Checks and Balance from The Economist

How do you protect democracy and liberty as AI advances? Are America’s political institutions up to the task? Dean Ball has worked on these questions at the White House, in think-tank land and now for OpenAI. In an extended interview, he gives us a glimpse into the AI future. Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editor Dean Ball, head of strategic futures at OpenAITopics covered:The role of frontier AI labs in keeping AI safeWhat AI means for democracyWhy there’s no off buttonGloria Steinem, who passed away this week, spoke to John Prideaux in 2024 for our “Boom!” podcast series. Click here to listen to the episode she features in.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+  

The president’s border wall is finally going up. It’s part of a reshaping of America’s immigration strategy, which also includes his mass deportation campaign. For Donald Trump’s supporters it’s all a triumph. But is it for America?Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistAryn Braun, West Coast correspondentAlex Domash, economics correspondentTopics covered:The border wallMass deportationsThe economic impact of reduced immigrationTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+  

The Democratic party’s left wing has been on the rise. But there’s another breed of candidate worth watching. Moderates are showing how Democrats might win in more competitive states like North Carolina, Alaska and Iowa. What can be learned from their campaigns? Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefAryn Braun, West Coast correspondentKennett Werner, Washington correspondentTopics covered:Moderate Senate candidatesDemocratic governors of red statesThe future of the partyTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+  

It’s all change in the Sunshine State. The term-limited governor Ron DeSantis won’t be on the ballot in next week’s primary. During his tenure, the former quintessential swing state has become a bastion of Republican power and centre of MAGA-land. How did a purple state turn so deeply red?Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editor Rebecca Jackson, Southern correspondentRobert Guest, deputy editor Peter Schorsch, publisher of Florida PoliticsByron Donalds, congressman who is running to be Florida’s next governorTopics covered:Demographic shifts in FloridaThe state as a policy labChallenges for the next governorTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

AI could destroy millions of American jobs. Politicians have sometimes struggled to deal with previous eras of workplace upheaval: can America retrain workers before AI leaves them behind? Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorCharlotte Howard, US editor Alex Domash, economics correspondentMaria Flynn, CEO of Jobs for the FutureTopics covered:Industries threatened by AIPast eras of technological changeNew efforts to retrain workersTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

An establishment politician faces an energetic upstart. It’s a familiar story– but, in Michigan, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Democrats need to win this seat to take control of the Senate. Who will Michiganders trust? And what does it mean for the future of the Democratic party?  Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnistJeff Timmer, former Executive Director of the Michigan Republican Party Topics covered:Michigan Senate race Democratic socialism AIPAC

Net approval for President Trump's decision to attack Iran now stands at -30% among Americans. Meanwhile, the administration’s attempts to broker peace are stalling, and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. What will this ongoing war cost America?Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefRobert Guest, deputy editorMatthew Kroenig, Georgetown University political scientistTopics covered:Military spendingThe Korean War’s legacyRepublican goals in IranTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

In his second term, Donald Trump has transformed the justice department. Todd Blanche, America’s acting attorney-general, has done as much as anyone to aid this shift. This week Mr Blanche is facing confirmation hearings to stay in the job. What’s going on at the DoJ, and why does it matter?Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editor and host of “Checks and Balance”Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnistKennett Werner, Washington correspondentAziz Huq, University of Chicago law professorTopics covered:Trump v SlaughterThe role of the attorney-generalDoJ staff attritionTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

Donald Trump earned at least $2.2bn in outside income in 2025. The president says his extraordinary windfall, revealed in financial disclosures last week, was thanks to a booming stock market. The White House has denied any conflicts of interest. How did the president amass all this wealth? Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editor and host of “Checks and Balance”Charlotte Howard, US editor Shashank Joshi, incoming Washington bureau chiefRichard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyerTopics covered:Trump’s financial disclosuresThe Emoluments ClauseDemocrats’ responseTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.