The Spectacle Podcast: The Official Podcast of The American Spectator

Trump-backed Colombian politician Abelardo de la Espriella won the presidential election in Colombia, creating a big upset for the Left as they realize that even South Americans don’t want communist leaders to run their country.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay respond to the complaints from the Left of Espriella’s victory, such as Ben Norton’s political gobbledygook about the election as rigged by Israel and a “Neo-colonial assault” by President Trump and Marco Rubio. They also discuss the changes in Latin America since USAID was defunded, noting how six elections have been won by right-leaning candidates. Melissa and Scott discuss the importance of fair and honest elections that the Left disdains, and how stolen elections are how political violence foments. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The United Kingdom is bidding farewell to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and connections are being made that his resignation happened days after the rape gang reports have been released.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss Starmer’s resignation, Andy Burnham as the potential successor, and what it means for the UK going forward. Melissa and Scott go through the horrific report and its findings of over 250,000 victims of Pakistani/Muslim rape gangs, criticizing Starmer’s government for prosecuting minor offenses and ignoring bigger evils. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Five arrests have been made regarding the assassination attempt at the White House UFC event, but speculators are pointing towards more culprits than the media is reporting.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay analyze the claims of an alleged operation codenamed “Phoenix Rising,” and top leaders who might have been involved in the operation. They also discuss IRGC-linked individuals who were part of the Iranian World Cup delegation who were halted from entering the U.S., and American attitudes toward the war on Iran.

Tune in to hear their discussion!

Local country sheriffs and district attorneys in Virginia are speaking out against Governor Abigail Spanberger and her Democrat legislature’s ban on assault weapons by refusing to prosecute and enforce the unconstitutional law.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the ban and how many counties in Virginia have declared themselves as sanctuaries for the Second Amendment. They explain the tensions between state and federal government and the historical precedent of Americans reacting to terrible policy, pointing to moments in American history like Prohibition and the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discuss how the GOP needs to be stronger on political principle than the Left, and emphasize the need for clean voter rolls to have honest elections. Tune in to hear their discussion!

While Japanese, European, and other foreign tourists traveled to the United States for the FIFA World Cup — many took to social media to rave about classic American staples like Chick-Fil-A, Buc-ee’s, In-N-Out, Bass Pro Shops, and more!

Join The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay as they discuss how foreign FIFA fans are infatuated with America — and are schooling the Left on how to be patriotic. They discuss how foreigners, such as German influencer Freddy, are going viral for their love of America and what they discover in American cities. Melissa and Scott discuss how the World Cup has offered the rest of the world an opportunity to experience what it means to be an American, and to celebrate America as we reach our 250th anniversary. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Over 130 million people tuned in to watch the historic UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn of the White House. The Left was utterly defeated as their alternative program, “Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment,” generated a couple hundred thousand views.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the event and the reactions from both the Left and Right. Melissa and Scott praise the return of American culture and rebuke the criticism from Democrat politicians for trying to frame the event as “defiling” the White House. They discuss the comment from UFC champion Josh Hokit, who claimed that Michelle Obama is a man. Melissa and Scott also scoff at the Left’s big upset at Trump’s effort to beautify the National Mall and other monuments, and discuss Elon Musk’s trillionaire milestone. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Over 1,000 professors within the University of California system wrote a letter to the administration pleading with them to reinstate college entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT, citing the increasing number of underprepared students performing at a middle school level.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes, Lyrah Margo, and Madelynn McLaughlin explain the deficiencies of college students and the consequences of inadequate workers in the workforce. Ellie shares how this is a result of DEI policies, while Madelynn and Lyrah share how public school teachers are conflicted with having to pass students who are not academically ready. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Unwell CEO and host of the Call Her Daddy Podcast Alex Cooper and her husband Matt Kaplan are at the center of controversy, as multiple sources have revealed a toxic work environment within their company.

Join The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes, Lyrah Margo, and Madelynn McLaughlin as they discuss the issues presented within Cooper’s platform, which glamorizes promiscuity and toxic feminism. Ellie, Lyrah, and Madelynn share how Cooper should not be a role model for young women, and how the life she lives is hypocritical to her own messaging. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs launched a trial with MDMA therapy to help treat veterans dealing with severe mental health issues.

Benjamin Krause, attorney and advocate for disabled veterans, joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to weigh the different therapy options available to veterans and if MDMA treatments will be effective. Benjamin shares how the VA has approached different alternative health treatments and how the MAHA movement has begun to shift policy. They also discuss the implications of these trials if they are successful, and touch on other concerns about the VA as an institution. Tune in to hear their discussion!

This past week, 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony has been on trial for fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet back in April 2025. The trial has been met with a weak self-defense claim despite clear video evidence and many witnesses.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the case and criticize how it has been racialized. Melissa and Scott point out how Anthony did not grow up disadvantaged, but his actions were a result of failed parenting and impulse control. They also condemn the racial narrative around this case that has led people to support Anthony through public demonstrations or funding. Tune in to hear their discussion!