The Spectacle Podcast: The Official Podcast of The American Spectator

Los Angeles mayoral candidate and city council member Nithya Raman proposed a ban on using barbecue grills or fire pits during red flag warning days to prevent wildfires from occurring in the area. Raman was hit with significant pushback, with a Democratic colleague saying that her remarks were “completely disconnected from how families across Los Angeles actually live.”

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the ridiculousness of Raman’s socialist policies. Ellie and Lyrah talk about the mayoral race in Los Angeles and the recent revelations of Raman’s connection to a soc...

Luigi Mangione, the man accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson, is on trial as he awaits his sentence. Insane Leftist girls who swoon over his appearance —  known as ‘Mangionistas’ — were given press passes and praised Thompson’s death, with one stating that he was “responsible for more deaths than Osama bin Laden.”

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the trial of Mangione and how he could potentially be let off scot-free, highlighting the failure of the justice system to truly punish and hold the real perpetrators accountable. They compare the case to Daniel Penny, oth...

Is there really such a thing as the Grays, Nordics, Lizard People, and Insectoids? The recent release of UAP files from the Trump administration aims to be transparent with the people, but it has left conspiracy theorists and the curious with more questions.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay express skepticism about the UAP files, explaining the lack of scientific rigor in UFO studies. Melissa and Scott talk about spiritual beings that roam this earth — namely, angels and demons. They also talk about Hollywood’s role in amplifying the existence of other beings, like hit mov...

People who don’t even reside in Los Angeles are heading out in droves to vote for mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss Pratt’s fiery campaign and the double standards the Left is imposing on conservatives, which conservatives are calling out. They also discuss the role of the media in shaping the public perception of politicians — highlighting Pratt’s viral AI content and his recent TMZ interview, which highlights the Left’s ignorance. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Harvard University is beginning to downsize its Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program as enrollment reaches an all-time low over the past 15 years. Other universities like Texas A&M are cutting the program altogether due to the lack of interest.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the woke ideology fueling the gender studies major and celebrate the downfall of the degree program. Ellie expands on her previous reporting about Durba Mitra, a gender studies professor who was denied tenure at Harvard, and her wonky scholarship. El...

Places like Chipotle in Navy Yard in Washington D.C. are being violated by big groups of teenagers who break out in brawls. These “teen takeovers” are also taking place in cities like Detroit and Chicago.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the phenomenon and what fuels these teenagers to break out in violence. Ellie and Lyrah explain how parental involvement and discipline are needed, and how cities like Washington, D.C., are trying to curb these takeovers through parental penalties and curfews. Tune in to hear their discussion!

As if The Simpsons weren’t eerily predictive enough with Trump’s descent down an escalator, to the COVID-19 pandemic, things got increasingly spooky with their prediction coming true with the Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship.

Join The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay on another conspiracy watch as they detail what the Hantavirus is, how it started, and if this is yet another COVID-19 pandemic that Americans should worry about. Melissa and Scott take it back to the origins of COVID-19 and how the government has a history of mishandling information and ‘experimenting’ on citizen...

Louisiana sued the Food and Drug Administration for enabling the abortion pill mifepristone to be ordered and delivered through mail, arguing that it goes against the state’s ban on abortion. The Supreme Court took on the case and recently granted a temporary stay to keep the drug available until the Court makes its decision.

Louisiana Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss the intricacies of the case and the drastic consequences of having Mifepristone as a mail-ordered drug. Ben explains the impact of the Dobbs decision and how...

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt is garnering attention for his provocative AI-generated videos and combative rhetoric, particularly targeting Karen ‘Basura’ Bass for her incompetence in dealing with the endless crises that the City of Angels has fallen into.

Drew Allen, host of the Drew Allen Show and author of Clinton Hoax, Obama Coup: The Declassified Story of the Trump–Russia Delusion, joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss the mayoral race in Los Angeles and the issues left untouched by the Democrats in Los Angeles — such as the massive welfare state and drug epid...

Pegasos is a “voluntary assisted dying” organization at the center of controversy for families in the United Kingdom, who find out through the media that their loved one has died by euthanasia without their knowledge.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the heartbreaking reality of assisted suicides and criticize how Pegasos is attempting to reframe death as a “human right.” They tear into the organization’s twisted values and why assisted suicides should never be the answer in times of hardship or grief. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life at the University of Minnesota has spent over $55,000 this school year on various resources, such as giving free “gender affirming haircuts” and in-house nail appointments for students.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo analyze the expenditures and criticize the university for continuing its DEI practices. They discuss how public universities are allocating taxpayer funds toward noneducational purposes and how this is one example of how DEI has tainted the purpose of attending higher education institutions. Tune in to he...

Midterm elections are around the corner, and candidates are gearing up to mobilize their supporters to go to the polls. Run Right: A Complete Election Playbook to Win details the play-by-play of how conservatives can run in these elections, win, and stay the course while standing on principle.

Run Right’s co-author and election strategist Cliff Maloney joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss how conservatives can win elections using ground game tactics. Cliff details his experience helping with Sen. Rand Paul’s 2016 campaign and how he realized the lack of paid canvasser...

The fall of Spirit Airlines brings to light the reason why it went out of business in the first place — terrible leadership, particularly under the Biden Administration.

Join The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay as they discuss Spirit Airlines and the Leftists in power that contributed to the airline’s failure, such as former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Scott and Melissa call out Buttigieg and Warren for blocking the potential merger between Spirit and JetBlue, and express frustration over the Democrats’ handling of the transportation industry, which has led to signi...

Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui is apologizing to would-be assassin Cole Allen and his “mistreatment” (being restrained and in solitary confinement) in his Washington D.C. prison cell.

On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the latest news regarding the trial of Allen, blaming the Leftist media for creating an environment for individuals like Allen to be radicals and act maliciously. Melissa and Scott discuss the deeper problem within the judicial system — biased judges who serve their ideological interests. They touch upon examples in Louisiana and the Supreme Court’s Callais decision...

Radiant Mobile is a new service that hopes to combat porn addictions and access to other woke trappings — such as content related to drugs, LGBTQ, and more.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the new phone plan and its surprising features in content filtering. Ellie and Lyrah express hope in Radiant being a positive alternative for Christians and families who want additional restrictions for their children. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Graham Platner is the latest terrible Democrat politician being propped up by the party, despite recent revelations of him being an “Antifa supersoldier” and having a tattoo on his chest of a Nazi symbol.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the continuing demise of the Democrats. Ellie and Lyrah criticize the failed strategy of the Left to find their ‘Donald Trump’ and settling for radical figures like Zohran Mamdani, Kamala Harris, and Tim Walz. Tune in to hear their discussion!

While tick season is around the corner, farmers across the country are reckoning with these pests early on — and many are finding a random box full of ticks on their land.

Join The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay as they analyze another conspiracy — is the government/big Pharma creating a crisis with ticks just to generate profit? Melissa details the phenomenon and the “coincidence” of Pfizer’s vaccine against tick-borne illness being newly released. Melissa and Scott analyze recent data from the CDC, which reports an increase in ER visits due to ticks.

Tune in to...

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has recently been indicted by the Justice Department for funding white supremacist groups through wire fraud, false statements, and money laundering.

Listen to The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay as they share the latest developments in the legal battle to prosecute the SPLC for its wrongdoings. Melissa and Scott discuss the strategy behind the SPLC and other left-wing organizations through utilizing informants and influencing public opinion. They discuss the possibility of the SPLC being involved in the Charlottesville incident, and how leftist organizations receive government funding to further th...

The many years of the Left’s harmful rhetoric, calling for violence amongst conservatives and those who don’t agree with them, led to the most recent assassination attempt on President Trump at White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the motivations of the would-be assassin, Cole Allen, and how he was radicalized by the far Left to intend harm on the president. Melissa and Scott also discuss previous incidents involving Leftist violence on conservatives, attacking politicians such as Sen. Rand Paul, Justice Kavanaugh, and Lee Zeldin. They also push to hold...

The Public Religion Research Institute published a report stating that 43 percent of American women under 30 claim “no religious identity,” which outnumbers the 35 percent of young men who also do not identify with a religion.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo explore and challenge the data, and suggest possible factors that drive young adults to become religious “nones.” Ellie and Lyrah draw from their personal experiences within the church and explain how there is still hope for Gen Z to revitalize religion in America. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The University of Michigan is providing an online course called “Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair,” which teaches students how to do makeup and hairstyles to meet diversity standards.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the course offerings and criticize the University of Michigan for providing this class as a form of “education.” Ellie and Lyrah discuss the continuation of DEI in universities and how this class is inaccurately representing professional cosmetologists. Tune in to hear their discussion!

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to tax properties worth $5 million or more — otherwise known as the “pied-à-terre” tax — is a ploy to throw out Americans out of the Big Apple and replace them with foreign investors.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay criticize Mamdani’s communist rule in New York, pointing out his incompetence to bring the city back to its former glory. Melissa and Scott call out his aggressive housing inspections and expand on the “tax the rich” scheme that Mamdani wants to push on landowners. They also discuss the current standings...

The statistics of children’s academic performance in the public school system are horrific — 34 percent of kids can read at grade level.

Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations and co-author of Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education, and How We Can Win It Back, joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss the dismal state of the public education system. Robert details how Marxism was placed into the very foundation of public schools through the ideas of Robert Owen and Horace Mann. Melissa shares her personal experience of homes...

What does it take to run for public office, and why do the best people for the job often decide to quit or avoid the position altogether?

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay explore this question and explain what it takes to be a legislator, and how principled leaders often quit due to the discouragement and scrutiny that takes place. Melissa and Scott highlight traits of successful politicians, such as possessing a certain charisma and having an ego that can bolster a leader through the ranks. They also highlight the terrible qualities that separate a...

Gavin Newsom was caught trying to blemish his accolades and uphold his memoir as a New York Times bestseller, even though two-thirds of his book sales are from his PAC’s email blast asking for donations.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes, Lyrah Margo, and Morgan Weiner explain what happened with Newsom’s book sales and what it means for his hopes to secure the 2028 presidential election. Ellie, who is the author of Newsom Unleashed: The Progressive Lust for Unbridled Power, shares how Newsom has ruined California and how he has tried to cover his fail...

The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, who have been caring for patients with terminal cancer for over 125 years, are being sent warning letters from the state of New York for refusing to adhere to the Long-Term Care Facility Residents’ Bill of Rights for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers and People Living with HIV Act.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo give insight into the case and how these nuns are being attacked by the state for their religious beliefs. Ellie and Lyrah continue to sound the alarm on the harms of transgenderism and express dis...

Justin Bieber’s performance at Coachella provoked various responses from ‘Beliebers’ and critics. Bieber’s recent comeback has also reignited discussions about his rise to fame and his past struggles.

The American Spectator’s Development Associate and ‘Belieber’ Morgan Weiner joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss the controversies surrounding Justin Bieber, his abuse and handling by Sean “Diddy” Combs and Usher, and the big issues surrounding the music industry. Melissa and Morgan discuss Bieber’s previous sporadic behavior, which included fights and public breakdowns. They also discuss how Bieber was a victim of P Diddy, and...

While the conservatives shake their heads in disappointment over Donald Trump’s recent AI photo of himself as Jesus, many struggle to make sense of Trump’s statements against Pope Leo XIV and his overall stances regarding faith.

On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie discuss the debacle of Trump’s AI photo and the pushback by religious conservatives — some who have even deemed the president as the Antichrist. They also discuss Trump’s unconventional strategy using AI throughout his term, and how that plays a role in the Iran war. Scott and Me...

The sexual assault allegations against Eric Swalwell have officially ousted him from the California governor’s race and led him to resign from Congress. The feeding frenzy that led Swalwell to his resignation was also fueled by the Democrats, who have left him to be ostracized by the American public.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie criticize Swalwell for his actions and speak on the compromised state of the Democratic Party. Scott and Melissa call out other Democrats for their deviant behavior, such as Adam Schiff and his association with sexual predator Ed Buck, and...

Canada is expected to expand its euthanasia services to people suffering from mental illness in 2027. MAiD activist Jocelyn Downie expressed her concern in a recent parliament hearing that withholding MAiD from people with mental illnesses will result in “more mentally ill Canadians dying by suicide.”

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes, Lyrah Margo, and Morgan Weiner discuss the current status of MAiD and the consequences of offering these services to those struggling with mental health. Ellie, Lyrah, and Morgan share their concerns for people with mental illness and why MAiD is not a suitable optio...

Shocking allegations of sexual assault from women who were previously staffers for Rep. Eric Swalwell have ended his campaign for the California governorship. Despite Swalwell’s trying to shut down these claims as “false allegations,” Democrats are pulling away their support and are doing everything they can to distance themselves from him.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes, Lyrah Margo, and Morgan Weiner discuss the developing controversy with Swalwell and go through the horrific experiences that these women shared. They examine the responses by notable Democrats like Nancy Pelosi, and connect...

Data centers in the United States are rapidly expanding, which leaves many Americans in rural communities (where many of these data centers are being planted) feeling unhappy.

Listen to The Spectacle Podcast hosts Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie as they debate the feasibility of these massive projects. Scott details the implications of Meta’s $27 billion data center in Louisiana, which is drawing a lot of attention for its environmental impacts due to its huge usage of water and electricity. Melissa and Scott examine the arguments made for and against these AI centers and raise concerns for potential gove...

Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro are being highly advertised as the little risk, high-reward drug that will not only make you lose weight, but also stay in shape. However, new research is citing that these drugs are doing more than expected, such as the possibility of removing desire altogether.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie discuss the science behind GLP-1s and how these drugs alter one’s brain chemistry. Melissa shares her personal experience with GLP-1s and offers insight into how it impacts emotional and social behaviors. Melissa and Scott also talk about the...

Catholic priest and exorcist Chad Ripperger shared the top 10 American places with the highest amount of demonic presence. Among them were places like Washington, D.C., Salem, Las Vegas, and San Francisco.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie discuss the supernatural and challenge the different perspectives about demons. Scott and Melissa survey American attitudes toward spiritual warfare and how it has contributed to the rise of a religious revival here in America. They also discuss classified documents regarding UFOs and UAPs, and political leaders alluding that it reveals spiritual activity here on earth. Tune i...

The Washington, D.C., chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, an organization that claims to uphold the ethics of the journalism industry, is giving ex-Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah the Distinguished Service Award. Attiah gained notable public attention for being fired from the Post because of her inflammatory comments following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo highlight the absurdity of the award, highlighting Attiah’s victim mentality. Ellie and Lyrah review Attiah’s recent work and point out her flawed beliefs about white women, Palestine, and...

This Easter, Catholic dioceses across the country are reporting a strong surge of converts into the Roman Catholic Church.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the rising trend of Americans turning to Christianity and going back to church. They discuss Pope Leo XIV’s influence in the Catholic Church’s growing numbers and how there is also church growth on the Protestant side. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The premier of the latest season of The Bachelorette was suddenly canceled due to recent and previous domestic violence allegations against Taylor Frankie Paul, who Disney and ABC had selected as the show’s star. Taylor Frankie Paul’s rise to fame has been fueled by her toxic tendencies, some of which are documented on the Hulu show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss footage of the incident, which involves Paul throwing metal chairs at her boyfriend and her daughter. Elli...

A demonstrator at the “Hands off Iran” protest in Philadelphia was caught on video cheering for American troops to be returned “in a casket,” and called for the Iranian regime to bring the U.S. “to its knees.”

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo criticize the protest and the protester’s speech for cheering for the death of Americans. They discuss the Left’s lack of insightful thought on the Iran war and their hatred of President Trump. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The trend of “looksmaxxing,” which involves men hyper-fixating on their look to become physically attractive, with some going to extreme measures by hammering their cheekbones or breaking their jaws.

On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss how the trend is attributed to the lack of meaningful relationships between men and women. They point out how influencers like Andrew Tate and Clavicular are cautionary tales of what happens when men emphasize looks over character and concrete skills. Melissa and Scott survey what’s going on amongst young men and women, pointing out the...

Traveling Americans are complaining about the extra-long TSA lines at airports across the country, which is due to a partial government shutdown. This particular grievance leads The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to one idea — to get rid of the TSA altogether.

Melissa and Scott discuss the impact Americans are experiencing from the shutdown, criticizing both Republicans and Democrats for their response. They explain the absurdity of the TSA, deeming it a theatrical system that serves no purpose in protecting Americans from terrorist incidents. Melissa and Scott also propose suitable replacements to TSA, such as i...