Mark Penn: Tracking The 2024 Presidential Election

This week has marked many significant moments for the Trump administration and the world. In a press conference on Thursday, President Trump signed the first major trade deal with the United Kingdom, a longstanding ally of the United States. Meanwhile, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after recent conflicts.   Vice President J.D. Vance sat down with Martha to discuss the next phase of the Trump administration's agenda after securing a deal with the UK. The Vice President discussed various foreign policy issues facing the administration, highlighting President Trump's intentions for dealing with Russia and China. He explains why the administration's policies will have long-term benefits for the United States.  Follow Martha on X: @MarthaMacCallum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Pope Francis's death last month, Cardinals from around the world are gathering for the Papal Conclave in Rome. They will discuss the state of the Catholic Church and advocate for their chosen candidate for the next Pope.  Author and host of The Catholic Guy Show, Lino Rulli, describes the process of electing a new Pope. He explains who he thinks are frontrunners and why that may not necessarily mean they have a shot at the title. Lino also discusses whether the world will see an American Pope, like Cardinal Dolan.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Wednesday, Martha and Cardinal Dolan reflected on Pope Francis’s passing and the enduring hope within the Catholic Church. As the College of Cardinals prepares to elect a new pope, they look ahead to the Church’s future. As Cardinal Dolan enters his second conclave, he addresses the assertion that Cardinals belong to 'liberal' or 'conservative' camps -- emphasizing that the Cardinals see themselves as a connected group of believers working together to do what's best for the Church. He highlights the process' complexity, the central role of prayer, and addresses the question of whether he could ever become pope. Follow Martha on X: @MarthaMacCallum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martha initially went to Rome on a pilgrimage to honor the Jubilee Year — a sacred trip that she and roughly 200 other people from the Archdiocese of New York were invited on by Pope Francis. None of them expected that, days after arrival, they would be paying their final respects to the man who played a pivotal role in the Catholic Church. Cardinal Timothy Dolan joins Martha to reflect on the life of Pope Francis and celebrate the hope and vitality that lives in the Church, even during this period of mourning. They also discuss the upcoming conclave; a topic Martha and Cardinal Dolan will speak about in depth on Friday's episode of The Untold Story.  Follow Martha on X: @MarthaMacCallum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many Americans have voiced the belief that America's rising number of autism diagnoses is due to greater awareness of the disorder, and how vast the autism spectrum is. Though this might be true, could the rising number in these diagnoses also be connected to America's high rates of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or obesity?  TrueMed co-founder Calley Means joins to discuss why HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Trump are exploring the idea that the above trends could all be related in a "larger chronic disease epidemic". He also shares what factors he believes might contribute to the rising rates of autism in the U.S., and the challenges the government faces in accessing data that could reveal links between certain medications or lifestyle behaviors and medical diagnoses.  Follow Martha on X: @MarthaMacCallum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated the country is facing an "autism epidemic," — a concern he says immense testing and research efforts are being dedicated to understanding why 1 in 31 people were diagnosed with autism in 2022, when only roughly 1 in 10,000 Americans were diagnosed with the disorder in the 1960s.    Martha is joined by Wall Street Journal Editorial Board member Allysia Finley, who reveals evidence that shows many schools across the country have allegedly diagnosed more children with autism throughout the years due to financial incentives. She also discusses her thoughts on potential autism causes, and whether outside factors like vaccines or toxins in food have played a role in higher rates of the disorder in America.   Follow Martha on X: @MarthaMacCallum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While tensions between the United States and China increase, whether China will invade Taiwan remains a major question for American industries. Senior Fellow for China Strategy at the Heritage Foundation, Michael Pillsbury describes the potential military risk China imposes and the challenges of separating the U.S. and Chinese economies.    Michael explains that China has been applying pressure to the U.S. in very knowledgeable, tactical ways, and the U.S. should focus on long-term initiatives to decouple from their markets. He urges the U.S. to take China seriously and invest more time in learning their language and culture.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump administration's efforts to reorder the trade imbalance have led to a pressure campaign featuring 145% tariffs on China. Beijing has responded with an increase in tariffs on U.S. goods as well as halting the export of rare earth minerals.   FOX News Channel's chief national security correspondent, Jennifer Griffin, explains what the U.S. is doing to be militarily ready to compete with China. She describes the strategic importance of Taiwan and other regional partnerships, all while Chinese leader Xi Jinping looks to shore up his own alliances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part two of Martha's conversation with the Russian Deputy Team Lead and Evans Hanson Fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, Karolina Hird, they continue discussing the silent war on Ukrainian children.    Karolina unveils Russian President Vladimir Putin's current initiative to re-educate Ukrainian children and the lasting psychological effects it will have on them. She also explains why President Putin believes kids are the easiest way to push his ideological campaign.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Russian war on Ukraine began three-years ago and reports on the terror that has ensued often excludes the devastating impact on children.  Russian Deputy Team Lead and Evans Hanson Fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, Karolina Hird, shares her research on the humanitarian crisis that has occurred during Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory.    Martha is joined by Karolina to discuss her recent piece on the Institute of the Study of War, "Putin is Still Stealing Ukrainian Children." They discuss the media's minimal reports on the crisis and the silent war on Ukrainian children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices