2736 - Massive Cave on Media Monopoly; Possible Democratic Future of Foreign Policy w/ Alvaro Bedoya, Matt Duss
Sep 22, 2026 · 1h 42m
Summary
Sam Seder and Emma Vigland discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s strategic press conference with Trump, highlighting his refusal to cede to authoritarianism while securing policy wins. Guest Alvaro Bedoya analyzes the collapse of the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger lawsuit, criticizing California officials for caving to oligarch pressure. The episode also covers Matt Duss on the state of Democratic foreign policy and the weakening Republican support for the Iran war.
Topics discussed
Show intro and sponsorship
News headlines: Trump, Iran, and Microsoft unions
Personal banter and fast-breaking
Trump's UN speech and NYC infrastructure
Mamdani's press conference and media relations
Mamdani-Trump meeting and political strategy
Democratic party dynamics and endorsements
Sponsorships: Zocdoc and Neutrophil
Paramount-Skydance merger and DOJ settlement
Antitrust enforcement and state AGs' role
Transition to in-studio guest Matt Duss
Trump's Iran strategy and Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Arabia, Houthi threats, and regional stability
US-Israel relations and accountability for Gaza
Biden administration's role in Oct 7 and Gaza siege
2028 foreign policy platform and Democratic debate
Ukraine war, European defense, and US strategy
Democratic leadership and foreign policy committees
Russia's current state and diplomatic engagement
Show outro, listener mail, and math challenge
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