The Political Scene | The New Yorker

The New Yorker investigative reporter Heidi Blake joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss her reporting on Andrew Tate, the British American influencer and figurehead of the manosphere. They talk about Tate’s rise to prominence, the media empire he built by glorifying ideas about male dominance and female subjugation, and the allegations of rape, assault, coercion, and sex trafficking that have followed him and his brother, Tristan, across multiple countries. Drawing on leaked documents and messages, interviews with both Tates, and testimony from women who say they were victimized by the brothers, Blake explains how Tate’s online persona reflects a much longer history of alleged abuse and exploitation. Blake and Foggatt also explore Tate’s growing ties to people in Donald Trump’s orbit, and whether his support for Trump and the MAGA movement helped shape the political response to the investigations against him.This week’s reading: “Andrew Tate’s Empire of Abuse,” by Heidi Blake “Has Nancy Mace’s Crusade Against Sexual Violence Ruined Her Career?,” by Moira Donegan “The Supreme Court’s Latest Blow to Black Voters’ Rights,” by Ruth Marcus “For the Nation’s Birthday, Making It Harder to Become an American,” by Jonathan Blitzer “Could Switzerland Become the First Country to Cap Its Population?,” by Jessi Jezewska Stevens The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Washington Roundtable discusses the 2026 midterm elections and the prospects of a comeback for the Democratic Party with The New Yorker’s editor, David Remnick. Recorded during a live show at the 92nd Street Y, in Manhattan, the group explores the President’s abysmal approval ratings, key Senate races in Maine and Texas, fights over redistricting, and how public anger over corruption and wealth inequality could shape the battle for control of Congress. “It’s a stress test that we’re looking at,” the staff writer Jane Mayer says. “That’s what this midterm is: Can this democracy survive it? And, if it doesn’t, then what?” They also examine recent upheavals at CBS News and “60 Minutes,” and consider what those changes might mean for the future of investigative journalism. This week’s reading: “The Changing Face of ‘Authenticity’ in Politics,” by Jon Allsop “The Absurd Virtual Spectacle of Trump’s D.C.,” by Kyle Chayka “This Is What Trumpian Self-Dealing Looks Like,” by John Cassidy “The Strange Emptiness of the Crowded Governor’s Race in California,” by Nathan Heller The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

As control of the Senate hangs in the balance, many eyes are on Dan Osborn, of Nebraska. He’s a dream candidate for the Democrats: a mechanic in the food-processing industry, a former president of his local union, and a veteran of the Navy and the Army National Guard. But Osborn isn’t a Democrat; he’s running as an independent. Polls show a close or tied race with the Republican incumbent, Pete Ricketts, an heir to a financial fortune. David Remnick talks with Osborn about leading a strike at a Kellogg’s plant; how Donald Trump’s tariffs are affecting voters in an agricultural state; and Osborn’s decision to not caucus with either party if he wins the seat.Further reading: “Can the Democrats Take Back the Senate?,” by Amy Davidson SorkinThe Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

There will be a variety of celebrations to honor America’s two-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary this year. Much of it is to be expected: fireworks, red, white, and blue lights, even a military parade. But something else is happening, something that probably wouldn’t occur if anyone other than Donald Trump were President. The Ultimate Fighting Championship, the premier league for mixed martial arts, is staging a fight at the White House. The U.F.C. was founded in 1993, and exploded in popularity after Dana White took over as president of the company, in 2001. He’s also been friends with Donald Trump for a quarter century, and spoke on the President’s behalf at all three Republican National Conventions where Trump was the nominee. He’s stumped for him at rallies, and Trump even called him up to speak at his victory celebration on Election Night in 2024. David Remnick and White discuss his remarkable rise to prominence, and his relationship with the increasingly unpopular President. “He’s not a racist,” White tells Remnick. “He’s not a fascist. He loves this country. And if you’re an American—race, religion, whatever it is—President Trump is on your team, that I guarantee you.”Further reading: “Donald Trump’s U.F.C. Victory Party,” by Sam Eagan “Cage-Fighting During a Pandemic: Is This the Future of Sports?,” by Kelefa Sanneh “Fighting for Trump: The U.F.C. Comes to New York City,” by Kelefa Sanneh See the Washington Roundtable live at 92NY on June 4th.The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The New Yorker staff writer Jason Zengerle joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss his Profile of Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader. They talk about how Jeffries has balanced resisting Donald Trump’s agenda with holding together an increasingly fractious Democratic caucus, and whether Jeffries’ measured persona and “light touch” as a leader are an asset or a weakness in the current climate. They also consider the Democrats’ chances of reclaiming the House in the 2026 midterms—and what Jeffries could realistically accomplish if he becomes Speaker.This week’s reading: “Can Hakeem Jeffries Lead a Democratic Takeover of the House?,” by Jason Zengerle “Can the Democrats Take Back the Senate?,” by Amy Davidson Sorkin “The Gaza Peace Plan Has Gone Nowhere,” by Isaac Chotiner “What Thomas Massie’s Race Says About Trump’s Influence,” by Jon Allsop “Benjamin Netanyahu’s War at Home,” by Bernard Avishai See the Washington Roundtable live at 92NY on June 4th.The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Washington Roundtable is joined by Representative Jason Crow, of Colorado, an Army Ranger veteran, member of the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, and one of the so-called Seditious Six, members of Congress whom Donald Trump threatened to have arrested for recording a video which reminded servicemembers that they are not required to follow illegal orders. Crow is also co-leading the Democratic Party’s effort to recruit and train a new generation of congressional candidates, placing him at the center of an urgent dilemma: how can the Party translate growing anxiety over the economy and the war in Iran into a coherent, winning message? His answer, in part, is to go “hyper-local,” build coalitions, and ignore the noise. “I tell these folks that you’re basically running your campaign like you’re running for mayor of your district,” Crow says. “Ignore Fox News, ignore the cable news networks, ignore the algorithms. You can’t control that, anyhow.”See the Washington Roundtable live at 92NY on June 4th.This week’s reading: “When Trump’s Away,” by Antonia Hitchens “What the Gerrymandering Wars Mean for the Midterms—and 2028,” by Isaac Chotiner “Will Donald Trump be Allowed to Destroy His Records?,” by Ruth Marcus “The Looming Disaster of the Border Wall in Big Bend, Texas,” by Rachel Monroe The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The contributing writer Peter Slevin met with Barack Obama at the new Obama Presidential Center, which opens next month, in Chicago, and asked him the question on a lot of Democrats’ minds: Where is he, and why isn’t he doing more to help the country in a moment of crisis? Slevin shares excerpts from his interview, during which Obama explains the limits of his role, and why he should no longer be the figurehead for his party. Slevin also speaks with David Remnick about why the famously optimistic President has lost some of his confidence in the American prospect. “I would be dishonest if I didn’t acknowledge that,” Obama admitted. Further reading: “Barack Obama Considers His Role in the Age of Trump,” by Peter Slevin “Presidents’ Days: From Obama to Trump,” by David Remnick The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices