Ben Kissel Politics
Politikk og nyheterJoin Ben Kissel as he discusses the political news of the week.
Siste episoder av Ben Kissel Politics podcast
- Episode 51: Nothing Says Corporate Takedown Like Paying Full Price at Disneyland (00:57:56)
Episode 51 breaks down one of the most unintentionally hilarious political stunts of the decade: MAGA activists declaring a “Patriots at the Park” day at Disneyland in February 2026, proving once again that nothing says “take down a liberal corporation” like giving it hundreds of thousands of dollars in ticket and churro sales.We also cover the surprisingly warm meeting between Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump, where the two praised each other after months of a very public feud — turning political enemies into temporary soulmates.And we look at the increasingly absurd spectacle surrounding the Epstein file release, which has devolved into a full-blown circus of leaks, rumors, infighting, and grandstanding.
- Episode 50: No More Fatties (00:30:24)
Episode 50 covers the U.S. dropping programs that helped travelers during holiday flight delays, the border turning away immigrants with medical issues to avoid “taxpayer burden,” and Bob Ross’ corporate handlers selling off his artwork to support media companies hit hard after Trump's financial policies.
- Episode 49: Press Conferences-- Now With Emergency Exits! (00:48:52)
Rep. Grijalva gets sworn in and becomes the tie-breaking vote to release the Epstein files, Kristi Noem denies Americans are being detained and then abruptly bails on her own press conference, and Donald Trump claims groceries are down 25% under his watch. We break down the vote, the denial, and the math that doesn’t exist.
- Episode 48: 41 Days of Nothing (00:41:58)
In this episode of Ben Kissel Politics we discuss the longest government shutdown in history coming to an end while Donald Trump gets booed at an NFL regular season game in Landover, Maryland.
- Episode 47: From Convict to Councilor (00:44:21)
In Bangor, Maine, a woman convicted of killing a Canadian tourist in 2002 has just been elected to the city council—leaving locals unsure how to react and raising questions about redemption, accountability and public trust. In Florida, a politician and his activist wife were involved in a three-way that went wrong, and now they’re trending after winning a lawsuit against the police in Sarasota—a bizarre turn that blends scandal, civil rights and viral culture. Meanwhile, in Marin County, California, a town has banned tobacco sales and use of any kind, turning its municipality into one of the strictest anti-smoking zones in America.
- Episode 46: Dick Cheney is Dead & NYC Has Spoken (00:55:18)
NYC’s mayoral results shake up the skyline, Rosie O’Donnell revisits 9/11 doubts, Dick Cheney dies at 84, and Gavin Newsom declares he “hates lying politicians.”
- Episode 45: Evolving Priorities (00:56:09)
The NYC mayoral race heats up, a state senate seat gets tangled in a sextortion scandal, and “evolving priorities” become the corporate code for mass layoffs
- Episode 44: Nancy Pelosi's Smear Strategy (00:42:06)
Bob Dylan reminds us that truth still matters, Nancy Pelosi says the quiet part out loud about smear tactics, Jared Kushner pitches his master plan for developing Gaza, and Gavin Newsom’s presidential ambitions take a surreal turn.
- Episode 43: Debate Night in the City (00:58:02)
NYC’s mayoral debate highlights another identity battle for the city, Curtis Sliwa refuses to step aside after pressure from Andrew Cuomo, and we take a hard look at the danger of AI being run by people who don’t have much faith in humanity to begin with.
- Episode 43: Debate Night in the City (00:58:02)
NYC’s mayoral debate highlights another identity battle for the city, Curtis Sliwa refuses to step aside after pressure from Andrew Cuomo, and we take a hard look at the danger of AI being run by people who don’t have much faith in humanity to begin with.
- Episode 42: Power, Pardons and Payouts (00:51:56)
Congresswoman Grijalva pushes back against Speaker Mike Johnson’s delay in seating her, George Santos may make a comeback from the jailhouse to the White House, and AIPAC’s influence tightens its grip on both parties.
- Episode 41: Sperm Counts and Super Secret Wars (00:30:27)
In this episode of Ben Kissel Politics, we tackle a trio of stories that span the domestic and the global. First: former Congressman George Santos, convicted of fraud and identity theft, sees his sentence commuted by Donald Trump—raising questions about loyalty, justice, and the limits of presidential mercy.Next: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. issues alarming claims that teenage boys now have far lower sperm counts and testosterone levels, sounding the alarm on fertility and urging government-driven responses.Finally: the U.S., under Trump, escalates toward military action near Venezuela—labeling cartels as terrorists, authorizing CIA covert operations, and deploying war-power in the Caribbean.
- Episode 40: From the Class Room to the Bathroom (00:42:36)
Tonight on Ben Kissel Politics, we’re mixing surveillance, rebellion, and a little unintentional comedy.A high school has implemented a digital bathroom security system that allows students only seven bathroom trips a week, proving that the surveillance state now extends all the way to the restroom.Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene is making waves by going against her own party, adding another twist to her already chaotic political persona.And across the globe, Donald Trump took the stage in Israel and delivered what can only be described as a stand-up routine, at one point even suggesting that Bibi Netanyahu should be pardoned. It’s part rally, part bit, and fully bizarre.It’s bathroom monitoring, party mutiny, and international improv—all in one episode.
- Episode 39: Something is Rotten in Denmark (00:58:06)
On today’s Ben Kissel Politics, we bounce between some of the strangest headlines of the week.Donald Trump wants to prosecute flag burners, pushing the idea of jail time for anyone who lights up Old Glory—because nothing says “freedom” like punishing political expression.Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene continues to weigh in on healthcare, and somehow every sentence sounds like a Facebook comment thread that got out of hand.And then there’s RFK Jr., who claimed that circumcisions increase the likelihood of autism because doctors gave babies Tylenol. It’s the kind of theory that makes you wish there were fact-checkers in the delivery room.It’s flags, foreskins, and fringe theories—all thrown into one political blender.
- Episode 38: Putin Plays, Trump Hedges, America Honks (00:39:55)
Tuesday’s Ben Kissel Politics episode takes us from Moscow bedrooms to American highways.We look at how sexploitation has been a key driver in Vladimir Putin’s political success, blending propaganda, spectacle, and sexualized power plays to shape his image at home and abroad.Meanwhile, Donald Trump claims he knows nothing about Ghislaine Maxwell or her denied appeal but adds that he might “look into” possibly pardoning her—or not. Classic Trump: hedging every direction at once.And back here in the U.S., science confirms that political bumper stickers actually make road rage incidents worse. Turns out your “Don’t Tread on Me” decal might be doing more than just decorating your tailgate.
- Episode 37: Blood Money is Cleaner Than Pete Hegseth's Hands (00:47:58)
On today’s Ben Kissel Politics, we dig into a mess of headlines that only get stranger when you put them side by side.The Israeli government has reportedly been paying tech companies to push propaganda claiming Palestinians have “never been happier.” Meanwhile, Donald Trump encouraged border agents, law enforcement, and the military to beat protesters if they feel provoked—a policy that sounds more like fight club than democracy.And then there’s Pete Hegseth, proudly admitting he hasn’t washed his hands in twenty years while calling our military slobs. Because nothing screams credibility like a man who thinks soap is fake news.It’s misinformation, militarization, and a hygiene meltdown—all in one episode, all out of order, and all served with a healthy side of sarcasm.
- Episode 36: Gotta Catch 'Em All (Homeland Edition) (01:11:14)
This Friday on Ben Kissel Politics, we unpack a news cycle that somehow manages to include Pokémon, Theo Von, Donald Trump, and Charlie Kirk.First, Kristi Noem is in hot water for rolling out a Department of Homeland Security ad that featured Theo Von and Pokémon characters—without permission. Turns out, copyright infringement is still a thing, even if you’re in politics.Then we head to New York, where Donald Trump had a rough go at the United Nations, stumbling through a meeting where world leaders weren’t exactly buying what he was selling.And finally, in Oklahoma, the state announced that every high school will host a Turning Point USA chapter in memory of Charlie Kirk. Because when you think of extracurriculars, you think debate team, chess club, and nationwide political indoctrination.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Episode 35: Mourning or Marketing at Charlie Kirk's Funeral? (00:51:46)
Tuesday’s Ben Kissel Politics opens with a 1985 speech from John Denver, reminding us that when information is hidden from the public, curiosity only grows. That idea frames a conversation about what happens when politics and performance take over spaces meant for sincerity.We look at the odd spectacle of Charlie Kirk’s funeral, where many speakers used the podium less to eulogize and more to push their own political messages or promote their brands. What should have been a farewell often felt like a rally.And in one of the most unsettling turns, a pastor used AI to recreate Charlie Kirk’s voice, projecting the idea that Charlie demands people: “Do not mourn me for one second because I am in heaven.” It raised questions about authenticity, technology, and how far people are willing to go to make a point.It’s a journey from Denver’s warning to a modern media circus—proving that the more politics hijacks our grief, the more we should all stop and ask: who is this really for?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Episode 34: Words Are Words, Violence is Violence (00:31:06)
This weekend on Ben Kissel Politics, we put the spotlight on Pastor James David Manning and what might be the best political ad of our lifetime.We also unpack the continuing fallout from the suspensions and scandals of Jimmy Kimmel now featuring Tucker Carlson, and what their situations say about media, censorship, and the culture wars still raging on our screens.And finally, we close with a simple but crucial point: words are not violence. Words are words, and violence is violence. Conflating the two may make for good outrage clicks, but it’s a dangerous way to run a society.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Episode 33: Free Speech, for a Price (00:46:54)
This Thursday on Ben Kissel Politics, we dive into the growing storm around free speech in America—and how it’s being selectively protected, punished, and paraded around for political gain.We break down Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension from ABC, what it says about corporate skittishness, and how late-night comedy has become the latest battleground in the culture war.Then we explore how a Trump-appointed FCC has been weaponizing speech regulations, using them less to defend free expression and more to police it—especially when it threatens their political allies.And finally, we meet the ultimate political wildcard: Pastor James David Manning, who is somehow mounting a mayoral run in New York City. Against all odds—and probably against his better judgment—he’s taking his pulpit to the polls.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Episode 32: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk (00:47:04)
Today on Ben Kissel Politics, we break down the online circus surrounding the death of Charlie Kirk.Within minutes, the news became a Rorschach test for social media: some are grieving, some are cheering, and some are furious that anyone is cheering. The algorithm rewarded outrage like it was a national sport, turning a human death into another round of digital mud wrestling.We dig into the echo chambers that shape these reactions, the conspiracy theories already blooming in the comment sections, and the media literacy desperately missing from the discourse.And maybe—just maybe—we ask everyone to step away from the timeline, breathe some air, and touch some actual grass. Because if your first instinct to tragedy is “post,” it might be time to go outside and remember how to be a person again.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Episode 31:The AI Ate My Homework (And My Reputation) (00:40:32)
Today on Ben Kissel Politics, the news cycle reads like a surrealist play.Pete Hegseth decided to announce the mission of the newly rebranded Department of War not with a statement, but with a kind of spoken-word poem—because nothing says military might like snapping fingers in the Pentagon.Meanwhile, Greta Thunberg takes climate activism literally into the fire with her flaming flotilla, proving that protest at sea doesn’t always stay afloat quietly.On the campaign trail, Donald Trump insists that anything on video that makes him look bad is simply AI trickery. According to this logic, deepfakes have been haunting him since the ‘80s.And finally, Epstein’s victims are speaking out—vowing to release the names of their political abusers while military jets fly overhead, a scene so cinematic it could only be real life.It’s poetry, pyrotechnics, and political paranoia—served with the usual side of sarcasm and disbelief.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Episode 30: Informant-in-Chief? (00:36:20)
Today on Ben Kissel Politics, we open the floor to a live Q&A and tackle a grab bag of political curveballs.First up, Donald Trump floats the idea of rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War, proving once again that subtlety is not his strong suit.Meanwhile, in a plot twist no one had on their bingo card, the NRA is backing the trans community after a floated proposal to ban gun sales to trans people.And finally, we dig into the eyebrow-raising claim that Trump has been an FBI informant in the Epstein case for decades. If true, that would mean one of the most chaotic figures in American politics was also moonlighting as a snitch.It’s rebrands, rights, and rumors—all wrapped in a conversation that proves politics is stranger than fiction.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Episode 29: Pronouns, Presidents and Palestine (00:55:59)
Today on Ben Kissel Politics, the headlines stretch from the classroom to the doctor’s office to the floor of the United Nations.Media figures are already sparring over the pronouns used for a trans school shooter, turning tragedy into yet another culture war skirmish.Meanwhile, the debate over Donald Trump’s health heats up—raising questions about fitness, transparency, and whether his campaign trail doctors moonlight as hype men.And on the world stage, Israel lashes out at Belgium after the European nation officially recognized Palestine as a state in the UN—a diplomatic move that further complicates an already volatile global scene.It’s a mix of language battles, medical mysteries, and international recognition, delivered with the usual dose of sarcasm, skepticism, and a stiff drink.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Episode 28: FDR Said Don’t Fear, Newsom Said Don’t Quote Me (00:53:01)
Today on Ben Kissel Politics, we’re tackling the strange mix of fear, free speech, and full-on political backpedaling.😨 First up: fear of fear itself. How do you confront the anxiety of living in a time where panic feels like the default setting? We dig into what it means to conquer that fear and keep moving forward.📚 Then we dive into the new pronoun-policing legislation, which caps damages at $50,000 for people offended by speech. Because nothing says protecting freedom like slapping a price tag on it.🏛️ And finally, Gavin Newsom continues his bid to fight his way to the middle—this time with some spectacular backtracking on earlier stances. Turns out, running for president means your spine has to be as flexible as your polling data.It’s fear management, language lawfare, and political gymnastics—all wrapped in sarcasm and a stiff drink.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.