The Reason Roundtable

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/] are joined by special guest Reem Ibrahim [https://www.reemibrahim.com/], head of media for the Institute of Economic Affairs. They begin with Jim Acosta's AI-generated interview featuring a deceased child urging gun control, using it as a springboard to discuss nationwide declines in violent crime and the political tendency to focus on banning specific tools. The conversation then shifts to the White House's decision to deploy the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and the dangerous precedent this could set for using federal forces to address local crime. The panel then turns to President Donald Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss Ukraine, weighing whether it could lead to peace or embolden authoritarian demands, as well as the role of European nations. From there, they examine the decision by Texas Democrats to flee the state amid redistricting battles and the FBI's efforts to locate them. A listener question from the United Kingdom prompts a conversation about free speech restrictions and the growing use of psychological studies to justify censorship, leading into a discussion of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's (FIRE) lawsuit against the Trump administration over immigrant First Amendment rights.   0:00—Media exploitation of children for gun control 11:02—National Guard deployed to D.C. amid falling crime rates 15:02—Trump meeting with Putin in Alaska 25:51—Texas Democrats flee state over GOP redistricting map 35:35—Listener question on free speech rights in the U.K. 47:00—FIRE lawsuit against Trump administration over protected speech 54:55—Weekly cultural recommendations   MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: "Hostile Takeover: Trump Federalizes Law Enforcement and Deploys National Guard in D.C. [https://reason.com/2025/08/11/hostile-takeover-trump-federalizes-law-enforcement-and-deploys-national-guard-in-d-c/]," by Tosin Akintola "Big Balls Attacked [https://reason.com/2025/08/11/big-balls-attacked/]," by Liz Wolfe "Trump says crime in D.C. is out of control. Here's what the data shows [https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/08/10/trump-crime-data-federal-takeover/]," by Olivia George, John D. Harden, Jenny Gathright, The Washington Post "How the New Texas Map Changes the Outlook for Control of the House [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/02/upshot/texas-map-redistricting-republicans-house.html]," by Nate Cohn, The New York Times "The UK's Online Safety Act is a licence for censorship – and the rest of the world is following suit [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/09/uk-online-safety-act-internet-censorship-world-following-suit]," by Taylor Lorenz, The Guardian "LAWSUIT: FIRE challenges unconstitutional provisions Rubio uses in crusade to deport legal immigrants over protected speech [https://www.thefire.org/news/lawsuit-fire-challenges-unconstitutional-provisions-rubio-uses-crusade-deport-legal-immigrants]," by FIRE   TODAY'S SPONSOR: Brooklyn Bedding handcrafts every mattress in their Arizona factory, cutting out the middleman to deliver top-tier quality, honest pricing, and true American craftsmanship. With options for every body, every sleep style, and even hard-to-find sizes, you can find your perfect match in under two minutes with the Brooklyn Bedding Sleep Quiz. Hot sleeper? Their GlacioTex™ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/2122.png] covers and CopperFlex™ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/2122.png] foam help keep you cool all night. They are endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association for spinal alignment and back health, and they are 100 percent fiberglass-free for added peace of mind. Every mattress comes with a 120-night comfort trial, giving you the freedom to keep it if you love it or exchange it if you don't. Go to http://brooklynbedding.com [http://brooklynbedding.com] and use promo code REASON at checkout for 30 percent off sitewide! * Producer: Paul Alexander [https://reason.com/people/paul-alexander/] * Video Editor: Ian Keyser [https://reason.com/people/ian-keyser/] The post Lower Crime Hasn't Stopped Gun Control Push [https://reason.com/podcast/2025/08/11/lower-crime-hasnt-stopped-gun-control-push/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].

This week, editors Peter Suderman [https://reason.com/people/peter-suderman/] and Matt Welch [https://reason.com/people/matt-welch/] are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm [https://reason.com/people/eric-boehm/] and special guest Emily Jashinsky [https://www.youtube.com/@AfterPartyEmily], host of After Party. They begin with the media's growing fixation on men and masculinity, from a wave of New York Times essays to broader questions about dating, education, and work. What does this coverage reveal about how the media sees men, and about younger male voters drifting from the Democratic Party? The panel then examines President Donald Trump's escalating tariff policy, its economic consequences, and how it fits into the administration's broader approach to trade and inflation. A listener question prompts a discussion of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's shift toward deregulation, and the growing calls to reverse course. The panel also looks at Trump's overseas business activity and the ethical questions it raises about the use of public office for personal gain.   0:00–How men are characterized in the media 13:00–The publishing industry's struggles with men 19:15–The tradeoffs of Trump's tariff policies 42:52–Listener question on NCAA deregulation 50:56–The ethics of personal profits as president 1:00:14–Weekly cultural recommendations   MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST "Your Relationship Problems Aren't Always About the Patriarchy [https://reason.com/2025/08/01/your-relationship-problems-arent-always-about-the-patriarchy/]," by Emma Camp "Yes, Tariffs Are Raising Prices [https://reason.com/2025/07/29/yes-tariffs-are-raising-prices/]," by Eric Boehm "Firing the Data-Collectors [https://reason.com/2025/08/04/firing-the-data-collectors/]," by Liz Wolfe "Amateur Hour Is Over: College Athletes Can Get Paid by Schools [https://reason.com/2025/06/10/amateur-hour-is-over-college-athletes-can-get-paid-by-schools/]," by Jason Russell "Trump Is Openly Using the Presidency To Enrich the Trump Brand [https://reason.com/2025/08/01/trump-is-openly-using-the-presidency-to-enrich-the-trump-brand/]," by Matt Welch "The Naked Gun Is Stupid in the Best Possible Way [https://reason.com/2025/08/01/the-naked-gun-is-stupid-in-the-best-possible-way/]," by Peter Suderman   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 percent 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 [https://betterhelp.com/roundtable] today to get 10 percent 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 The New York Times Doesn't Understand Men [https://reason.com/podcast/2025/08/04/the-new-york-times-doesnt-understand-men/] 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 Matt Welch [https://reason.com/people/matt-welch/] are joined by Reason Senior Editor Robby Soave [https://reason.com/people/robby-soave/] to discuss the $1.5 billion renewal of South Park and why the show remains one of the most important libertarian pop culture creations of the past 30 years. They reflect on its enduring relevance, its crude but effective political metaphors, and its broad appeal across ideological lines. The panel also revisits the Hulk Hogan lawsuit which led to the fall of Gawker and what it revealed about public trust in media, then turns to President Donald Trump's new AI executive order and the growing tendency to frame tech policy as part of the culture war. A listener question sparks discussion of Trump's deregulation record and how it connects to the One Big Beautiful Bill, followed by a look at the latest developments around a potential government shutdown.   00:59—South Park's renewal and the political implications 08:19—Late night TV, the Paramount merger, and cord cutting 17:20—The legacy of Hulk Hogan's Gawker's lawsuit 28:15—Trump's anti-woke AI executive order 36:05—Listener question on Trump's deregulation track record 42:24—Are we heading toward another government shutdown? 50:52—Weekly cultural recommendations   MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST "South Park Libertarians [https://reason.com/2006/12/05/south-park-libertarians-2/]," by Nick Gillespie and Jesse Walker "The FCC's Paramount/Skydance Decision Aims To Reshape Broadcast Journalism by Bureaucratic Fiat [https://reason.com/2025/07/25/the-fccs-paramount-skydance-decision-aims-to-reshape-broadcast-journalism-by-bureaucratic-fiat/]," by Jacob Sullum "Meet Stephen Colbert's Biggest Fans: Congressional Democrats [https://reason.com/2025/07/24/meet-stephen-colberts-biggest-fans-congressional-democrats/]," by Robby Soave "By Settling Trump's Laughable Lawsuit Against CBS, Paramount Strikes a Blow at Freedom of the Press [https://reason.com/2025/07/02/by-settling-trumps-laughable-lawsuit-against-cbs-paramount-strikes-a-blow-at-freedom-of-the-press/]," by Jacob Sullum "Gawker Was Killed for Publishing Embarrassing Truths. That's Bad News, [https://reason.com/2018/04/06/it-might-not-be-ok-to-punish-people-drac/]" By Brian Doherty "Gawker Documentary Fails to Make Case for Publishing Sex Tape [https://reason.com/2017/06/23/gawker-documentary-fails-to-make-case-fo/]," by Glenn Garvin "'Woke' AI Is the Latest Threat to Free Speech [https://reason.com/2025/07/23/woke-ai-is-the-latest-threat-to-free-speech/]," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown "Baseball, and the Vanishing Art of Forgiveness [https://reason.com/2025/07/25/baseball-and-the-vanishing-art-of-forgiveness/]," by Matt Welch   Today's Sponsor: If you're still tossing and turning all night and feeling edgy during the day, let me tell you about CBD from CB Distillery. Millions are turning to their CBD for relief because…IT WORKS! In fact, over 90 percent of customers report better sleep with CBD. And it's not just sleep. CB Distillery offers targeted formulations for just about everything—sleep, stress, mood, focus, pain after exercise—they even have CBD for pets! And it's all made with the highest-quality, clean ingredients. No fillers, just premium CBD. And with over 2 million satisfied customers and a 100 percent money-back guarantee, CB Distillery is the source to trust. If you're struggling with sleep, stress, or other health concerns and haven't found relief, make the change, like millions are, to CBD from CB Distillery. And for a limited time, you can save 25 percent off your entire purchase. Visit CB Distillery (cbdistillery.com) and use promo code REASON. Specific product availability depends on individual state regulations. * Producer: Paul Alexander [https://reason.com/people/paul-alexander/] * Video Editor: Ian Keyser [https://reason.com/people/ian-keyser/] The post South Park Is Saving Free Speech! [https://reason.com/podcast/2025/07/28/south-park-is-saving-free-speech/] 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 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/2025/07/16/trump-and-mamdani-battle-for-the-populist-crown/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].