The Reason Roundtable

This week, editors Peter Suderman [https://reason.com/people/peter-suderman/], Katherine Mangu-Ward [https://reason.com/people/katherine-mangu-ward/], Nick Gillespie [https://reason.com/people/nick-gillespie/], and Matt Welch [https://reason.com/people/matt-welch/] examine what, if anything, the Jeffrey Epstein saga reveals about the MAGA movement and its ties to conspiracy culture. They debate whether the scandal could derail President Donald Trump's agenda or simply reinforce the need for more government transparency. The editors also weigh in on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's explosive allegations that former President Barack Obama and his administration engaged in a "treasonous conspiracy" to discredit Trump's 2016 victory. Then they turn to the GOP's $9 billion Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) rescission bill and its impact on public broadcasting. Plus, a listener question prompts reflections on how the Roundtable crew really gets along behind the scenes.   00:26—Epstein conspiracies come full circle 06:13—The Epstein files and government transparency 16:52—Trump's made-for-TV administration showing cracks 21:42—Gabbard and the treasonous conspiracy accusations 38:03—Listener question on panelist relationships 45:27—DOGE rescissions and public broadcasting cuts 56:08—The declining influence of institutional media 1:00:28—Weekly cultural recommendations   MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST "The Case Against Ross Ulbricht Was About Government Power [https://reason.com/2025/03/03/ross-free/]," by Katherine Mangu-Ward "Free Ross Day One [https://www.instagram.com/p/DMOT41MhVeG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=b2ZwemdrcGljc2J4]," by Nick Gillespie "Trump, Who Wants To 'Straighten Out the Press,' Sues The Wall Street Journal Over 'Fake' Epstein Letter [https://reason.com/2025/07/21/trump-who-wants-to-straighten-out-the-press-sues-the-wall-street-journal-over-fake-epstein-letter/]," by Jacob Sullum "Enigmas Never Age [https://reason.com/2025/07/18/enigmas-never-age/]," by Liz Wolfe "MAGA's Epstein Files Fight Shows the Long Tail of QAnon [https://reason.com/2025/07/16/magas-epstein-files-fight-shows-the-long-tail-of-qanon/]," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown "The CEO of NPR Made the Best Case for Defunding It [https://reason.com/2025/07/18/the-ceo-of-npr-made-the-best-case-for-defunding-it/]," by Billy Binion "The Senate Was Right To Defund NPR and PBS [https://reason.com/2025/07/17/the-senate-was-right-to-defund-npr-and-pbs/]," by Robby Soave "How To Keep Your Radio Station Going When the Government's Checks Don't Come [https://reason.com/2025/07/17/how-to-keep-your-radio-station-going-when-the-governments-checks-dont-come/]," by Jesse Walker Mothers Against Cruel Sentencing [https://mothersagainstcruelsentencing.org/]   Today's Sponsors: Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50% per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise - so you can find the right fit.  Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable [http://betterhelp.com/roundtable] today to get 10% off your first month. * Producer: Paul Alexander [https://reason.com/people/paul-alexander/] * Video Editor: Ian Keyser [https://reason.com/people/ian-keyser/] The post What Should Libertarians Make of the Epstein Files? [https://reason.com/podcast/2025/07/21/what-should-libertarians-make-of-the-epstein-files/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].

Join us on July 15 at 6:20 E.T. [https://youtube.com/live/DJY0oDdFKkY] to hear from Reason's Peter Suderman [https://reason.com/people/peter-suderman/], Katherine Mangu-Ward [https://reason.com/people/katherine-mangu-ward/], Nick Gillespie [https://reason.com/people/nick-gillespie/], and Matt Welch [https://reason.com/people/matt-welch/] for a live episode of The Reason Roundtable from New York City. It will be a night of unscripted, uncensored, and unhinged conversation about whatever the hell is happening in America this week—including the bizarre reality that President Donald Trump and New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani each represent a kind of populism. What does it mean when a word applies to both a billionaire president and a leftist intellectual? Chaos, apparently. You don't want to miss this. Watch live on Youtube here [https://youtube.com/live/DJY0oDdFKkY]. * Producer: Paul Alexander [https://reason.com/people/paul-alexander/] The post Trump and Mamdani Battle for the Populist Crown [https://reason.com/podcast/2025/07/14/trump-and-mamdani-battle-for-the-populist-crown/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].

This week, editors Peter Suderman [https://reason.com/people/peter-suderman/], Katherine Mangu-Ward [https://reason.com/people/katherine-mangu-ward/], and Nick Gillespie [https://reason.com/people/nick-gillespie/] and Reason reporter Eric Boehm [https://reason.com/people/eric-boehm/] unpack the passage of President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, focusing on its tax carve-outs, its special-interest subsidies, and what happens when key provisions expire in 2028. They also examine the potential fallout from Trump's looming trade deadline with the European Union, answer a listener question about the legality of masked federal law enforcement, and discuss the viability of Elon Musk launching a new political party. 0:00—America is still the greatest country on earth 6:18—The One Big Beautiful Bill becomes law 12:39—Medicaid cuts and what they mean 20:51—Sunset clauses will cause more instability 33:33—Listener question on masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents 42:16—Elon Musk announces new third party 49:47—Weekly cultural recommendations MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST "The Secret Police Are Here [https://substack.com/@mikebrock/p-167592712]," by Mike Brock "Errol Morris and Jacob Soboroff: Trump's Immigration Policies Are Indefensible [https://reason.com/podcast/2024/12/11/errol-morris-jacob-soboroff-trumps-immigration-policies-are-indefensible/]," by Nick Gillespie UPCOMING REASON EVENTS The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC! [https://reason.org/event/the-reason-roundtable-live-nyc-2025/] July 15 The Soho Forum Debate: Jacob Hacker vs. David Goldhill [https://reason.org/event/the-soho-forum-debate-hacker-goldhill/], July 16   Today's Sponsors: Future of Freedom: If you're tired of cable news debates and Twitter shouting matches, and you're looking for serious, good-faith conversations between people who actually care about liberty then it's time to check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Each episode dives deep into a single topic—tariffs, campus speech, the Department of Government Efficiency—and brings together two guests who disagree on the best path forward. But here's the twist: This isn't a debate show. No interrupting. No dunking. If you believe the future of freedom depends on more than just winning arguments and you're ready for something deeper than the usual echo chambers, check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Real disagreement. Real ideas. Real conversations. Subscribe to Future of Freedom [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-of-freedom/id1632231655] wherever you get your podcasts. * Producer: Paul Alexander [https://reason.com/people/paul-alexander/] * Video Editor: Ian Keyser [https://reason.com/people/ian-keyser/] The post The Insanity of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill [https://reason.com/podcast/2025/07/07/the-insanity-of-trumps-big-beautiful-bill/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].

This week, Reason editors Peter Suderman [https://reason.com/people/peter-suderman/], Katherine Mangu-Ward [https://reason.com/people/katherine-mangu-ward/], and Matt Welch [https://reason.com/people/matt-welch/] are joined by Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to analyze Zohran Mamdani's primary win over Andrew Cuomo in New York City's mayoral race and what it signals about the future of Democratic politics. They also discuss the Senate GOP's version of President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" and how Republican views on gay marriage have shifted since the Obergefell decision in 2015. Finally, a listener question prompts a discussion on Modern Monetary Theory and the risks it poses from a libertarian perspective. 0:00—What does it mean to be a party pollster? 2:53—Socialist Mamdani wins NYC Democratic primary 11:59—The politics of the housing crisis 15:18—The abundance agenda and Mamdani 21:15—Mamdani as the Trump of the left 27:07—Listener question on Modern Monetary Theory 37:15—Senate GOP version of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" 42:45—Republican voters shift on gay marriage 48:28—Is the GOP more libertarian under Trump? 50:28—Chances Trump might prove us wrong on Iran strategy 54:22—Weekly cultural recommendations   MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST "On Housing, All New York Politicians Are Socialists [https://reason.com/2025/06/25/on-housing-all-new-york-politicians-are-socialists/]," by Christian Britschgi "Libya, End Zone Taunting, and the Success Curse [https://reason.com/2011/08/22/libya-end-zone-taunting-and-th/]," by Matt Welch "Sovereignty Is Such a Lonely Word [https://reason.com/2014/06/05/sovereignty-is-such-a-lonely-w/]," by Matt Welch   UPCOMING REASON EVENTS The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC! [https://reason.org/event/the-reason-roundtable-live-nyc-2025/], July 15 The Soho Forum Debate: Jacob Hacker vs. David Goldhill [https://reason.org/event/the-soho-forum-debate-hacker-goldhill/], July 16   Today's Sponsors: Future of Freedom: If you're tired of cable news debates and Twitter shouting matches, and you're looking for serious, good-faith conversations between people who actually care about liberty, then it's time to check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Each episode dives deep into a single topic—tariffs, campus speech, the Department of Government Efficiency—and brings together two guests who disagree on the best path forward. But here's the twist: This isn't a debate show. No interrupting. No dunking. If you believe the future of freedom depends on more than just winning arguments and you're ready for something deeper than the usual echo chambers, check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Real disagreement. Real ideas. Real conversations. Subscribe to Future of Freedom [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-of-freedom/id1632231655] wherever you get your podcasts. * Producer: Paul Alexander [https://reason.com/people/paul-alexander/] * Video Editor: Ian Keyser [https://reason.com/people/ian-keyser/] The post Did NYC Vote for Socialism or Against the Establishment? [https://reason.com/podcast/2025/06/30/did-nyc-vote-for-socialism-or-against-the-establishment/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].

This week, editors Peter Suderman [https://reason.com/people/peter-suderman/], Katherine Mangu-Ward [https://reason.com/people/katherine-mangu-ward/], Nick Gillespie [https://reason.com/people/nick-gillespie/], and Matt Welch [https://reason.com/people/matt-welch/] examine the latest U.S. military strike on Iran, unpacking the bipartisan pattern of anti-war campaign rhetoric followed by hawkish foreign policy once in office. They debate whether intervention is ever justified, what escalation might look like, and why Congress keeps abdicating its war powers. The hosts also tackle a listener question about public land sales and libertarian principles. Finally, they survey the baffling state of big city governance and the New York City mayoral primary battle between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. 00:22—President Donald Trump abandons "no new wars" promise 9:11—Vice President J.D. Vance kisses the ring 13:28—Are there any good arguments for war with Iran? 19:57—Israel set off a ticking clock 23:22—Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard contradicts Trump's narrative 26:27—What Congress should do now 36:24—Listener questions: public lands selloff 43:41—Big city governance and the NYC mayoral primary 55:32—Weekly cultural recommendations   MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST "Just Don't Call It a War [https://reason.com/2025/06/23/just-dont-call-it-a-war/]," by Christian Britschgi "The Attack on Iran Is Unlawful [https://reason.com/2025/06/22/the-attack-on-iran-is-unlawful/]," by Eric Boehm "Trump Shreds the Constitution By Bombing Iran [https://reason.com/2025/06/21/trump-shreds-the-constitution-by-bombing-iran/]," by Matthew Petti "Now Let Us Give Thanks for War [https://www.thedailybeast.com/now-let-us-give-thanks-for-war/]," by Nick Gillespie "Is Trump's America a Reliable Ally [https://opentodebate.org/debate/is-trumps-america-a-reliable-ally/]?" by Open To Debate "The Federal Government Owns Too Much Land. Selling It Helps Rural Communities, [https://reason.com/2025/06/20/the-federal-government-owns-too-much-land-selling-it-helps-rural-communities/]" by Jack Nicastro "Utah Tells the Feds To Pound Sand [https://reason.com/2024/03/04/utah-tells-the-feds-to-pound-sand/]," by J.D. Tuccille "28 Years Later Is Terrifying and Life-Affirming [https://reason.com/2025/06/20/28-years-later-is-terrifying-and-life-affirming/]," by Peter Suderman   UPCOMING REASON EVENTS * Reason Versus debate: Jacob Sullum and Billy Binion vs. Charles Fain Lehman and Rafael Mangual [https://reason.org/event/reason-versus/], June 24 * Reason Speakeasy: Nick Gillespie and Elizabeth Nolan Brown on the MAHA Movement [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reason-speakeasy-elizabeth-nolan-brown-on-the-maha-movement-tickets-1388576833689?aff=oddtdtcreator], June 25 * The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC! [https://reason.org/event/the-reason-roundtable-live-nyc-2025/] July 15   Today's Sponsors: * Future of Freedom: If you're tired of cable news debates and Twitter shouting matches, and you're looking for serious, good-faith conversations between people who actually care about liberty then it's time to check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Each episode dives deep into a single topic—tariffs, campus speech, the Department of Government Efficiency—and brings together two guests who disagree on the best path forward. But here's the twist: This isn't a debate show. No interrupting. No dunking. If you believe the future of freedom depends on more than just winning arguments and you're ready for something deeper than the usual echo chambers, check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Real disagreement. Real ideas. Real conversations. Subscribe to Future of Freedom [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-of-freedom/id1632231655] wherever you get your podcasts.   * Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50% per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise - so you can find the right fit.  Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable [http://betterhelp.com/roundtable] today to get 10% off your first month.   * Producer: Paul Alexander [https://reason.com/people/paul-alexander/] * Video Editor: Ian Keyser [https://reason.com/people/ian-keyser/] The post Anti-War President Starts New War. Again. [https://reason.com/podcast/2025/06/23/anti-war-president-starts-new-war-again/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].