David Rothkopf and Joanna Coles take apart Donald Trump’s bizarre White House UFC spectacle, his heavily hyped “deal” with Iran, and what they argue is a presidency increasingly defined by spectacle and self-preservation. From accusations of turning the South Lawn into a political carnival, to a blistering debate over whether Trump’s Iran agreement is diplomacy or surrender, the pair connect the dots between foreign policy, political theater, and the looming battles that could define the next phase of his presidency. They also dive into JD Vance’s carefully polished media management, the ambitions driving MAGA’s rising stars, and the deeper cultural and moral questions they believe are shaping America’s future. By the end, what begins as a conversation about a birthday celebration becomes a far-reaching examination of power, loyalty, corruption, and the forces transforming Washington from the inside out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.