Is Anything Holding MAGA Together?

Is Anything Holding MAGA Together?

Author: New York Times Opinion December 11, 2025 Duration: 1:09:23
After Charlie Kirk’s assassination, conspiracy theories and divisions multiplied on the right. On this episode of “Interesting Times,” Ross talks to Andrew Kolvet, a Turning Point USA spokesperson and executive producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” about what happens to a movement when its charismatic leader is gone, what it’s like to be the target of conspiracy theories, and whether there are any issues unifying conservatism now.

Every Thursday, Ross Douthat sits down to make sense of a world that feels perpetually off-balance. This isn't about quick takes or yesterday's headlines. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat is a series of deep, considered conversations that explore the undercurrents shaping our politics, our culture, and the very structure of society. From the New York Times Opinion section, each episode acts as a first draft of our collective future, attempting to map a new world order as it emerges in real time. You'll hear from thinkers, writers, and doers who are challenging conventional wisdom, all through Ross's distinctive lens. The discussions are built on the premise that we are living through a historical pivot, and understanding it requires patience, curiosity, and a willingness to engage with complex ideas. The result is a podcast that feels both urgent and reflective, a necessary pause amid the noise to examine how we got here and where we might be headed. It’s for anyone who finds the present moment bewildering and seeks a more substantive dialogue about the forces at play. Tune in for a thoughtful analysis that you won't find anywhere else, naturally evolving from week to week as the story of our age continues to unfold.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 63

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
Podcast Episodes
How the iPhone Drove Men and Women Apart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:17
What would make you want to have more children? This week on “Interesting Times,” Ross Douthat speaks with Dr. Alice Evans, a social scientist who is as concerned about the global decline in fertility as he is. The two d…
JD Vance on His Faith and Trump’s Most Controversial Policies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:28
On this episode of “Interesting Times,” Ross Douthat interviews Vice President JD Vance about the Trump administration’s deportations, the tariff backlash and how Vance’s faith influences his politics.
An Interview With the Herald of the Apocalypse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:55
Is artificial intelligence about to take your job? According to Daniel Kokotajlo, the executive director of the A.I. Futures Project, that should be the least of your worries. Kokotajlo was once a researcher for OpenAI,…
The Democratic Senator Taking Cues From Trumpism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:43
Democrats are stumbling — badly. While the Trump administration redefines the limits of executive overreach, the Democratic party remains at odds over how to — even whether to — respond. But Senator Chris Murphy of Conne…
Can the Catholic Church Quit the Culture Wars? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:42
On this episode of “Interesting Times,” Ross Douthat is joined by the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and an editor of America Magazine, to reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis and the challenges facing the next papa…
What if There’s No Way to Stop Trump’s Approach to Power? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:52
President Trump may forever reshape the boundaries of executive power. This week on “Interesting Times,” Ross and Jack Goldsmith, who was the head of the White House’s Office of Legal Counsel under President George W. Bu…
This Instability May Be Worth It. Here's Why. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:08
Is the short-term economic pain of President Trump’s unpredictable approach to tariffs a reasonable price to pay for a more resilient America? Mr. Trump appears to think so, and so does Oren Cass — sort of. On the first…
Introducing ‘Interesting Times’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:04
There’s a saying that comes to mind these days: May you live in interesting times. It’s understood to be a curse, even though it sounds like a blessing.“Interesting Times With Ross Douthat” is a new weekly podcast from N…
How Democrats Drove Silicon Valley Into Trump’s Arms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:39
The tech investor Marc Andreessen and his fellow Silicon Valley giant Elon Musk weren’t always the Donald Trump supporters they are today. In this episode, Ross asks Andreessen, a founder of the venture capital firm Andr…