The Spectacle Podcast: The Official Podcast of The American Spectator

The Department of Education recently implemented a new rule that bars college students from receiving federal loans for degrees that project low-earning incomes.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the new change and suggest that the rule should be further implemented. They discuss certain occupations that shouldn’t require thousands to pay for education, such as cosmetology and personal care services. Melissa and Scott suggest other alternatives like industry-linked training or taxing large university endowments to broaden education and make it more effective for future generations. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The Trump administration’s decision to keep the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards at 34.9 mpg instead of 50.4 mpg will not only save you money, but also save the car industry from being forced to build purely hybrid or electric vehicles.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss current CAFE standards and what they mean for car manufacturers and the eventual shift to EVs. While Melissa notes the potential demand for EVs for older people, Scott expands on the concerns of regulatory capture. Melissa and Scott also discuss the growing need for a simple, af...

SpaceX made history once again by launching the Starship rocket into Earth’s low orbit for the first time.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay marvel at another astronomical feat and take hope in this era of technological advancement. Melissa and Scott also discuss SpaceX’s proposal to build more launch pads in Louisiana, data centers, and AI innovation. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Roosevelt Avenue on Queens is regarded as the “Market of Sweethearts” for prostitution, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani is doing nothing to stop the illegal activity. NYPD reported a 59 percent drop on arrests relating to prostitution over the past year.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes, Lyrah Margo, and Madelynn Gondy discuss the issue of prostitution and the growing amount of sex crime in New York City. They expand on how prostitution enables sex trafficking and devalues human dignity. Tune in to hear their discussion!

To curb the consequences of their horrid family policies, the Chinese Communist Party has started glamorizing marriage registration offices as ultimate wedding destinations.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes, Lyrah Margo, and Madelynn Gondy discuss the government incentives China is pushing to increase its population. Ellie, Lyrah, and Madelynn address the cultural damage that China’s anti-family policies have done to the country and how we can prevent that here in the United States. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Anthropic and OpenAI are seeking ways to block smaller competitors through regulatory capture and are prompting Congress to intervene so that they can protect their market position.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay raise concerns about the power of these AI companies, the legal issues raised, and how current models of AI are burning capital rather than working toward IPOs. They also discuss the future of AI usage by local models and running independently on personal devices. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Social media continues to show the worst in people, yet it teaches us the importance of keeping one’s social graces. A woman was widely criticized on social media for complaining about a man who refused to help her lift her luggage up into an airplane’s overhead bin. In another viral video, a woman was carrying items while coworkers didn’t bother to assist her.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay react to these encounters with rude people and advise people to refrain from being jerks. Melissa and Scott mourn the loss of chival...

It’s no secret that America is under a cultural attack, but who is responsible for this mess?

Peachy Keenan joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss her latest book, Supervillains: Architects of America’s Decline. Peachy gives an overview of the different ‘villains’ she details in her book — from sick doctors like Anthony Fauci, DEI overlords, Hollywood elites, liberal billionaires, female liberation theologists, the ‘Rainbow Goon Squad,’ and more! Melissa, Scott, and Peachy discuss how these supervillains have trampled over society with their evil agendas, and share how we can protect future generat...

A toddler who suffered from severe health problems in the Netherlands was euthanized at just two years old. In Canada, a grandmother’s life was taken via MAiD with questionable consent.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the two horrific stories and how they raise awareness about the evils of euthanasia. Ellie and Lyrah emphasize the religious opposition and moral dangers of euthanasia, and how conservatives need to combat this growing culture of death. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Vice President JD Vance’s proposal to pay stay-at-home parents up to $9,000 per child annually has conservatives divided over whether this subsidy is a good idea. The proposed plan would use an existing HHS fund that provides low- to median-income parents money for childcare while they work or go to school.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo weigh the pros and cons of the proposal and what this could mean for American families. They discuss the implications of using the current childcare subsidy program and propose alternatives to help parents be wi...

Sam Altman and Dario Amodei sounded the alarm about artificial intelligence becoming too advanced that they become difficult to control and are dangerous. This prompted political leaders like Barack Obama to pressure Congress to pull in the reins for AI.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay debate the regulatory capture of AI and whether or not it should be in the hands of the government. Scott cites the historical precedence of government regulation from FDR’s New Deal to social media policies, while Melissa argues that while AI poses great risks, moral guardrails should no...

A video of the racially diverse student section at the University of Texas football game against Ohio State drew scrutiny over the UT’s admission policies and student demographics. Recent data revealed that 26 percent of UT’s student body are non-hispanic white students.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the underlying issues with H1-B visas and how high immigration without assimilation has impacted American society and culture. They also explain the academic and workplace competition amongst foreign and American citizens. Tune in to hear their discussion!

College football playoffs are in full gear, and fans were stunned when the University of Texas pulled off a great comeback game against Ohio State.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay give the highlights of football games over the weekend, including Louisiana State University’s win over Louisiana Tech. Melissa and Scott discuss college football’s appeal and its potential convergence with the NFL, and how American culture is being revitalized through the sport. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The case of Lindsay Clancy, which has been deemed a mistrial, continues to divide the country with many opinions swarming online about whether or not she murdered her three children.

The Spectacle Podcast host Melissa Mackenzie sorts through the noise and challenges the cultural narratives posed by both the Left and the Right. Melissa points out the evidence that suggests that Clancy was not responsible, and cites prior mishandled cases like the Duke Lacrosse rape case and George Floyd that should warrant people to slow down before passing judgment. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The Trump administration is working hard to enforce immigration policies and prevent illegal aliens from entering and infiltrating our country. The Census Bureau even reported 2.9 million fewer foreign-born people than a year prior, indicating the effectiveness of Trump’s ‘tough on immigration’ tactics.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay credit the Trump administration for matters the media is overlooking. They discuss the increase in ICE deportations, the increase in H-1B visa costs, and how reduced illegal immigration is making our country safer. Melissa and Scott lay the case that Trump is implementing what the Ameri...

One wife posted her husband’s private notes to their child on TikTok, and instead of praising the gesture, she criticized him for not meeting her expectations. This is one piece of a bigger phenomenon of spouses going on social media to demean and complain about their significant other, making the internet involved in an otherwise private marital conflict.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay express their concerns about oversharing online, and the dangers about posting children on social media. Melissa and Scott draw from personal experience about sharing private information online, and the exa...

A new study found that 31 percent of Gen Z regrets casting their vote for Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Consequently, Gen Zers are the most pessimistic about America’s future compared to previous generations.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin discuss the attitudes of Gen Z and whether or not they agree with the study’s findings. Lyrah and Madelynn explain how Gen Z’s craving for instant gratification has led Gen Z to look down upon America, and offer encouragement for their fellow peers. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Using terms like “birthing people,” “chestfeeding,” and “LatinX” is being discouraged by Democrats like Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and even Gavin Newsom.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin expound on the Left’s retreat from their woke language and why their political messaging failed to resonate with voters.   They discuss how the Democrats are desperate to resonate with voters once again, and what it means for future elections. Tune in to hear their discussion!

In addressing Jewish Democrats, Dana Nessel suggested that they should follow in the footsteps of their ancestor, Queen Esther, and “sacrifice the comfort, safety, and security, and even the very future of our own people” to support Abdul El-Sayed’s bid for the Senate.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay criticize Nessel’s comments and offer the correct interpretation of the Biblical account of Esther. They address the anti-semitism problem festering on the Left, and examine why the Jewish community still supports the Democratic Party. Tune in to hear their discussion!

A growing number of Americans are learning to embrace self-sufficiency. New data from Curion found that nearly 70 percent of Americans make, grow, or preserve their own food at home.

Robert and Jill Malone, authors of Homesteading for Health: One Farm Family’s Guide to Food, Land, and Self-Sufficiency, join The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss their homesteading journey and the lessons they’ve acquired along the way. The Malones expand on everything one should consider with homesteading (land, finances, resources, and skill sets) and its appeal to Americans who desire healthy and self-suf...

What do Democrats like Kathy Hochul, James Talerico, and Gavin Newsom have in common? All three are paying homage to Islam for political gain.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin discuss Hochul wearing a hijab, Talerico’s quoting an Islamic mystic during a church sermon, and Newsom recognizing two Islamic holidays as state holidays. They explain the Left’s double standard between other religions and Christianity, and call out the Democrats’ political pandering. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Ten organizations — including Planned Parenthood, the Center for Reproductive Rights and the National Women’s Law Center — are receiving more than $10 million in donations from Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Festival. More than 45,000 people attended to hear music from Rodrigo and other artists such as Chappell Roan, Mitski and Doechii.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin discuss Rodrigo’s intentions with the concert and the pushback from peaceful pro-life protesters outside the event. Lyrah and Madelynn explain how abortion is not true female empowerment but rather a toxic message th...

Back in the day, there used to be social norms where people who didn’t get in line with what was accepted were typically teased or told to change their behavior. Now that social standards have collapsed, we have what Melissa calls “an overabundance of weirdos.”

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay explain how the decline in public conduct warrants some sort of social correction. They discuss how people have become more sensitive to criticism and how parents, team sports, and structured environments can combat this issue. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Flock cameras are becoming a controversial topic over whether they violate an American’s civil liberties. With constant surveillance in public spaces and even homes, what are these companies doing with our information?

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay address their concerns about public surveillance and the problems within its infrastructure. Melissa and Scott point to increased crime and less enforcement as the reason why more Flock cameras are being used, and how the anti-Flock discussion could be benefiting a police body-camera company, Axon. Tune in to hear their discussion!

President Trump placed a 90-day tariff relief on ground beef, allowing up to 300,000 metric tons of beef from importers. Trump has also indicated that the imported beef will be sold at 25 percent below market prices, noting that the price of ground beef reached a record average $6.89 per pound this year.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss Trump’s beef policy and the broader issue of America’s struggling economy. They cover how the rising costs of gas, cars, housing and maintenance point back to terrible policies enacted by Democrats. Tune in to hear thei...

University Greek life is in full swing as colleges start the new school year, and social media continues to blow up with “RushTok” — girls dancing to popular songs and attempting to convince prospective sorority sisters to join.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin discuss the trends behind RushTok and how it is impacting young women’s college experiences. They debate whether these Rush experiences are worth it and whether it portrays toxic beauty standards. Tune in to hear their discussion!

As closing arguments in Lindsay Clancy’s case are being made this week, a bizarre number of moms — in person and on social media — are showing their support for Clancy and defending her actions of murdering her three children.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin revisit the Clancy case and respond to the growing movement of women who are speaking out “in solidarity” with Clancy. Lyrah and Madelynn reject normalizing these behaviors and violent actions toward children, emphasizing that murder is murder and sympathy does not mean endorsement. Tune in to hear their discu

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who formerly played for Louisiana State University and won the Heisman trophy in 2023, became the target of a joke amongst sports leagues due to a dispute over not retiring his LSU number five. Regina Jackson (Daniels’ mom and manager) sent the university a cease-and-desist letter that they wipe all references and stop selling items related to Daniels and his likeness.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay explain the damage that Jackson has done to her son’s professional football career, and the lessons that can be learned about keeping your...

Declassified documents from the FBI from an operation codenamed “Freshman 15” identified Christine Fang, or “Fang Fang,” as a Chinese intelligence spy connected with disgraced Sen. Eric Swalwell. Fang raised money illegally for Swalwell, had a sexual relationship with him, and placed Chinese-linked interns in Congress.

In a separate case, court documents released this month also revealed that former Playmate Audra Christiansen’s story of being sexually assaulted and trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein was reported to the FBI by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner in 2005, but Christiansen’s case was neglected till after Epstein’s death in 2019.

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Jason Arday, who was a former professor at the University of Cambridge, was found dead last week. In the weeks before his death, Arday had been the subject of controversy over alleged plagiarism in his academic papers and questionable achievements listed on his CV.

The Spectacle Podcast host Scott McKay and Townhall senior columnist Kurt Schlichter go through the circumstances surrounding Arday’s death and why the Left is hailing him as a martyr ‘driven to death by racists.’ They discuss Arday’s tenure as a professor and how students have described him as the most abusive professor t...

Parents part of the Community Members for Religious Neutrality in Public Schools sued the Palo Alto Unified School District for a field trip to a local mosque where students were pushed to participate in the religious practices of Islam as part of a “social justice pathway program.” During the trip, Qurans were handed out to students, female students were wearing hijabs, and photos of these students were posted on social media without consent.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin discuss the details of the case, criticizing the trip’s one-sidedness to the religi...

“People who are stealing things like toothpaste … like soap … if you’re stealing those things you need them,” Democratic socialist Emily Gallagher stated. Gallagher is an assemblywoman and represents New York City’s District 50, and her comments about “crimes of poverty” were widely criticized online.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin react to her statement and give context to how shoplifters are prosecuted in New York, and the ample resources given to New Yorkers who are struggling and in need of everyday essentials. Lyrah and Madelynn criticize Democratic socialists for blurring clear moral truths, an...

As the Democratic Socialists of America continue to take over the Democratic Party, DSA leaders like Zohran Mamdani, Francesca Hong, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (and much more) have graced the American public with a barrage of terrible ideas and dumb moments that are laughable.

The Spectacle Podcast host Scott McKay and producers Grace Keller and Madelynn McLaughlin list off their favorite ‘DSA Morons’ and highlight key moments that make these communists extra special. Grace crowns Zohran Mamdani as the most consequential DSA member, Scott frames Francesca Hong as the archetype of the DSA, and Madelynn deems Megan Romero as the c...

“A burrito should not cost $20.” This statement is at the crux of a heated debate amongst conservatives regarding the affordability crisis and Gen Z’s financial situation.

The Spectacle Podcast host Scott McKay and producers Grace Keller and Madelynn McLaughlin discuss ‘Burritogate’ and the underlying issues that keep Gen Z in financial straits — namely, student debt, useless college degrees, and DEI hiring practices. Grace, Madelynn, and Scott elaborate on urban housing and how Gen Z can’t afford to live in safe areas, sharing personal dangerous encounters with violence within cities that have ‘third-world’-like zones. Tune in to hear their di

The Duxbury child killings case, in which Lindsay Clancy murdered her three children, is undergoing trial in Massachusetts. Clancy pleaded not guilty to three charges of first-degree murder, but is claiming a lack of criminal responsibility, as her defense team is emphasizing the 13 psychiatric medications that allegedly caused her postpartum psychosis.

The Spectacle Podcast host Scott McKay is joined by podcast producers  Grace Keller and Madelynn McLaughlin to unravel tragic details of the Clancy case that are pointing to the dangers of overprescribing SSRIs. Scott, Madelynn, and Grace also discuss the recent Anthony Fauci text message leak tha...

Countries such as Britain, Australia and China are implementing strict regulations or bans on social media use for children, citing concerns that social media addiction is contributing to mental health issues. A writer at the New York Times shared her concerns about how artificial intelligence could create similar problems down the road.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin discuss the future of AI and its relational allure as a potential danger. They emphasize that AI should be regarded as a tool, not a replacement for human interaction, and encourage parents to discuss and...

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has been engaged to Riley Roberts since 2022, shared a video of herself injecting hormones as she announced that she will be freezing her eggs.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Lyrah Margo and Madelynn McLaughlin respond to her decision to freeze her eggs, offering criticism and discussing the negative reactions from conservatives, including Allie Beth Stuckey. Lyrah and Madelynn point out the risks associated with egg harvesting and the IVF process and address speculation that AOC is doing this as a performative stunt for a potential presidential run. Tune in t...

Caitlyn Clark and Sophie Cunningham are paving the way for the WNBA to receive more traction, but are woke politics withholding the women’s sport from garnering more attention?

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the internal culture problems in the WNBA, the controversy surrounding Angel Reese, and the resentment toward Clark and Cunningham. While Scott doesn’t care to watch the WNBA and argues that it relies on controversy to generate views, Melissa pushes back and argues that women’s basketball could be entertaining if the WNBA can distance itself from identity politic...

Police identified Chad Williams as the gunman who killed three people and injured seven at an In-N-Out in Twin Falls, Idaho. Two citizens with firearms stopped Williams — healthcare worker Jordan Salinas and an off-duty police officer.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay go through the root causes that fuel mass shooters, such as drug use, bad parenting, and radicalization. They criticize the purpose of “gun-free zones” and make the case that an armed public will reduce the amount of mass shootings. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Anthony Fauci’s “plead the fifth” recitation at last week’s congressional hearing prompted Sen. Rand Paul to push for a committee vote to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the legal path forward following Fauci’s hearing and how his diary revealed his megalomaniac behavior. They review all of the COVID policy failures from Fauci and criticize the governmental overreach that occurred during the pandemic. Tune in to hear their discussion!