathaway, and Natalie Portman are expecting mothers as well, indicating a growing trend among young adults who desire marriage and family.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin praise this new phenomenon, citing a study from the Institute for Family Studies’ 2026 State of Fertility Report. Lyrah and Madelynn discuss how these celebrities and influencers are shining a positive light on family values for younger generations. They also discuss their personal experiences with the blessings of raising a family, with Lyrah being a young mother and Madelynn being the oldest of 13 children.

Tune in to hear their discussion!

The worst state to live in is Tennessee, and the best state is Vermont — at least according to CNBC’s standards.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin parse through CNBC’s annual “Top States for Business” study and discuss why many people think it is a joke. Lyrah and Madelynn examine the survey’s emphasis on each state’s inclusivity policies regarding LGBTQ issues, DEI and reproductive rights, which they argue caused conservative-leaning states to sink to the bottom of the list. They criticize the ranking for not only being biased but also for being tone-deaf to the true desires of Americans when choosing a place to settle down.

Tune in to find out if you live in the best or worst state!

Rather than reminding fellow Americans of what has made this nation great for 250 years, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke from George Washington’s desk and criticized the nation’s history. “You each hold a special power. The power to determine what America means. The powerful have always known their answer. America, in their view, is an arena of supremacy, where only a select few are allowed freedom, where not all are created equal,” Mamdani said.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin analyze Mamdani’s speech and criticize what they describe as his portrayal of America as a nation defined primarily by its flaws while overlooking its long list of accomplishments. They contrast Mamdani’s remarks with a message posted on X by Spencer Pratt, who offered a rebuttal by comparing love of country to love for a family home. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift tied the knot this weekend at Madison Square Garden, celebrating with more than 1,000 guests in attendance. The lavish wedding included a complete transformation of the arena for the occasion and had a raffle with luxury prizes for their guests, including Cartier watches and Chanel and Dior handbags.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin discuss details of the wedding that have emerged through leaks and offer their congratulations to the newlywed couple. Lyrah and Madelynn also respond to reactions from fans and critics, discussing Swift’s past relationships and how they ultimately led her to say “I do” to Kelce. They also share their thoughts on the values that contribute to a strong, lasting marriage, emphasizing the importance of finding the right partner and remaining committed through thick and thin. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Generation X leadership is desperately needed in our country, yet why are the aging Boomers still adamant about holding the reins?

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and ‘Gen X Spokesperson’ Scott McKay chime in on the debate over why Gen Xers should be running the country, arguing that Boomers are selfish and are not setting up the future generations for success. Melissa and Scott discuss the unique qualifications and upbringing of Gen Xers who have grown up with analog childhoods but adjusted to the digital world. They criticize Boomers for selfishly withholding what could be for future generations — pointing out the massive wealth, housing, and hoarding problems caused by the Boomers that are negatively impacting their offspring. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Democrats like Rahm Emanuel are still trying to diagnose what truly went wrong with their party, yet they don’t want to claim responsibility for enabling what led to their defeated state in the first place.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay go through the institutional problem with the Left, noting Emanuel’s observations of how the Democrats have officially ‘lost the plot’ by advocating for woke policies. Melissa and Scott discuss the slippery slopes with policies enacted by the Democrat Party, such as how Title IX provided the gateway for gay marriage and transgender ideology. They also talk about how far Leftist radicals like AOC, Jasmine Crockett, and Ilhan Omar have replaced the ‘establishment’ Democrats who would be considered more centrist today. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Due to its ban in Germany and France, Citizen Vigilante rose to the top of the charts with help from Elon Musk posting the full movie on X. Armie Hammer, who plays an American ex-soldier in the film, goes on a mission to target and attack criminals after witnessing the corruption that’s enabled by the legal system.

On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay offer their insight into Citizen Vigilante and the cultural significance that the film now holds. Melissa felt like her time was wasted watching the film, pointing out the heavy propaganda and lack of artistry. On the other hand, Scott points out that the overall message about the lack of assimilation — rather than the film’s technical aspects — is what made it shine. Tune in to hear their discussion!

As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin discuss what truly makes America great and why they remain hopeful about the nation’s future. Lyrah and Madelynn reflect on the beauty of America’s founding, landscape and culture. They also share some of their favorite aspects of America and discuss their excitement about the upcoming Young Washington movie. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Pro-Palestinian doctoral student and community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier secured the House seat for New York’s 13th Congressional District with the endorsement of New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani. Chevalier’s surprising win is making moderate Democrats worry about Mamdani’s influence in electing candidates on the far left and the broader influence of the Democratic Socialists of America within the Democratic Party.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin discuss Chevalier’s candidacy and socialist agenda, arguing that democratic socialists like Mamdani and Chevalier are reshaping the Democratic Party. Lyrah and Madelynn also examine Chevalier’s recently deleted X account, which featured numerous posts embracing communism, Marxism, and anti-American rhetoric. Tune in to hear their discussion!