Political Gabfest

Where sharp political analysis meets informal and irreverent discussion.

About the Show

Voted “Favorite Political Podcast” by Apple Podcasts listeners. Stephen Colbert says, “Everybody should listen to the Slate Political Gabfest.” The Gabfest is hosted by Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz. Listen for the debates, stay for the cocktail chatter.

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Hosts

David Plotz is a host of the Slate Political Gabfest and the CEO of City Cast.
Emily Bazelon is a staff writer at the New York Times Magazine, the author of Charged and Sticks and Stones, and co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest.
John Dickerson is host of CBS News Prime Time With John Dickerson, co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest, host of the Whistlestop podcast, and author of The Hardest Job in the World.

June 02, 2023

The “Kevin McCarthy, Hercules of Capitol City” Edition

President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy make a debt-ceiling deal; the Russia-Ukraine war continues; and the Texas House impeaches Attorney General Ken Paxton.

May 25, 2023

The “When Is The X Date?” Edition

Debt ceiling default approaches while President Biden and Speaker McCarthy talks continue; Governor DeSantis and Senator Scott announce presidential runs; and OpenAI CEO Altman recommends A.I. regulation

May 18, 2023

The “What Is the Comstock Act?” Edition

John Durham’s report on the Russia-Trump FBI investigation; the Fifth Circuit argument in the abortion pill case and North Carolina’s 12-week abortion ban; and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis v. Disney

May 11, 2023

The “Donald Trump is Liable” Edition

Donald Trump is liable for sexual abuse and defamation and now owes E. Jean Carroll $5 million; Title 42 ends and now President Joe Biden must revise U.S. immigration policy; and the debt ceiling crisis is now imminent.

May 06, 2023

Gabfest Reads: The Classic Hollywood Romance Gets a Makeover

Curtis Sittenfeld’s new book Romantic Comedy explores the middle-aged romance between a pop star and a comedy writer.

May 04, 2023

The “E. Jean Carroll, ‘Why Didn’t You Scream?’ ” Edition

The latest on the debt ceiling. E. Jean Carroll testifies in her lawsuit against Donald J. Trump. And Republican supermajorities defy the will of the people in state legislatures across the country.

April 27, 2023

Biden: Let’s Finish the Job

President Joe Biden kicks off his re-election campaign; Fox News fires Tucker Carlson, CNN squeezes out Don Lemon; and Bud Light’s not Easy To Enjoy for Dylan Mulvaney.

April 22, 2023

Gabfest Reads: The Art of Writing Political Satire

Alexandra Petri’s new book Alexandra Petri’s US History asks “What would sexting between John and Abigail Adams have been like?” among other burning questions.

April 20, 2023

The “Was Fox News Punished Enough?” Edition

Fox News pays Dominion Voting $787.5 million to settle a defamation lawsuit; House Speaker Kevin McCarthy plays a political game of chicken with the debt ceiling; and detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich appears in a Russian court.

April 13, 2023

The “That Shoddy Abortion Pill Ruling” Edition

Federal judges limit the availability of mifepristone; the Republican Tennessee state legislature expels two Democratic representatives; and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has an ethics problem again.

April 06, 2023

The “No Mugshot” Edition

Donald Trump is arraigned; Janet Protasiewicz wins the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, Brandon Johnson is elected Chicago mayor; and No Labels might play spoiler in the 2024 presidential race.

March 31, 2023

The “Trump Is Indicted” Special Edition

Donald Trump Is Indicted. Will He Be Handcuffed?

March 30, 2023

The “Why Netanyahu Blinked” Edition

Benjamin Netanyahu stands down, democracy stands up in Israel; TikTok goes to Congress; and will Chris Christie challenge Donald Trump?

March 23, 2023

The “Trump Will Be Indicted Next Tuesday” Edition

Trump announces his impending arrest; promise or peril from ChatGPT; and unrest in France.

March 18, 2023

Gabfest Reads: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Semiconductors?

The pending economic catastrophe is about more than the pandemic, author Chris Miller explains in his new book, Chip War.

March 16, 2023

The “Go Ahead, Call It A Bailout” Edition

The Silicon Valley Bank bailout; DeSantis advocates abandoning Ukraine; and free speech fights on campus.

March 09, 2023

The “Another Florida Man Is Running For President” Edition

Ron DeSantis’ pre-campaign, the end of pandemic-era medicaid & food supports, and legal fights over medication abortion.

March 02, 2023

The “So It Was A Lab Leak?” Edition

Loan forgiveness at the Supreme Court; lab leak politics; and the future of humanities education.

Feb 23, 2023

The “What Tucker Carlson is Saying When You’re Not Listening” Edition

Anne Applebaum on the year of war on Ukraine; the smoking gun Fox News text messages; and Section 230 at the Supreme Court.

Feb 18, 2023

Gabfest Reads: A Boarding School Thriller, But Make It Feminist

Rebecca Makkai’s new book I Have Some Questions For You is a murder mystery that feels ripped from Twitter.