The Daily Beast Podcast

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles unpack a week in which the Jeffrey Epstein saga once again consumed Washington, examining explosive new reporting about panic, leaks, and finger-pointing inside the White House while asking who is really trying to shape the narrative around Donald Trump. Wolff argues that the most revealing detail is not Epstein himself but the apparent effort to cast JD Vance as an outsider to the president’s inner circle, exposing the rivalries and survival instincts driving the administration. Along the way, they explore the fallout surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell, Bill Gates, and other prominent figures pulled back into the Epstein orbit, while also turning to Trump’s startling claim that he “loves the inflation” and what it reveals about the mindset of a president who refuses to acknowledge political threats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles dive into a week that may reveal the limits of Donald Trump’s political dominance, from being loudly booed at a packed Knicks playoff game to turning the White House lawn into a UFC spectacle for his birthday celebration. Wolff argues that Trump’s drive to stamp his name on everything—from sports to immigration to the World Cup—is creating a growing list of political liabilities that now point directly back to him, while Coles recounts seeing firsthand how little attention Trump commanded inside Madison Square Garden. The pair also unpack Trump’s combative Meet the Press interview, RFK Jr.’s mysterious absence from governing while building a potential post-Trump movement, JD Vance’s positioning for the future, Kash Patel’s loyalty tests inside the administration, and the emerging Republican battles that could shape 2028. Along the way, Wolff offers a revealing look at how Trump’s inner circle survives by managing his impulses, and why the president’s inability to recognize mistakes may be the defining story of his second term. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/dailybeast #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mary Trump returns to the Daily Beast Podcast on the week of her uncle Donald's 80th birthday to deliver one of her starkest assessments yet of a president she says is facing pressures unlike anything in his life. Drawing on her perspective as both a clinical psychologist and a member of the Trump family, Mary argues that Donald Trump is struggling to maintain control of the narrative as political setbacks, growing criticism, and the fallout from his decision to strike Iran begin to converge. She breaks down what she sees as signs of mounting instability, reflects on the family dynamics that shaped him, examines his increasingly isolated position inside the White House, and explains why she believes some of the myths that have sustained him for decades are now colliding with reality. From foreign policy and political loyalty to personal humiliation and family relationships, Mary offers an unfiltered look at the forces she believes are defining one of the most consequential moments of Trump's presidency. Head to https://superpower.com and use code DAILYBEAST at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence—100+ biomarkers, every year, early detection of 1,000+ conditions. #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama, speaks with Joanna Coles about why he believes Donald Trump is repeating the mistakes the Obama administration spent years trying to avoid, from Iran and the Strait of Hormuz to the unraveling of decades of American diplomacy. Drawing on his firsthand role in the Iran nuclear negotiations and the reopening of relations with Cuba, Rhodes explains how complex deals are actually made, why expertise matters in moments of crisis, and what happens when governments ignore it. He also reflects on Trump's transformation of the White House, the growing influence of tech billionaires, the future of Democratic leadership, and the deeper battle over America's identity that inspired his new book, All We Say. Rhodes offers a rare insider's view of diplomacy, power, and the long-term consequences of decisions that could reshape the global order for years to come. Recover smarter with Lifepro—get $20 OFF the Waver Vibration Plate and free shipping at https://lifeprofitness.com with code DAILYBEAST at checkout. #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew Lownie returns to the Daily Beast Podcast to discuss the explosive new paperback edition of his hit book Entitled, revealing how fresh disclosures, newly surfaced Epstein-related material, and a widening police investigation have intensified scrutiny of ex-Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, and the wider royal family. Lownie argues that what began as a story about one disgraced royal has evolved into a far larger reckoning over privilege, secrecy, and accountability at the heart of the monarchy, while detailing allegations of financial dealings, palace protection, and behind-the-scenes efforts to contain the fallout. He also explains why King Charles may have mishandled the crisis, why Prince William reportedly wants a much tougher approach, what life looks like now for Andrew and Fergie, and why he believes the biggest revelations may still be ahead as more sources come forward and his next book begins to take shape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Rothkopf and Joanna Coles dive into a week of chaos surrounding Donald Trump, from a weekend barrage of Truth Social posts and increasingly bizarre self-mythologizing to mounting questions about his health, judgment, and grip on reality. Rothkopf argues that Trump’s latest behavior reveals a president trapped by crises of his own making—from Iran and a crumbling political coalition to what he describes as a dangerous fantasy world where everyone else plays the victim. The pair also unpack the growing signs of Republican unease, the political fallout heading into the midterms, and why a larger generational reckoning may be reshaping global leadership. As the conversation builds toward a chilling conclusion about power, aging, and the risks of desperation, Rothkopf delivers one of his starkest assessments yet of the man occupying the Oval Office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles unpack another week of chaos inside Trumpworld, from a judge forcing Donald Trump to strip his name from the Kennedy Center to a court challenge threatening his controversial $1.8 billion IRS settlement fund. They dig into Trump's newly disclosed weight gain, his obsession with public enemies, and why Wolff believes targeting figures like E. Jean Carroll matters more to Trump than winning in court. The pair also explore the growing influence of Todd Blanche, the fallout from the Epstein files controversy, and signs that Trump may already be turning on J.D. Vance as a potential successor. Along the way, they re-open the book on Usha Vance's baffling podcast, the deepening Iran crisis that Trump can't seem to escape, and the reality-show logic that continues to drive the presidency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles trace the panic, paranoia, and raw volatility swirling around Donald Trump as he insists he “doesn’t care” about the midterms while privately sounding trapped, furious, and increasingly dangerous. From comparisons to Stalin’s inner circle and the cult-like loyalty inside Trump’s cabinet, to the political gamble of backing scandal-plagued Ken Paxton in Texas, the episode dives deep into a presidency that appears to be running on grievance, chaos, and reality-show instincts. They unpack Trump’s escalating obsession with E. Jean Carroll as the Justice Department targets her after she beat him twice in court, explore how Iran may be outmaneuvering him in the Strait of Hormuz crisis, and examine why Trump’s promise to avoid endless wars is collapsing in real time. Plus, Michael reveals another surreal chapter from his Jeffrey Epstein encounters involving Bill Gates, billionaire fantasies, and the strange power games unfolding inside Epstein’s Manhattan mansion. Visit https://ffrf.us/TRUMP or text TRUMP to 511511 to learn more and join. #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles dissect Donald Trump’s declining health as the president heads back to Walter Reed for another physical exam and questions swirl around whether the nearly 80-year-old can physically survive a second term. From Trump’s repeated cognitive tests and mounting exhaustion to behind-the-scenes panic over Iran, Cuba, Marco Rubio, JD Vance, and the future of the MAGA succession fight, the episode spirals through paranoia, power, and the growing sense that the pressure around Trump is finally starting to show. Wolff also reveals extraordinary new details from his legal war with Melania Trump, including how Trump-appointed judges, Boris Epshteyn, and Todd Blanche fit into what he describes as a justice system now reshaped around Trump himself, before Joanna Coles caps things off with the surreal spectacle of Usha Vance’s baffling new children’s web series and the increasingly strange cast orbiting the Trump universe. INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to https://incogni.com/beast #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve Schmidt returns to the Daily Beast Podcast with a blistering warning about Donald Trump’s unraveling grip on power, the Republican Party’s “Shakespearean” collapse into cowardice, and why he believes MAGA is heading toward a political wipeout. In a conversation that ricochets from the Epstein files to the future of American democracy, Schmidt tears into GOP leaders he says have “lashed themselves to the mast,” predicts a brutal reckoning in 2028, and unleashes a stunning critique of John Fetterman, calling the Pennsylvania senator unfit for office after his stroke and accusing Fox News of psychologically manipulating him in public. Schmidt also paints a deeply alarming picture of America’s standing abroad, arguing the U.S. is already losing a hidden war with Iran while Trump drifts toward another dangerous foreign adventure in Cuba, all as gas prices soar and public frustration boils over. Schmidt then turns his fire on Jeff Bezos and the billionaire class he says chose submission over resistance, framing this political era not just as a fight over power, but as a historic test of national character that future generations will study with disbelief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joanna Coles and Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty reunite for a blistering breakdown of what they call the most brazen Trump grift yet: a staggering $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded “victims” fund that could benefit January 6 rioters, MAGA loyalists, and even Trump allies accused of crimes, all while Republican lawmakers panic behind closed doors over the political fallout. They trace the astonishing timeline from Trump’s hidden tax returns to a surreal legal battle in which Trump effectively sued his own government, before unpacking explosive new polling showing his support collapsing amid outrage over Iran, ICE, and mounting corruption allegations. The conversation also veers into the mysterious disappearance of New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean Jr., the turmoil consuming CBS and 60 Minutes after Anderson Cooper’s dramatic exit, and Trump’s late-night obsession with Stephen Colbert as his approval numbers spiral downward. For a limited time, Honeylove is offering up to 50% off sitewide during their Memorial Day sale at honeylove.com/DAILYBEAST. #honeylovepod #ad Try QUO for free and plus get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/BEAST #ad Visit https://ffrf.us/BEAST or text "BEAST" to 511511 to join or learn more about protecting the separation of church and state as America approaches its 250th anniversary. #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. John Gartner returns to The Daily Beast Podcast to deliver an urgent, chilling analysis of Donald Trump’s rapidly deteriorating clinical condition as he approaches his 80th birthday. Moving far beyond typical signs of aging, Dr. Gartner details to Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty the alarming behavioral symptoms pointing toward frontotemporal dementia—including a complete loss of empathy, dangerous disinhibition, and increasingly disorganized thought processes. Dr. Gartner unpacks the psychology behind Trump’s late-night postings, his shocking new delusions of grandeur, and a calculated effort to "groom" the American public for an unthinkable nuclear conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Rothkopf and Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty break down the growing signs of political and personal collapse surrounding Donald Trump, from brutal new polling numbers and deepening economic anxiety to accusations of corruption, authoritarianism, and a White House increasingly lashing out at critics. The conversation moves from Trump’s legal maneuvers and mounting scrutiny over his finances to the administration’s attacks on the press, evangelical power plays in Washington, and what Rothkopf describes as Trump’s simultaneous political and physical “free fall.” Along the way, they unpack the GOP’s loyalty to a weakening president, the culture of grievance and grift driving MAGA politics, and the fears inside Washington that Trump’s behavior is becoming more erratic as pressure closes in from every direction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices