The Spectacle Podcast: The Official Podcast of The American Spectator

The Democratic Party sits at its all-time low, continuing to display its lack of morality and pure disdain for the American people. 

Join Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay on this episode of The Spectacle Podcast as they spout the latest news of what the Left has foolishly been up to. Melissa and Scott discuss musician Bob Vylan’s “Death to the IDF” chants at the Glastonbury festival, Pedro Pascal’s feud with JK Rowling, Trump’s DOJ suing Los Angeles over its sanctuary city policies, and the recent rebranding flop by Jaguar. Tune in to hear their discussion! <

Zohran Mamdani secured the New York primary as the Democratic nominee for mayor, resurfacing concerns of the Democrat Party’s direction toward socialism. 

On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss Mamdani’s rise to political power that pushed Andrew Cuomo out of the running. Melissa and Scott liken Mamdani’s affluent background to that of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and discuss Mamdani’s proposed communist policy plans for New York. They also predict and analyze the future implications for the people of New York if Mamdani wins the mayoral race, and the weary futu...

The Supreme Court decided over thirty cases during June — cases that supported federalism, parental rights, voting rights, and much more. 

Join The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay as they discuss various Supreme Court cases that were decided in June. Melissa and Scott highlight Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s rebuke of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissenting opinion in Trump v. CASA and Jackson’s overall incompetence as a judge. They also discuss decisions that protect minors from the LGBTQ+ ideology, such as United States v. Skrmetti and Mahmoud v. Taylor cases. Melissa and Scott also discus...

While Kamala Harris considers running for governor of California, Democratic donors are speaking out about their displeasure with her potential ticket.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo are joined by American Spectator editorial intern Madison Fossa to discuss the likelihood of Harris’ potential campaign. Ellie, Lyrah, and Madison emphasize Harris’ unpopular political record as a failed presidential candidate, former vice president for Joe Biden, and district attorney for San Francisco. They also discuss the future implications of the increasingly progressive direction of the Democratic Party. Tune in to hear...

Nathan Klambora, a doctoral candidate at the State University of New York at Binghamton, wrote his dissertation on how anthropology needs to be “explicitly queer.”

Join The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo, and American Spectator editorial intern Madison Fossa as they analyze Klambara’s research and criticize the continued push for LGBTQ ideology in scientific and academic endeavors. They also talk about how higher education should be focused on teaching objective science rather than promoting woke ideologies. Tune in to hear their discussion!

There is a high potential of a serial killer on the loose, as 38 bodies were recently discovered in or near Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the strong likelihood that there is a serial killer in Austin. Melissa and Scott discuss the peculiar facts surrounding the case and infer the qualities of the suspect. They also discuss previous serial killers, such as the Baton Rouge serial killer, Derrick Todd Lee, and make connections to this case.

Tune in to hear their discussion!

The Democrats continue to prove their incompetence to lead and win back the American people to their party.

On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the latest news of the crumbling Left. Melissa and Scott discuss the Democratic National Convention’s struggle to gain funding, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett, Al Green’s failed attempt to impeach President Trump, the election of Robert Garcia on the House Oversight Committee, and much more. They also explain how the Left has to live with the consequences of their terrible policies.

Tune...

President Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel following the U.S missile attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities this past weekend, but either country has yet to hold true to the deal.

Kyle Shideler, senior analyst for the Center for Security Policy, joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss the implications of the ceasefire of the Iran-Israel War. Kyle, Melissa, and Scott offer their predictions as to the future of the Middle East and the possibility of Iran reinitiating conflict. They also discuss the U.S. entanglements with Iran and the Mi...

This year’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit, hosted by Turning Point USA, focused on offering women empowerment through encouraging a family-oriented lifestyle rather than a career-focused one.Join The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo as they discuss the topics covered by the leadership summit — such as marriage, children, and feminism. Ellie and Lyrah explain how the conversation around femininity and the role of women has changed for this generation of young conservatives. They also talk about the influence of the Make America Healthy Again movement on conservative women, who are increasingly opting for clea...

The U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the past weekend demonstrated what strong American leadership looks like.On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, join hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo as they discuss the merits of Trump’s overall strategy in carrying out the “Midnight Hammer” operation. Ellie and Lyrah talk about how the current situation would be different if Joe Biden or Kamala Harris were commander-in-chief. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Mark Bulgutch, a writer for the Toronto Star, issued an unpopular opinion that dads should not be recognized or celebrated on Father’s Day, but rather “the woman who made him a father is the real hero of the story.”

Join The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay as they discuss and defend the importance of fathers in a child’s life. Melissa and Scott discuss how a dad’s presence and distinct parenting style play a role in a child’s overall development and success. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The annual Reuters Digital News Report found that 54 percent of the world’s population are turning to social media platforms (such as Facebook and X) rather than traditional outlets to get their news.

On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the future of news and the implications of social media on journalism. Ellie and Lyrah discuss their personal reservations with cable news outlets and how they utilize social media. They also explain how conservative outlets like The American Spectator can continue to stand out and remain a st...

The Left’s rhetoric on political violence continues to motivate evil actions. Fueled by this animosity, 57-year-old Vance Boelter was arrested on Sunday night for killing two Democratic legislators in Minnesota.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie discuss the potential motivation behind Boelter’s crime and the “No Kings” protests that took place across the country this past weekend. Scott and Melissa discuss the nonsense behind the demonstrations and the aging population of the protesters who demonstrated. They also explain how these protests are further indications of how and why the Left ultimately lost support f...

In an unsurprising find, a recent study found that 75 percent of Christians no longer trust the Democratic Party.

Join The Spectator P.M Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo as they discuss the research and analyze the reasons why Christians no longer align themselves with the Democratic Party. Ellie and Lyrah point out the stark loss of morality on the Left, such as their pro-abortion policies. They also discuss how the Democrats’ call to be welcoming and inclusive does not include people of faith. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The ongoing war between Israel and Iran continues to escalate concerns of potential U.S. involvement and the overall future of the Middle East.

On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie discuss and analyze the current developments happening in the Israel-Iranian war. Scott and Melissa criticize previous Democratic administrations in the United States for supporting the oppressive Iranian government, noting its unpopularity amongst the Iranian people. They also discuss the history of U.S. intervention in foreign wars and present strong arguments for keeping American boots off the ground. Tune in t...

Despite the Trump administration’s pushback on DEI initiatives, companies are still trying to integrate DEI through subtle means.Join Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo on this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast as they criticize the continued use of DEI in corporate America. They discuss how these racist practices should not be continued and question why the Left is so insistent on keeping it. Tune in to hear their analysis!

President Trump made an appearance at the rededication of Fort Bragg, which is being renamed to honor the World War II hero, Roland L. Bragg. 

The Spectacle hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the comeback of military greatness in America. Melissa and Scott attribute the uptick in military recruitment to the pullback of woke/DEI initiatives in all the branches. Melissa and Scott also discuss the Trump administration’s focus on returning to traditional values and revitalizing patriotism in the country. Tune in to hear their discussion! 

Southern Baptists voted at the annual Southern Baptist Convention on a measure to support the overturning of Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court decision that said there is a right to same-sex marriage.The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the significance of the Southern Baptists’ new measure and the importance of Christian political engagement. Ellie and Lyrah also discuss topics debated within the church, such as women’s leadership in pastoral roles. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Greta Thunberg’s latest activist stunt on the Hamas flotilla and Simone Biles’ dispute with Riley Gaines were widely looked down upon by the public.

Join The Spectacle hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay as they criticize Thunberg’s activism and Bile’s comments toward Gaines. Melissa and Scott analyze Thunberg’s history with activism and discuss the issues around the Left exploiting Thunberg since her youth. They also discuss the backlash Biles faced from her conflict with Gaines due to her comments insulting Gaines’ appearance and her unwavering fight to keep men out of women’s sports. Tune in...

Rioters are not destroying Los Angeles because ICE is performing mass deportations, but because of an ICE operation to crack down on a money laundering operation with drug cartels. 

In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the news surrounding the Los Angeles riots. Melissa and Scott analyze the different factors that led up to the city’s unrest, such as the illegal drug cartel activity, and the Democrats’ sore response to curb the riots happening in Los Angeles. They also discuss violent demonstrations in previous years and the American frustration with th...

The Boulder attack in Colorado that injured eight people was the result of the Biden administration’s poor handling of the immigration crisis.

Join Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay on this episode of The Spectacle Podcast as they discuss the current issues facing the immigration crisis, such as Chinese spies, lack of affordable housing, and false deportation claims. Melissa and Scott expand on the Biden administration’s failure to address critical issues of immigration that have led to harming the American people, and how the Trump administration is trying to fix the system.

Tune in to hea...

Americans no longer trust legacy media, yet these corporations continue to fail to prove that they’re still relevant to the American people.

In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the end of mainstream media. Scott and Melissa touch on the low ratings of MSNBC, CNN, and CBS due to terrible hosts such as Jen Psaki, Rachael Maddow, Jake Tapper, Brian Stelter. They contrast this to the rising popularity of conservative media personalities and alternative news sources, such as Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and Joe Rogan. Melissa and Scott also dis...

This year’s Pride celebrations are looking dismal for the LGBTQ community, as fewer Americans support the legality and morality of same-sex marriage and transgender ideology.On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the decreased presence of Pride Month and Americans’ growing distaste for transgender ideology. Ellie and Lyrah explain how companies are pulling out of sponsoring Pride events due to the decreased support from Americans and the Trump administration. They also talk about transgender athlete AB Hernandez, who made national headlines this week for winning two girls’ high school tra...

The brightest minds in Silicon Valley are relying on psychedelics (like ayahuasca) to reevaluate their lives, alleviate stress, and discover spirituality. The growing use of mind-altering drugs has led these entrepreneurs to seek out therapy in order to deal with their psychedelic experiences.Join Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo on this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast as they discuss the negative impacts of psychedelic use. Ellie and Lyrah talk about how these drugs alter one’s spiritual state, which is explicitly prohibited for Christians, and offer the Christian alternative.Tune in to hear their discussion!

As a mother of four children, celebrity Kourtney Kardashian challenged the status quo on education by asking, “Why do kids f*cking go to school? Truly, it’s so dated.” Kardashian appeared on her sister Khloe Kardashian’s podcast, Khloé in Wonder Land, and explained how she took on her perspective after her children showed her videos on parents who successfully homeschooled their kids.

Join The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo as they answer Kardashian’s questions on schooling and debate whether homeschooling is the best option for children. Ellie and Lyrah discuss...

A Do No Harm analysis into the Southern Illinois School of Medicine admissions revealed that black and Hispanic students with lower average GPA and MCAT scores than white and Asian students are being accepted. These findings spark concern into the school’s admissions process, as the Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action in higher education two years ago.

In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, host Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo analyze the report and discuss the staggering difference in scores between the racial groups. Ellie and Lyrah criticize the continued presence of affirmative act...

President Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News for manipulating Kamala Harris’ 60 Minutes interview continues to shed light on the distrust of legacy media.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss how major media’s decline in value and credibility has led them to face a massive overhaul for misleading the American people. They discuss the implications of a potential merger between Paramount and Skydance, and what it means in light of Trump seeking a settlement. Melissa and Scott also talk about how current entertainment (such as Star Wars’ Andor series) and future entertainment fare better to...

Ex-FBI Director James Comey’s “86 47” post continues to be widely criticized for threatening to harm President Trump.

On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay explain why Comey deserves to be prosecuted for his post inciting violence to teach the violent Left a lesson. Melissa and Scott discuss Comey’s high-profile position as the head of the FBI and how he was complicit in various cover-ups, such as Hillary Clinton’s email server. They also have an overarching discussion on the corruption of the FBI and how reform in government institutions is desperately...

Former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis opens up further criticism on the liberal media, Biden’s administration, and the Left’s politicians for being complicit in covering up his health.

Join hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay on this episode of The Spectacle Podcast as they discuss the recent revelation of Biden’s declining health, which the Left has tried to conceal from the American public. They also expand on the corruption within the Democratic Party, calling out figures like Barack Obama and Jill Biden for their role in ruining America. Melissa and Scott also explain...

Serbian soccer player Nemanja Matić is facing a possible ban after he covered a rainbow patch on his uniform with white tape. Matić, who is a member of the Serbian Orthodox Church, isn’t the first to do so; other soccer players have also refused to support LGBTQ messaging due to their religious beliefs — and faced bans as a result. The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the incident and praise Matić for his actions despite the impending consequences. Ellie and Lyrah criticize the LGBTQ movement for its continued attempts to cancel those who do not c...

Michigan Judge Sima Patel ruled that certain provisions regarding abortion procedures — such as the 24-hour waiting period, informed consent, and physician-only abortions — are unconstitutional under Michigan’s Constitution.

In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the judge’s ruling and how it sets a dangerous precedent for women and babies. They explain how banning these restrictions will put mothers’ and children’s lives at greater risk.

Ellie and Lyrah also discuss recent news circulating around the pro-life movement, such as the case of Adriana Smith and the bomb e...

Former President Joe Biden appeared on BBC and The View on a press tour last week, with high hopes of a return to the public eye.

Join Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo on this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast as they react to the out-of-touch responses that Biden gave in his interviews. Ellie and Lyrah criticize both Joe and Jill Biden for their persistent denial of Joe Biden’s cognitive decline. They also express hope for the truth to be revealed with the upcoming release of Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s exposé on Biden...

Last week, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American who spent much of his priestly ministry in Peru, became the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV.

In this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, host Ellie Gardey Holmes is joined by special guest American Spectator writer S.A. McCarthy to discuss how Pope Leo XIV’s experience might equip him to lead the Catholic Church with compassion, understanding, faith, and wisdom. Ellie and Sam also discuss the current state of the Catholic Church and offer insight into how the newly elected pontiff will seek to lead the Peopl...

The increasing presence of artificial intelligence begs the question: where will it go from here?

Join The Spectacle Podcast host Scott McKay and podcast producers Grace Keller and Lyrah Margo as they discuss how they have utilized artificial intelligence in their professional careers and everyday lives. Scott, Grace, and Lyrah also discuss various AI platforms like Grok and ChatGPT and examine the future implications in the workforce.

Tune in to hear their fun discussion!

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...