Firing Line with Margaret Hoover: Recent Episodes
Firing Line With Margaret Hoover
Author, feminist, gay rights activist and political commentator Margaret Hoover leads a rigorous exchange of ideas with America’s political and cultural newsmakers. In the spirit of William F. Buckley Jr.’s iconic “Firing Line,” Hoover engages with thought leaders on the pivotal issues moving the nation forward. New podcast episodes drop weekly, and sometimes more, featuring bonus content you won’t hear on TV.
Following a U.N. report accusing Israel of war crimes, Margaret Hoover sits down with Dan Senor, a former foreign policy aide to Mitt Romney and the host of the podcast “Call Me Back,” to the daring rescue of four Israeli hostages in Gaza, prospects for a cease-fire, and the new U.N. report accusing both Hamas and Israel of war crimes.
Senor defends how Israel has conducted the war, arguing that while civilian deaths are inevitable in any conflict, the Israel Defense Forces have done all they can to protect innocent lives in Gaza. He says that while individual Israeli soldiers may have done “stupid things,” Israel is “fighting war” that was inflicted upon it by Hamas. Senor also notes that Hamas hides its fighters amid Palestinian civilians in an effort to maximize the suffering inflicted on the people of Gaza — an attempt, he says, to put Israel in an “impossible position” and make the Jewish State an international pariah.
Senor is the author of “The Genius of Israel,” a book that looks at the resilience of Israeli society despite its internal conflicts and the numerous wars it has fought with neighboring states and terrorist groups. An outspoken defender of Israel, Senor discusses whether it’s just a matter of time before the IDF is sent to fight Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanon-based militant group backed by Iran. He also discusses why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been reluctant to discuss postwar plans for Gaza, and whether criticism of Israel’s war effort is driven primarily by antisemitism.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
As the end of Donald Trump’s first trial nears, Margaret Hoover sits down with conservative attorney and former Trump supporter George Conway to discuss the case and the prospect of another Trump presidency.
Conway defends the Manhattan prosecution, talks about watching Trump in the courtroom, and explains why he disagrees with those who say the case is driven by politics. He also argues Trump has received preferential treatment from the courts, including in the classified documents case overseen by Judge Aileen Cannon, who he says is “corrupt” and “not competent.”
Conway, whose ex-wife Kellyanne managed Trump’s 2016 campaign, explains why he sees a second Trump term as a threat to American democracy and why he now believes Trump is a narcissistic sociopath who is unfit for public office.
Conway, a longtime member of the Federalist Society, assesses whether Trump’s Supreme Court nominations were worth the damage he has done and why conservative institutions have failed to respond to his abuses of power. He also addresses reports of an upside-down American flag seen at Justice Samuel Alito’s home in January 2021.
Conway reflects on his own political evolution from a key player in Bill Clinton’s impeachment to big-dollar donor to Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. He contrasts Clinton and Trump, and he explains why he teared up when he cast a vote for Biden in 2020.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss “An Unfinished Love Story,” her new book recounting the 1960s from her perspective and that of her late husband, presidential speechwriter Dick Goodwin.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer recalls the genesis of the project and reflects on the difference between writing about her husband and long-dead presidents like Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. She details Dick Goodwin’s work for John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, including writing Johnson’s address to Congress after the Bloody Sunday march in Selma.
Goodwin also addresses declining trust in government since Johnson’s presidency, which she traces to his handling of the Vietnam War. She discusses her husband’s later work on Al Gore’s 2000 concession speech and how presidential candidates recognized the importance of putting patriotism before partisanship after close elections prior to 2020.
Goodwin considers parallels between the 1850s and today and the prospect that current divisions will lead to another civil war. She also explains why she sees her own love story with America as unfinished and why she believes the country has a long way to go to live up to its ideals.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Author and journalist Fareed Zakaria joins Margaret Hoover to talk about his recent book, “Age of Revolutions,” and how past periods of progress and backlash inform our present revolutionary moment.
Zakaria, host of CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS,” reflects on a full-blown cultural backlash against decades of social and political change that has fueled the rise of Donald Trump. He also discusses the next industrial revolution driven by artificial intelligence and the progress and disruption it may cause.
Zakaria comments on the challenge President Biden faces addressing the crisis at the southern border. He also addresses campus protests over Israel’s actions in Gaza and what he sees as the failure of Biden’s efforts to influence Israeli policy.
Assessing America’s place in a changing world, Zakaria makes an argument for aggressive U.S. support for Ukraine and voices concern about the impact of emerging Republican isolationism in a second Trump presidency. He discusses the race between Trump and Biden, the prospect of a historic political realignment, and the parallels between 1968 and 2024.
(NOTE: This interview was recorded on May 1, prior to the announcement that the U.S. has put arms shipments to Israel on hold out of concern that American weapons would be used in an assault on the city of Rafah.)
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
New York Times columnist Frank Bruni sits down with Margaret Hoover to talk about college protests, grievance politics, and how to restore humility in a fractured country.
Bruni, author of “The Age of Grievance” and a professor at Duke University, discusses the roots of anti-Israel sentiment on campuses and the double standards behind progressive speech codes. He also addresses the rise of a culture of victimhood on the right and explains how grievances manifest differently across the political spectrum.
Bruni touches on activists’ response to the arrest of NBA player Brittney Griner in Russia, the “revenge tour” of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and what Gen Z social justice warriors should learn from the success of the campaign for marriage equality.
He also looks ahead to a pivotal presidential election and assesses how the dueling grievances of the left and right could impact the campaign.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Marc Haas Foundation, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Margaret Hoover sits down with Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer – a Republican election official in Arizona’s most populous county – to discuss the new indictment of allies of Donald Trump for their fake elector scheme in 2020 and how he’s preparing for the 2024 election.
Richer recalls the “unrelenting” pressure that Arizona officials faced to overturn the 2020 election results and praises figures like former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bower for resisting the president’s demands. He addresses how Republicans have responded to the indictment and whether Trump should also be held accountable for his actions in Arizona.
Richer, who is suing Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake for defamation, talks about the harassment, threats, and conspiracy theories he has confronted and how defending the integrity of Arizona’s elections has alienated him from many in his party. He also explains why he will blame Lake and Trump if anyone in his office is harmed by election deniers.
Richer tells Hoover how he is working to bolster confidence in this November’s election as he faces a far-right primary challenge himself, and he reflects on his place in the Republican Party and his future in public service.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
As Donald Trump’s first criminal trial begins, Margaret Hoover sits down with NYU law professor Melissa Murray to discuss the historic proceedings and what prosecuting a former president means for America.
Murray, co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, breaks down the charges filed by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, addresses the challenges of selecting an impartial jury, and responds to Trump’s complaints that he has been mistreated by the justice system.
Murray, who co-wrote a book about the Trump indictments with former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, comments on the latest developments in the former presidents’ three other criminal cases and explains why they might not go to trial before the election.
She also previews Supreme Court oral arguments related to January 6th and Trump’s claim of absolute immunity, and she reacts to calls from the left for the retirement of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, for whom she once clerked.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Coleman Hughes, author of “The End of Race Politics,” joins Margaret Hoover to lay out his argument against race-based policies and in favor of a colorblind approach.
Hughes, host of the Conversations with Coleman podcast, traces the roots of his colorblind philosophy from the Civil War through the civil rights era, making the case that leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Bayard Rustin would have opposed the views of today’s anti-racist activists.
The descendant of a slave, Hughes tells Hoover why he rejects the notion of inherited trauma and why he believes class-based policies are better suited to combating inequality than race-based ones like affirmative action.
He explains why he calls scholars like Robin DiAngelo and Ibram X. Kendi “neoracists” and why he welcomes the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, but he distances himself from prominent figures on the right like Donald Trump.
Hughes also defends his recent Free Press column arguing that Derek Chauvin should have been acquitted of killing George Floyd.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Futurist Ari Wallach joins Margaret Hoover to discuss “A Brief History of the Future,” his new PBS series exploring the ideas and technologies that could help humanity build better tomorrows.
Wallach reflects on the “intertidal” moment society currently faces and explains why he believes decisions made in the years ahead will have ramifications for generations to come.
He assesses the implications of emerging tools like artificial intelligence and the challenge posed by humanity’s innate negativity bias. He calls for “cathedral thinking” to develop long-term solutions to the world’s most pressing problems, and he weighs in on Elon Musk’s vision for Mars exploration.
Wallach explains why “protopias” are preferable to utopias, details what it takes to become great ancestors to our descendants, and reveals what ultimately gives him hope for the future.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Margaret Hoover sits down with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt to discuss how social media and smartphones have rewired childhood and put the mental health of a generation of kids at risk.
Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation,” argues a surge in anxiety and depression among Gen Z is a consequence of constant smartphone use that has crowded out traditional forms of play since 2010, and he explains how mental illness has manifested differently in girls and boys.
The NYU professor and father details his proposals for changing norms of parenting and eliminating smartphones in elementary and middle schools, and he addresses the role of Congress in creating this problem–and potentially helping to solve it.
Haidt tells Hoover about his “Free the Anxious Generation” movement, rebuts critics who say he overstates the evidence of a link between phone use and mental health, and explains why he considers TikTok “possibly the worst consumer product ever invented.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Margaret Hoover hosts a forum at Hofstra University on whether America should abolish the Electoral College with writers Jesse Wegman and Trent England.
Wegman, author of “Let the People Pick the President” and a member of The New York Times editorial board, makes the case that the current system is unfair and undemocratic, empowering a handful of swing states to decide who leads the whole country.
England, who founded Save Our States and wrote “Why We Must Defend the Electoral College,” argues the Electoral College makes presidential campaigns both more national and more granular at the same time, forcing candidates to appeal to diverse factions of voters across the country who otherwise would have little influence.
Wegman and England discuss the history of the Electoral College, the intent of the nation’s founders, and how it all relates to slavery. They also debate the merits of a national popular vote and whether other reforms are possible, and they take questions from the student audience.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
In a special Firing Line forum recorded before a student audience at Hofstra University, Margaret Hoover talks to conservatives Amanda Carpenter and Mike Gonzalez about the potential ramifications of another Donald Trump presidency.
Carpenter, a writer and editor for Protect Democracy, believes a second Trump term would be far more damaging than the first, citing the former president’s threats to punish his enemies and promises to reward his allies. She warns the institutional guardrails that constrained him in the past would be weakened or eliminated in a new administration.
Gonzalez, who contributed to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 guidebook for the next conservative president, downplays concerns Trump would abuse power if he returned to office. He maintains the U.S. and the world were better off during Trump’s first three years in office than in President Biden’s first three years.
Carpenter and Gonzalez discuss Trump’s plans for immigration, foreign policy, and rooting out the “deep state” in the federal bureaucracy. Responding to questions from students, they also address the future of the Republican Party and what to expect in an eventual post-Trump America.
Mike Gonzalez serves as a Senior Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. The Heritage Foundation is listed for identification purposes only; no endorsement of a candidate by the organization is implied.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Margaret Hoover sits down with Jared Cohen, author of “Life After Power: Seven Presidents and Their Search for Purpose Beyond the White House,” to discuss the unique role of the post-presidency in American democracy.
Cohen’s book explores how different ex-presidents have handled being out of power from Thomas Jefferson to George W. Bush. He explains why examining the lives of former presidents interested him and what can be learned from their experiences.
He reflects on John Quincy Adams’ “second act” as an abolitionist congressman, contrasts Herbert Hoover’s reputation as president with the notable accomplishments of his post-presidency, and details how Jimmy Carter redefined the position of ex-president for modern times.
Cohen explains how Grover Cleveland’s return to the White House could offer a cautionary tale for a second Donald Trump term, and he reflects on what it will mean to have more ex-presidents alive at the same time in the decades to come.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Charles R. Schwab, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard.
Entrepreneur Sheila Johnson–who co-founded BET and went on to become America’s first Black female billionaire–sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss her memoir and the personal and professional obstacles she has overcome to achieve success.
Johnson, who recently released “Walk Through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph,” reflects on her childhood and what she describes as an abusive first marriage to Bob Johnson, with whom she launched Black Entertainment Television in the early days of cable. She explains the original vision behind BET and the role she believes it could still play in society today.
Johnson used her profits from the 2001 sale of BET to open Salamander Resort in Middleburg, Virginia, the first in a chain of luxury hotels. She also purchased a stake in the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, as well as the Washington Capitals and the Washington Wizards. She reflects on the massive pay gap between the WNBA and the NBA and what can be done about it.
Johnson, a supporter of President Joe Biden, assesses the stakes of the 2024 election and details her fears for a second Trump term. The prominent philanthropist also comments on the fallout from the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision and the need to create new opportunities for students of color.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Charles R. Schwab, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard.
Retired Gen. David Petraeus sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss retaliation for a fatal drone attack on U.S. troops in Jordan, as well as the latest developments in the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
Petraeus, co-author of Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, offers insight into the Biden administration’s deliberations on a response to the attack by an Iran-backed militia and why restoring deterrence against Iran is crucial.
The former four-star general, who led troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, reflects on the “fiendishly difficult” challenges Israel faces in its effort to destroy Hamas and the importance of planning to rebuild Gaza after the war. He comments on the controversy over UN relief workers allegedly assisting Hamas and the status of ongoing hostage negotiations.
Petraeus also addresses resistance to continued aid for Ukraine in Congress, and he explains how the conflict relates to preventing a potentially catastrophic war in China.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard.
Deborah Lipstadt, the State Department’s special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the surge of hatred against Jews worldwide since October 7th and why she considers it a threat to democracy.
Lipstadt, who has studied antisemitism and Holocaust denialism for decades, details the double standard she sees in the muted response to the Hamas attack from organizations and corporations that have quickly spoken out against racism and other injustices in the past. She also questions why women’s rights groups have not been more vocal about Hamas’ use of sexual violence against women.
She reflects on the attitudes driving protests against Israel on college campuses and elsewhere, as well as the prospect that diplomatic progress in the Middle East could quell hostility toward Jews.
In addition, Lipstadt addresses China’s promotion of antisemitism, dissent within the Biden administration over the war in Gaza, and allegations that Israel is committing genocide.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu sits down with Margaret Hoover in Concord to make his case for Nikki Haley ahead of next week’s pivotal Republican presidential primary.
Sununu explains why he believes the former South Carolina governor is well-positioned to take on Donald Trump despite Trump’s decisive victory in Iowa and how his state’s independent streak and history of supporting underdogs could give her an edge.
The fourth-term governor contrasts Haley’s experience and electability with Trump, discusses their policy proposals, and reflects on what the outcome of the race could mean for the future of the GOP.
Despite his endorsement of Haley and his concerns about January 6th, Sununu defends his commitment to supporting Trump if he is the Republican nominee, and he argues a second Trump presidency would be better for the country than four more years of Joe Biden.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard.
Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales sits down with Margaret Hoover to talk about the record influx of migrants at the southern border and what it will take for Washington to confront the crisis.
Gonzales, whose district includes nearly half the U.S.-Mexico border, explains why the surge of migration is happening now, how it is different from previous upticks, and how its economic and social impact is increasingly being felt across the country.
He details his proposals to improve border security and protect legal immigration, as well as the challenge of convincing members of both parties to set aside politics and pursue real solutions. He also assesses the status of bipartisan immigration negotiations in the Senate.
Gonzales discusses GOP efforts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, his endorsement of Donald Trump for president in 2024, and his own reelection race.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Asness Family Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Roger and Susan Hertog, Cheryl Cohen Effron and Blair Effron, and Al and Kathy Hubbard.
Journalist Tim Alberta joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his reporting on the corruption of the evangelical movement by partisan politics and the role of the church in the ascendance of Donald Trump.
Alberta, the son of an evangelical preacher and author of “The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory,” explains why the church has aligned behind Trump, providing one of his most loyal bases of support despite his character flaws, inflammatory rhetoric, and legal troubles.
He also digs into the persecution complex at the root of the evangelical movement, how a sense of fear fueled by cable news has supplanted the faith-based message of the church, and what the rise of Christian nationalism could mean for a second Trump presidency.
Alberta, a staff writer for the Atlantic, assesses the state of the Republican primary race heading into the Iowa caucuses and offers his take on Nikki Haley’s campaign.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League, sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss the explosion of antisemitism around the world and on college campuses since the October 7th Hamas attack.
Greenblatt responds to recent testimony by college presidents on Capitol Hill, accusing schools of hypocrisy in their handling of antisemitic incidents, and he reflects on why campuses have become hotbeds of hatred against Jews and Israel. He also details how the ADL is responding to the crisis and working to assist Jewish students.
While he says antisemitism can be more obvious on the right, Greenblatt explains how the threat manifests on the left and why it is important for Democratic leaders to speak out against progressives like Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar when they express, as he puts it, fringe views about Israel.
Greenblatt also comments on the surge of antisemitism on social media, his interactions with Elon Musk, and his disappointment with the lack of solidarity for Jews from progressive groups the ADL has aligned with in the past.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Margaret Hoover sits down with exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez to discuss his efforts to advance democracy in his home country and around the world.
Lopez, who spent nearly four years in solitary confinement under Nicolas Maduro’s regime before fleeing the country in 2020, reflects on how life has changed in Venezuela under a repressive government that operates what he calls a “criminal economy” and the challenges the opposition movement faces.
He assesses the “fragile” state of democracy in the world today and explains the mission of the World Liberty Congress, which he co-founded to unite pro-democracy activists against a growing coalition of autocratic governments that includes Venezuela, Russia, and China.
Lopez also addresses the global ramifications of the war in Ukraine, China’s influence in South America, and the indictment of Sen. Robert Menendez, one of Maduro’s most vocal critics on Capitol Hill.
Speaking to Hoover in late September–before the government suspended the primary process and issued arrest warrants for Lopez and other opposition figures–Lopez expresses hope for Venezuela’s 2024 elections despite doubts that Maduro will allow a free and fair vote. He comments on shifts in U.S. policy under the Biden administration and what he believes the U.S. and its allies can do to help the Venezuelan people.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Margaret Hoover sits down with Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, in Atlanta to talk about his defense of the state’s 2020 election and preparations for 2024.
Raffensperger, who Donald Trump asked to “find” enough votes to overturn the election, discusses the Republican Party’s embrace of voter fraud conspiracy theories, as well as Democrats stoking fears about voter suppression.
He touts the state’s election reforms–including voter ID requirements and risk-limiting audits–and disputes allegations that an election integrity law passed in 2021 was discriminatory.
Raffensperger also addresses investigations of Trump over his efforts to subvert Georgia’s election results, Trump’s recent rhetoric, and threats to poll workers in an increasingly polarized political environment.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides joins Margaret Hoover to discuss Israel’s response to the October 7th Hamas attack and why he believes the next 30 days may be the most important in the country’s history.
As Israel draws international scrutiny for its tactics, Nides addresses the challenges Israel faces in Gaza as it attempts to limit civilian casualties while fighting an enemy that hides in residential areas and hospitals.
Nides, who served as President Biden’s ambassador until stepping down in July, responds to criticism of the administration’s policies toward Iran and assesses its efforts to deter Tehran and its proxies from escalating the war.
He also comments on building a post-Hamas Gaza, the prospects of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and confronting antisemitism on college campuses in the U.S.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Kimberly Kagan, founder and president of the Institute for the Study of War, talks to Margaret Hoover about the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, why they matter, and how they are connected.
The military historian who advised U.S. commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan assesses Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza and the potential challenges of waging urban warfare against Hamas. She also addresses the prospect of the conflict spiraling into a broader regional war with Iran.
Kagan reflects on Ukraine’s slow summer counteroffensive against Russia and explains the global ramifications if Western nations allow Putin’s invasion to succeed.
She also warns that the U.S. needs to “get real” about its own military preparedness, modernize its forces, and invest more in defense to confront emerging threats around the world.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Republican Mitch Daniels, the former governor of Indiana and president of Purdue University, sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss the dangers of rising federal debt, education reform, and fixing America’s broken politics.
Daniels, who worked for Ronald Reagan and served as director of President George W. Bush’s Office of Management and Budget, reflects on the nation’s failure under both Democratic and Republican administrations to rein in spending and reform programs like Social Security and Medicare–and he warns those decisions will have ‘unjust and unfair’ consequences.
After holding tuition at Purdue steady for over a decade, Daniels explains how he did it and what other schools can learn from it. He also addresses the challenges college administrators have faced responding to the October 7th Hamas attack in Israel and the inflammatory student protests that followed on some campuses.
Daniels, who resisted calls to run for president in 2012 and for Indiana’s open Senate seat in 2024, assesses a likely Trump-Biden rematch for the presidency and the prospects for a No Labels candidate to challenge them. He also offers advice for whoever wins the election to help move the country forward.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Terrorism expert Jonathan Schanzer joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the latest developments in Gaza and the next phase of Israel’s war against Hamas.
Schanzer, a senior vice president at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, explains why Israel has delayed its expected ground invasion of Gaza, how the more than 200 hostages held by Hamas complicate any military action, and why the notion of Hamas-supporting Qatar facilitating hostage negotiations strikes him as “Orwellian.”
He assesses President Biden’s visit to Tel Aviv as the U.S. and Israel work to prevent Iran from escalating the conflict into a multi-front regional war. He also argues the Biden administration’s previous policies toward Iran emboldened Tehran and its terrorist proxies.
Schanzer, author of three books on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, looks ahead to the future of Gaza and comments on the importance of the U.S. maintaining support for both Israel and Ukraine amid rising threats to the U.S.-led world order.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
New York Times columnist Bret Stephens joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the recent Hamas attack in Israel, the global response, and what it means for the future of the region.
Stephens, a former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, discusses how Israelis are processing the horror and why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be held accountable for pursuing policies that divided the country and hampered readiness.
As Israel moves to eradicate Hamas, Stephens addresses why he believes Iran played a role in the attack, how this crisis impacts Israel’s normalization of relations with Arab countries, and prospects for a future Palestinian state.
The conservative columnist applauds the moral clarity of President Biden’s response, but he expresses alarm at the rise of dangerous anti-Israel sentiments on the left and on college campuses.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Political scientist Yascha Mounk joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his latest book, “The Identity Trap,” and rising threats to democracy on the right and left.
Mounk–a professor at Johns Hopkins University and contributing writer for The Atlantic–explains how the identity-focused politics of the left have become a “trap” that he fears is likely to produce more prejudice and division, and he traces the evolution of these ideas as they increasingly take hold in mainstream institutions.
He offers examples of the harm this “identity synthesis” has caused in education and health care, details strategies for fighting back against it, and makes the case for a more universalist political philosophy.
Mounk, who has previously written about the dangers of populism, also takes on the identity politics of the right and warns that progressives’ embrace of unpopular ideas about race and gender could send Donald Trump back to the White House.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Biographer Walter Isaacson joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his new bestselling biography of Elon Musk and what he learned from two years of observing the world’s richest man.
Isaacson explains how Musk’s turbulent childhood in South Africa left him with a love of science fiction and adventure that drives his innovations and aspirations, as well as a dark side that still haunts him today.
He details how SpaceX’s Starlink satellites have played a pivotal role in the war in Ukraine and why Musk ultimately ceded some control of them to the U.S. government. He also comments on Tesla’s ties to China and why the outspoken Musk seems hesitant to criticize Beijing.
Isaacson assesses Musk’s recent attacks on the Anti-Defamation League, his attitude toward hate speech and anti-Semitism on X, and his tendency to promote outlandish conspiracy theories.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Actor Liev Schreiber joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the war in Ukraine and his efforts to provide humanitarian aid through the organization he co-founded, BlueCheck Ukraine.
Schreiber discusses his Ukrainian roots and why he was inspired to help Ukraine after Russia’s invasion began. He explains how BlueCheck identifies and vets frontline relief groups to partner with and details some of the projects it has funded.
He comments on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to the United Nations and questions he raised about the effectiveness of the UN, as well as President Biden’s attempts to overcome “Ukraine fatigue” in the U.S.
Schreiber also reflects on the decline of political discourse, what he learned from his own visits to Ukraine, and how Zelensky’s training as an actor prepared him for this moment.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Writer, activist and comedian Baratunde Thurston sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss the second season of “America Outdoors” on PBS and how the show attempts to “tell a better story of us” through nature.
Thurston reflects on moments in the new season that confront America’s history of racial violence, differing attitudes toward guns, and the impact of climate change, as well as how the outdoors can help bridge cultural and political divisions.
Thurston, a founding partner of digital media startup Puck, details his doubts about the evolution of artificial intelligence and what it could mean for society.
He also explains the premise and purpose of his podcast, “How to Citizen,” and his concerns about the state of American democracy heading into 2024 and a possible second Trump presidency.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum joins Margaret Hoover from Iowa, where he is campaigning for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, to discuss his strategy and his agenda.
Burgum, a successful CEO who entered politics in 2016, explains why he is now running for president and why he thinks he can win despite frontrunner Donald Trump’s massive lead over the field.
He criticizes the Biden administration’s handling of energy, immigration, and national security and details how he would work to increase domestic energy production, secure the border, and win a cold war with China if elected.
Burgum reflects on his performance at the first GOP primary debate, voices concerns about the Republican nominating process, and says it’s time for the GOP to look forward rather than focusing on the 2020 election.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Roya Mahboob, who became Afghanistan’s first female tech CEO at 23, reflects on the U.S. withdrawal and how life has changed in the country since the Taliban returned to power.
Mahboob discusses her childhood in Afghanistan and Iran and how she became interested in technology, as well as what it was like to be a female CEO in a country where men were used to being in charge.
She explains why she formed the Afghan Dreamers, an all-girls robotics team that has competed around the world, and recalls her efforts to get the team and her own family out of Kabul to safety after the government fell.
Mahboob, who also co-founded the Digital Citizen Fund, assesses Afghanistan’s loss of freedom and democracy in the last two years and the regression of women’s rights. She also comments on continuing efforts to educate women underground and why she remains hopeful for the country’s future.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
GOP presidential candidate Will Hurd sits down with Margaret Hoover in Iowa to discuss his blunt criticism of Donald Trump, his policy agenda, and what he believes it means to be a modern Republican.
Hurd, a former congressman whose district included over 800 miles of the southern border, lays out his immigration reform plan, as well as his approach to gun violence and artificial intelligence. The former CIA officer also assesses the nation’s greatest national security threats, including China.
Hurd, who admits he is a “dark horse” candidate, outlines his strategy to appeal to primary voters frustrated by Trump and explains why he sees the GOP frontrunner as a “loser” whose renomination would guarantee Joe Biden’s victory in 2024.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Entrepreneur and GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his vision for America as he rises in the Republican primary polls, earning a spot on the August 23 debate stage.
Ramaswamy said he thought Trump was “actually a very good president” but explained why he thinks Trump “fell short” and how he plans to go even further with an agenda that would radically reshape the U.S. government.
Joining “Firing Line” in Des Moines, Iowa just days before Trump was indicted for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election, Ramaswamy said he would pardon Trump because censorship—not the former president—was what ultimately caused the violence on Jan. 6. He has doubled down on that position since the indictment was handed down.
The former biotech executive—who made a name for himself with his 2021 book “Woke, Inc.”—explained his critique of woke capitalism, his plan to end the war in Ukraine, and why he believes that climate change is not “an existential risk for humanity.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Sixth Circuit Judge Amul Thapar sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his new book, “The People’s Justice,” and why he believes Justice Clarence Thomas is misunderstood.
Thapar explains the judicial philosophy of originalism and how he applies it in his own rulings, as well as addressing some common criticisms of the approach.
The federal judge also reflects on the Supreme Court’s recent decision to dismantle affirmative action, Justice Thomas’ support for ending affirmative action, and debates over the history and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Thapar, who was on former President Donald Trump’s short list for the Supreme Court, defends Thomas and other justices against allegations of ethics lapses and comments on his own future on the bench.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joins Margaret Hoover to discuss her state’s election reforms, how nonpartisan open primaries and ranked choice voting helped her stave off a Trump-backed challenge in 2022, and why she hopes the system can be a model for other states.
Murkowski, who voted to convict Trump at his second impeachment trial, says it would be “unfortunate” if the party renominates the former president in 2024 and weighs in on the alternatives–including a possible independent run by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin.
She comments on the recent Supreme Court term and declining public trust in the nation’s highest court, which she warns could have huge consequences for democracy.
Murkowski, one of only two pro-choice Republicans in Congress, reflects on efforts to forge a compromise on abortion rights and explains why she believes women still need the Equal Rights Amendment.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Singer Jewel Kilcher sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss her musical career, her mental health journey, and how she hopes to help others find happiness.
The Grammy-nominated performer reflects on her escape from an abusive childhood in Alaska, confronting her pain through her music, and why her honesty has resonated with audiences for nearly three decades.
As a co-founder of the virtual mental health community Innerworld, Jewel explains how the immersive platform works and why she believes it can benefit people who might not have access to traditional therapy.
She also comments on the passing of Tina Turner, her work with former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh before his death, and how she aims to continue balancing her happiness with her evolution as an artist.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Historian Jill Lepore talks to Margaret Hoover about her new audiobook, Who Killed Truth?: A History of Evidence, and why she set out to uncover the truth about truth by examining times of uncertainty from the 19th century to the present.
Lepore, a professor at Harvard University and staff writer for The New Yorker, explains how advances in technology over the last century have led to instability–and why the latest period of uncertainty brought on by the internet and social media has persisted.
Lepore also discusses how the collapse of trust has impacted politics heading into the 2024 election, reflects on the through-line from the pardon of Richard Nixon to the prosecution of Donald Trump, and explains why the Constitution has become “essentially unamendable.”
Lepore addresses the Supreme Court’s recent decision rejecting Harvard’s affirmative action policies and what the ruling means for both college admissions and public confidence in the court.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Former federal and state prosecutor Elie Honig joins Margaret Hoover to break down Donald Trump’s federal indictment over his handling of classified documents and lay out how the prosecution of a former president and current presidential candidate may proceed into 2024.
The CNN senior legal analyst discusses Trump’s potential defenses, explains why the Espionage Act was the appropriate statute to charge him under, and responds to the former president’s latest public comments on the case.
Honig, author of “Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away with It,” addresses comparisons between Trump’s prosecution and cases involving prominent Democrats like Hillary Clinton, and he responds to Republican complaints about Hunter Biden’s plea deal.
Honig also reflects on former Attorney General William Barr’s evolution from Trump enabler to critic and details his concerns about Fulton County, Georgia D.A. Fani Willis’ handling of her investigation of the former president, which he expects will result in another indictment this summer.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie sits down with Margaret Hoover to talk about his strategy for taking on Donald Trump and why he believes he will succeed where he failed in 2016.
Hours before Trump’s federal indictment was announced, Christie, a former federal prosecutor, explains why the special counsel has no choice but to charge Trump if there is evidence he committed a crime, and he assesses the potential political fallout.
The former two-term New Jersey governor–who launched his campaign this week–discusses how other GOP candidates are approaching Trump and whether he can change the dynamics of the race.
Christie also details why he feels Trump is unfit for office, reflects on how his views of the former president have changed, and accuses both Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s families of profiting off their presidencies.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Former conservative radio host Charlie Sykes sits down with Margaret Hoover to talk about the state of the Republican Party, the 2024 election, and the future of American democracy.
Sykes, who co-founded The Bulwark in 2018 after retiring from radio, assesses the Republicans who may challenge Trump for the 2024 nomination–including Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence–and he explains why he is likely to support President Joe Biden over whoever the GOP picks.
The author of “How the Right Lost Its Mind” discusses how the conservative media ecosystem and the mindset of the audience have shifted in recent years. He also reflects on the difficulties the mainstream media faces in covering Trump.
Sykes comments on the threat of political violence in America, the prospect of a third-party candidacy, and what it might take to finally restore sanity in the GOP.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Axios chief financial correspondent Felix Salmon joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the lasting changes the COVID-19 pandemic has caused for the economy.
Salmon, author of “The Phoenix Economy: Work, Life and Money in the New Not Normal,” discusses cooling inflation, the continued strength of the labor market, and why millennials have shifted their perspective on investing.
As the U.S. faces the threat of a debt default, Salmon explains why he believes the debt ceiling should be abolished, and he reflects on the pros and cons of the proposal to mint a trillion-dollar coin to avert a global economic catastrophe.
Salmon, who co-hosts Slate’s Money podcast, also addresses how artificial intelligence could impact the economy and why Americans persistently believe the country is in a recession when it is not.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Actor Richard Dreyfuss sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his initiative to improve civics education in America and why he fears the future of the nation is at stake.
Dreyfuss reflects on how the study of civics has changed since he was in school, explains how he believes curriculums should be reformed, and criticizes efforts to limit students’ exposure to opposing viewpoints.
The Academy Award winner addresses the decline of civility in public discourse on both sides, including his own harsh rhetoric toward former President Trump.
Dreyfuss also voices concerns about new inclusion requirements for films to be eligible for the Best Picture Oscar and questions Hollywood’s aversion to taking creative risks.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Conservative New York Times columnist David French joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the latest developments at Fox News, ethical questions engulfing the Supreme Court, and America’s political landscape heading into 2024.
As President Joe Biden launches his reelection campaign, French, the author of “Divided We Fall,” reflects on the potential impact of a Trump-Biden rematch on an already-divided country. The political commentator also assesses the appeal of Ron DeSantis and the source of evangelical loyalty to Trump.
French, who worked as an attorney for two decades, comments on the criminal investigations surrounding Trump and the possibility that any of the cases could land the former president behind bars. He also discusses declining public confidence in the Supreme Court.
French addresses the fallout from the Fox News settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, as well as Tucker Carlson’s sudden departure from the network.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a political newcomer and rising star in the Democratic Party, sits down with Margaret Hoover in Annapolis to discuss his first legislative session and the progress made toward his priorities.
Moore grew up on the brink of poverty after witnessing his father’s death at age three, struggled in school until he was sent to a military academy, and went on to become a Rhodes scholar, a White House fellow, and a best-selling author. Before being elected as Maryland’s first Black governor, he headed the anti-poverty Robin Hood Foundation.
He tells Hoover why he believes the state can end child poverty and explains how his budget aims to address Maryland’s rising homicide rate. He also defends his push to cut a school choice program, despite acknowledging concerns about the performance of some public schools.
Moore contrasts his approach to governing with a supermajority in the legislature to some Republican governors, and he addresses the speculation already brewing about his prospects for higher office just three months into his first political job.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Writer Thomas Chatterton Williams sits down with Margaret Hoover to explain why he decided to “unlearn” race and how he believes his approach could pave the way to equality.
Williams, the son of a white mother and Black father who grew up seeing himself as Black, recalls how the birth of his light-skinned daughter led him to rethink entrenched racial categorizations. The author of “Self-Portrait in Black and White: Unlearning Race” responds to critics of his views and discusses the practicality of convincing others to fundamentally shift their perspective on race.
A contributing writer to The Atlantic, Williams also comments on America’s political debate over so-called “wokeness,” details his objections to the anti-racism movement, and explains why he believes police violence is more of an economic issue than a racial one.
Williams addresses the recent controversy surrounding “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams and the potential cultural ramifications of Donald Trump’s 2024 run, as well as the ongoing societal fallout from the summer of 2020.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
After the first indictment of a former president in U.S. history, longtime federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the 34 felony charges against Donald Trump and what may come next.
Weissmann, who served as a lead prosecutor on special counsel Robert Mueller’s team investigating Trump, details the legal challenges ahead for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Trump’s defense team.
The law professor and podcast host responds to Republican criticisms of Bragg’s case and explains why he would have preferred if one of the other jurisdictions probing Trump on what he says are more serious charges had indicted him first.
Weissmann also addresses Trump’s personal attacks on the judge in his case, the impact of the 2024 campaign on legal proceedings, and whether this indictment could open up a Pandora’s box of politicized prosecutions in America.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Model Paulina Porizkova sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss her career in front of the camera and her recent book, “No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful.”
Born behind the Iron Curtain, Porizkova recounts her childhood in Soviet-controlled Czechoslovakia, her path to freedom, and her rise to become one of the top models of the 1980s and 1990s.
Porizkova reflects on ageism in the modeling industry, what has and has not changed since her youth, and the challenges of presenting herself as sexy in her 50s.
She also talks about her struggles with anxiety and grief and her use of social media to share her pain. She comments on the terror of occupation and why she finds Ukraine’s fight for freedom inspiring.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his recent announcement that he will not seek the GOP nomination in 2024 and whether anyone else could successfully challenge Donald Trump in the primaries.
Hogan reflects on his two terms as the popular Republican governor of a deep blue state, how his approach to politics could work for the party at the national level, and why the GOP base does not seem interested in following his lead.
Hogan assesses fellow governors who are running or considering running in 2024 and explains why he believes the party needs a more positive message than the one offered by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He also addresses the impact a third-party candidate could have on the presidential race and whether he would consider running as an independent.
The former governor also talks about current debates over fiscal responsibility and education reform, calling out some fellow Republicans for exploiting parents’ legitimate concerns about what their children are being taught for political gain.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Rep. Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his panel’s bipartisan mission to educate Americans about the CCP’s threat.
The Wisconsin Republican argues that a new cold war with China has already begun and explains what he believes it will take to keep that war from turning hot. He reflects on his recent visit to Taiwan and the need for greater strategic clarity in the Taiwan Strait.
Gallagher talks about the potential danger posed by Chinese-owned TikTok, the challenge of selectively decoupling the U.S. economy from a top trading partner, the relationship between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, and what he wants members of Congress to know about the activities of China’s United Front Work Department.
Gallagher also comments on the release of new surveillance video from January 6th and whether he stands by his 2021 statement that former President Donald Trump had permanently lost his support.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
In this 2019 interview, former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley talks to Margaret Hoover about her trailblazing career and her perspective on the future of the Republican Party.
Haley–who recently announced a run against Donald Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination–discusses representing Trump at the U.N., her support for his policies, and her reservations about his style.
Haley also reflects on a pivotal moment in her governorship: the removal of the Confederate flag from the grounds of the South Carolina statehouse after the racially motivated shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston in 2015.
She comments on the U.N.’s relevance in a changing world, whether the U.S. needs to remain part of the organization, and how Trump’s presidency impacted America’s reputation on the world stage.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Brian O’Hara, the first new police chief appointed in Minneapolis since George Floyd’s murder, joins Margaret Hoover to discuss policing in America and the deep-seated issues impacting the relationships between communities and police across the country.
O’Hara, who previously led reform efforts as a captain in the Newark Police Department, reflects on how his experience in New Jersey prepared him for his new role at the helm of another troubled department.
With violent crime in Minneapolis starting to decline after a two-year surge, O’Hara addresses the underlying causes of gun violence, as well as his concerns about progressive policies like bail reform and defunding police departments.
In the wake of the Tyre Nichols case in Memphis, O’Hara also comments on racial disparities in policing, the benefits and limitations of body-worn cameras, and whether ending qualified immunity would solve the problem of police misconduct.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Economist Glenn Loury joins Margaret Hoover to discuss racial inequality in America, his resistance to the notion of systemic racism, and how his perspective has evolved since the 1980s.
Loury, who was the first tenured Black economics professor at Harvard at age 33, explains why he now opposes affirmative action, even though he benefited from it early in his career. He also comments on the fallout from decades of mass incarceration and makes his case against providing reparations for slavery.
Loury now teaches at Brown University and is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. He talks about threats to free speech on campuses and why he defends controversial figures like University of Pennsylvania Law Professor Amy Wax.
The host of “The Glenn Show” podcast also reflects on insight he gained from writing his upcoming memoir and how his life experiences helped shape his views.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Barry Diller, chairman and senior executive of IAC and Expedia Group, joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the changing worlds of entertainment, technology, and politics.
Diller, a former CEO of Paramount and Fox, reflects on the decline of the traditional movie business, the rise of streaming services, and how the Academy Awards have become “an antiquity.”
The media mogul explains his objection to so-called “woke capitalism” and why he believes even offensive speech should be protected. As a longtime Democratic donor, he also weighs in on the future of both parties.
Diller, the co-founder of The Daily Beast, offers his perspective on the world of digital journalism and the growing influence of right-wing tech investors. He also discusses his deep love of public art and his contribution to New York’s Little Island.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) joins Margaret Hoover to talk about her priorities in Congress, which include working toward bipartisan consensus on abortion, marijuana, and climate change.
Mace blames both parties for driving up the nation’s debt in recent decades, but she supports a Republican strategy to use the debt limit as leverage to convince Democrats to accept spending cuts. She explains how her bill to balance the budget would work, though she acknowledges it would not be easy.
As a member of the House Oversight Committee, Mace argues President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump should be held to the same standard on their handling of classified information, but she defends Republicans focusing solely on Biden.
Mace, who defeated a Trump-backed primary challenger last year, discusses Trump’s policy legacy and what she believes Republicans need to look for in a candidate to win over independent voters in 2024.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the lessons of America’s past and the threats to democracy looming in the future.
Meacham, whose latest book “And There Was Light” focuses on President Abraham Lincoln, details the qualities of the country’s most successful presidents and the role their faith played in governing.
The historian, who has helped craft speeches for President Joe Biden, discusses the political impact of the classified document controversy engulfing the White House, and he weighs in on whether the 80-year-old incumbent should run again in 2024.
Meacham, writer of an acclaimed biography of President Andrew Jackson, also reflects on differences between Jackson and Donald Trump, the rapid transformation of the Republican Party under Trump’s influence, and the results of the midterm elections.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Reverend Al Sharpton speaks to Margaret Hoover about his evolution as a civil rights leader from the 1980s to today, which is chronicled in the new documentary “Loudmouth.”
Sharpton discusses his influences and why he developed his loud and dramatic style of activism to attract attention in New York. He also reflects on how Coretta Scott King ultimately convinced him to soften his rhetoric in order to stay true to his mission.
Thirty-five years later, Sharpton defends his advocacy for Tawana Brawley–a Black teen who claimed she was abducted and raped by white men in 1987–and explains why he still will not apologize for standing by Brawley, even after a grand jury deemed her accusations a hoax.
Sharpton assesses the Democratic Party’s current challenges with Black voters and offers his perspective on President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He also looks ahead to the future of the civil rights movement.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Two years after January 6th Capitol attack, former Vice President Mike Pence sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss the events of that day, why he chose to defy Donald Trump, and what it all means for his political future.
Pence, whose recent memoir, “So Help Me God,” details his decades in politics, reflects on his role as Trump’s vice president. He acknowledges some differences with Trump, but he defends most of the administration’s record.
Pence explains why he publicly supported Trump’s legal challenges to the 2020 election and supported investigations into what he says were election “irregularities,” even as he says he privately encouraged the president to accept defeat.
The former vice president also talks about the prospect of Trump being indicted, the fallout from the Biden administration’s Afghanistan withdrawal, and how he will decide whether to run for the presidency himself in 2024.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the power of music to bring people together and provide hope and comfort in a time of crisis.
Long before COVID-19 hit, Ma was using his instrument to unite people, performing Bach suites in cities around the world and at the U.S.-Mexico border. He explains why he believes songs written centuries ago can connect humanity today.
Ma also talks about performing during a pandemic, how technology has changed musical collaboration, and why he feels Zoom can never fully replace the experience of a live performance.
Ma reflects on his decades-long career, offers perspective on how music might help heal America’s divisions, and plays from his recent album, “Songs of Comfort and Hope.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Misty Copeland, American Ballet Theatre’s first Black principal dancer, joins Margaret Hoover to discuss her career, her new memoir, and her relationship with her mentor, Raven Wilkinson.
As Copeland details in The Wind at My Back, Wilkinson was a trailblazing Black ballerina who performed in the U.S. and Europe in the mid-20th century, but she has often been overlooked by history after her career was cut short by racism.
Copeland recalls the lessons she learned from her mentor, reflects on how ballet has changed, and explains why she gives Wilkinson credit for her biggest successes–like starring in ABT’s “Swan Lake.”
She also talks about her own confrontations with racism in the dance world, her hopes for the future of ballet, and when she plans to return to the stage.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa joins Margaret Hoover to talk about her reporting, her concerns about social media, and her new book, “How to Stand Up to a Dictator.”
Ressa, who could face life in prison in the Philippines for speaking out against authoritarianism and corruption, explains why a free press is vital to democracy and why she is willing to risk her freedom to return to the country.
She recounts delivering warnings to Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook executives years ago about the dangers the platform created and details the role of social media in the rise of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
Ressa discusses her hopes for the country under new leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her thoughts on TikTok and Twitter, and what it may take for the world to overcome the “original sin” of social media.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Former Vice President Mike Pence sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss January 6th, his political future, and why he still stands by most of the record of the Trump administration.
Pence, out with a new memoir titled “So Help Me God,” details private conversations with Donald Trump about the 2020 election and defends his own rhetoric urging supporters to keep fighting in the weeks before January 6th.
He recounts the lessons of his years in Congress and how he developed his approach to the job of vice president, and he discusses some areas where he differed from Trump, such as his approach when dealing with Vladimir Putin.
Pence also explains why he is considering a 2024 presidential run and how he will decide whether to challenge Trump for the Republican nomination.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Former Attorney General William Barr reflects on his time in Donald Trump’s administration and tells Margaret Hoover why he thinks it would be a “tragedy” if Trump wins the GOP nomination.
Barr–who left the DOJ amid Trump’s baseless claims of a stolen election in December 2020– defends his own pre-election warnings about the potential for voter fraud, denies Trump’s frequent tweets ever influenced his work, and explains why he feels descriptions of January 6th as an attempted coup are “overdramatic.”
Barr, who also ran the Justice Department under President George H.W. Bush, discusses the growing politicization of government institutions, the facts and fiction about the “deep state,” and his expansive view of executive power.
And despite his criticisms of Trump’s character and judgment, Barr confirms he might still be willing to vote for his former boss again over a progressive Democrat.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas joins Margaret Hoover to break down the results of the midterm elections, the weaker than anticipated performance of GOP candidates, and the direction of the party heading into 2024.
Hutchinson, who is considering a 2024 presidential run, explains why he blames former President Donald Trump for the party’s losses in key races and why he believes there is an urgent need for Republicans to look to a post-Trump future.
He warns of the danger in the rhetoric of GOP election deniers like Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and calls for a return to “common-sense” conservatism.
Hutchinson also discusses the role of abortion rights in the election, the top priorities for Republicans if they take control of the House, and whether they should pursue impeachment of President Joe Biden.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman joins Magaret Hoover to discuss her coverage of former President Donald Trump and her new book, “Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America.”
Haberman explains how the pursuit of fame has driven Trump throughout his life and how his years on “The Apprentice” set the stage for his political ascent. She also deconstructs some of the myths he has promoted about his life and his business record.
The Pulitzer Prize winner discusses Trump’s legacy as president and the fallout from his chaotic final days in office, as well as the political and legal risks he now faces from various investigations. She also reflects on how Trump has warped the reality of the Republican Party and continues to wield influence.
As a longtime observer of both Trump and the GOP, Haberman offers insight into whether Trump will run again in 2024, what a second term might look like, and whether anyone in the party would be willing or able to challenge him for the nomination.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Independent Senate candidate Evan McMullin talks to Margaret Hoover about his race against Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee, which could potentially determine which party controls the chamber.
Although he is a lifelong conservative and he has vowed not to caucus with either party if he wins, McMullin’s bid to unseat Lee has the backing of Utah’s Democratic Party. He explains how he built a cross-partisan coalition that has made this Senate race the state’s most competitive one in decades.
McMullin, who ran for president as an independent in 2016 with Sen. Lee’s support, discusses Lee’s evolution into a loyal ally of former President Donald Trump. He also lays out his argument that Lee betrayed the Constitution by trying to overturn the 2020 election—even if Senator Lee ultimately voted to certify the results on January 6th.
McMullin addresses Utah Sen. Mitt Romney’s decision not to endorse either candidate in the race, former Vice President Mike Pence’s support for Lee, and whether America needs a new political party to compete with Democrats and the GOP.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Journalist Matthew Continetti joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the evolution of the American right over the last century and its future. He explains how opposition to the New Deal, communism, and progressivism created the foundation for an enduring conservative agenda.
Continetti, author of “The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism” and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, recounts the roles prominent political figures have played in the movement, including Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump.
He details how recent decades have changed the social and ideological makeup of the conservative coalition as populism and anti-elitism emerged and grassroots voters rebelled against the GOP establishment, and he looks ahead to what those forces could mean for Republicans and traditional conservatives in 2024 and beyond.
Continetti also reflects on how shifts in technology and the media have affected conservatism over the years, from William F. Buckley Jr.’s original “Firing Line” to the rise of Rush Limbaugh and talk radio to the proliferation of conspiracy theories on the internet.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
As protests against Iran’s theocratic regime enter their second month, exiled Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the issues driving the demonstrations and her belief that this movement will succeed where past revolts against the government have failed.
The protests were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was detained by the regime’s morality police for showing her hair in public, but they have come to represent a rebellion against an entire system of what Alinejad calls “gender apartheid.”
After Alinejad left Iran in 2009, she became an outspoken advocate for women defying the requirement that they cover their hair with a hijab. Alinejad reveals how her activism has impacted her life, with Iranian leaders issuing threats against her and allegedly plotting to kidnap her, and explains why she is willing to risk her life to give a voice to the women of Iran.
Alinejad also assesses the U.S. response to the protests and accuses the Biden administration of prioritizing the pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran over protecting human rights. She suggests Western feminists and politicians have been hypocritical in their approach to the oppression of women by Iran.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss her new memoir “The Forerunner: A Tale of Pain and Perseverance in America,” her activism, and her progressive agenda.
Bush recalls how she overcame difficult experiences–including sexual assaults, abortions, and evictions–to become the first Black woman to represent Missouri in Congress. A member of the progressive “Squad” in the House, she is now seeking re-election for a second term.
Bush entered politics after taking a leading role in the Black Lives Matter protests over Michael Brown’s killing by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014. She describes the tensions between her generation of activists and legacy civil rights organizations, and she explains why she was disappointed in President Barack Obama’s response to the demonstrations.
The congresswoman also defends policy priorities that have at times put her in conflict with fellow Democrats, including her commitment to “defund the police” and her plan to reform policing and public safety in America.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss Ukraine’s counter-offensive, Vladimir Putin’s latest nuclear threats, and new reports of war crimes by Russian forces.
She also addresses Putin’s plan to mobilize 300,000 reservists, and she explains why her government does not support European countries opening their borders to Russian men fleeing conscription.
Markarova details alleged acts of genocide in occcupied territories, denounces “sham” referendums ordered by Putin, and underscores Ukraine’s position that it will not consider ceding any land to Russia.
The ambassador outlines additional steps the U.S. could take to assist Ukraine’s war efforts, and she makes the case that even Americans wary of involvement in international conflicts should work to defeat Putin now before his ambitions extend into NATO nations.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Former Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his four years in office, the country’s deep ties to the United States, and the economic and political challenges that loom on the horizon for both countries.
Duque, who describes himself as a “radical centrist,” discusses Latin America’s recent shift toward the left, the dangers he sees in populism and polarization, and his concerns about the policies of his successor, former Marxist guerilla Gustavo Petro.
Duque explains why his administration welcomed refugees fleeing Venezuela’s Maduro regime and how he approached the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. He defends his economic policies, his strategy in the war on drugs, and his response to social unrest.
The former president also addresses political trends in the U.S., including threats to democracy, the Jan. 6 riot, and the battle over immigration and border security.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Filmmakers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein join Margaret Hoover to discuss their new three-part documentary series, “The U.S. and the Holocaust,” which examines America’s response to Nazi atrocities, why the U.S. failed to take in more refugees, and how themes from the past echo today.
They discuss how Hitler was inspired by the brutality levied on Native and Black Americans and how rampant anti-Semitism in the U.S. led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to limit the scope of the U.S. response to the humanitarian crisis.
They also discuss what Americans knew of Hitler’s acts, when they knew it, and how public opinion shifted as imagery from death camps began making its way into American newspapers.
Botstein and Burns reflect on how the documentary’s themes resonate with contemporary America, as genocide continues around the globe and pro-authoritarian sentiments threaten democratic institutions.
The series, which Botstein says “can be a warning,” starts this Sunday, September 18th on PBS.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Decorated veteran and author Elliot Ackerman joins Margaret Hoover to talk about his new book, “The Fifth Act: America’s End in Afghanistan,” his role in the civilian-led evacuation of Afghan allies, and what happens next.
Ackerman discusses missteps in Afghanistan that spanned four presidencies, the Biden administration’s failure to plan for the worst-case scenario when U.S. troops withdrew, and how the war might have ended differently.
Twenty-one years after the 9/11 attacks, Ackerman also reflects on the successes and failures of the war on terror and the possibility that Afghanistan has again become a safe haven for terrorists.
He offers his perspective on other looming threats, including foreign powers like China and Russia, America’s domestic political dysfunction, and the growing divide between civilians and the military.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins joins Margaret Hoover to talk about his new memoir “Still Alright,” his five decades in the music industry, and what’s next for his legendary career.
Loggins details a songwriting process that has produced iconic songs since he was a teenager, including “Danny’s Song” and “House at Pooh Corner.” He also opens up about his creative and personal struggles, as well as his battle with addiction to anti-anxiety drugs.
The musician discusses his work on soundtracks for hit films like “Footloose,” “Caddyshack,” and “Top Gun,” as well as the re-emergence of his song “Danger Zone” in this summer’s “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Loggins also reflects on what it was like inside the studio recording “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson and some of the other biggest names in music, the changes the industry has undergone in the digital age, and the prospect of collaborating with talented upcoming artists.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Sen. Mike Lee joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his new book, “Saving Nine: The Fight Against the Left's Audacious Plan to Pack the Supreme Court and Destroy American Liberty,” as well as his role in former President Donald Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election.
The Utah Republican, who ultimately voted to certify the election results, defends his text message exchanges with then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in the weeks before January 6th and expresses his disappointment in Trump’s inaction during the violence that day.
Lee, a former clerk for Justice Samuel Alito, also explains why he fears Democrats are moving toward expanding the Supreme Court, despite White House denials, and why he believes doing so could cause lasting damage to the country.
Lee is up for re-election this fall in a race against independent candidate Evan McMullin, with some polls showing McMullin within striking distance for the Utah Senate seat. He pushes back against McMullin’s criticism of Republicans for refusing to consider Merrick Garland for a Supreme Court seat in 2016.
He also discusses the ramifications of the leak of the Dobbs decision, fading public confidence in the Supreme Court, and whose interpretation of the Constitution was correct on January 6th: Trump or Vice President Mike Pence.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Organizational psychologist Adam Grant joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the importance of reconsidering one’s established views, and why he believes doing so could be the key to healing America’s divisions.
The Wharton professor’s most recent bestseller, “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know,” explores the science of thinking and rethinking, as well as the most effective strategies for changing someone’s mind.
Grant discusses how his research applies to political debates, the difference between a politician flip-flopping and evolving their views in light of new information, and why partisans are so resistant to evidence that challenges their deep-seated beliefs.
Grant, host of the TED Talks WorkLife podcast, also addresses the mental and emotional fallout from COVID-19, the factors driving the Great Resignation, and whether the pandemic has permanently changed how we work.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Sen. Chris Murphy joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the passage of the first major bipartisan gun reform legislation since 1994 and his mission to end America’s epidemic of gun violence.
The Connecticut Democrat explains how the new bill might have prevented recent mass shootings like the July 4th parade in Highland Park, Illinois and discusses the fallacy of “good guys with guns” at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. He says the legislation will save thousands of lives, while acknowledging that the compromise bill falls short for many anti-gun violence activists.
Murphy, who represented Newtown in the House of Representatives at the time of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, reflects on his decade of advocacy for gun safety, the imperative to draw attention to the problems of urban gun violence, and his hope that the politics are shifting in favor of reform.
The senator also weighs in on filibuster reform, the Supreme Court, and what he expects will be a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in 2024.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Author James Kirchick joins Margaret Hoover to talk about his new bestseller, “Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington,” and the facts and fiction about gay men and women in politics and government from the FDR administration to the end of the 20th century.
Gays within the federal government persistently faced suspicion, harassment, and ostracization, even as they filled vital jobs in the State Department, the intelligence services, and the White House.
Kirchick recounts the moral panic of the Lavender Scare, responds to long-standing rumors about FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and Eleanor Roosevelt, and reveals new details about fears on the right that Ronald Reagan was being manipulated by a “homosexual network.”
He also talks about the state of LGBTQ rights in America in the 21st century, the signs of a brewing backlash against inclusivity, and why some homosexual politicians in Washington today might still feel compelled to remain in the closet.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the ramifications of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the nearly 50-year-old decision that had granted a constitutional right to an abortion.
“Women will die,” the pro-choice Republican warns as GOP-led states race to restrict abortion access. She also expresses concerns that the Supreme Court’s conservative majority is pursuing a political agenda rather than a legal one, and that the rollback of rights will not stop here.
Whitman, an advocate of moderate conservatism and outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, reflects on how her party has changed in recent years and why both Republicans and Democrats are increasingly reluctant to pursue popular bipartisan solutions on contentious issues.
The former governor also offers her perspective on the midterm elections, a potential Trump 2024 run, and the uncertain future of the Republican Party.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, and The Marc Haas Foundation.
Republican election lawyer Ben Ginsberg joins Margaret Hoover to discuss speaking out against his party over former President Donald Trump’s false election fraud claims and his recent testimony before the House January 6th Committee.
Ginsberg, who represented GOP candidates for nearly 40 years, details the fallout from Trump’s election lies and the reforms to the 135-year-old Electoral Count Act that he believes could help avert chaos in 2024 and beyond.
The attorney also assesses the work of the January 6th Committee so far, the controversial actions of Trump legal adviser John Eastman, and the possibility that the Justice Department could pursue criminal charges against the former president.
Ginsberg reflects on the 2000 recount, during which he represented George W. Bush’s campaign, as well as other disputed elections in recent decades, and the responsibility he sees for both parties to restore faith in American elections.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-GA, joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the future of American democracy, his high-stakes reelection battle with football legend Herschel Walker, and his new book, “A Way Out of No Way: A Memoir of Truth, Transformation, and the New American Story.”
As the findings of the January 6th Committee unfold, Warnock discusses the contrast between the America on display during the Capitol riot and the one that elected him to the Senate in Georgia the previous day.
The senator, who is also a pastor at the Atlanta church where Martin Luther King Jr. once preached, speaks about the importance of voting rights reform, both in his state and in Congress. He also explains why he is backing a bipartisan compromise framework on guns that falls far short of what Democrats and the White House had sought.
Looking ahead to November, Warnock details his economic agenda to counter skyrocketing consumer prices, his message to Georgia voters, and his playbook for taking on the Trump-backed Walker in a closely watched race that could again decide control of the Senate.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
Margaret Atwood, the renowned writer of dystopian fiction including “The Handmaid's Tale,” joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the prospect of a post-Roe v. Wade America as the country is facing this very likelihood.
This updated and refreshed episode features an interview conducted just weeks before the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion that would reverse the landmark 1973 decision that established a federal right to abortion in America.
Atwood has long predicted that Roe would eventually be overturned. She tells Hoover the crux of the issue is whether the state owns women’s bodies.
“If they're going to claim women's bodies and put in enforced childbearing, they should pay for that. If they make you have a baby, they should pay for your food, your lodging, your clothing, your medical care, and your training,” Atwood says.
Atwood reflects on the renewed interest in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” her 1985 novel about a post-American dystopia where fertile women are forced to procreate. In recent years, the book has inspired a global wave of feminist protests and has been adapted as an Emmy-winning Hulu series. Atwood, a consultant on the series, offers behind-the-scenes insight as shooting is underway for a new season.
Atwood also addresses other topics covered in her recent nonfiction collection, “Burning Questions,” including climate change and emerging threats to democracy like Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt joins Margaret Hoover to discuss advances in artificial intelligence, the impact that the technology could have on humanity, and how to prepare for the future it will bring.
Schmidt, who co-authored “The Age of A.I.” with Henry Kissinger and MIT computer scientist Daniel Huttenlocher, details how artificial intelligence could spur dramatic changes in medicine, warfare, and parenting. He also explains why he is more optimistic than some experts about the outlook for the post-A.I. labor market.
Having run Google for a decade, Schmidt offers insight into the debate over free speech and social media moderation, as well as the potential tradeoffs of imposing government regulations on emerging technologies. He also argues against barring former President Donald Trump from social media platforms.
Schmidt acknowledges some ethical and technological challenges loom as A.I. evolves, but says he hopes to start a conversation about addressing them before it is too late. He also foresees A.I. and technology playing a vital role in combating climate change.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
Legal experts Mary Ziegler and Ed Whelan join Margaret Hoover to debate the constitutional issues raised by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s leaked draft opinion that would overturn the court’s landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
Whelan, a former clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia, outlines the conservative argument against the notion of a constitutional right to abortion and calls Roe v. Wade an example of judicial activism. Ziegler, a legal historian and professor of constitutional law, says Alito’s draft opinion is unnecessarily polarizing in tone and reach even for a court reversing Roe.
The two attorneys look at what several of the justices said during their confirmation hearings about respect for precedent and address whether those past remarks are consistent with overturning Roe. With a final decision expected next month, Ziegler and Whelan offer competing takes on what the decision could mean for other issues such as same-sex marriage.
If Alito’s decision stands, the Supreme Court would return the question of abortion rights to the states. Ziegler and Whelan address current public sentiment on the issue, as well as the likelihood that the anti-abortion movement will now pursue a nationwide ban.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the global response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the conflict’s escalating consequences, and what the conflict has revealed about the need for reform at the U.N.
Thomas-Greenfield has spent decades in the Foreign Service, working for both Republican and Democratic administrations. In addition to other roles around the world, she served as ambassador to Liberia and assistant secretary of state for African affairs before being nominated to the U.N. post by President Biden.
The ambassador argues the U.N.’s pushback against Vladimir Putin has been effective, despite Russia’s ability to veto action by the Security Council. She also discusses the presence of human rights abusers on the U.N. Human Rights Council and the U.S. stance on the ongoing war crimes investigation of Russia by the International Criminal Court.
As she takes on the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield outlines some of her top priorities: addressing food insecurity, confronting cyber threats and disinformation, and keeping a vital border crossing in Syria open for humanitarian aid.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
Author Tina Brown joins Margaret Hoover to discuss her new book, “The Palace Papers,” and the “perilous” state of the British monarchy in the twilight of Queen Elizabeth’s reign.
Brown, who interviewed more than 100 sources with knowledge of the Royal Family, explains what the 96-year-old matriarch means to the British people, how the crown might modernize under her son Charles and grandson William, and why so many Americans remain fascinated by a monarchy their country fought a war to escape.
Brown details her reporting on Prince Harry’s “Megxit” from the family, his efforts to forge his own path with Meghan Markle, and the palace fears about his upcoming memoir. She also offers her insights on the “reprehensible” Prince Andrew and “completely dishonest” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker shares her views on the “meltdown” of journalism, the contagion of misinformation, and the possible ramifications of Elon Musk taking the helm of Twitter.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the next phase of Russia’s invasion, the successes and failures of the Biden administration’s response, and the potential global ramifications of the conflict.
Yovanovitch, author of the new book “Lessons from the Edge,” offers insight from her decades in the foreign service, including several years stationed in Kyiv. She explains why she believes the U.S. must help Ukraine prevail over Vladimir Putin’s forces to preserve the post-Cold War international order.
The former ambassador also assesses Ukraine’s development as a democracy, the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelensky, and how the current situation might be different if former U.S. President Donald Trump was still in the White House.
Yovanovitch – who was recalled from Kyiv in 2019 after Trump allies waged a smear campaign against her and later became a key witness in his first impeachment – voices concerns about the future of American democracy, as well as about the prospect of a presidential run by Trump’s former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
Actor Matt Damon and engineer Gary White join Margaret Hoover to talk about the work of the organization they co-founded to confront the global water crisis, Water.org, and their new book, “The Worth of Water: Our Story of Chasing Solutions to the World's Greatest Challenge.”
With 771 million people around the world living without safe water and sanitation, Water.org facilitates small loans for families in developing countries to fund their own access to water. Damon and White explain why they adopted a microfinancing model and why they believe it works.
They recount how their “bromance” began, why skepticism of celebrity activism didn’t stop them, and what led them to launch WaterEquity, an investment fund that harnesses the forces of capitalism to help fuel further philanthropy.
Damon addresses how their progress is threatened by climate change, defends his advertising partnership with Crypto.com, and reflects on his role in the 2011 film “Contagion” in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. He and White also underscore their commitment to ending the water crisis in their lifetimes.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
As the Senate votes to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, Judiciary Committee member Sen. Chris Coons, D-DE, joins Margaret Hoover in Washington to discuss the increasingly politicized confirmation process, the outside groups pressuring lawmakers to oppose qualified nominees, and the decline of public trust in the nation’s highest court.
Coons acknowledges his own votes against former President Trump’s Supreme Court nominees have been “part of the problem,” but he defends his opposition, citing their judicial philosophies. He also says he “may” join fellow Democrats in calling for Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from cases related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot over his wife’s communications with the Trump White House.
The close Biden ally offers insight into the administration’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as the challenges of maintaining unified Western resolve amid rising energy prices. He underscores the significance of the conflict in the broader context of a 21st century struggle between democracy and autocracy.
Coons also addresses his efforts to secure more funding for global COVID-19 relief, the threat of a potential food scarcity crisis, and the mounting political obstacles facing Democrats as they race to advance President Biden’s agenda and prevent a midterm disaster.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
Grammy Award-winning banjo player Rhiannon Giddens joins Margaret Hoover to discuss her pursuit of the true history of her instrument and why she has set out to change perceptions of the banjo as an icon of white mountain culture.
Giddens traces her path from a childhood in a mixed-race family in North Carolina to studying opera at Oberlin to learning the Black string band tradition at the feet of one of its last great practitioners. She has gone on to an acclaimed career, first as a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and later as a solo artist.
She recounts how the banjo went from an invention of African Americans to a white cultural stereotype, reflects on the evolving sound of the instrument over time, and explains why her “American music” defies conventional genre classifications.
Giddens performs three songs, including a piece from her upcoming opera, “Omar.” She also reflects on cultural appropriation, political division, and the challenges of teaching the true African American experience in classrooms.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
Photojournalist Lynsey Addario joins Margaret Hoover from Kyiv to discuss her coverage of the war in Ukraine, including a photo of victims of Russian artillery fire featured on the front page of The New York Times that has become a defining image of the conflict.
Addario, who has been documenting combat and crisis zones around the world for over 20 years, recounts the moments of horror and humanity she has witnessed since Vladimir Putin’s invasion began last month, as well as her observations of the shifting reality on the ground in Ukraine.
She also delves into the risks that war photographers take to capture vital stories, the trauma she has experienced on the job including being kidnapped twice, and the challenges and advantages of being a woman in a male-dominated field.
As Addario prepares to rotate out of Ukraine and return to her family in London, she reflects on the state of the war, Russia’s increasingly inhumane tactics, and the “unrelenting” resolve of the Ukrainian people to fight back against Putin.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
Acclaimed author Margaret Atwood joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the legacy of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” the success of Hulu’s adaptation of the 1985 novel, and the “Burning Questions” about democracy, climate change, and human rights at the heart of her new non-fiction collection.
As Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine rages on, Atwood suggests the horror of the conflict may change attitudes toward defending democracy in the United States after the nation took “a bit of a breather” from standing up for democratic ideals.
Atwood responds to abortion rights activists who adopt costumes from her novel to represent oppression of women and reacts to the reproductive rights case before the Supreme Court that could roll back Roe v. Wade.
The writer details her upcoming “Practical Utopias” project that aims to devise solutions to some of the global challenges outlined in her books. She also reflects on her own cameo appearance in Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” series and her interactions with the show’s writers and star.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third week, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the fierce Ukrainian resistance, Vladimir Putin’s endgame, and the potential global fallout from the conflict.
Taylor – who served as ambassador from 2006 to 2009 and returned to Kyiv as acting ambassador in 2019 before becoming a key witness in former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment – assesses the Biden administration’s response to Putin’s aggression so far and lays out additional steps the U.S. could take to increase the cost of waging war for the Kremlin.
Taylor provides personal insight on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s transformation into a “grimly determined” wartime leader who has united his country and the world against Russia.
More than two million people have already fled Ukraine amid intense Russian shelling, civilian casualties are mounting, and efforts to find a diplomatic resolution have proven fruitless. Still, Taylor predicts the Ukrainians will ultimately prevail.
Taylor also defends NATO’s expansion, warns Putin has turned Russia into a “pariah nation,” and suggests Beijing could play a critical role in ending the conflict.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.
As the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine looms, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul joins Margaret Hoover to discuss Vladimir Putin’s latest provocations, the Biden administration’s response, and the possibility that the world is on the brink of “the biggest conventional war in Europe since 1939.”
McFaul, who served as President Barack Obama’s ambassador to Moscow from 2012 to the eve of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, recounts his experiences negotiating with Putin and the Russian leader’s personal disdain for him. He reads between the lines on the public demands the Kremlin has made of the U.S. and NATO and Putin’s true motivation.
As a Stanford University professor and a former White House adviser who has studied Russia for decades, McFaul outlines the likely global ramifications of a war in Ukraine, explains why it is so hard to predict what Putin might do, and speculates about Russia’s potential to someday become a “boring, normal European democracy.”
McFaul also discusses the successes and failures of the Obama administration’s “Russia Reset” and what President Biden could learn from his predecessors’ dealings with Putin.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Just 24 hours before being traded from the Boston Celtics to the Houston Rockets and released from the roster, NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom tells Margaret Hoover he suspects the league is trying to silence him for speaking out against human rights abuses in China.
A newly naturalized American citizen, Kanter Freedom has been increasingly vocal about the oppression of his fellow Muslims in the Xinjiang province of China and the failure of the NBA and its corporate sponsors to use their influence to combat what the U.S. government has declared a genocide.
Kanter Freedom, who grew up in Turkey, details his initial activism against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and how it impacted his family who remain there and left him fearful of arrest if he ever returns. He recalls how he learned of the plight of the Uyghurs, explains why he felt it was important for him to speak out on their behalf, and defends his call for athletes to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
He also reflects on his public tensions with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, his clash with Nike, and the possibility that this season could be his “farewell tour” in the NBA.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch joins Margaret Hoover at the start of Black History Month for a discussion on the importance of studying a complete history and his continued work to preserve the American story for the next generation.
Bunch is the Smithsonian’s 14th secretary and is the first Black leader and the first historian to oversee the world’s largest museum, education and research institution.
As founding director, he was the driving force behind the creation of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. He describes in vivid detail the power of receiving some of the artifacts, including objects from the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
Bunch discusses his personal story, the role museums should play in society and the challenge of contextualizing complex and, often, dark history.
He also reacts to President Biden’s commitment to nominating a Black woman for the Supreme Court and tells Hoover what gives him hope for the future.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Success Academy CEO Eva Moskowitz joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the problems with education in America and her ideas to fix it.
Moskowitz, who served as a Democrat in the New York City Council, founded a network of charter schools that has grown to include 20,000 students at 47 schools.
She has taken on the teachers unions, a position that puts her at odds with her own party line. She is also an advocate for school choice — which more often is a Republican priority.
Moskowitz responds to some of her high-profile critics, including actor Matt Damon, who namechecked her during an 2011 interview in which he criticized the charter school model.
She also discusses the challenge of teaching during the pandemic and weighs in on the education reform policies she would like to see from new New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the future of the workplace, the care economy and the role companies should play in addressing problems in society.
Nooyi, who has written a new memoir My Life in Full: Work, Family, and our Future, talks about her childhood in India, her decision to come to the United States and her rise up the corporate ladder.
She describes her personal struggle to juggle work and family and her professional struggle to push the soda-and-snack giant toward more sustainable products, including healthier options and packaging that does less damage to the environment.
She joined PepsiCo in 1994 and became the 11th female Fortune 500 CEO when she took the helm in 2006. She says that big corporations need to find a more “judicious balance” between shareholder and stakeholder interests.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
CNN anchor, Washington Post columnist and author Fareed Zakaria discusses his latest book, Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World, assessing where the U.S. response has fallen short under both the Trump and Biden administrations and defining what he views as the long-term consequences.
Zakaria also analyzes current threats to democracy at home and abroad, including the build-up of Russian troops along the border of Ukraine and what he says would be a “red line” for military intervention.
As a young conservative at Yale University, Zakaria invited original Firing Line host William F. Buckley Jr. to campus to debate Sen. George McGovern in 1984 and was later a guest on Buckley’s program. He reflects on their relationship, the state of the current Republican Party and his own political journey toward the left.
Zakaria also engages in a spirited back-and-forth with current host Margaret Hoover about the legacy of her great-grandfather, former President Herbert Hoover.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Illinois Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger—an Air Force veteran and one of just two GOP lawmakers on the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack—reflects on the threats to democracy he witnessed that day and the questions the committee is attempting to answer.
Kinzinger hid in his office for six hours during the siege with his gun on his desk, fearing that he may be targeted as one of the only Republicans who congratulated President-elect Biden and rejected the false claims of election fraud promoted by President Trump.
He says that the committee is interviewing hundreds of sources to connect the dots about what led to the deadly violence a year ago this week, but adds that many questions remain unanswered, including who the president talked to, what members of Congress knew, how foreign governments may have been involved and who funded the attacks.
While he criticizes Democrats, it’s his opposition to Trump that has made him an enemy to many in his own party. Kinzinger has decided not to seek re-election after Democratic gerrymandering pit him against a more conservative Republican. He predicts that the GOP will win back the House in 2022, but warns that it will be “chaotic to govern” and could promote the message that “Trumpism works.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Simon & Schuster publisher Dana Canedy shares a personal story of love, loss and resilience that inspired her best-selling book and now the Denzel Washington-directed film “A Journal for Jordan.”
Canedy gave her fiancé, First Sergeant Charles Monroe King, a journal to write to their unborn son before his deployment to Iraq. King was able to meet their son but was killed by an IED when Jordan was just six months old. King wrote hundreds of pages in the journal to their child, which Canedy describes as reflections on the power of prayer, how to choose a wife, and how to live an honorable life.
Canedy discusses her hands-on role throughout the movie's filming and says both she and Denzel Washington believe faith is the driving force behind the production. She says Washington told her he was “called by God” to make it.
One of the most powerful women in publishing, Canedy stood up to criticism about a Simon & Schuster book deal for Vice President Mike Pence's memoir. Speaking generally about the industry, Canedy says canceling a book should be "last resort." She says it’s important to listen to those we disagree with and that “an echo chamber is one of the most dangerous things that we can tune into.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Republican Chris Christie discusses his new book about why the GOP needs to renounce conspiracy theories — including Trump's election fraud lies — in order to win again.
The former New Jersey Governor, who spent a week in intensive care fighting COVID-19, responds to new reporting that President Trump tested positive the day Christie started prepping him for the presidential debate — and neither Trump nor Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told him.
When asked if he now believes Trump infected him, Christie says, “I think it’s undeniable." He also calls Meadows' actions “inexcusable.”
When pressed as to why Christie doesn’t include Tucker Carlson’s spreading of misinformation on Fox News in his new book "Republican Rescue," Christie says, “That is not what the book is about.” Hoover pushes back, “Yes, it was about shutting down the conspiracy theorists on our side.”
Despite his criticisms of Trump, Christie would not rule out supporting Trump in 2024. But Christie also says he would be willing to run against Trump if he decides to get in the race himself.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Progressive socialist Dr. Cornel West and conservative Christian thinker Dr. Robert George, the “ideological odd couple,” discuss how their disagreements over policy — and their ability to talk about them openly and respectfully — have led to an enduring friendship.
Their conversation with Margaret Hoover was originally broadcast on Firing Line in February 2020 and is now available as a podcast in honor of the conversations that happen at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
“When you love somebody, you love their qualities,” West says. “The things you have in common that don’t always fall into politics.”
One area where George says West has “unsettled” him is “on issues of race.” Before engaging with West, George said he believed society would “be better if we just were colorblind completely in all of our dealings.” West helped him to realize that “the facts of history” can require a different approach.
They agree it has become harder to speak freely on college campuses and share a commitment to free speech. “You cannot be a truth-seeker if you're in groupthink,” George says.
“Socratic energy is very important,” West says. “No matter what the context is, you have to have an acknowledgment that not only you could be wrong but you can learn something from someone who you have deep disagreements with.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-SC, sits down with Margaret Hoover in Washington, D.C. to discuss his personal story of overcoming poverty to take his historic seat in Congress.
The only Black Republican in the U.S. Senate and a rising star in the GOP, Scott assesses the impact of opportunity zones, which provide tax incentives for investment in economically distressed areas. "What I do not want," he says, "is for people to come into a community, make a profit off the community, and run away with their money."
Scott calls for bipartisan support for school choice including charter schools explaining, “the power of education is the power of your future.”
Although bipartisan talks for police reform fell apart, Scott remains hopeful Republicans and Democrats can find common ground on the “four or five areas” where they agree.
Having announced his bid for re-election in 2022, the senator weighs in on the possibility of a Trump 2024 ticket and forecasts a "united Republican Party" heading into the next presidential election cycle.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
World-renowned artist and former political prisoner Ai Weiwei sits down with Margaret Hoover at The Art Students League of New York, where he studied in the 1980s, to reflect on his life’s work and his new memoir, “1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows.”
Ai describes his resistance to Chinese authoritarianism and the 81 days he spent in secret detention; he says he is hesitant to return to a China that has become “more extreme” in censoring dissidents.
He calls suffering “necessary” for his art and describes how the 2008 Sichuan earthquake made him question himself "as an artist, as an individual” — and merged his art and activism.
Ai warns of the rise in authoritarianism across the globe, including in Western democracies, telling Margaret, “You are already in the authoritarian state. You just don't know it.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Author and political commentator Andrew Sullivan joins Margaret Hoover for a discussion about what he calls woke "overkill" and "fanaticism" even as he continues to warn about the “crazy cult figure” of Trump.
Sullivan says Republican Glenn Youngkin's defeat of Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia Governor's race — in which parental choice and critical race theory became flashpoints — put Democrats back “in touch with reality.”
"I think people want race to be treated realistically, but not to define everybody, especially not in this oppressor-oppressed formula," Sullivan says.
Sullivan weighs in on comedian Dave Chappelle's Netflix special, which has sparked criticism for his comments about the transgender community. Sullivan says he was "proud of Netflix” for standing by Chappelle.
A self-described “small-c conservative," Sullivan also reflects on his landmark 1989 New Republic cover story, “The Case for Gay Marriage." He says the evolution of same-sex marriage from "crazy idea" to "reality" gives him ongoing "faith in liberal America" and the power of persuasion.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his legislative proposals to provide temporary legal status for 8 million undocumented immigrants as part of the reconciliation deal and to protect Americans against flood insurance “rate shock.”
Menendez, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also explains how the U.S. can support Taiwan against aggression from China, warns that Iran has the potential to spark a “nuclear arms race” and describes why he thinks his Democratic colleague, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is “confused or ill-informed” for opposing the U.S. embargo against Cuba.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
This week’s guest is Russia expert Dr. Fiona Hill, a former official in Trump’s National Security Council, a 2019 impeachment witness, and a current Brookings Institution senior fellow.
Hill joins Margaret Hoover to discuss her new memoir, “There’s Nothing For You Here,” in which she details how her upbringing in the northeast of England and rise from “the coal house to the White House" has informed her perspective on populism and authoritarianism.
At the White House, Hill describes the “shock” of learning that some members of the administration including her boss, President Trump, were not concerned with the national security implications of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Drawing on her expertise, she explains the problem of Putin’s nearly indefinite leadership. “Some of his advisers say there is no Russia without Vladimir Putin.”
Hill also warns about threats to democracy in the U.S. posed by Trump and the prospect of a Trump return to office in 2024.
"I don't think he actually knows what American democracy is," she says of Trump.
“He was a danger. He is a danger, and he will continue to be a danger.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.
Award-winning actor and best-selling author John Lithgow sits down with host Margaret Hoover in New York City to discuss the third book in his trilogy of poetry satirizing America’s “scoundrels.”
After taking direct aim at the Trump White House in the first two, Lithgow now shifts his focus to some of history’s earlier rogues, leveling them with limericks and illustrations.
Lithgow also reflects on his storied career on stage and screen, unpacking what he calls “the most interesting thing about acting” — the mingling of comedy and tragedy in characters.
To get past the “two-dimensional villain,” Lithgow says he tries to find empathy in the iconic roles he has played, including Winston Churchill in “The Crown” and Roger Ailes in “Bombshell.”
He also fears the Trump era may not be over, warning that America is “at a tipping point as a nation, as a culture, as a political organization.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
Firing Line is on the road as host Margaret Hoover sits down with three dissidents during the Human Rights Foundation’s Oslo Freedom Forum in Miami for a discussion on the global fight against human rights abuses.
Hatice Cengiz is the fianceé of slain Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. She has inherited his fight for human rights after his murder three years ago at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in an operation U.S. intelligence says was approved by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. She tells Margaret justice for Jamal means he “shouldn’t be king.”
Former Venezuelan political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez, who was jailed for years for challenging the Maduro regime, explains that “authoritarianism is on the rise” and tells Margaret that the U.S. needs to lead other democracies in opposition. “Americans need to understand that they have a responsibility to the rest of the world to promote and to defend freedom.”
Uyghur activist Jewher Ilham’s father was “symbol of the voice of the Uyghurs” until 2013 when he was detained by Chinese authorities and given a life sentence. Ilham has expanded her fight beyond her father’s case — and is now speaking for more than a million Uyghurs facing similar mistreatment. “What is happening in China to the Uyghurs, it is a humanitarian crisis,” she says, calling for legislative action in Congress.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
Billionaire real estate mogul, sports team owner and civic entrepreneur Frank McCourt discusses his $250 million investment to transform the internet and fix social media’s “broken model.”
Frank McCourt tells host Margaret Hoover “surveillance” capitalism has allowed tech giants like Facebook to “weaponize” user data against them. He says the new blockchain-powered Internet protocol created by Project Liberty, his venture, would give users the ability to control and port their data.
McCourt says a consumer product he is also developing could be ready for use in less than 18 months, and responds to questions about whether he is creating a direct competitor to an existing social media platform.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
Economist Mohamed A. El-Erian explains his concern that inflation exacerbated by the pandemic response will persist and says the Federal Reserve must take action or risk missing “the window.”
El-Erian tells host Margaret Hoover, "The minute you have a whiff of persistent inflation — and I think we have much more than a whiff right now — you've got to do something about it." El-Erian also breaks down the Evergrande crisis in China, discusses the changing nature of the workforce, and reflects on the “huge shock” his daughter gave him that made him revisit his priorities.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author George Will joins Firing Line's Margaret Hoover for an in-depth conversation examining the conservative movement from William F. Buckley Jr.’s National Review to today.
Will, who was hired by Buckley as his Washington editor in 1973, reflects on why he left the Republican Party in 2016 and his belief that many mainstream Republican politicians today are not true conservatives. Will argues that Donald Trump's hold on the Republican Party will not last and says of the former president, "History will pass him by.” Will also talks about his love of baseball, which he calls a “great sport for democracy.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
As America marks the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, Rep. Peter Meijer, R-MI, discusses the U.S. exit from Afghanistan, his decision to fly into Kabul amid the evacuation and who should be held accountable for the botched ending of a two-decade war.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
Let. Gen. H.R. McMaster joins host Margaret Hoover to respond to the suicide bombings that killed more than a dozen U.S. service members outside the Kabul airport. American forces will pursue the terrorists “to the ends of the earth,” McMaster says, but the attack shows “the limits of this sort of over-the-horizon approach to counterterrorism.”
Gen. David Petraeus, interviewed the day before the attack, discussed the chaotic withdrawal from America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan and warned of the future terror threat from the region, including from ISIS-K. “The Islamic State is there now...trying to establish a sanctuary, most likely in eastern Afghanistan.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, discusses the explosive growth of big tech and her concerns about mega-mergers and the monopoly power of tech titans like Facebook, Apple and Google.
Klobuchar, who ran for president in 2020, tells host Margaret Hoover, “I'm not against big companies. I'm against no competition.” She explains why every American should be paying attention, outlines her proposal for antitrust reforms and says a bipartisan solution is possible.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-MI, the only Democrat in Congress from a district that voted Republican in the last three presidential elections, discusses division in America, which she says is the country's greatest national security threat.
A former CIA analyst who served in Iraq, Slotkin describes how her training kicked in during the January 6 Capitol riots and shares her concerns about how prepared the U.S. is to handle future terrorist threats in Afghanistan.
Slotkin says don’t “let the perfect be the enemy of the good” when it comes to passing legislation, a pragmatic approach that sometimes puts her at odds with the progressives in her caucus. She supports the bipartisan infrastructure deal and is urging a more tailored approach with voting rights to speed up the legislative process.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
As America faces a resurgence of COVID-19, epidemiologist Dr. Céline Gounder and Dean of Brown University School of Public Health Dr. Ashish Jha join Margaret Hoover for an extended conversation on the “most contagious, most transmissible” variant yet.
They explain why Delta is so dangerous, answer questions about vaccines, breakthrough cases and booster shots and offer a frank look at what must be done to bring America — and the world — out of this pandemic.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-FL—whose family fled Fidel Castro’s “illegitimate, murderous regime” in Cuba—joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the country’s current crisis.
The congressman describes the fight for freedom amid government crackdowns on the island, what’s driving the historic protests, why he says the U.S. embargo should remain in place and how international allies can support the Cuban people.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
Columbia University linguist, author of over 20 books and race commentator John McWhorter joins Margaret Hoover for a conversation on the origins of critical race theory and what the decades-old legal concept has become in today’s national “ding-dong debate.” McWhorter shares his concerns about antiracism and how teaching it in schools has led to some “antiracist bootcamps” and a situation that he says is “dangerous” and “verges on evil.” Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson sits down with Margaret Hoover for a discussion on America’s missions to return to the Moon and reach Mars, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings, and NASA's hunt for intelligent life in the universe. Administrator Nelson says “more power to the space billionaires” in their push to explore space, but warns of an “aggressive” new “space race with the Chinese government.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
In a special edition celebrating Independence Day, four-star Admiral William H. McRaven returns to Firing Line to share stories of heroism from his 37 years of service to America. Adm. McRaven takes Margaret Hoover through the capture and imprisonment of Saddam Hussein, who nicknamed him “El Jefe,” and inside the high-stakes Pakistan raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
Four-star Admiral William H. McRaven, who rose to become commander of U.S. Special Operations, discusses America’s withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and whether he believes U.S.-trained Afghan forces can handle an “onslaught by the Taliban.” McRaven also addresses the current threat level from Iran, his decision to speak out against President Trump, whom he calls “a leader that belittled people,” before the 2020 election and 10 everyday virtues laid out in his new book, "The Hero Code: Lessons Learned from Lives Well Lived."
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
Primetime CNN anchor Don Lemon joins Margaret Hoover to discuss bringing his point of view to cable news, how he responds to criticism that he is both a “race baiter” and hasn't always been “Black enough,” why it's so critical to teach a fuller version of American history and his new book "This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism."
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
Former Treasury Secretary and Harvard economist Lawrence H. Summers joins Margaret Hoover for an in-depth discussion on his concerns about an overheated post-pandemic economy leading to inflation and what he believes the White House and Federal Reserve should do about it. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Inc., The Fairweather Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and Rosalind P. Walter. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc. and Morgan Stanley.
A first listen to the new "Firing Line" podcast as host Margaret Hoover interviews some of the biggest names and key players in American politics and culture. Subscribe for new episodes each week.