
Hosted by The Daily Beast, Joanna Coles · EN

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles take a closer look at the latest signs of dysfunction inside Trump’s White House, from Jeanine Pirro’s stunning retreat over the disastrous reflecting pool to the murky story behind Trump’s call to embattled Congressman Max Miller. They unpack the Senate’s capitulation over Todd Blanche, Trump’s historically terrible poll numbers and the mindset that allows him to simply dismiss them, before turning to the increasingly chaotic Iran conflict and the risk that Trump’s impulsive foreign policy is making a dangerous situation even worse. Then, the stakes get much bigger as David Ellison’s bid to build an entertainment empire brings Paramount, CBS, CNN and Donald Trump into an increasingly tangled political and media power struggle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Rothkopf joins Joanna Coles to delve into another extraordinary week in Trump world, from mounting questions over the president’s handling of Iran and a deepening foreign policy crisis to allegations of corruption, political dysfunction, and the stunning collapse of public confidence reflected in new polling. They dive into RFK Jr.’s combative CNN appearance, the fallout surrounding embattled Congressman Max Miller, the mystery of Mitch McConnell’s extended absence, the latest twists in Todd Blanche’s confirmation battle, and the growing cracks inside the MAGA movement as Tucker Carlson, Laura Loomer, and JD Vance collide. Plus, they examine Trump’s latest Truth Social spectacle, his self-proclaimed golf triumph, and why the hosts argue the chaos surrounding his administration is only accelerating as the midterms draw closer. Download the Kalshi app and use code TDB to get up to $500 in bonus credits when you trade $25. #ad Go to https://leesa.com and use promo code DAILYBEAST for 25% off select mattresses plus an extra $50 off, exclusive for The Daily Beast Podcast listeners. #ad Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/beast to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew Weissmann returns to the Daily Beast Podcast to break down why Donald Trump has suffered a rare political setback, what Todd Blanche's stalled confirmation battle reveals about the limits of presidential power, and why the fight over the Justice Department is far from over. Weissmann also explains the extraordinary legal and constitutional questions raised by the renewed prosecution of James Comey over the now-infamous "8647" seashell photo, revealing why he believes the case should never reach trial. From political loyalty tests inside the Justice Department to growing concerns over national security leadership and the latest twists in the Epstein saga, Weissmann explains what these battles could signal for the months ahead. 👉 Grab your free seat to the 2-Day AI Mastermind: https://links.outskill.com/THDAIBEAAUG2 🔐 100% Discount for the first 1000 people 💥 Dive deep into AI and Learn Automations, Build AI Agents, Make videos & images – all for free! 🎁 Bonuses worth $5,100+ if you join and attend #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles argue that Donald Trump's trip to Camp David wasn't a show of strength but a sign of growing desperation, as he tries to project presidential gravitas while, they contend, becoming trapped in a war he cannot win and surrounded by advisers whose public loyalty masks private disbelief. They break down why Todd Blanche may be discovering the true cost of working for Trump, how a powerful Trump fundraiser is amassing a staggering war chest for his post-White House influence, and why Trump's grip on the Republican Party could outlast his presidency even as his poll numbers slide. Plus, they dissect the unraveling of the James Comey investigation, the bizarre role of Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, the dropped charges against Olympian Davey Hearn, and what Mitch McConnell's prolonged absence says about Washington's aging power structure in a conversation that reveals how the spectacle around Trump may be obscuring far more consequential shifts behind the scenes. Download SAILY's app and use code beast at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/beast #ad If you’re ever injured in an accident, you can check out Morgan & Morgan. You can start your claim in just a click without having to leave your couch: https://ForThePeople.com/TRUMP #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joanna Coles and Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty break down another extraordinary week in politics, from Donald Trump's unsettling appearance at Lindsey Graham's funeral to the growing mystery surrounding Mitch McConnell's health and the unanswered questions surrounding the photos released by his office. They explain why the silence from Republican leaders has only fueled speculation, what McConnell's absence could mean for the balance of power in the Senate, and why Trump has every incentive to avoid the story. Plus, they look at Vivek Ramaswamy's surprising political troubles in Ohio, the domestic abuse allegations engulfing Rep. Max Miller, and the political battles that could reshape the 2026 midterms. Presented in partnership with PMI U.S., US Businesses of Philip Morris International. Share your prediction for America's future with #America250 or fill out our form for a chance to be featured on the podcast. By posting with #America250, you agree that The Daily Beast may include your comment in PMI U.S.-sponsored segments on The Daily Beast Podcast and to other potential PMI U.S. uses. https://beast.pub/america250 #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles trace what they argue is a turning point for Donald Trump as the consequences of his biggest political bets begin to close in around him. They break down why Trump's Iran strategy has left him boxed in with no clear exit, how the war has reshaped his standing at home and abroad, and why even his closest allies may now be adding to his problems instead of solving them. They also examine the fallout from Lindsey Graham's funeral, Darlene Graham's Senate ambitions, Anthony Fauci's newly revealed diaries, RFK Jr.'s growing influence over vaccine policy, and the surprising White House tensions that expose deeper cracks inside Trump's orbit. Start your free trial today at https://shopify.com/dailybeast #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve Schmidt returns to the Daily Beast Podcast to discuss the extraordinary mystery surrounding Mitch McConnell’s disappearance from public view, why he believes McConnell’s team may be hiding the true extent of the senator’s condition, and what Kentucky’s governor can and can’t do about it. Schmidt also takes aim at Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran war, argues that the conflict has already spiraled into a much larger global confrontation, and delivers a blistering assessment of Lindsey Graham’s political legacy. Plus, he explains why Democrats are blowing a crucial opportunity ahead of the midterms and why a Trump defeat could actually make the MAGA movement even more extreme. If you’re ever injured in an accident, you can check out Morgan & Morgan. You can start your claim in just a click without having to leave your couch: https://ForThePeople.com/DAILYBEAST #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles take a look at Donald Trump’s obsession with outlasting everyone around him, from the strange question of how Trump wants to be remembered to the political future he may be plotting from Mar-a-Lago. They also dissect JD Vance’s new book and the remarkable contradictions at its center: a man searching for God while relentlessly pursuing power, trying to distance himself from Trump while positioning himself to inherit MAGA, and presenting himself as a reluctant participant in a political life he has clearly hustled to achieve. Along the way, Wolff and Coles expose the gaps between Vance’s carefully constructed story and the reality behind it—and why his book may reveal far more about his ambitions than he intended. Presented by PMI U.S., US Businesses of Philip Morris International. Share a prediction on America's future for a chance to be featured on The Daily Beast Podcast: https://beast.pub/america250 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Rothkopf and Joanna Coles discuss a whirlwind week of political chaos, from Donald Trump’s rocky White House Correspondents’ Dinner performance and late-night Truth Social barrage to growing questions about the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict and the Pentagon’s casualty figures. They examine why Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Benjamin Netanyahu all appear increasingly boxed in by wars and political pressure, dig into the high-stakes Saudi nuclear negotiations, and explore what Ukraine’s battlefield successes could mean for Russia’s future. The conversation also dives into the Tate brothers’ latest legal troubles and the widening cracks in Trump’s political strategy, delivering sharp analysis, insider context, and the bigger picture behind the headlines as global events collide in ways that could reshape the months ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kurt Andersen returns to the Daily Beast Podcast to discuss his provocative new novel The Breakup, a chilling vision of America's future that imagines the country pushed to its breaking point after Donald Trump's death sparks nationwide unrest. Andersen explains why the political chaos of the past few years forced him to make his fictional America even darker, whether the country is already living through a national tragedy, and why he believes imagining uncomfortable futures may be the only way to prepare for them. Joanna Coles and Andersen debate whether AI will make us smarter or stop us from thinking altogether, dissect Jon Ossoff's standout performance against Pete Hegseth, size up the most alarming figures in Trump's orbit, and explore why today's political theater increasingly resembles professional wrestling. Head to https://www.tryfum.com/BEAST and use promo code BEAST to get your free gift with purchase, and start The Good Habit today! #ad Use code BEAST at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/beast #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices