The Smerconish Podcast

Trump Won This District by 14 Points. Democrats Just Flipped It | Jon Ralston

A political earthquake in Nevada—and a preview of the battle for the White House in 2028. Michael broadcasts from Las Vegas and sits down with Jon Ralston, founder and CE

Today's Poll Question: Why Did President Trump Make Stephen Miller His Chief Of Staff?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: After losing Congress, why did Trump make Stephen Miller chief of staff? Was it to reward loyalty or to fight? Following a bruisi

Trump Lost. Democrats Won. But Independents Hold the Real Power.

Democrats swept the 2026 midterms, but are they drawing the wrong conclusions from their victory? Michael examines two overlooked forces behind the historic blue wave: in

Today's Poll Question: Was the rebuke of President Trump based more on his policies or personality?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Was the Tuesday rebuke of President Trump based more on his policies or personality? Democrats won on Tuesday, but what exactly w

The Biggest Winner of the 2026 Midterms Wasn't the Democrats

Democrats won control of Congress, President Trump accepted defeat, and America experienced something increasingly rare: an election without widespread chaos or controver

Today's Poll Question: Did Democrats Win on Policy—or Did Voters Just Reject Trump?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: How should the winning Democratic candidates interpret their victories in Tuesday's elections? Did Democrats win because voters e

Democrats Crush Republicans: Is JD Vance Turning on Trump? | Mark Halperin

Democrats have delivered a stunning rebuke to President Donald Trump, capturing both the House and Senate in a sweeping 2026 midterm election victory. But was it a resurg

Today's Poll Question: Did You Split Your Ticket?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Did you split your ticket? Democrats have captured the House and Senate, President Trump says he accepts defeat, and the 2026 mid

Can We Agree: The National Debt

This is the audio version of "Can We Agree?" Episode #6. "Can We Agree?" is the program that asks whether two brilliant minds from opposite corners of an argument can fin

Today's Poll Question: If Democrats win big today, will AOC Progressives or Shapiro Moderates Win 2028?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: If Democrats win big today, who becomes better positioned for 2028? An AOC-style progressive or a Shapiro-style moderate? Electio

Trump Wants to Change Your Clocks AGAIN—Before the Year Is Over?

We JUST turned our clocks back. Could President Trump make us spring forward AGAIN before the year is over? Michael Smerconish talks with Washington Post White House repo

Today's Poll Question: Does Haley Stevens owe more of a duty to her conscience or her party?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: To what does Haley Stevens owe more of a duty, her conscience or her party? Just 48 hours before the midterm elections, Michigan

The Childhood We Had Would Get Our Parents Arrested Today

A Florida mom was arrested for leaving her four children, ages 9 to 14, home alone while she traveled for work—even though she'd arranged for a babysitter to check on the

Today's Poll Question: Will the midterms mark the end of the Trump era?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will the midterms mark the end of the Trump era? Michael examines political strategist Doug Sosnik's provocative analysis of the

Is the Trump Era About to End? Doug Sosnik's Stunning Midterm Forecast

Is the Trump era nearing its end? veteran Democratic strategist and former Clinton White House adviser Doug Sosnik joins Michael for a revealing, data-driven look at what

Today's Poll Question: Is Recruiting A Candidate With Your Opponent’s Name A Dirty Trick Or Fair Game?

A dirty political trick or just smart campaign strategy? A stunning New York Times investigation reveals an alleged scheme involving Democrats recruiting a second candida

Mark Halperin: An October Surprise Could Change EVERYTHING Before Election Day

With Election Day just days away, could an October Surprise change everything? Veteran political analyst Mark Halperin joins Michael for a final look at the 2026 midterms

Today's Poll Question: Will AI do more good or harm in your lifetime?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will AI do more good or harm in your lifetime? Artificial intelligence could cure cancer, fight Alzheimer's, and revolutionize go

Can Trump Strip Ilhan Omar of Her Citizenship? Immigration Attorney Explains

Can President Donald Trump really strip Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of her U.S. citizenship—and potentially have her deported? As the Trump administration investigates the M

Today's Poll Question: Do We Vote Our Values—or Just Follow Our Demographics?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which drives voters more, their demographics or their values? We like to believe our votes reflect our values. But what if race,