The Daily Beast Podcast

Symone Sanders Townsend joins Joanna Coles to break down the moment Donald Trump struggled to stay awake for twenty minutes in the Oval Office, and why the fact that no one around him reacted is the real story. Sanders, co-host of “The Weeknight,” on MSNBC soon to be MS NOW starting on November 15th, outlines the mystery of who’s really running the White House to the gold “Oval Office” signage, the secretive East Wing demolition, and the advisers suddenly speaking in “I” and “we,” Symone exposes a presidency drifting without leadership. In the end, Symone leaves us with the fundamental question: If Trump can fall asleep on camera and his deputies shrug, who’s actually in charge? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11/11/2025 • 44:05

The Daily Beast’s must-read columnist David Rothkopf joins Joanna Coles to dissect Trump’s mounting political peril. As dissent grows within his own party—over foreign aid, tariffs, and radical Senate moves—Rothkopf warns that Trump is “staring death,” with his political survival hanging by a thread. This episode explores the stakes of a president confronting resistance from his base and the chilling question: how far will he go to stay relevant? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10/11/2025 • 39:10

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to examine the looming legal battlefield of Trump’s 2026 strategy, where every move is filtered through lawyers and litigation. As the White House braces for the possibility of losing both the House and Senate, Wolff reveals the unraveling logic guiding a president who cannot course-correct, while aides scramble to protect their careers. From redistricting schemes to potential Supreme Court battles over voting rights, this episode shows how Trumpworld is preparing for an election fought not just at the polls—but in the courts. Joanna asks the central question: Can anything stop this legal juggernaut? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09/11/2025 • 38:57

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to examine the one thing Trump can’t spin: a morning of losses he instantly tries to recast as wins. Wolff brings the voices inside the West Wing, describing Trump pacing between TVs, hunting for a villain, mangling the numbers, and turning Mamdani into his next made-to-order enemy. They cut through the chaos—shutdown brinkmanship, Prop 50 conspiracies, the Cuomo curveball, and a GOP leadership frozen in his glare—to reveal a president who can’t adapt, only blame, and a movement suddenly feeling less inevitable than it claims. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07/11/2025 • 40:58

Dr. Bandy X. Lee, forensic and social psychiatrist, joins Joanna Coles to sound the alarm regarding President Donald Trump’s dire mental health problems. She explains how Trump’s paranoia, fear of exposure, and relentless need for power drive his behavior—from deploying guards to manipulating supporters—and how these patterns spread through society, creating true mental health contagion. Dr. Lee asks: How do we contain a leader whose fragility fuels his power? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06/11/2025 • 44:03

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to dissect the latest unraveling in Trumpworld: the controversial CBS News settlement, followed by their soft-ball sit‑down with Donald Trump. They question: Is this real journalism or a pay‑for‑play fluff piece? Later, they turn to JD Vance’s weekend spectacle—the public message to his Hindu wife, the viral hug with Erica Kirk, and what it reveals about Vance’s naked ambition to court MAGA while lacking the requisite authenticity to appeal truly. Along the way, they chart how the conservative media ecosystem is shifting, how Trump’s polling collapse and foreign‑policy chaos are fueling the vacuum around Trump, and how ambition, extreme rhetoric, and charged cynicism have become the new tools of power in Washington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

05/11/2025 • 34:03

Andrew Lownie returns to break down the latest fallout for Prince Andrew. Lownie, the author of the book 'Untitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,' breaks down Andrew’s exile to Sandringham and whispers of his Middle East escape to avoid legal scrutiny. Lownie parses how the Epstein scandal and financial allegations have dramatically reshaped the royal landscape. He explains the palace’s response, the public outrage, and why Andrew’s ties to Epstein and business dealings abroad make him vulnerable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

04/11/2025 • 32:26

Dr. Steven Hassan, world-renowned cult expert and author of The Cult of Trump, joins the Beast’s Hugh Dougherty to unravel how Trump’s movement mirrors the classic architecture of a political cult, from manufactured grievances to the online ecosystems that keep followers locked in. Then, with recent Epstein materials resurfacing, they explore the contradictions, alliances, and unexplored vulnerabilities that continue to haunt Trump and his inner circle. Together, they connect the domestic chaos to the global actors who have spent decades studying and exploiting Trump’s psychology. As the crises converge, Hugh asks the question hanging over 2025: how long can Trumpism survive when the truth keeps breaking through? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

03/11/2025 • 36:28

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to reveal how White House insiders are now dubbing the East Wing the “Epstein Ballroom.” From the persistent shadow of Jeffrey Epstein over Trump and Prince Andrew’s dramatic fall from royal privilege, to the explosive crypto pardons benefiting the Trump family, Wolff’s latest thorns to burrow into Trump’s side. They discuss Rupert Murdoch’s role, the birthday letter that exposed Trump’s connections, and the intricate web of influence stretching from Norfolk to Washington. With the latest Trump polls tanking and the government shutdown nearing a record, this episode captures the tangled, high-stakes universe of Trump’s presidency in real time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

02/11/2025 • 43:57

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to posit the president’s next astonishing move: Donald Trump’s plan to demolish the West Wing of the White House. They trace how that impulse connects with the East Wing teardown, a $300 million ballroom project, and the greater ambition of remaking the presidency in his image. Along the way, they explore how Trump’s real estate instincts are emerging as his most effective shock-and-awe tactic. With the foreign policy collapse in China, the polling crisis at home, and the disappearance of oversight in Congress, this episode asks: As Trump tears down the White House, what remains of the presidency? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31/10/2025 • 50:43

John Della Volpe, Polling Director at the Harvard Kennedy School, joins Joanna Coles to break down the dramatic shift in young male voters, once Trump’s strongest base. From Charlie Kirk’s legacy to the collapse of Trump’s net favorable rating among young men, Della Volpe explains how inflation, chaos, and the unmet promise to release the Epstein files are reshaping politics. They also weigh in on Turning Point USA’s new leadership, the rise of faith communities, and the anti-establishment mood driving 2026 and 2028. Can Democrats turn this disillusionment into an advantage, and is Trump’s hold on young men slipping for good? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30/10/2025 • 35:03

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to reveal Trump’s hasty plan to demolish the East Wing and build a massive Trump Ballroom, his push to bypass political limits, and his obsession with control. They break down Steve Bannon’s wild Trump third-term schemes and Melania’s conspicuous absence on the president's Japan trip. Wolff explains how Trump’s real estate instincts shape his decisions in Washington and why Trump’s once seemingly impossible authoritarian dreams suddenly feel possible in an America where business and political leaders are genuflecting to Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29/10/2025 • 48:45

Writer E. Jean Carroll, who triumphed over Donald Trump with an $83 million defamation verdict after accusing him of rape in the mid-1990s, is joined by her attorney Roberta Kaplan and Joanna Coles to unpack their historic courtroom victories. From tense depositions to a landmark judgment, they reveal how strategy, resolve, and fearlessness dismantled Trump’s aura of invincibility. Carroll discusses how she’ll use her winnings to support women’s rights, while Kaplan explains why Trump’s appeals are likely doomed. Can Trump honestly be held accountable, and what does their win mean for justice and women across America? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28/10/2025 • 43:03

Don Lemon joins Joanna Coles to assess how Donald Trump’s hasty East Wing tear-down, building a tacky McMansion-style ballroom while the country stalls, mixing supposed opulence with power, and blurring public duty with private ego. Lemon, a veteran reporter and anchor, brings his sharp and uncompromising voice to the conversation. Together with Coles, he examines Trump’s architecture of excess —the corporations and their leaders acting as his handmaidens —and asks: when the symbol of American democracy becomes a personal trophy house, what does that mean for the rest of us, and how long can the facade hold? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27/10/2025 • 45:23

Stephen Miller is the ultimate suck-up, a master of shameless flattery whose influence keeps him at the center of Trump’s orbit. Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to unpack how Miller’s relentless devotion to Trump reflects the chaos and destruction in the East Wing. The two also touch on how Wolff’s countersuit against Melania has spurred a bizarre AI-generated TMZ story that falsely claimed he was writing a tell-all about the first lady. They preview their first live ‘Inside Trump’s Head’ event at the Museum of the City of New York, where Wolff promises more revelations about Trump, Epstein, and the ecosystem that enables them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26/10/2025 • 35:26

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to tackle his startling new announcement: a billion-dollar countersuit against Melania Trump. The two dissect Jeffrey Epstein’s well-documented friendship with Donald Trump and connect the dots to Trump’s East Wing demolition, showcasing the president’s strategy for destruction. Wolff and Coles also unpack Stephen Miller’s hardline crusades, exposing the strange psychology that drives one of Trump’s most maniacal members of his inner circle. As the legal walls close in, one question lingers: how much of Trump’s chaos is calculation, and how much is pure compulsion? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24/10/2025 • 44:17

Dr. John Gartner joins the Beast's Joanna Coles to assess the unraveling of Donald Trump’s mind. The clinical psychologist and former Johns Hopkins professor, who warned early about Trump’s “malignant narcissism,” now says the president shows clear signs of cognitive decline, comparing his confusion and grandiosity to dictators in their final stages. Coles presses Gartner on whether Trump’s dementia makes him more dangerous or simply more delusional, and what that means for the remainder of Trump's second term and beyond. Is America being led by a man losing touch with reality, or is Trump still cunning enough to conceal his growing symptoms? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23/10/2025 • 43:55

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to dig into the one fear that continues to dog Donald Trump, the lingering specter of Jeffrey Epstein. As new oversight leaks reveal redacted names and unreleased evidence, Wolff explains why the Epstein files continue to rattle Trump and shape his thinking. They explore how this aversion affects his decisions, fuels his late-night rants, and exposes cracks in Trumpworld’s loyalty. Why do Epstein’s secrets haunt Trump, and what do his international allies and enemies know? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22/10/2025 • 54:17

Harry Sisson joins the Beast's Joanna Coles to discuss being the target in an AI viral video by President Trump, complete with a crown, a jet, and a very messy payload. He shares his disbelief, how he sees the attack as proof of Trump’s obsession with online feuds, and why he welcomes the attention. Sisson also explains how Democrats can use social media effectively without stooping to the same tactics, highlighting creators like Zohran Mamdani and Gavin Newsom. This episode explores the power of social media, the challenges of political engagement, and the fight to push back against MAGA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21/10/2025 • 22:26

Sam Mangel, a former Federal prison inmate and current prison consultant, takes the Beast’s Joanna Coles inside Ghislaine Maxwell’s unusual life in a Texas prison camp. Sentenced to 20 years for sex trafficking, Maxwell is receiving unprecedented privileges and security. Mangel explains how other inmates react, the strict lockdowns during secret visits, and why her celebrity inmate treatment is frustrating staff and fellow prisoners. He also explores speculation about her potential early release via a possible deal with the Trump administration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20/10/2025 • 35:42

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to dissect Trump’s euphoric “victory tour” of the Middle East, where he cast himself as a global peacemaker while ignoring protests and chaos at home. Wolff unpacks Trump’s boastful talk of “Tomahawks for peace,” and the widening rift between Trump and his MAGA base. Both wonder why the “no kings” protests aren’t aimed at Epstein and the powerful men who enabled him. As his self-image balloons beyond control, Joanna and Michael ask: has Trump’s triumphalism become its own form of delusion? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19/10/2025 • 33:57

Michael Wolff shocks Joanna Coles by abruptly changing his view on Donald Trump’s desire to run for a third term. The veteran Trump biographer now believes that the president has been radicalized by his growing authoritarianism and is now likely to consider running again in 2028. Drawing on insights from inside the White House, they discuss how the Supreme Court’s recent decisions could pave the way for him to subvert the Constitution and maneuver for a third term. Wolff and Coles also explore how Trump monetizes loyalty and power, and ask whether Trump is setting the stage for an unprecedented extension of his influence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17/10/2025 • 43:13

The Daily Beast’s David Gardner and Sarah Ewall-Wice join Joanna Coles to unpack Trump’s latest obsession, a $200 million Arc de Trump slated to lord over the Potomac. Is it legacy-building or pure delusion? From secret Oval Office blueprints and questions over who’s really bankrolling Trump’s $200 million ballroom to Pete Hegseth’s war on the press fallout, Coles and company expose a capital consumed by Trump’s ego and unravel what his monument mania reveals about the man who can’t stop trying to carve himself into history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16/10/2025 • 35:34

Trump Chronicler Michael Wolff joins the Beast’s Joanna Coles to unpack the Time magazine cover that ignited Trump’s fury and how the slow-walked political prosecutions of his perceived enemies, including James Comey, Adam Schiff, and Chris Christie, spurred Trump to install Lindsey Halligan. Meanwhile, Melania reemerges with her documentary hustle, prompting questions about her new visibility and even her reported communications with Putin. And with new fractures appearing in Trump’s once blindly faithful MAGA movement and fresh enemies on his list, Joanna asks: Is Trump losing control of the world he built or remaking it in his own image once again? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15/10/2025 • 45:58

Kurt Andersen joins the Beast’s Joanna to unpack the surprising Jekyll and Hyde nature of Donald Trump, from his once fawning desperation to be covered warmly by Andersen to his snide takedown once Andersen was no longer useful. Drawing on insights, Andersen and Joanna Coles explore what Trump’s split personality reveals about his nature, his calculated self-presentation, and his ascent to the White House. Along the way, they tease out the contradictions between the Trump we see in public and the Trump we hear about in private. Is this the side of Trump no one really notices, or the one he wants you to notice? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14/10/2025 • 47:53

The Beast’s Joanna Coles and Trump Chronicler Michael Wolff dive deep into Donald Trump being snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize and the forces driving his obsession with recognition. They explore the pivotal role of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, who balances family loyalty, high-stakes diplomacy, and billion-dollar business opportunities in the Middle East. From navigating complex deals with the Saudis and Qataris to leveraging influence for both profit and power, Coles and Wolff reveal how Trump’s desire for validation intersects with Kushner’s strategic maneuvering. The episode unpacks ambition, risk, and reward at the highest levels, showing how peace, personal gain, and political calculation collide in the Trump crucible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12/10/2025 • 39:20

Trump chronicler Michael Wolff joins the Beast’s Joanna Coles to unpack Trump’s latest delusions of grandeur. This time, namely, his fantasy of winning a Nobel Peace Prize for “ending seven wars” that never existed. Wolff recounts a disturbing encounter involving Jeffrey Epstein, the head of the Nobel Committee, and alleged Polaroids of Trump, while Pam Bondi, now heading the DOJ, pointedly refuses to discuss them. From showy Middle East tours to Chicago photo ops with the National Guard, Joanna and Michael explore how Trump’s obsession with power, spectacle, and apparent paranoia, tinged with fear, continues to reshape his presidency. Is Trump intending to occupy cities like Chicago indefinitely or just seeking attention?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10/10/2025 • 47:42

Rep. Ro Khanna joins the Beast’s Joanna Coles to reveal what he calls Washington’s most dangerous cover-up. The California congressman explains how the Epstein files hold explosive information and why his bipartisan effort to release them has been stonewalled during the government shutdown. He links Trump’s role in the stalemate to a broader system that shields the powerful rather than the public. From congressional gridlock to moral reckoning, Khanna argues that transparency is the only way to restore trust in democracy. Is Trump protecting national secrets or defending himself? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09/10/2025 • 43:09

Michael Wolff returns with Joanna Coles for a blistering look at the latest fractures inside Trump’s MAGA coalition. From Trump’s resurfacing of Epstein anxieties and his strange new pardon predicament with Ghislaine Maxwell, to his growing unease over Israel and the rise of Christian nationalism, Wolff sketches a portrait of a president losing control of the populist movement he created. The Daily Beast’s Chief Content Officer Joanna Coles presses Wolff on Tucker Carlson’s ambitions, online swirling Charlie Kirk conspiracies, and J.D. Vance’s quiet maneuvering for power. Together, they dissect how Trump’s cult of loyalty is turning on itself and why his old tactics may finally be failing. Is Trump still the master of the MAGA hivemind, or has he become just another voice in the chaos he unleashed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08/10/2025 • 42:39

Anthony Scaramucci joins the Beast’s Joanna Coles for a no-holds-barred look inside Trump’s turbulent second term. Trump's former first-term Communications Director and longtime Trump confidant-turned-critic calls Trump “the wicked witch of the West Wing” and predicts the moment he finally melts. Scaramucci revisits his infamous 11 days in the White House, missing his son’s birth, and the cost of blind loyalty. He tears into the GOP’s pretenders to Trump’s throne from J.D. Vance’s obsequiousness to Marco Rubio’s shape-shifting. Coles keeps the chaos sharp, pulling out Scaramucci’s rawest insights on power, ego, and redemption. And it all builds to one cutting question: if Trump’s the wicked witch of the West Wing, who’s bold enough to throw the water? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07/10/2025 • 45:47