Israel, Autism & Broadway: Leland Vittert + Clay Aiken

Meghan opens with a family update on Cindy McCain and reacts to the return of Israeli hostages. Then former Biden White House comms chief of staff Yemisi Egbewole joins to dissect the Katie Porter viral clips, why Democrats keep losing the message war, and what a winning platform looks like (hint: focus on the monthlies - housing, food, utilities). They hit Spanberger vs. Winsome Sears, the Jay Jones text scandal, AIPAC tensions, and 2026. Plus: the pop-culture cool-down... Trudeau & Katy Perry, J.Lo’s musical misfire, and Denzel stories from the White House.

Journalist Leland Vittert joins Meghan and Miranda to talk Israel, the post–October 7 climate, and why moral clarity still matters. He opens up about his book 'Born Lucky' - growing up autistic, bullying, tough-love parenting, and reflects on leaving Fox. They also talk about shutdown politics, and America’s reaction after the Charlie Kirk assassination, including the Roblox lawsuit over extremist content. Then Meghan & Miranda break down Katie Porter’s viral interview walk-off, press accountability vs. thin skin, and what it signals about leadership temperament. Finally, Clay Aiken goes behind the curtain on Broadway economics: why so many new shows aren’t recouping, when stunt-casting helps (and when it tanks a production), the Kennedy Center Honors lineup, and that viral Les Mis clip. Plus: Clay’s 17-year-old son completes his first solo flight.

Meghan and Miranda welcome their old friend Kennedy (Fox News host, Kennedy Saves the World) for a spirited culture-and-politics rundown. They dive into Taylor Swift’s new album and why it feels more “product” than “poetry,” the Ophelia/Hamlet debate, the fan backlash over endless versions, and the Charli XCX dust-up (plus Sabrina Carpenter cameos, Lana/George Michael echoes, and more). They also hit Bad Bunny’s 'SNL' moment and Super Bowl chatter, the Riyadh Comedy Festival controversy (free speech vs. Saudi human-rights reality), and anxieties about NYC’s political direction. Then Ilya Shapiro (Manhattan Institute; author of 'Lawless: The Miseducation of America’s Elites') joins to discuss his NYU talk being canceled... and then uncanceled. The attack of free speech on campus, antisemitism since October 7th, and which universities are actually handling protests and policy enforcement like adults. Subscribe on YouTube: @CitizenMcCainYouTube | IG: @CitizenMcCain | TikTok: @citizen.mccain

Rachael Bade joins Meghan & Miranda to preview our live Pence interview and dive into Rahm Emanuel's Iowa swing, Newsom's meme-war strategy, the AOC '28 buzz, Spanberger/Sherrill tea, and the post-tragedy political climate. Plus: Riyadh Comedy Festival backlash, Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl, and the Rowling–Emma Watson rift.

Meghan (fighting a mom-cold 🥴) and Miranda react to Jimmy Kimmel’s first night back... the “apology,” the tears, the line about not blaming a group, and the affiliate backlash. Was it accountability or spin? The Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles joins to talk about Charlie Kirk’s memorial, campus courage, and why the right’s coalition could splinter without Charlie. Then Mo’Kelly (KFI/iHeartRadio) weighs in on media standards, what the FCC actually covers, and whether late-night can survive in a post-appointment-TV world. Meghan and Miranda also get into the TikTok Rapture craze (no man knows the day or the hour, y’all) and end on an extremely important national priority: Sean Evans + Keke Palmer = heal the country?

Meghan and Miranda open with the most-talked-about moment from Charlie Kirk’s memorial in Arizona, Erica Kirk publicly forgiving her husband’s killer, and what that act of faith and restraint means for a grieving movement and a fractured country. They also unpack the media’s reaction, the surge of young churchgoers some listeners are seeing, and whether the Republican Party is entering a more openly Christian era. Then Senator Joe Manchin joins to discuss his new book, Dead Center in Defense of Common Sense, why he chose life on a D.C. houseboat, and the lost art of bipartisan hospitality (yes, he used to host mixed-party dinners: four Dems, four Republicans). Manchin gets candid on closed primaries, the rise of independents, border security vs. legal immigration, putting assets in a blind trust, resisting “party-line” votes, and the McCain/Lieberman model of political courage. He also shares personal stories, from carrying refrigerators up walk-ups as a teen to perfect Italian meatballs (veal/pork/beef) and the history of Harpers Ferry. Plus audience Q&A: a dad on introducing his 16-year-old to public life (and flip phones), a New Yorker on how the press misunderstands Christian worship, and a sober look at rhetoric vs. responsibility after political violence.

Recorded live on Thursday, September 18. Meghan opens with why she missed Wednesday's show, she was in New York receiving Magen David Adom's "Champion of Israel" award, and talks about her experience in the city. Then Ben Ferguson joins for a full hour to process the assassination of Charlie Kirk: what it's meant for their families, audiences, and the conservative movement; why open debate can't die; and how to grieve without surrendering to hate. Ben shares a harrowing past attempt on his life, the practical security changes many hosts are making, and the case for doubling down on faith, family, and showing up for your people. They dig into the media fallout: late-night's response, the Kimmel controversy, and why "accountability" isn't the same as cancel culture. Plus the online pile-ons and conspiracy-chasing that Charlie's pastor has asked everyone to stop. The conversation ranges from campus safety and the future of "open-air" events to how local action (hello, school boards) can actually move the needle. Listener questions bring real-world organizing tips and a reminder that stepping away from social media can protect your sanity.

In this unguarded episode of Citizen McCain, Meghan and Miranda process the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it means for the country and the culture. They’re joined by U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for a candid conversation about grief, faith, and why choosing strength and love over hate is not weakness but resolve. Journalist Salena Zito adds on-the-ground perspective about media blind spots, public safety, and how leaders, and everyday Americans, should think about security without surrendering open debate. Listener call-ins push the discussion further: mental health and accountability, the future of campus events and “open-air” conversations, and how to keep civic dialogue accessible and safe. It’s a heavy episode... honest, questioning, and determined to find a way forward. Note: This episode contains discussion of political violence and may be difficult for some listeners.

Meghan and Miranda get spicy with guest Ben Ferguson... tearing into Kamala Harris’s memoir bombshell, Dem infighting, crime/cashless bail, and whether media attacks are escalating. They detour into parent life (the homework-industrial complex), social media insanity, and Netflix’s 'Unknown Number' catfishing shocker, with Ben’s “cool house” parenting playbook and plenty of millennial-acerbic shade. **Recorded before the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk, which is why it’s not discussed.

Meghan and Miranda kick off with breaking horror news: Annabelle is reportedly on the loose in Maine, just as 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' tops the box office. Chaos? Check. Then they welcome Fox News’ Guy Benson to unpack the horrific murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, and the stunning silence from the mainstream media. Was the lack of coverage racially motivated? They don’t hold back. From there, it’s a full dive into the soft-on-crime policies fueling voter outrage, and how the rise of Zohran Mamdani is reshaping the New York mayoral race, and the future of the Democratic Party. Plus, they couldn’t skip the viral moment of the week: “Phillies Karen” has entered the meltdown hall of fame. And yes, the trad-family movement is having a moment, and it’s not just online.