Trust, Turmoil, and TikTok Politics: Bret Baier & Nomiki Konst

Bret Baier joins Meghan and Miranda to break down his new book, To Rescue the American Spirit (Teddy Roosevelt!), how the current Trump White House compares to 2017, and whether he’s actually jumping to the CBS Evening News. Later, journalist Nomiki Konst explains the Zohran Mamdani wave in NYC, what it means for national Democrats, and how the left is organizing differently. Plus: Lily Allen’s blistering new album, the David Harbour fallout, and Miranda’s theater-kid receipts.  Subscribe on YouTube, we’re 1,500 subs from 25K by Thanksgiving!

Welcome to Citizen McCain! Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@CitizenMcCainYouTube. Today we dive into a packed lineup: Maine Senate uproar: Democrat Graham Platner’s chest tattoo resembles the Nazi Totenkopf; he defends it as a random marine-liberty skull. We dissect the story, the Pod Save interview, and why this “drunken tattoo” defense doesn’t wash. Heist of the year: The Louvre jewel robbery and the alleged “Pink Panther” gang... how did thieves waltz out at 9:30am? Royal reckoning: With Lady Sarah Elliott on Prince Andrew’s titles (what “not using” actually means), Fergie’s duchess fallout, and how William may slim down the monarchy. We also talk Harry & Meghan’s rumored return and Kate’s recovery. Guest interview: Erika Donalds (AFPI; founder, OptimaEd) on school choice, Florida’s next chapter, juvenile justice, being an interracial conservative family, and why the left’s identity attacks keep flopping. Media & culture: Jen Psaki’s book-tour spin on Biden’s cognition, Dem messaging drift, DNC/RNC energy, Obama library aesthetics, and that eyebrow-raising Kristen Bell/Dax Shepard anniversary caption. Annabelle update: Viewer Emily meets the infamous doll at ScareFest and tells us what the setup was like, whether anything… followed her home, and why the case is staying shut.

Meghan and Miranda are joined by former Rep. George Santos, fresh out after 84 days served (including 41 days in solitary confinement) with his federal sentence commuted by President Trump. He walks us through the moment-to-moment reality of prison (moldy ceilings, expired food, the “shoe”), how he coped, who helped, and why he wants to channel the experience into prison reform and case review work (a la Alice Marie Johnson). We also hit: Why he says he was moved to solitary & how “protective custody” works. Mental health, re-entry, and the very relatable first shower/La Mer/skincare binge! NY politics: NYC mayoral race, congestion pricing, Kathy Hochul’s vulnerabilities, and whether Elise Stefanik could win statewide Culture break: J.Lo’s historic box-office flop, Katy Perry + Trudeau rumor mill, and the “diva down/diva up” jokes. On Kamala Harris’ book & Pete Buttigieg: do voters care about identity, or competency? P.S. Miranda’s live from Las Vegas (yes, that Flamingo sign), and the Cheryl Hines interview is up now on YouTube — thanks for the love on that one.

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.