Category: 3-SometimeCommentary

Today on The Gist, President Trump's marathon two-hour State of the Union address with a quick quiz: Can you spot the actual presidential claim among the fakes? Then, C. Thi Nguyen joins the show to unpack the powerful psychology behind our convictions. They discuss why our limiting beliefs are exactly like our own faces (we can't see them without a mirror), how chronic neuroplastic pain can be cured by simply teaching your brain you're safe, and why the placebo effect is somehow getting stronger every single year.

Produced by Corey Wara

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

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Join Washington Examiner Senior Writer David Harsanyi and Federalist Editor-In-Chief Mollie Hemingway as they analyze President Donald Trump's State of the Union address and Democrats' reaction and response, examine whether Congress will pass the SAVE America Act, and discuss the Supreme Court's tariffs decision. Mollie and David also reflect on the U.S. men's hockey team's gold medal Olympics victory and review The Night Manager. 

Pre-order Mollie's book Alito: The Justice Who Reshaped the Supreme Court and Restored the Constitution here.

The Federalist is a nonprofit, and we depend entirely on our listeners and readers — not corporations. If you value fearless, independent journalism, please consider a tax-deductible gift today at TheFederalist.com/donate. Your support keeps us going.

In this episode, Ravi Gupta talks with Time’s Andrew Chow about an unlikely coalition rising up against AI — from MAGA-aligned tech skeptics to democratic socialists pushing for data center moratoriums. They trace how local activism is already stalling major infrastructure projects, even as Big Tech prepares to flood elections with money to keep regulation at bay. The conversation zeroes in on the highest-stakes frontier: AI’s role in weapons and domestic surveillance, and whether any company will hold firm on its “red lines” when contracts and market pressure hit. Ultimately, Ravi frames it as a defining political fight of the decade: can everyday people set the terms, or will the machines — and the companies building them — decide for us?

Andrew Chow’s The People vs. AI (Time, Feb 2026)

Ravi’s recent substack post: The Melt-Up

Join Squadra, Ravi's fitness community

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Hello!

Today, we talk about Graham Platner’s lead in Maine, the Olympics Patriotism Complex and everything Alysa Liu. Also, is the right annoying everyone away right now? That question and more in this week’s episode.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe

• Susan's column on the SOTU
• Susan on Trump's attacks on free speech
• Josh Barro's new pod, "Central Air"
• Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. TheBulwark.com/Events.

On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump delivered the first State of the Union address of his second term.


It comes at a pivotal moment in Trump’s presidency. Approval of his performance – and policies – have hit new lows among the American people.

Add to that last week’s Supreme Court ruling that overturned the administration’s tariffs — a centerpiece of Trump’s agenda — and all of a sudden, the pressure was on Trump to reset the narrative of his presidency. Especially in the face of looming fears that Democrats could take back the House in the midterm elections.

So, what did we hear from the preside

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On The Source, District 6 Councilmember Ric Galvan said the VIA board vote leaves no immediate path forward for free fare. “I don’t see a specific pathway forward in developing a program at this time,” he said.

In his first State of the Union address of his second term, President Trump offered a rosy portrait of a United States that has lost confidence in his leadership.

He also relentlessly baited Democrats, who want to win back control of Congress in the midterms this fall.

David E. Sanger, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, takes us inside the room.

Guest: David E. Sanger, the White House and National Security Correspondent for The New York Times, reporting on President Trump and his administration.

Background reading: 

• During his State of the Union address, Mr. Trump heralded economic and border policies while deriding Democrats.
• Here are some fact checks of his speech.

Photo: Kenny Holston/The New York Times

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