Episode Details

The Washington Roundtable discusses the 2026 midterm elections and the prospects of a comeback for the Democratic Party with The New Yorker’s editor, David Remnick. Recorded during a live show at the 92nd Street Y, in Manhattan, the group explores the President’s abysmal approval ratings, key Senate races in Maine and Texas, fights over redistricting, and how public anger over corruption and wealth inequality could shape the battle for control of Congress. “It’s a stress test that we’re looking at,” the staff writer Jane Mayer says. “That’s what this midterm is: Can this democracy survive it? And, if it doesn’t, then what?” They also examine recent upheavals at CBS News and “60 Minutes,” and consider what those changes might mean for the future of investigative journalism. 

This week’s reading:

• “The Changing Face of ‘Authenticity’ in Politics,” by Jon Allsop
• “The Absurd Virtual Spectacle of Trump’s D.C.,” by Kyle Chayka
• “This Is What Trumpian Self-Dealing Looks Like,” by John Cassidy
• “The Strange Emptiness of the Crowded Governor’s Race in California,” by Nathan Heller

The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. 

Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts.