The Daily Beast Podcast

Jon Lovett joins Joanna Coles for a blistering conversation on Donald Trump’s political standing, his increasingly erratic public persona, and why Lovett believes the president is doing more to damage Republicans than Democrats ahead of the midterms. Drawing on his experience as an Obama White House speechwriter, Lovett reflects on the opening of the Obama Library, the future of the Democratic Party, the rise of its progressive wing, and the search for the next generation of leadership. He also delivers a blistering critique of Trump’s handling of America’s 250th anniversary, arguing the country has squandered what should...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles unpack another extraordinary week inside Donald Trump's presidency, from a major Supreme Court victory that could dramatically expand presidential power to the increasingly blurred line between church and state, the political fallout from the fragile Iran ceasefire, and why Trump may once again escape the consequences of a foreign policy setback. They also dig into the mystery surrounding Natalie Harp, Trump's fiercely devoted "human printer," as new reporting catches up with revelations first explored by Wolff, examine why the New York Times is only now embracing the idea that Trump governs through obsession rather...

Joanna Coles and Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty unpack one of the strangest weeks yet inside Trumpworld, from explosive new questions about the president's unusually close relationship with aide Natalie Harp to the bizarre FEMA official who claims he was "teleported" across Georgia. They also break down the MAGA state fair flop, Trump's ongoing obsession with crowd sizes and Washington's reflecting pool, JD Vance's eyebrow-raising embrace of Richard Nixon, and the Supreme Court ruling that could reshape Trump's immigration agenda.

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Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles examine a White House that suddenly looks far less invincible, as Donald Trump lashes out at Republican senators, alienates allies he desperately needs, and faces growing signs that even the MAGA movement is beginning to question his leadership. They unpack Tucker Carlson's remarkable break with Trump, why JD Vance may be quietly positioning himself for what comes next, the political fallout from the Iran conflict, Pete Hegseth's shake-up of America's military leadership, and the surprising rise of Zohran Mamdani's influence inside the Democratic Party. From Trump's increasingly erratic behavior to the shifting alliances forming...

Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) returns to the Daily Beast Podcast to break down why he believes America is repeating the same costly mistakes in the Middle East, what years of combat taught him about war, and why he says the latest agreement with Iran leaves the U.S. weaker than before. Rep. Crow tells Joanna Coles what Republican lawmakers tell him behind closed doors about Donald Trump, explains why he thinks Congress has abandoned its constitutional responsibilities, and lays out his plan to investigate what he calls the Trump family's unprecedented corruption if Democrats retake the House. Plus, he...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles examine the strange new fixation consuming Donald Trump as the White House grapples with wars abroad, slipping poll numbers, and growing political trouble at home. Drawing on Wolff's conversations with insiders, they explore why an algae-filled reflecting pool has become the president's overwhelming obsession, what it may reveal about his state of mind, and why even longtime aides are struggling to explain it. They also unpack Trump's surprising foreknowledge of Keir Starmer's resignation, the impossible demands of modern political leadership, and why Volodymyr Zelensky's resilience is reshaping the war in Ukraine.

David Rothkopf and Joanna Coles unpack a weekend of political chaos that stretches from the collapsing Iran negotiations to the algae-filled disaster of Trump’s reflecting pool renovation, exposing a presidency built on grift, dysfunction, and spectacle. As JD Vance is dispatched to Switzerland to negotiate an impossible peace deal, Trump’s public undermining of his own vice president becomes a window into the increasingly fragile state of Trump’s inner circle. David and Joanna dive into the bizarre Father’s Day snub of Don Jr. vs Eric Trump and the mounting controversy surrounding Ivanka’s Albanian ambitions. Rothkopf delivers o...

Jonathan Weber joins Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty to explain how San Francisco became the proving ground for the forces reshaping American politics, business, and culture. Drawing from his new book, City on the Edge, Weber traces the rise of the tech billionaires who transformed the city, why so many Silicon Valley power players embraced Donald Trump, and how figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, and Nancy Pelosi emerged from the same political and economic ecosystem. He also reveals what San Francisco's battles over AI, housing, wealth, and political power tell us...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles examine why Donald Trump may have stumbled into a new political reality as European leaders stop trying to placate him and begin pushing back instead. They unpack JD Vance's increasingly complicated role in the White House, whether he's positioning himself as Trump's heir or setting himself up to take the blame, and what his new book reveals about ambition, faith, and political reinvention. They also break down Trump's latest clash with Giorgia Meloni, the arrival of the lavish Qatari jet, the strange psychology behind Trump's obsession with status, and why even something as trivial...

Joanna Coles and Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty unpack a remarkable week inside Donald Trump's White House, from explosive new reporting on his late-night routines and the startling revelations in Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan's forthcoming book to questions about Melania Trump's absence, mysterious health concerns, and what these private details reveal about the presidency. They also examine the backlash over Trump's botched Reflecting Pool renovation, the sharp contrast between the Obama Presidential Center opening and Trump's own political spectacle, growing signs that world leaders and even Republicans are beginning to push back, and why the cracks in...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles examine why Donald Trump's critics believe his biggest defeat isn't the war in Iran but the strange obsession now consuming the White House: remaking Washington into a permanent monument to himself. Drawing on fresh reporting from inside the administration, Wolff reveals why Trump is fixated on ballrooms, arches, the Kennedy Center and the National Mall even as foreign policy, the economy and the midterms hang in the balance. They also break down Trump's escalating feud with Senate Republicans, the political gamble behind a UFC spectacle on the White House lawn, and why his drive...

Anthony Scaramucci joins Joanna Coles to explain why he believes Donald Trump knows his Iran strategy has failed—even as he doubles down in public—and why the White House is increasingly driven by one man's instincts rather than any real decision-making process. Drawing on his time inside Trump's inner circle, Scaramucci unpacks the psychology behind Trump's denial, the hidden panic among administration officials, why Democrats still haven't found a candidate capable of taking on the MAGA movement, and why the culture war continues to overshadow the economy. He also reveals which Democrat he believes has the best shot at w...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles examine Donald Trump's strange relationships with the women closest to him over the course of his 80 years—from Ivana and Marla Maples to the enduring mystery of Melania Trump's absence from public life. They explore how his marriages, obsession with image, and lack of genuine intimacy have shaped the man now occupying the Oval Office, revisiting his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the world of beauty pageants and models, and the late-night Truth Social posts that have replaced any private confidant. It's a revealing look at the deeply personal patterns that may explain how a pr...

David Rothkopf and Joanna Coles take apart Donald Trump’s bizarre White House UFC spectacle, his heavily hyped “deal” with Iran, and what they argue is a presidency increasingly defined by spectacle and self-preservation. From accusations of turning the South Lawn into a political carnival, to a blistering debate over whether Trump’s Iran agreement is diplomacy or surrender, the pair connect the dots between foreign policy, political theater, and the looming battles that could define the next phase of his presidency. They also dive into JD Vance’s carefully polished media management, the ambitions driving MAGA’s rising stars, and t...

Dr. John Gartner returns to The Daily Beast Podcast to mark Donald Trump’s 80th birthday with a deeply provocative conversation about aging, cognitive decline, power, and the presidency. Speaking with Joanna Coles, Gartner argues that the public is witnessing something far more serious than normal aging, laying out his assessment of Trump’s behavior, speech patterns, late-night social media activity, health concerns, and decision-making as global crises escalate. The discussion explores dementia, malignant narcissism, stress, sleep deprivation, executive power, and why millions of Americans remain drawn to Trump despite mounting concerns from critics. From White House medical visits and...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles mark Donald Trump entering his ninth decade with a special episode revealing new details about private discussions inside Trump’s circle over his age, health, legacy, and the future of his presidency, culminating in a striking prediction about what may lie ahead during the next two and a half years of the Trump era. On the eve of Trump turning 80, Wolff also traces the astonishing rise of a man who went from a Queens real-estate promoter to perhaps the most famous person on earth. Along the way, they unpack the pivotal moments that built th...

David Rothkopf and Joanna Coles recap a week in which Donald Trump stumbled from one self-inflicted crisis to the next, from mounting questions over his handling of Iran and another controversial intelligence pick to renewed scrutiny of the Epstein files and a White House increasingly consumed by political damage control. They also unpack Trump's plan to stage a UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House as part of the celebration for his 80th birthday, examining the ethics, symbolism, and political fallout of turning the People's House into the backdrop for one of his biggest spectacles yet...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles unpack a week in which the Jeffrey Epstein saga once again consumed Washington, examining explosive new reporting about panic, leaks, and finger-pointing inside the White House while asking who is really trying to shape the narrative around Donald Trump. Wolff argues that the most revealing detail is not Epstein himself but the apparent effort to cast JD Vance as an outsider to the president’s inner circle, exposing the rivalries and survival instincts driving the administration. Along the way, they explore the fallout surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell, Bill Gates, and other prominent figures pulled back in...

Stephanie Ruhle joins Joanna Coles for a candid and incisive conversation examining the economic fallout from Trump’s escalating conflict with Iran and expands into a sharp examination of wealth, power, political influence, and the growing disconnect between Wall Street and everyday Americans. Ruhle breaks down why soaring energy costs, healthcare struggles, and what she calls a new era of American oligarchs could reshape the political landscape, while offering candid insights into Trump’s inner circle, the battle over the Federal Reserve, and the culture of loyalty surrounding his administration. She also weighs in on the turmoil at CBS News...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles dive into a week that may reveal the limits of Donald Trump’s political dominance, from being loudly booed at a packed Knicks playoff game to turning the White House lawn into a UFC spectacle for his birthday celebration. Wolff argues that Trump’s drive to stamp his name on everything—from sports to immigration to the World Cup—is creating a growing list of political liabilities that now point directly back to him, while Coles recounts seeing firsthand how little attention Trump commanded inside Madison Square Garden. The pair also unpack Trump’s combative...

David Rothkopf and Joanna Coles dive into a week of extraordinary political turmoil, from alarming warnings about Donald Trump’s reshaping of America’s national security apparatus to growing fears over the future of democratic institutions, the intelligence community, and a rapidly escalating Middle East crisis. Along the way, they unpack protests erupting overseas over Trump-linked business ventures, the fallout from Trump’s explosive confrontation with NBC’s Kristen Welker, and the stunning upheaval at 60 Minutes that has veteran journalists questioning the future of independent media. With sharp analysis, insider reporting, and plenty of the chemistry that makes their conversa...

Mary Trump returns to the Daily Beast Podcast on the week of her uncle Donald's 80th birthday to deliver one of her starkest assessments yet of a president she says is facing pressures unlike anything in his life. Drawing on her perspective as both a clinical psychologist and a member of the Trump family, Mary argues that Donald Trump is struggling to maintain control of the narrative as political setbacks, growing criticism, and the fallout from his decision to strike Iran begin to converge. She breaks down what she sees as signs of mounting instability, reflects on the family...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles dissect the growing backlash against Donald Trump's inner circle, from Stephen Miller's escalating deportation agenda to the stunning appointment of Bill Pulte to oversee America's intelligence apparatus. They explore why Republican senators are suddenly questioning the loyalty-first culture that has defined Trump's administration, examine the political fallout from Todd Blanche's rise at the Justice Department, and reveal why even some of Trump's allies are struggling to defend his latest moves. The conversation then shifts overseas as Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump face protests in Albania over their luxury island development, before turning to the...

Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama, speaks with Joanna Coles about why he believes Donald Trump is repeating the mistakes the Obama administration spent years trying to avoid, from Iran and the Strait of Hormuz to the unraveling of decades of American diplomacy. Drawing on his firsthand role in the Iran nuclear negotiations and the reopening of relations with Cuba, Rhodes explains how complex deals are actually made, why expertise matters in moments of crisis, and what happens when governments ignore it. He also reflects on Trump's transformation of the White House, the growing influence...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles dive into what Wolff argues is the beginning of a dramatic unraveling of Donald Trump’s political project, tracing how the fallout from the Iran conflict, slipping poll numbers, congressional resistance, and growing fractures inside the Republican Party are exposing deeper weaknesses in Trump’s leadership. Along the way, they unpack Trump’s relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu, the blame game unfolding inside the administration, the chaos surrounding CBS News and 60 Minutes under its new ownership, the strange politics of California’s governor’s race, and the enduring role of scandal, ego, and media power in shaping...

Andrew Lownie returns to the Daily Beast Podcast to discuss the explosive new paperback edition of his hit book Entitled, revealing how fresh disclosures, newly surfaced Epstein-related material, and a widening police investigation have intensified scrutiny of ex-Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, and the wider royal family. Lownie argues that what began as a story about one disgraced royal has evolved into a far larger reckoning over privilege, secrecy, and accountability at the heart of the monarchy, while detailing allegations of financial dealings, palace protection, and behind-the-scenes efforts to contain the fallout. He also explains why King Charles may have...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles unpack into a week of chaos inside the Trump White House, from a failed attempt to push through what Wolff calls an unprecedented political “grift” to Trump’s growing frustration over a war he can’t seem to escape. They unpack reports of a furious showdown with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the surprising rise of loyalists with little traditional experience, the mounting political cost of RFK Jr.’s influence, and new questions surrounding Trump’s health as speculation swirls around his recent medical visits. Along the way, Wolff shares a remarkable campaign-trail story involving Je...

David Rothkopf and Joanna Coles dive into a week of chaos surrounding Donald Trump, from a weekend barrage of Truth Social posts and increasingly bizarre self-mythologizing to mounting questions about his health, judgment, and grip on reality. Rothkopf argues that Trump’s latest behavior reveals a president trapped by crises of his own making—from Iran and a crumbling political coalition to what he describes as a dangerous fantasy world where everyone else plays the victim. The pair also unpack the growing signs of Republican unease, the political fallout heading into the midterms, and why a larger generational reckoning may...

Kurt Andersen and Joanna Coles dive into the spectacle, symbolism, and political theater surrounding Donald Trump’s latest White House ambitions, from plans for a UFC-style event on the South Lawn to a MAGA-branded America 250 celebration that’s already losing major performers. Andersen explains why Trump’s embrace of entertainment, celebrity culture, and grievance politics was visible decades ago, tracing the roots of what he calls America’s long-running “Fantasyland” obsession with self-created narratives. Along the way, they unpack the cabinet’s astonishing displays of loyalty, Trump’s fixation on revenge, the unraveling politics around Iran, and a startling 1991 MAD Magazine car...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles unpack another week of chaos inside Trumpworld, from a judge forcing Donald Trump to strip his name from the Kennedy Center to a court challenge threatening his controversial $1.8 billion IRS settlement fund. They dig into Trump's newly disclosed weight gain, his obsession with public enemies, and why Wolff believes targeting figures like E. Jean Carroll matters more to Trump than winning in court. The pair also explore the growing influence of Todd Blanche, the fallout from the Epstein files controversy, and signs that Trump may already be turning on J.D. Vance as a...

Jennifer Welch returns to the Daily Beast Podcast and unloads on the “broken people” surrounding Donald Trump, from Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth to JD Vance, Jeff Bezos, and the billionaire class she says has traded conviction for obedience and spectacle. In a blistering conversation with Joanna Coles, Welch argues Trump is entering a “deathbed confession era,” openly admitting the impulses that now define his presidency as cabinet members compete to flatter him, Democrats stumble through what she calls a once-in-a-generation political layup, and MAGA figures turn loyalty into humiliation rituals. They dive into Trump’s obsession with punishing perceived...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles trace the panic, paranoia, and raw volatility swirling around Donald Trump as he insists he “doesn’t care” about the midterms while privately sounding trapped, furious, and increasingly dangerous. From comparisons to Stalin’s inner circle and the cult-like loyalty inside Trump’s cabinet, to the political gamble of backing scandal-plagued Ken Paxton in Texas, the episode dives deep into a presidency that appears to be running on grievance, chaos, and reality-show instincts. They unpack Trump’s escalating obsession with E. Jean Carroll as the Justice Department targets her after she beat him twice in court, ex...

David Rothkopf and Joanna Coles dive into the unraveling chaos surrounding Donald Trump’s latest political gambles, from the shocking rise of scandal-plagued Texas firebrand Ken Paxton to mounting questions about Trump’s health after yet another visit to Walter Reed. Rothkopf tears into MAGA’s “doubling down” strategy as polls collapse, Trump allies turn on each other, and the White House transforms into what he calls a gaudy monument to excess with a $60 million UFC spectacle on the South Lawn. The conversation veers from Trump’s physical decline and Jeff Bezos’ defense of the administration to the fallout from America’s...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles dissect Donald Trump’s declining health as the president heads back to Walter Reed for another physical exam and questions swirl around whether the nearly 80-year-old can physically survive a second term. From Trump’s repeated cognitive tests and mounting exhaustion to behind-the-scenes panic over Iran, Cuba, Marco Rubio, JD Vance, and the future of the MAGA succession fight, the episode spirals through paranoia, power, and the growing sense that the pressure around Trump is finally starting to show. Wolff also reveals extraordinary new details from his legal war with Melania Trump, including how Trum...

In this special episode of The Daily Beast Podcast, Joanna Coles speaks with Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Bruce Davidson about the alarming signs they believe point to Donald Trump’s physical and cognitive decline, from garbled speeches and late-night posting frenzies to what Davidson argues are visible symptoms of a past stroke. The two doctors break down Trump’s increasingly erratic public behavior, explosive decision-making, obsession with personal glorification, and troubling verbal confabulations, while warning about the risks of unchecked power in the hands of a president they believe is rapidly deteriorating. Drawing on decades of medical experience and...

Steve Schmidt returns to the Daily Beast Podcast with a blistering warning about Donald Trump’s unraveling grip on power, the Republican Party’s “Shakespearean” collapse into cowardice, and why he believes MAGA is heading toward a political wipeout. In a conversation that ricochets from the Epstein files to the future of American democracy, Schmidt tears into GOP leaders he says have “lashed themselves to the mast,” predicts a brutal reckoning in 2028, and unleashes a stunning critique of John Fetterman, calling the Pennsylvania senator unfit for office after his stroke and accusing Fox News of psychologically manipulating him in public. Schm...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles unpack a week of chaos inside Trumpworld, beginning with Wolff’s explosive courtroom setback in his legal fight with Melania Trump and delving into what they describe as a justice system warped by Trump’s influence. From a mysterious $1.8 billion “slush fund” settlement and the ongoing culture of intimidation around the media, to Don Jr.’s lavish Bahamas wedding conspicuously missing one major guest—his own father—the episode peels back the dysfunction, rivalries, and raw narcissism driving the Trump family. Wolff and Coles also dissect Tulsi Gabbard’s abrupt exit, Pete Hegseth’s latest foreign pol...

Joanna Coles and Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty reunite for a blistering breakdown of what they call the most brazen Trump grift yet: a staggering $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded “victims” fund that could benefit January 6 rioters, MAGA loyalists, and even Trump allies accused of crimes, all while Republican lawmakers panic behind closed doors over the political fallout. They trace the astonishing timeline from Trump’s hidden tax returns to a surreal legal battle in which Trump effectively sued his own government, before unpacking explosive new polling showing his support collapsing amid outrage over Iran, ICE, and mounting corruption allegations. The conver...

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles trace the unraveling inside Donald Trump’s shrinking inner circle as the president turns to disgraced Hollywood director Brett Ratner as his newest confidant amid collapsing poll numbers, growing political panic, and what Wolff describes as a breathtaking $1.8 billion “slush fund” designed to protect Trump and reward loyalists before the walls close in. From Ratner’s sudden return from Hollywood exile through Melania’s documentary, to Trump’s revenge campaigns against Republicans and increasingly erratic foreign policy moves, the episode follows a White House spiraling deeper into grievance, paranoia, and self-interest. Wolff and Coles unpack Trump...

Dr. John Gartner returns to The Daily Beast Podcast to deliver an urgent, chilling analysis of Donald Trump’s rapidly deteriorating clinical condition as he approaches his 80th birthday. Moving far beyond typical signs of aging, Dr. Gartner details to Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty the alarming behavioral symptoms pointing toward frontotemporal dementia—including a complete loss of empathy, dangerous disinhibition, and increasingly disorganized thought processes. Dr. Gartner unpacks the psychology behind Trump’s late-night postings, his shocking new delusions of grandeur, and a calculated effort to "groom" the American public for an unthinkable nuclear conflict.

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