The Spectacle Podcast: The Official Podcast of The American Spectator

In keeping with his promise, President Trump declassified the files of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Robert Tanenbaum, author of That Day in Dallas: Lee Harvey Oswald Did NOT Kill JFK, joins The Spectacle Podcast host Scott McKay to discuss the assassination of JFK. Robert, who was deputy chief counsel of the congressional investigation of the JFK assassination in 1976, offers new insight into the case. Robert walks through the various conclusions provided to the public by the government and the Warren Commission, and debunks government lies such as the one-bullet theory.

Tune in and d...

The Spectacle Podcast host Scott McKay is joined by special guest Robert Malone, the author of PsyWar: Enforcing the New World Order, as Robert dives into how new technologies combined with government propaganda and control are manipulating public opinion. Robert explains how he was impacted by his personal experience of being censored by social media and big-name corporations. Robert and Scott also discuss the media’s fear-mongering tactics behind COVID-19 and measles.

Tune in to hear their discussion!

Cross necklaces are an accessory of significance often donned by Christians, but a New York Times article attempted to frame the symbol as a political signal mainly attached to right-winged conservatives.Join Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo on this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast as they discuss the Christian symbolism behind the cross and the usage of the symbol in popular culture and fashion. Ellie and Lyrah also criticize celebrities like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter for wearing the cross while disrespecting the values of Christianity. Tune in to hear their discussion!

This weekend, Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy was enraged over an “F**k the Jews” sign that went viral after it was held up at his Barstool bar in Philadelphia. Portnoy promptly addressed the situation by firing the waitresses who were responsible and sending others who share culpability to Auschwitz for an educational trip.The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo analyze the story and discuss the growing presence of antisemitism in America. Ellie and Lyrah also react to Portnoy’s swift response and discuss the timeless lesson of how actions have consequences. Tune in to hea...

The Left’s ‘heroes’ — namely, David Hogg and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — are not heroes to champion.

In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the atrocious ambassadors and the overall state of the Democratic Party. Melissa and Scott criticize Hogg and AOC for their incompetence, discussing their backgrounds and qualifications. They also explain the Democratic Party’s internal conflict, which is due to their radical and communist policies. Melissa and Scott expand on the opportunity for the Republican Party to address critical issues ignored by the Left, offering solutions for Republicans that can prevent t...

The Trump administration is working hard to dismantle the DEI standards and policies established by the former Biden administration.

This week, join The Spectacle Podcast host Scott McKay with the Daily Signal columnist Jarrett Stepman as they discuss the mass elimination of various DEI initiatives across the nation. Scott and Jarrett discuss the importance of this issue, citing recent DEI incidents, such as the Black Hawk helicopter crash, and college DEI programs. They also explain how Americans are turning against the values of DEI, signaling a change in attitude and the opportunity to promote meritocracy and excellence in soc...

The Trump administration is reportedly considering giving out $5,000 baby bonuses in an attempt to reverse America’s fertility crisis. This week on the The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the impact this policy could have on the negative attitudes that many young people have toward children.

Tune in to learn what young people today are getting wrong about babies, and what we can do about it.

As the Catholic Church prepares to select its next pope following the death of Pope Francis, speculation continues to rise about who that man will be.

In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, join host Ellie Gardey Holmes and special guest American Spectator contributing editor S.A. McCarthy as they reflect on Pope Francis’ legacy and discuss the future of the Catholic Church. Ellie and Sam explain how Pope Francis’ teachings have brought divisiveness to Church and the need for the future pope to clarify, preserve, and pass on the Christian faith. They also discuss the...

The Dutch film iHostage, the current top movie on Netflix, highlights cultural and political issues contributing to Europe’s decline. 

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the many ways that European countries are failing, both as a collective union and in their respective nations. Melissa and Scott discuss Europe’s corrupt leadership, including leaders like Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum. They also discuss how Europe is not prepared for future conflict, especially as tensions continue to rise between the United States and China. Tune in to hear their discussion! 

As the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers continue to investigate and deport illegal immigrants, the Left is defending and protecting these criminals, many of whom have gang affiliations. 

In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay criticize the increased support for illegal immigrants by Democrats and analyze the ongoing issue. Scott provides a further defense for his recent piece in The American Spectator, which argues for giving illegal immigrants a financial incentive to self-deport. Melissa and Scott also explain the factors contributing to the illegal immigration problem and how a comprehensive solution i...

The Trump administration recently redesigned the COVID.gov website, exposing the origins of COVID-19 and the government leaders behind the extensive cover-up. 

J. Michael Waller, a senior analyst at the Center for Security Policy, joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss the aftermath of COVID-19 and its implications for American politics and the economy. Melissa, Scott, and Michael discuss the origins of COVID-19 in China and how Fauci needs to be held accountable for his handling of the virus. They also examine how COVID-19 potentially played a role in future economic relations w...

In an 86-61 vote, the Texas House passed Gov. Greg Abbott’s private school choice program last week. The proposed $1 billion program would enable Texas students to receive scholarships to attend private school, or use the funds for tutoring or other educational expenses.Join Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo on this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast as they praise school choice and discuss how it benefits parents in making decisions for their children’s education. Ellie and Lyrah also explain how school choice is a great way to enable more options for kids and give struggling school...

A proposed Colorado bill could cause parents to lose custody of their children if they refuse to affirm their child’s “gender identity.”The bill, HB25-1312, not only poses significant threats against parental rights but also blatantly contradicts the Constitution.In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo criticize the bill, arguing that it will severely harm children. Ellie and Lyrah analyze the bill and discuss how it not only impacts families but also threatens school systems and the press. Tune in to hear their discussion!

“This Holy Week, Melania and I join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ — the living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity,” President Trump posted on Sunday on Truth Social.

In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the importance of Christianity in America and its influence around the world. Melissa and Scott express appreciation for President Trump’s boldness in standing up for Christians, despite the secular Left’s attemp...

Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Kerianne Flynn, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Gayle King claim to have made a groundbreaking achievement — after spending 11 minutes as passengers on a Blue Origin space flight. Join The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay as they react to the space flight and discuss the exuding superficiality from these ladies. Melissa and Scott also respond to the humorous reactions by the public and explain how the all-women crew has ultimately failed in an attempt to push a feminist narrative. Tune in to hear their discussion! 

Researchers in Australia reported that there are adverse effects on the environment caused by a man’s best friend. Senior editor of The American Spectator Daniel Flynn joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss the nonsense discoveries these researchers claim to implicate dogs for harming the environment. Daniel, Melissa, and Scott expand on how the Left continues to be inconsistent with their own convictions — from their hypocritical attitudes on electric vehicles to canines. Tune in to hear their discussion! 

Wealthy parents are paying private tutors to do their child’s coursework, paving an easy path for their success.In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo explore how a child’s education can be helped or harmed by tutoring. Ellie and Lyrah discuss the importance of balanced parental involvement in a child’s education and how they’ve witnessed the impacts of tutoring within their own personal experiences. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Transgender professor Domen “Vesna” Novak of the University of Cincinnati received $214,998 to develop an app to help with “transgender voice training.” The goal of the app is to help men who identify as transgender to raise their vocal pitches to sound more feminine.In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the app as well as the various LGBTQ and DEI initiatives that are still being pursued by universities despite pushback from the Trump administration. Tune in to hear their discussion!

While countries worldwide begin to negotiate with President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, China’s tariff retaliation resulted in Trump pushing additional tariffs on the country. In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss Trump’s additional tariffs on China and the goal to isolate the Chinese government to do better with their trade practices. Melissa and Scott explain how China’s trade and transshipment tactics are unfair to the American economy. They also discuss the potential implications of a coming trade war and express the need to be vigilant in the United States. Tune in t...

Our neighbors across the Atlantic are going through drastic political and social changes, but not for the better. The American Spectator contributing editor Sam McCarthy joins hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay on The Spectacle Podcast to discuss all things Ireland and Europe. Sam explains the increasingly progressive climate and how globalization has impacted the loss of national identity in European nations. Sam, Melissa, and Scott also have a broader discussion about the impact of Americanization on Europe throughout history and touch on the current issues with Europe’s trade practices with America. Tune in to hear their discussion!

South Korea’s dismal birth rate of 0.75 children per woman is pushing the government to encourage dating and marriage. In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss South Korea’s monetary incentives to encourage dating, marriage, and family.Ellie and Lyrah analyze how negative attitudes toward relationships and family in South Korea will result in drastic consequences for the country’s future. Tune in to hear their discussion!

A Minnesota bill that recognizes “the inherent right of uncultivated wild rice to exist and thrive” was hotly debated by legislators and testifiers last week. Join Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo on this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast as they discuss the bill’s nonsensical semantics and the crazy arguments that were made to support it.Ellie and Lyrah also discuss how Minnesota’s liberal lawmakers want to recognize a right to life for a plant, yet they refuse to recognize an unborn baby’s right to life. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Netflix’s current top show, Adolescence, is a chilling tale of a teenage boy who is accused of murdering his female classmate. The show spiked in popularity due to the underlying emphasis on larger issues — such as ‘toxic masculinity’ and violence. In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss Adolescence and how it’s being used as propaganda by the United Kingdom to further anti-toxic masculinity narratives and white male hate. Melissa also explains the importance of parent involvement with their children, as the show highlights the dangers of young kids on social media. Tune in...

Europe’s over reliance on the United States to fight their battles has got to end. Townhall senior editor Kurt Schlichter joins hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay on The Spectacle Podcast to discuss why the United States and Europe no longer share the same values. Melissa, Scott, and Kurt discuss the current issues in Europe, such as Marine Le Pen’s recent embezzlement ruling that bars her from running for the French presidency. They also criticize the European government and NATO — calling out their hypocrisy and failure to take responsibility for their people. Tune in to hear their discussion!<

Despite dodging questions about former President Joe Biden’s health during her time as White House press secretary, Jen Psaki told Morning Joe panelists that the Trump administration should “not treat everyone like they’re stupid.” Join Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo on this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast as they criticize Psaki’s comments and point out the irony of her statement. Ellie and Lyrah call out Psaki’s involvement in covering up Biden’s decline and discuss the strong need to hold the Biden administration accountable. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Recent polling indicates a growing number of young men are leaving the Democratic Party. In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the Democratic Party’s disdain for the male population and how men feel ostracized by the party’s platform. Ellie and Lyrah also explain how toxic feminism and the Left’s focus on victim mentality have played roles in alienating men from the Left. Tune in to hear their discussion!

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that bolsters election integrity at the federal level. Join Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay on this episode of The Spectacle Podcast as they discuss the implications of Trump’s commitment to fair elections. Melissa and Scott expand on the voting process in their respective home states and how these new policies — such as voter ID — could impact future election cycles. They also discuss future challenges in ensuring election integrity across the country and express caution with Trump’s flurries of executive orders in hopes that the GOP will soon make them legislat...

The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg leaked a Signal chat between top officials Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz that discussed plans to strike on the Houthis in Yemen. In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the leak and the Left’s attempt to paint the private chat in a negative light. Scott analogizes the ‘scandal’ to Watergate and how major media outlets hyper focus on insignificant scandals rather than more significant issues. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Disney continues to showcase how anything woke goes broke with their newest live-action film, Snow White. Heritage Foundation Media Fellow Tim Young joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss Snow White and why it failed at the box office. Melissa, Scott, and Tim discuss the movie’s demise and the overall decline of Disney and creative storytelling. They also discuss the challenges in Hollywood and the chance for conservative storytelling to shine in future years. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Now that he’s out of the Oval Office, former President Joe Biden is planning to write a new memoir. In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the possibility of Biden’s latest book and the speculation around it. They also recall Biden’s disastrous presidency and how the Democratic Party is doing everything it can to distance themselves from him. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Recent surveys reveal a rising number of young women prefer being single over getting married. In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, join hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo as they analyze the marriage decline and discuss why getting married should be encouraged.Ellie and Lyrah discuss the various factors that contribute to the low marriage rate, such as political and social differences between young men and women. They also explain how modern changes in dating culture — such as online dating — can have negative consequences. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Good quality entertainment is hard to come by in recent years, and season two of 1923 and The Wheel of Time are no exception. Join Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay in this episode of The Spectacle Podcast as they critique these shows for their lack of execution and poor screenwriting. Scott expands on the dissatisfaction of 1923 while Melissa explains her distaste for the book adaption of The Wheel of Time. They also discuss the future of storytelling in the entertainment industry and how relying on AI-generated content will be their demise. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The recent deportation of Tren de Aragua terrorists back to El Salvador sparked a greater controversy about judicial overreach, judicial activism, and executive power. Join Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay on this episode of The Spectacle Podcast as they inquire into the judicial branch with special guest Ron Coleman, a lawyer and host of the Coleman Nation podcast.

Melissa, Scott, and Ron discuss who’s involved in the issue — including federal Judge James Boasberg, who ordered Trump’s administration not to deport anyone on Saturday. Ron offers legal insight into the matter between Boasberg and Trump and joins Meli...

The Black Lives Matter Plaza and its mural, which led directly up to the White House, were removed by demolition crews this week. In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the negative consequences of the Black Lives Matter movement and how it has only brought harm to black Americans. They recall how the movement incited violence across the nation and furthered racial division. Ellie and Lyrah also discuss how the plaza’s removal is one step forward for America to learn and move on from BLM’s destructive path. Tune in t...

President Trump raised questions about the legitimacy of former president Joe Biden’s pardons, indicating the use of an autopen for Biden’s signature. 

In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay are joined by lawyer and podcaster Ron Coleman to discuss the legality of Biden’s pardons. Ron explains to Melissa and Scott about the historical use of presidential pardons and whether Trump’s accusations of Biden could be legally challenged. Melissa, Scott, and Ronald shift to a broader discussion and expand on how the Left’s agenda and identity politics have damaged the...

The live-action version of Snow White is set to premiere this week, but controversy surrounding the relationship between co-stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot has overtaken the anticipation of the new version of the classic fairytale. Join Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo on this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast as they explain the behind-the-scenes drama between Zegler and Gadot, who hold contrasting political views. Ellie and Lyrah discuss how Zegler’s political comments on the war between Hamas and Israel and her dislike of the original classic have ruined Disney’s latest film. Tune in to hear thei...

On Tuesday, by a 217-213 vote, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution for the federal budget through September. In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the continued resolution and how the Republican Party wields an advantage against the Democrats. Scott explains how a continued resolution works and the current issues that withhold Congress from passing the bill. Melissa and Scott also discuss the importance of seeing the newfound Republican power in Congress in a positive light, pushing for the party to fight for virtue and principle rather than for tyranny and...

The attacks on Elon Musk’s businesses — from X’s cyberattack to violence on Tesla vehicles — indicate a strange feeling that is only increasing. In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss a flurry of news topics over the week. Melissa and Scott explain the implications surrounding the attacks on Elon Musk, the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and the recent developments in the Trump tariff exchanges. They also discuss the calls to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist from Columbia University who is currently detained by ICE. Tune in to hear their discus

In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay reexamine the mishap that occurred a few weeks ago with the Jeffrey Epstein files that have yet to be released. Melissa and Scott speculated why the files remain withheld from the public, such as the potential connections between Epstein and the Israeli Mossad. Melissa and Scott criticize the handling of the files and demand for its immediate release. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Meghan Markle stirred controversy by declaring in her new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, that, despite leaving her royal duties behind, she would like to go by “Meghan Sussex.”In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss how Markle’s decision to break from the royal family makes her preference for “Meghan Sussex” off-putting and hypocritical. Ellie and Lyrah discuss how Markle’s reality show reveals her to be out of touch and unrelatable to the average American. Tune in to hear their discussion!