The Spectacle Podcast: The Official Podcast of The American Spectator

From digital IDs to climate “carbon credits,” governments around the world are finding new ways to monitor and manipulate their citizens. Seventeen countries have already adopted digital identification systems, and Great Britain now tracks individuals’ carbon consumption by purchase. Meanwhile, conspiracy theories, and uncomfortable truths, blur together: is the government controlling the weather,...

As the government shutdown drags on, millions of Americans could soon lose access to their SNAP and EBT benefits. Some states are struggling to fund the program, and former President Trump has made clear that federal back pay won’t be coming. The conversation turns to what food stamps have really become, a pipeline enriching massive food corporations while keeping citizens dependent on sugar, star...

New York City stands on the edge of a political and cultural collapse as Zohran Mamdani—an anti-police, pro–free transit candidate with only six years in the country—gains mainstream support. With Hakeem Jeffries’ endorsement and Andrew Cuomo pushed aside, the city’s future reflects a broader national decay: no accountability, rising debt, and government bailouts that shield failure. As New York f...

America is culturally declining, from collapsing birthrates and disappearing marriages to the rise of hookup culture and identity rebellion. Women in the West are embracing “anti-patriarchy” symbols like facial piercings, while ignoring the suffering of women abroad who face real oppression and violence. Meanwhile, men are opting out of family life altogether, as a growing number say they’re no lo...

The “No Kings” protest drew 700,000 participants and raised over $3 million, but what exactly were they protesting? This viral movement turned into a cultural spectacle, complete with government shutdown theatrics and a Trump parody video that stole the spotlight. It is a boomer hippie revival, as the same generation that once protested against authority now rallies under the banner of “No Kings.”...

In this special episode, hosts take you inside The American Spectator’s 57th Annual Robert L. Bartley Gala, a night celebrating courage, independence, and the enduring power of journalism. For the first time, The American Spectator presented its Inaugural Good Governance Award to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin on all of the hard work he has put into creating a great Virginia. Governor Youngkin d...

In this special episode, hosts take you inside The American Spectator’s 57th Annual Robert L. Bartley Gala, a night celebrating courage, independence, and the enduring power of journalism. This year’s Barbara Olsen Award for Excellence and Independence in Journalism was presented to Scott Jennings, a CNN commentator who stands up to the Leftist bullies everyday. Scott delivered a stirring, heartfe...

While gunfire still echoes through Gaza, the tide of war is shifting. Hamas has been driven out of the city, Israeli hostages are finally being released, and heartwarming reunion stories are flooding the internet. Yet even amid these miracles, the Left refuses to give credit where it’s due. As world leaders in Egypt celebrate the peace deal and nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, Amer...

While Washington panics over the latest government shutdown, ordinary Americans barely flinch. The streets are calm, the military and veterans continue to be paid, and programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid remain untouched. The only real disruption lies within the government itself, where thousands of bureaucrats are suddenly without jobs and long-bloated programs are being forced...

America’s political conversation has left the salon and stumbled into the saloon. Professor Adam Ellwanger joins to examine how the nation’s discourse devolved from the calm civility of the salon to the shouting match of the saloon, and, increasingly, to the violence of the back alley. Once words turn into weapons, persuasion dies and politics becomes survival. From Chicago to Seattle, lawlessness...

In this follow-up to The Spectacle Podcast episode Wednesday, The American Spectator publisher Melissa Mackenzie continues her exploration of what the internet has become, and what it’s doing to us. Once a place for connection and free exchange, social media has evolved into something far more sinister: a digital surveillance network. Melissa unpacks how user data, your posts, preferences, searche...

In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, publisher Melissa Mackenzie welcomes guest Carla Ondrasik, author of  Stop Trying , for a fascinating conversation about the language of effort and the psychology of action. Carla challenges one of our most common phrases, “I’m trying”, and explains why it may be holding us back more than helping us. As Carla puts it, trying is purely mental, an intention...

In this solo episode, The American Spectator publisher Melissa Mackenzie reflects on the evolution of social media, from its early days of raw honesty and open communication to today’s curated, algorithm-driven echo chambers. Once a place to freely share thoughts, beliefs, and creativity, social platforms have become tools of manipulation and image management. Melissa explores how the left built t...

For more than five years, Antifa and other leftist groups have terrorized America’s blue cities, turning places like Portland into war zones. From riots and assaults to arson and intimidation, their violence has only escalated — and now it’s inspiring political assassins, including the killer of Charlie Kirk. Even worse, Democrats have provided cover and funding for these extremist networks, allow...

Kamala Harris has hit the road on a book tour, but instead of offering real reflection, she’s doubling down on excuses. In a recent interview, Harris was pressed on why she didn’t choose a gay running mate in last year’s election, and her awkward response is now making headlines. After brushing off speculation about running for California Governor, Harris still faces questions about whether she wi...

From a teleprompter glitch to the escalator jab, Trump mocked global elites and then turned serious, hammering the UN over immigration failures and its deal with UNRWA in Gaza. His warning was clear: the U.S. will not bankroll policies that undermine sovereignty or reward terrorism. Additionally, Trump pointed to ongoing, unresolved communications with Hamas over a permanent ceasefire. On this epi...

After falsely claiming on national television that Charlie Kirk’s assassin was a MAGA supporter, Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was suspended by Disney and ABC. Although his show has returned, boycotts continue as major broadcasters like Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group refuse to air it. For many viewers, Kimmel’s ratings and content were never strong to begin with, and his downfal...

Venezuela has become more than a failed state — its regime now functions as a drug manufacturing operation with ties to cartels and criminal networks. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has drawn a hard line, refusing to recognize Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. In response to escalating threats, the president deployed destroyers and troops to the Caribbean to halt further infilt...

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has revealed just how deep America’s cultural rifts have become. The disturbing reactions from the left, including open celebrations of violence, underscore how far society has spiraled into extremism. Relying on brutality instead of debate to push political views is a path toward collapse, and something must change before it’s too late. On this episode of The Spe...

Following the murder of Charlie Kirk, the internet exploded with conspiracies as to who was really involved. Why did someone confess immediately after and on the scene? Is it just a coincidence that the question asked was about transgender mass shooters before the bullet was fired? The FBI had Charlie Kirk’s assassin on their radar. The Left continues to create conspiracies to mislead the investig...

With leftist political figures refusing to agree to necessary budget cuts, a government shutdown is approaching. Moderate conservatives in office are refusing to take action and bring the government back to its best operational form. No agreement is distracting enough for real appropriation changes to occur. On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay talk abo...

Conservatives around the world are mourning the death of Charlie Kirk, and they refuse to let his voice die with him. For years, left political figures have ignited a violent fire with their rhetoric, labeling Trump and others as “criminals” and “facists”, but the left’s hate only fuels and strengthens Charlie’s mission. The FBI made the investigation into Charlie’s murder a complete disaster. Aft...

Author Daniel J. Flynn has written the definitive account of Frank Meyer in his new book, The Man Who Invented Conservatism. Meyer was not only a political thinker but also a man who helped shape the modern conservative movement. Following Meyer’s transformation from a communist to a conservative leader, Flynn brings his story to life and shows why his legacy still matters. On this episode of The...

A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee fled the war with Russia only to be murdered on a train in Charlotte. Iryna Zarutska came to America seeking safety but instead lands in the hands of a killer, a black man named Decarlos Brown. Our system failed her by keeping a violent man with a long criminal record out on the streets. Yet Democrats and the media are more than happy to look the other way and ignor...

Texas A&M is in the hot seat after emails and video revealed how university officials tried to silence a conservative student who was kicked out of class for opposing a lesson on gender identity. Instead of firing the professor responsible, leadership blamed the student, schemed to keep her out of the classroom, and even threatened her against releasing undercover video evidence. Representativ...