Federalist Radio Hour: ‘You’re Wrong’ With Mollie Hemingway & David Harsanyi – Ep. 186: Bad Bunny (Feb 11, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of "You’re Wrong," host David Harsanyi welcomes back Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway for an in-depth conversation blending personal stories, cultural critiques, and sharp political analysis. The episode weaves through Mollie's recent family loss, the Super Bowl halftime show with Bad Bunny, American identity and assimilation, Olympic controversies, and the politics of gratitude, all with the duo’s signature “debate but no name-calling” approach.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mollie Hemingway’s Return & Reflections on Loss

Timestamps: 01:42–05:08

• Mollie shares heartfelt recollections of her father, a Lutheran pastor who recently passed away.
• She reflects on grief, community support, and empathy for others' losses:
  • “If it hurts this bad when your dad dies, what happens when a spouse dies? …I’m definitely going to be much more helpful to people when loved ones die…” (Mollie Hemingway, 02:28)

2. Super Bowl Halftime Show & Bad Bunny: Diversity or Division?

Timestamps: 05:49–18:32

The Controversy

• David notes the rapidly growing influence of Bad Bunny, highlighting his widespread streaming numbers.
• Mollie expresses skepticism about choosing Bad Bunny—a Spanish-language artist—for the Super Bowl halftime show in the US:
  • “I think it’s weird for an American Super Bowl to have an artist who sings only in Spanish...I just think it was a mistake by the NFL…” (Mollie Hemingway, 07:16)
• Discussion about the NFL’s shift toward internationalizing and reaching new audiences versus serving its traditional base.

Immigration, Assimilation, and American Identity

• Debates whether the performance was a “litmus test” about immigration and assimilation.
• Mollie criticizes performative approval of Bad Bunny among non-Spanish speakers:
  • “All of these people…were like, no, no, no, I like Bad Bunny. I’m like, no, you don’t. It’s repetitive. It’s in Spanish. You don’t speak Spanish.” (07:44)
• The analogy of earlier immigrant assimilation (e.g., Italian Americans) versus contemporary multiculturalism.

Notable Quotes

• “Everything has to become this massive, politicized event…That, to me, is the most annoying thing.” (David Harsanyi, 21:05)

American Identity Nuances

• Discourses on American identity versus “narrow” ethnic/cultural identities.
  • “America is a country of immigrants, which is something that people said without actually thinking it out…We actually are a country of Americans. And that’s different…” (Mollie Hemingway, 14:56)
• David adds context about Puerto Rican identity and language, acknowledging their American status but questioning the symbolic cultural messaging.

3. Olympics & Patriotism: Speaking Ill of America?

Timestamps: 20:24–30:21

• Discussion on media prompting US Olympians to publicly criticize the US on “foreign soil.”

• Both hosts strongly condemn athletes publicly disparaging America while representing it internationally.

  • “As for any American who says word one against the United States of America, I hope they lose and I hope they get replaced.” (Mollie Hemingway, 24:22)
  • “Come home, go off all you want, but you don’t go to Europe and do it.” (David Harsanyi, 25:08)

• Eileen Gu, American skier competing for China, is sharply criticized.

  • “This woman is just a traitor…She has no reason to be representing a geopolitical foe of the United States…” (David Harsanyi, 26:09)
  • Both raise doubts about dual citizenship's value and loyalty.

Notable Pop Culture Reference

• Emphasis on the “Miracle on Ice” as a touchstone for American unity and patriotism.
  • “It’s the greatest scene in movie history…when he's like, ‘I play for the USA’—it's just the best moment.” (David Harsanyi, 31:10)

4. Crime Stats, Demographics, and Society’s Shifts

Timestamps: 35:04–39:10

• Reviewing reports of massively falling homicide rates in major US cities and rejoicing—yet critiquing media framing (“despite Trump’s crackdown rhetoric”—Axios).
  • “It’s like, huh, not such a mystery to everybody else in the United States with like 25 different reasons…” (Mollie Hemingway, 36:49)
• Briefly speculate if demographic changes—such as fewer young people or less social interaction—could be influencing crime rates and even dating patterns among youth today.

5. Culture Corner: From Funerals to Melania to the Grateful Dead

Timestamps: 40:13–49:32

Personal Family Time & Documentary Viewing

• Mollie describes family gatherings around her father’s funeral and seeing the documentary “Melania.”
  • Impressed by Melania Trump’s poise and fashion sense; critiques media’s refusal to acknowledge Melania’s glamour compared to other First Ladies.
    • “An actual supermodel becomes First Lady and the media are like, 'No, she’s not very pretty.'” (Mollie Hemingway, 42:40)
  • Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania’s media portrayals compared.

Politics of Gratitude

• Mollie contrasts expressions of gratitude (J.D. Vance) with what she sees as resentment (Michelle Obama).
  • “If you can live a life of gratitude, it is so much better than to be angry all the time.” (Mollie Hemingway, 44:46)

Quick Fire Culture Plugs

• David’s media diet:
  • “Rumble Fish” – an experimental Coppola film.
  • The Amazon documentary “Long Strange Trip” about the Grateful Dead.
  • Reflects on learning to appreciate the band’s musicality beyond their “hippie” image.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Super Bowl’s cultural litmus test:
  “It was a weird choice...I think it was just an embarrassing mistake by the NFL.” (Mollie Hemingway, 07:16)

• On assimilation vs. identity:
  “America is a country of immigrants…but we actually are a country of Americans...” (Mollie Hemingway, 14:56)

• On American Olympians criticizing the US:
  “As for any American who says word one against the United States of America, I hope they lose…” (Mollie Hemingway, 24:22)

• On dual citizenship:
  “I do have a problem with dual citizenship, period. I do not think it makes sense actually.” (Mollie Hemingway, 27:45)

• On gratitude vs. resentment:
  “If you can live a life of gratitude, it is so much better than to be angry all the time.” (Mollie Hemingway, 44:46)

Important Timestamps

• 01:42–05:08: Mollie’s story about her father and grief
• 07:01–09:34: Bad Bunny, the Super Bowl, and questions of appeal and identity
• 13:37–15:32: David and Mollie’s analogy: assimilation then vs. now
• 19:19–21:05: English proficiency, immigration, and American unity
• 23:34–25:06: Olympians, patriotism, and public criticism of the US
• 36:04–37:20: Crime statistics and media narratives
• 40:13–43:00: Mollie on Melania documentary and media double standards
• 44:46: Mollie’s distinction between gratitude and resentment in public figures

Episode Tone

Candid, pointed, and openly skeptical of mainstream narratives, the conversation balances personal warmth with cultural and political critique. Mollie’s and David’s rapport allows for genuine disagreement and sharp humor, while staying grounded in broader questions of national identity, patriotism, and media influence.

For those who haven’t listened, this summary provides a comprehensive map of the episode’s thought-provoking themes, sharp exchanges, and reflective moments.