Checks and Balance from The Economist

January 6th showed how far Donald Trump might go to subvert election results. How could the midterms be disrupted before election day, on the day itself, and in the aftermath? And what’s the likelihood of those attempts succeeding?Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefKennett Werner, Washington correspondentNorm Eisen, co-founder of Democracy Defenders FundNed Foley, director of election law at Ohio State UniversityTopics covered:Election interference ICE agents at pollsThe process for seating the HouseListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

Across America, data centres are popping up at startling speed. Voters aren’t happy. Why have data centres become a political bogeyman? And what does this reveal about wider public anxiety over AI? Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefArchie Hall, acting economics editorTopics covered:Data centres in OhioHow politicians are approaching the topicPublic anxiety about AITranscripts 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+

There’s been a shift in how both parties talk and think about Christianity. What do Republicans and Democrats have to offer Christian voters? And how could it affect the midterms? Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorCharlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistDaniel Knowles, Midwest correspondentRebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent Topics covered:The Kansas Senate raceThe history of the religious rightRepublicans and Christianity todayTranscripts 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+

Last week the president banned three media outlets from the White House. It is just one of a number of skirmishes between this president and what he calls the “fake news” media. The relationship between the press and the presidency is inherently fractious, but just how alarming are the fights under this administration? Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefDavid Rennie, geopolitics editorHenry Tricks, US media and technology editorTopics covered:The White House press corpsThe history of reporting on presidentsWider threats to press freedomTranscripts 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+

This week, a tour of three states and three policy areas from Donald Trump’s second term. How will the actions taken by this administration influence the way people vote in November?Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorCharlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistAryn Braun, West Coast correspondentStevie Hertz, US policy correspondentAlex Domash, economics correspondentTopics covered:DOGE cuts in AlaskaTariffs and MaineHealthcare policy in Ohio 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 The Economist.

Fears over the safety of AI are growing. Those close to the technology are warning that the current pace of development could mean the accidental extinction of humanity. Political momentum for tighter controls is gathering, but Donald Trump appears unmoved. What chance is there of a meaningful regulatory response?Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefAlex Hern, AI writerCorbin Duncan, global correspondentTopics covered:The latest news on AI safetyHow to think about future riskPotential legislation on AITranscripts 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 common for a president’s party to do badly in midterm elections. But redistricting and a favourable Senate map should have given the Republicans an advantage this cycle. Instead they’re very likely to lose the House and may cede control in the Senate. How much is Donald Trump to blame?Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editor Charlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistDan Rosenheck, data editorKennett Werner, Washington correspondentTopics covered:The Economist’s prediction modelThe Republicans’ midterm conventionDonald Trump’s hold on his 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+  

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+