Mark Levin Podcast

Episode: "The Truth About Jack Smith and Election Interference"

Date: January 23, 2026

Host: Mark Levin (Cumulus Podcast Network)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mark Levin discusses what he sees as systemic efforts to criminalize challenges to U.S. elections, particularly those by Donald Trump, focusing heavily on Special Counsel Jack Smith and recent congressional hearings. Levin also hosts an in-depth interview on the Kennedy Center play about October 7th in Israel, covers milestone news in the Convention of States movement, and takes listener calls, all while adopting his signature passionate, combative tone.

Main Themes

• Election Interference & Jack Smith: Levin argues that the investigation and prosecution of Trump for challenging the 2020 election represents a grave assault on constitutional norms.
• October 7th and Media Coverage: A discussion about a verbatim-play retelling the October 7th terror attacks in Israel and the perceived failures of Western media.
• Convention of States Movement: Celebration of Kansas becoming the 20th state to pass the Convention of States resolution.
• Broader Critique of American Institutions & Culture: Concerns over far-left influence in schools, radicalization in immigrant communities, and alleged erosion of American values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Commentary: Media, Podcasts, and Global Reach

• Levin reflects on the reach of his show and dismisses critics:
  "Oh, your audience is shrinking. Actually, we're doing spectacularly well on all of our platforms, and we're creating a new one." (03:00)
• Critiques online "thugs and goons", and defends the significance of radio.
  "The golden age of radio is over when I leave, and I’m not leaving anytime soon." (04:20)
• Expresses disdain for online cesspools but claims to look for "the best of the best" online.

2. Foreign Policy: Iran, Kurds, and Public Figures

• Levin is openly hostile toward the Iranian regime, calling for direct action.
  "I’m praying that we will beat the crap out of the Iranian regime and put an end to the slaughter that’s been taking place there for almost half a century." (07:00)
• Criticizes public figures like Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson for "low IQ" takes and their recent comments on Iran:
  "That’s a traitor. If you think a country that wants to blow us off the face of the earth ought to have nuclear weapons... Why doesn’t he have his new home in Qatar?" (09:38)

3. Jack Smith, Election Challenges, and Congressional Testimony

• Argues that challenging elections is normal and legal, referencing historical alternate electors (Hawaii 1960, 1876):
  "There’s nothing illegal, not even sinister, about sending in another slate of electors, because ultimately Congress decides..." (13:20)
• Decries the criminalization of Trump’s election challenges as an outrageous overstep.
• Plays and analyzes clips from congressional hearings:
  Rep. Tiffany (WI) discusses historical precedent for alternate electors.
  Jim Jordan (OH) presses Jack Smith on witness credibility: "The fact that they used her in a primetime hearing and you won’t rule out using her... that says it all." (51:54)
• Blasts Democrats like Eric Swalwell and Jamie Raskin as hypocrites and "Marxists," with colorful personal jabs.

4. Interview: Philomena McAleer & the October 7 Play (19:00–33:30)

• [19:00] Levin introduces Philomena McAleer, Irish journalist and playwright, co-author of a verbatim play on Israel’s October 7th attacks.
• McAleer describes the motivation: "We saw the way this major story was being reported, and we were really worried that no one was going to write that first draft." (19:08)
• He and his wife interviewed survivors in Israel; recounts profound stories of heroism:
  • Off-duty police officer Itamar Alus, who saved lives in Offakim before dying of natural causes recently. (26:00)
  • Zaki Mizra, Orthodox Jew who broke Shabbat to rescue dozens at the Nova Festival. (27:00)
• Discusses difficulties of bringing the play to New York, requiring police presence: "No, people want. Do not want Jewish voices to be heard. And this is the ultimate Jewish voice, I suppose." (29:10)
• The play is praised as uniquely factual, deeply emotional, but also uplifting:
  "I left encouraged. Because, you know, it's a play about resilience as well." (30:49)

5. Election Law, Gag Orders, and Congressional Subpoenas (38:00–41:00)

• Levin highlights the "outrage" of Congress members’ phone records being subpoenaed without advance notice—calls this an abuse of power and violation of constitutional protections.
• Critiques Democrat defense of Jack Smith and claims that Smith’s prosecution efforts are un-American and damaging to democracy.
  • "He used all the dirtiest tricks... that a Stalinist prosecutor would use in a courtroom." (41:44)

6. Convention of States Success – Kansas Becomes 20th State (45:11–49:44)

• Interview with Mark Meckler, leader of the movement; Levin celebrates the milestone as a major grassroots constitutional victory.
• Meckler:
  "Today in the House of Representatives in Kansas, they made it final. They are state number 20. Incredible vote... they added their name to that list of the states that have called for a convention of states." (45:11)
• Discussion of next steps: pursuing South Dakota, push for 34 states; encouragement to listeners to get involved.

7. Critique of Progressive Policy, DEI in Schools, and Radicalization (73:17–78:40)

• Reviews a new Virginia DEI curriculum law, warning of "Trotskyite unions" and radical left currents in schools:
  "They're brainwashers. They're haters. Really appalling. This is Virginia." (73:40)
• Laments decline of formerly "red" states due to demographic and cultural change.

8. Islamism, Assimilation, and Security (55:22–71:14)

• Plays a clip of Muhammad Badawai stating his life mission is to fight the U.S. government and societal system: "Every single iota of strength, wealth and spirit that I have until I die will be spent fighting everything I just mentioned." (55:18)
• Condemns Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for anti-ICE, anti-American rhetoric: "She’s been very consistent: Abolish the police, Abolish ice, Abolish America." (56:40)
• Claims that immigration and insufficient assimilation are leading to America being "overrun" by hostile ideologies.

9. Board of Peace and Gaza: Interview with Josh Hammer (83:01–92:15)

• [83:01] Levin hosts Josh Hammer on the "Board of Peace" for Gaza reconstruction, expressing concern that anti-Israel countries like Qatar and Turkey are involved while Israel is excluded.
• Hammer draws disturbing analogies to U.S. border security and cartel violence, questioning why state sponsors of terror should play a role in post-war Gaza: "Do you think that we would invite China to the negotiating table? It totally beggars belief." (87:11)
• Both concur that appeasement does not work; only "power politics" will keep Israel secure.

10. Listener Calls & Historical Notes (93:13–end)

• Callers discuss radical politics in Maine, the work of Haim Solomon in financing the American Revolution, the legacy of Jews in American founding, and the importance of not rewriting history.
• Call from a Kansas Convention of States activist celebrating the win and urging further action.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "That’s a traitor. If you think a country that wants to blow us off the face of the earth ought to have nuclear weapons…" —Mark Levin, on Tucker Carlson’s comments regarding Iran (09:38)
• "There’s nothing illegal, not even sinister, about sending in another slate of electors... to criminalize this was absolutely outrageous." —Mark Levin (13:20)
• "This play is a must see, folks…This is the real Deal. Why did he… police presence and security for the entire run. Why do you think that was?" —Mark Levin, on October 7th play at the Kennedy Center (28:29)
• "He used all the dirtiest tricks that a Stalinist prosecutor would use in a courtroom. That’s what he did." —Mark Levin, on Jack Smith (41:44)
• "Today in the House of Representatives in Kansas, they made it final. They are state number 20." —Mark Meckler (45:11)
• "They’re brainwashers. They’re haters. Really appalling. This is Virginia." —Mark Levin, on DEI in schools (73:40)
• "The fact that they used her in a primetime hearing and you won’t rule out using her… that says it all." —Rep. Jim Jordan (51:54)
• "It's only power politics. That is the way that you, that you demonstrate strength and establish that you're not going anywhere." —Josh Hammer (90:42)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:00 | Levin on critics and the show's enduring success | | 07:00 | Condemnation of Iranian regime and Western responses | | 09:38 | Critique of public figures (Tucker Carlson, Rogan) | | 12:44 | House Judiciary Committee audio on alternate electors | | 19:00-33:30| Interview with Philomena McAleer (October 7 play) | | 38:00 | Discussion of gag orders and subpoenas against Congress members | | 41:44 | Levin's tirade against Jack Smith and Eric Swalwell | | 45:11 | Kansas becomes 20th state for Convention of States | | 51:54 | Jim Jordan on Cassidy Hutchinson as witness | | 55:18 | Audio from Muhammad Badawai, critique of Islamist radicalization | | 73:17 | Segment on Virginia's DEI curriculum bill | | 83:01 | Interview with Josh Hammer on Gaza, Board of Peace, Israel | | 93:13 | Listener calls, Maine politics, history of Haim Solomon |

Summary Characteristics

• Language & Tone: Aggressively conservative; fiery, sarcastic, unapologetic; frequent attacks on political opponents and institutions.
• Style: Mix of monologue, curated audio clips, interviews, and listener call-ins; heavy use of contemporary references and historical analogies.
• Target Audience: Conservative listeners seeking arguments against progressive policies, support for Trump, and critiques of mainstream media.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• Expect passionate defense of Trump’s right to contest elections, sharp criticism of Jack Smith and Democrat figures, and deep discussion of anti-Israel sentiment in media and politics.
• The episode combines policy analysis, historical context, and real-world activism (Convention of States), while delivering information with a blend of news, opinion, and personal anecdotes.
• Topical highlights include detailed narratives on election law, congressional hearings, media bias, security in Israel and the U.S., and education policy — all infused with Mark Levin’s unmistakable rhetorical flair.