Former congressman Anthony Weiner and Reason editor-at-large Matt Welch join the panel for another edition of "Not Even Mad." The trio debates the massive market valuation of Elon Musk's SpaceX, analyzing how concentrated wealth reshapes global geopolitics, media structures, and domestic policy debates. They also turn their focus to the upcoming New York primary races, exploring the rise of age-based political realignment and populism.

Produced by Corey Wara

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

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Mike Pesca is joined by venture capitalist Bradley Tusk and Manhattan Institute senior fellow Charles Fain Lehman for a panel debate on political judgment and modern vice. The trio dives into the results of the Maine Democratic primary, questioning whether progressive candidate Graham Plattner can overcome a cascade of personal scandals to unseat longtime Republican incumbent Susan Collins. They also dissect the election logistics of California and the explosion of mobile sports betting apps, tracking the friction between state and federal regulations while exploring how on-device gambling exploits algorithmic data to target young men.

Produced by Corey Wara

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Today is Not Even Mad. Tangle founder Isaac Saul and journalist Jamie Kirchick discuss the creation of the Department of Justice's $1.776 billion anti-weaponization settlement fund, the legislative fallout from the Trump primary revenge tour, and the unpredictable new swing votes in the Senate. Finally, they honor the trailblazing legacy and posthumous warnings of the late Barney Frank before sharing their personal weekly grievances on everything from shrieking toddlers to Gen Z's lack of eye contact.

Produced by Corey Wara

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

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Today on the Gist, the US intelligence assessment of the Iran blockade, and why the current administration lacks the attention span for a prolonged overseas conflict. Then, Dartmouth professor Russ Muirhead and Calm Down author Ben Dreyfuss join the panel for another round of Not Even Mad. The trio tackles the media's catastrophizing of political violence, the electoral baggage of RFK Jr.'s fringe health initiatives, and a radical proposal to fix Congress by expanding the House of Representatives.

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Today on the Gist, Mike is joined by Sarada Peri, former speechwriter for President Obama, and Sarah Isgur, senior editor at SCOTUSblog and author of Last Branch Standing, for a new installment of Not Even Mad. The trio discusses the Virginia redistricting vote, how concerning the "shadow docket" really is, and Kash Patel's lawsuit against The Atlantic. Finally, in Goat Grinders: boarding times, bad Bruce Springsteen lyrics, and the endless construction of the Purple Line.

Today on the Gist, Mike is joined by Sarada Peri, former speechwriter for President Obama, and Sarah Isgur, senior editor at SCOTUSblog and author of Last Branch Standing, for a new installment of Not Even Mad. The trio discusses the Virginia redistricting vote, how concerning the "shadow docket" really is, and Kash Patel's lawsuit against The Atlantic. Finally, in Goat Grinders: boarding times, bad Bruce Springsteen lyrics, and the endless construction of the Purple Line.

Produced by Corey Wara

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

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Today on a Not Even Mad, Mike is joined by political writer John Ganz and Reason's Nick Gillespie to debate whether the ceasefire with Iran is a strategic victory for the regime or a result of Donald Trump's bellicose rhetoric. The trio analyzes the New York Times reporting on JD Vance's backseat skepticism and Trump's habit of choosing airpower over long-term diplomacy. They also tackle the libertarian "we told you so" regarding centralized power and the operational failures of the DOGE efficiency program. Plus, Mike provides a reality check on the Strait of Hormuz, and the panel airs their "Goat Grinders" regarding tech friction, manosphere yakking, and the slow death of Evernote.

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Today on a Not Even Mad edition of The Gist, Mike is joined by political scientist Yascha Mounk (The Good Fight) and Colin Cole, director of policy outreach and communications at More Equitable Democracy and host of The Future of Our Former Democracy, to fiercely debate whether adopting proportional representation would cure America's polarization or simply plunge the country into parliamentary chaos. The trio also tackles the stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations, analyzing the conflicting strategic goals between the U.S. and Israel, and Donald Trump's temptation to rely on swift military might to solve complex diplomatic issues. Plus, Mike opens with a reality check on the viral ICE airport detentions, and the panel airs their "Goat Grinders" regarding lazy political headlines, the intellectual cop-out of the word "problematic," and movie trailers that spoil the entire plot.

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Jeff Nussbaum and Dan Rothschild debate the Iran war's shaky public support, the administration's failure to make a clear case for sacrifice, and whether the mission is deterrence, regime change, or just another round of mowing the lawn. Then they turn to the Democrats who won in 2025, asking whether Abigail Spanberger, Mikie Sherrill, and Zohran Mamdani are actually governing on affordability or drifting toward the usual cultural and ideological fights. Plus, in Goat Grinders, conference badges, left-side driving in St. Lucia, and the humiliations of the new Acela.

Produced by Corey Wara

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

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Austin Berg (Chicago Policy Center) and Andrew Egger (The Bulwark) join Mike to dissect Trump's marathon State of the Union: was it a missed opportunity to reach the median voter, or a "clip farming" masterclass? They also unpack the awkwardly timed Supreme Court tariff ruling that derailed his economic pitch, and the high-stakes standoff between the Pentagon and AI giant Anthropic over autonomous weapons. Finally, Goat Grinders tackles the agony of vinyl record tariffs, the performative scourge of handheld lavalier mics, and how Twitter ruins the Winter Olympics.

Produced by Corey Wara

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

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Joe Nocera of The Free Press and Jonah Goldberg of The Dispatch parse the Epstein files fallout on both sides of the Atlantic, from Keir Starmer's London personnel shakeup to America's seemingly bottomless tolerance for shamelessness. Then they pivot to Mark Leibovich's Atlantic provocation, "The Democrats Aren't Built for This," with Nocera arguing the party's job is simple, win elections, and Goldberg blaming weak parties and primary incentives that elevate activist frippery over median-voter politics. The back half turns into a partial necropsy of The Washington Post, with "Wordle" as an explanation to why the Times scaled and the Post stalled. Plus, Goat Grinders: AI narrated pro-Trump government ads, mandatory adoration in TV recaps, and the great tennis ball fuzz conspiracy.

Produced by Corey Wara

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

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Mike contemplates the hierarchy of American attention, contrasting the 50 million eyes on the AFC Championship game with the obscurity of the men leading the "Metro Surge" in Minnesota. Then, Ruy Teixeira (The Liberal Patriot) and Jesse Adams (The Ivy Exile) join for Not Even Mad. The panel debates whether the chaos in Minnesota is a strategic "theater" of enforcement or a policy failure that's alienating the very public that requested it. They also dissect Trump's Davos "Greenland" rhetoric—is it a serious expansionist play for America's 250th anniversary, or just a loud way to bully NATO into paying up? Plus, a blizzard of "Goat Grinders" covering the Dodgers' billions, the "black Jewish" reboot of Blue Bloods, and the pharmaceutical ads keeping broadcast TV alive.

Produced by Corey Wara

Coordinated by Lya Yanne

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

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