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 DOJ” by Marc CaputoThoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected] 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.

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 LozadaToshi ReagonThoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected] 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.

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 [email protected] 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.

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 Better Option Than Biden” by Ezra Klein“The Presidential Fantasy Draft America Needs” from “Matter of Opinion”“The Woke Burnout Is Real — and Politics is Catching Up” from “Matter of Opinion”“Politics Without Winners: Can Either Party Build a Majority Coalition?” by Ruy Teixeira and Yuval Levin“Why the Heck Isn’t She Running Away With This?” by David Brooks“The Polls Show a Dead Heat, but They Don’t All Tell the Same Story” by Kristen Soltis AndersonThoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected] 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.

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 Michelle Cottle“Tokyo Vice” on MaxThoughts about the show? Email us at [email protected] 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.