As nominees roll in, the reality of Donald Trump’s second administration is rapidly coming into focus. This week, Ross is joined by Opinion columnist David French to discuss the surprising picks and what they signal about the incoming president’s policy shifts this time around. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: “There Will Always Be a Trump. That’s Only Part of the Problem.,” by David French “What JD Vance Believes,” by Ross Douthat “Donald Trump Is Dead Serious About Getting Matt Gaetz to DO ..read more

The Democratic Party needs to take a look in the mirror, and fast. This week, our old friend Lydia Polgreen joins the hosts to dissect what went wrong for Democrats, and what kind of leadership the party needs to win back voters in Trump’s America. Plus, something to do other than doomscrolling. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.) Recommended in this episode: “A Party of Prigs and Pontificators Suffers a Humiliating Defeat” by Bret Stephens “Stop Pretending Trump Is Not Who We Are” by Carlos Lozada Toshi Reagon T ..read more

In this special post-election episode, the hosts take stock of Donald Trump’s triumphant night and what a return of his right-wing populism says about America. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.) Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify ..read more

Is this really the most consequential election of our lifetimes? On this last episode of “Matter of Opinion” before the election, the hosts reflect on some defining moments of the campaign (other than President Biden dropping out), from Donald Trump’s indictments to Project 2025 to Ron Desantis’s lack of charisma. Plus, a visit from the ghosts of election nights past. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.) Recommended in this episode: “Why Biden Is Unlikely to Defy the Naysayers” by Ross Douthat “Democrats Have a Bet ..read more

There’s a whole world of 2024 elections that don’t involve Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. These races will be key to determining America’s future. As we inch closer to Election Day, the hosts zoom in on the congressional races that reveal something deeper — and stranger — about our politics. Plus, Ross has a new Vice. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.) Recommended in this episode: “The Hard Truth About Montana and Jon Tester’s Senate Race” by Michelle Cottle “The Senate May Come Down to a Blue State Surprise” by ..read more

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have been neck and neck in the polls for weeks. But past elections have proved the polls wrong. Can we trust them this time? This week, the hosts are joined by Kristen Soltis Anderson, a Republican pollster and Times Opinion contributor, to talk through what polls can — and can’t — tell us about how voting day will go. Plus, a taste for All Hallow’s Eve. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: “The Selfie Vote” by Kristen Soltis Anderson “Millennials See the GOP as Ol ..read more

This week the hosts discuss what was obscured by the civility of the V.P. debate, and consider what JD Vance and Tim Walz really offer their running mates and their parties’ futures. Plus, Michelle won’t be washing away her stresses any time soon. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: ‘There’s a Trap Here’: Four Columnists Brace for the Vance-Walz Debate by David Brooks, Ross Douthat, Tressie McMillan Cottom and Pamela Paul Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leav ..read more

This week we're taking a break from the election and turn our attention to the allegations against Sean Combs: Where has #MeToo succeeded or fallen short? And what happens when the lines blur between rumor mill and conspiracy theory? The Opinion columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom and the Opinion writer Jessica Grose join the conversation. Plus, Jessica has a recommendation for Plath-heads. (A full transcript of this episode will be available on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: “With Love, Sean Combs” by Tressie McMillian Cottom in Vanity Fair “Sean Combs and the Limits of the ..read more

Donald Trump and JD Vance have sparked panic over immigration in Springfield, Ohio. This week, the hosts talk about why our country’s immigration debate is now focused on a distraction instead of the core of the issue. Plus, Ross is hot and cold about a particular pet obsession. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.) Recommended in this episode: "Trump Has Crossed a Truly Unacceptable Line" by Lydia Polgreen "What  JD Vance Believes" by Ross Douthat “How the Trump Campaign Ran With Rumors About Pet-Eating Migrants — Afte ..read more

Kamala Harris may have won the debate by baiting Donald Trump. But is it enough to sway undecided voters? This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the Opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie joins our hosts to talk about how each campaign should reconsider its nominee’s visibility in the next seven weeks to win the White House. Plus, Michelle wants to be seen less. Want to see the Valentine's Day card for C-SPAN that Carlos's kids made him? Click here Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440 ..read more