Advertise on podcast: Checks and Balance from The Economist

Across America, data centres are popping up at startling speed. Voters aren’t happy. Why have data centres become a political bogeyman? And what does this reveal about wider public anxiety over AI? Guests and hosts: John Prideaux, executive editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Shashank Joshi, Washington bureau chief Archie Hall, acting economics editor Topics covered: Data centres in Ohio How politicians are approaching the topic Public anxiety about AI Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

There’s been a shift in how both parties talk and think about Christianity. What do Republicans and Democrats have to offer Christian voters? And how could it affect the midterms? Guests and hosts: John Prideaux, executive editor Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Daniel Knowles, Midwest correspondent Rebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent Topics covered: The Kansas Senate race The history of the religious right Republicans and Christianity today Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Last week the president banned three media outlets from the White House. It is just one of a number of skirmishes between this president and what he calls the “fake news” media. The relationship between the press and the presidency is inherently fractious, but just how alarming are the fights under this administration? Guests and hosts: Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Shashank Joshi, Washington bureau chief David Rennie, geopolitics editor Henry Tricks, US media and technology editor Topics covered: The White House press corps The history of reporting on presidents Wider threats to press freedom Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

This week, a tour of three states and three policy areas from Donald Trump’s second term. How will the actions taken by this administration influence the way people vote in November? Guests and hosts: John Prideaux, executive editor Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent Stevie Hertz, US policy correspondent Alex Domash, economics correspondent Topics covered: DOGE cuts in Alaska Tariffs and Maine Healthcare policy in Ohio Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Fears over the safety of AI are growing. Those close to the technology are warning that the current pace of development could mean the accidental extinction of humanity. Political momentum for tighter controls is gathering, but Donald Trump appears unmoved. What chance is there of a meaningful regulatory response? Guests and hosts: Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Shashank Joshi, Washington bureau chief Alex Hern, AI writer Corbin Duncan, global correspondent Topics covered: The latest news on AI safety How to think about future risk Potential legislation on AI Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

It’s common for a president’s party to do badly in midterm elections. But redistricting and a favourable Senate map should have given the Republicans an advantage this cycle. Instead they’re very likely to lose the House and may cede control in the Senate. How much is Donald Trump to blame? Guests and hosts: John Prideaux, executive editor Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Dan Rosenheck, data editor Kennett Werner, Washington correspondent Topics covered: The Economist’s prediction model The Republicans’ midterm convention Donald Trump’s hold on his party Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

How do you protect democracy and liberty as AI advances? Are America’s political institutions up to the task? Dean Ball has worked on these questions at the White House, in think-tank land and now for OpenAI. In an extended interview, he gives us a glimpse into the AI future. Guests and hosts: John Prideaux, executive editor Dean Ball, head of strategic futures at OpenAI Topics covered: The role of frontier AI labs in keeping AI safe What AI means for democracy Why there’s no off button Gloria Steinem, who passed away this week, spoke to John Prideaux in 2024 for our “Boom!” podcast series. Click here to listen to the episode she features in. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

The president’s border wall is finally going up. It’s part of a reshaping of America’s immigration strategy, which also includes his mass deportation campaign. For Donald Trump’s supporters it’s all a triumph. But is it for America? Guests and hosts: John Prideaux, executive editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent Alex Domash, economics correspondent Topics covered: The border wall Mass deportations The economic impact of reduced immigration Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

The Democratic party’s left wing has been on the rise. But there’s another breed of candidate worth watching. Moderates are showing how Democrats might win in more competitive states like North Carolina, Alaska and Iowa. What can be learned from their campaigns? Guests and hosts: Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Shashank Joshi, Washington bureau chief Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent Kennett Werner, Washington correspondent Topics covered: Moderate Senate candidates Democratic governors of red states The future of the party Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

It’s all change in the Sunshine State. The term-limited governor Ron DeSantis won’t be on the ballot in next week’s primary. During his tenure, the former quintessential swing state has become a bastion of Republican power and centre of MAGA-land. How did a purple state turn so deeply red? Guests and hosts: Charlotte Howard, US editor Rebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent Robert Guest, deputy editor Peter Schorsch, publisher of Florida Politics Byron Donalds, congressman who is running to be Florida’s next governor Topics covered: Demographic shifts in Florida The state as a policy lab Challenges for the next governor Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

AI could destroy millions of American jobs. Politicians have sometimes struggled to deal with previous eras of workplace upheaval: can America retrain workers before AI leaves them behind? Guests and hosts: John Prideaux, executive editor Charlotte Howard, US editor Alex Domash, economics correspondent Maria Flynn, CEO of Jobs for the Future Topics covered: Industries threatened by AI Past eras of technological change New efforts to retrain workers Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

An establishment politician faces an energetic upstart. It’s a familiar story– but, in Michigan, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Democrats need to win this seat to take control of the Senate. Who will Michiganders trust? And what does it mean for the future of the Democratic party? Guests and hosts: - Charlotte Howard, US editor - James Bennet, Lexington columnist - Jeff Timmer, former Executive Director of the Michigan Republican Party Topics covered: - Michigan Senate race - Democratic socialism - AIPAC

Net approval for President Trump's decision to attack Iran now stands at -30% among Americans. Meanwhile, the administration’s attempts to broker peace are stalling, and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. What will this ongoing war cost America? Guests and hosts: Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Shashank Joshi, Washington bureau chief Robert Guest, deputy editor Matthew Kroenig, Georgetown University political scientist Topics covered: Military spending The Korean War’s legacy Republican goals in Iran Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

In his second term, Donald Trump has transformed the justice department. Todd Blanche, America’s acting attorney-general, has done as much as anyone to aid this shift. This week Mr Blanche is facing confirmation hearings to stay in the job. What’s going on at the DoJ, and why does it matter? Guests and hosts: - John Prideaux, executive editor and host of “Checks and Balance” - Charlotte Howard, US editor - James Bennet, Lexington columnist - Kennett Werner, Washington correspondent - Aziz Huq, University of Chicago law professor Topics covered: - Trump v Slaughter - The role of the attorney-general - DoJ staff attrition Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

Donald Trump earned at least $2.2bn in outside income in 2025. The president says his extraordinary windfall, revealed in financial disclosures last week, was thanks to a booming stock market. The White House has denied any conflicts of interest. How did the president amass all this wealth? Guests and hosts: John Prideaux, executive editor and host of “Checks and Balance” Charlotte Howard, US editor Shashank Joshi, incoming Washington bureau chief Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer Topics covered: Trump’s financial disclosures The Emoluments Clause Democrats’ response Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.