The Moynihan Report

Penelope Spheeris has spent her life around chaos, from Richard Pryor and the early days of punk to Wayne’s World and the machinery of Hollywood. She joins Michael to talk about The Decline of Western Civilization , turning down Spinal Tap , fighting over Wayne’s World , and collecting decades of grudges along the way. There are stories about Lemmy, Tina Fey, Britney Spears, Jennifer Aniston, Chris Farley, and a rhinestone dildo. Penelope has seen some shit, and she’s still happy to talk about it. (0:00) Cold Open (0:18) Monologue (1:03) Richard Pryor and the Lost Movie (6:02) Decline , Chaos, and Making Sense of Her Demons (10:45) Guns N’ Roses Bails, Megadeth Steps In (12:33) Lemmy’s Bad Review (16:16) Punk Rock, Childhood Trauma, and Seven Stepfathers (19:46) Fame, Money, and Unfulfilled Expectations (22:57) Passing on Spinal Tap (24:03) Chris Holmes and the Pool Scene (27:34) The Decline vs. Wayne’s World (29:30) Losing Wayne’s World 2 (32:07) Dana Carvey, Tina Fey, and Britney Spears (35:08) Life With Her Schizophrenic Partner (37:53) Chaos, Boredom, and Happiness (39:05) Getting Rich Without Trying (41:30) The Memoir and Being Written Out of Hollywood (44:48) Jennifer Aniston and the Dildo (47:27) Mike Myers, Chris Farley, and Black Sheep Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gene Simmons sits down with Michael Moynihan in Los Angeles for a conversation about family, ambition, and the American dream. They talk about his mother’s survival of the Holocaust, coming to America, KISS, Bob Dylan, money, marriage, and why the music business isn’t what it used to be. Oh yeah, and after nearly 50 years as the Demon, Gene Simmons is still speeding up. (0:00) Cold Open (0:31) Monologue (1:47) Gene Simmons, Nice Jewish Boy (6:31) Assimilation, America, and Learning the Language (9:36) His Mother Survived the Holocaust (19:23) The $8 Million Check to Mom (20:05) At 77, Gene Is Speeding Up (21:03) Why KISS Had to End (22:26) Bob Dylan Shows Up to Write a Song (31:24) Selling KISS and the Business of Rock (33:23) Streaming Killed the Romance of Music (36:36) Ace, Peter, Drugs, and the Breakup of the Original Band (45:25) Diana Ross, Shannon Tweed, and the Playboy Mansion (50:50) Twenty-Nine Years as “King Asshole” (53:48) Making His Mother Proud, Then His Wife and Kids Proud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

William Shatner sits down with Michael Moynihan in Los Angeles for a conversation about life, time, and knowledge. They talk about death, God, AI, Blue Origin, The Intruder, and the relentless curiosity that keeps Shatner looking for whatever comes next. Oh yeah, and at 95 years old, he’s releasing a heavy metal album. In the episode: (00:00) Cold Open (00:29) Monologue (02:09) Fear of Death (03:59) Religion, God and the Universe (09:26) Judgment at Nuremberg & the Holocaust (11:12) Curiosity, Aging, and Learning (19:20) Conversations With AI (22:28) Why Humans Need to Go to Mars (25:20) Blue Origin & Jeff Bezos (30:14) Growing Up Jewish & The Intruder (34:41) Luck, Failure and a Career Without a Plan (37:28) “What the F Is Heavy Metal?” (46:45) AI and Shatner’s Opera (50:16) Why Shatner Doesn’t Do Politics Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the final episode of The. Moynihan Report, Michael Moynihan takes a deep dive into the "stupid era" of modern media and the weaponization of history. From the useful idiots romanticizing the Cuban regime to the decline of the public intellectual in favor of the hyper-reactive influencer, Moynihan dissects how context is lost in our chopped-up media landscape. The conversation moves from the town square test of free societies to the curious parallels between far-left and far-right propaganda. Michael also answers listener questions regarding his tenure at The Fifth Column, his diverging paths with other media figures, and why studying history is the only defense against an epidemic of dangerous stupidity. (00:00) Welcome and Announcement: The Final Episode in This Format (01:16) How to Stay Connected via Substack (01:56) The "Open Swim" Q&A: Addressing Online Criticism (02:35) Confronting "Useful Idiots" and the Trip to Cuba (02:59) Discussing Brace Belden and the TrueAnon Podcast (03:46) Criticizing Hassan Piker and The Young Turks (04:44) The Culture of Chopped-Up Media and Contextual Misunderstandings (06:08) Natan Sharansky’s "Town Square Test" for Free Societies (08:17) Debunking Pro-Castro Myths and the Reality of Cuban Repression (12:59) The Exoticization of Poverty and Propaganda Tours (14:18) Examining Cuban Foreign Policy and Historical War Crimes (16:13) Fact-Checking Ryan Grim and Misinformation Regarding Cuban Hotels (20:18) Audience Question: The Similarities Between Far-Left and Far-Right Propaganda (23:48) Douglas Murray and the Challenges of Independent Journalism (25:07) Paul Hollander and the Psychology of Anti-Americanism (27:29) Documenting Russian Casualties in the Ukraine War (30:12) Audience Question: The Rise of Influencers Over Public Intellectuals (32:42) The Benny Johnson Plagiarism Scandal and "Deep State" Narratives (35:43) Victor Klemperer and the Manipulation of Language (39:26) Audience Question: Diverging Paths with Megyn Kelly (43:41) The "Real Housewives" of Conservative Politics: TPUSA and Candace Owens (46:12) Reflecting on Ten Years of The Fifth Column (48:33) Audience Question: Anti-Semitism and the Influence of the Israel Lobby (55:10) Analyzing Public Support and Bipartisan Policy Toward Israel (59:37) Audience Question: Why We Study History and the "Weaponization" of the Past (01:10:39) Distorting Figures like Winston Churchill and Oswald Mosley (01:13:58) Final Sign-off: Shaking Up the Snow Globe Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eli Lake of The Free Press joins Michael Moynihan to break down his latest reporting on Donald Trump’s strategy toward Iran—what the administration is trying to achieve, how serious the military threat is, and what it could mean for the region. They’ll unpack the policy, the politics, and the risks of escalation. (00:11) Intro & Recent Violent Attacks (03:27) Welcoming Eli Lake & Trump's Iran Plan (11:41) The "Day After" in Iran & Regime Change Scenarios (15:25) The History of Iranian Protests & State Violence (23:43) October 7th, Hamas, & Western Leftist Support for Iran (26:09) Critiquing Tucker Carlson & the "Israel Controls America" Narrative (32:03) Israeli Intelligence, Operations, & Military Subsidies (38:42) Megan Kelly, Ryan Grim, & Justifying Anti-Semitism (54:29) MAGA Polling on Iran & Independent Media Conspiracies (01:01:42) Show Wrap-up & Upcoming Automation Nation Event Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Moynihan Report is an in-depth 1-on-1 interview program broadcast live from 2WAY’s New York studio The U.S. says it is not a war. Reality looks different. Ships are being sunk in international waters. Militias are firing rockets across the region. Drones are crisscrossing the skies. Assassinations have become an instrument of statecraft. And the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil flows, is more dangerous than ever. This week we’re joined by Emmy-nominated journalist Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani, former correspondent for VICE News Tonight, to unpack the strange geopolitical standoff between Washington and Tehran and the narrative that seems to hover over it all: the idea that Iran is perpetually on the verge of building a nuclear bomb. (00:00) Introduction & Upcoming "Automation Nation" Live Event (06:16) The Firing of Kristi Noem & DHS Spending Scandals (18:46) Anthropic AI vs. The Department of Defense (24:14) Middle East Conflict: Oil Prices & Iran's Expanded Retaliation (29:06) Interview with Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani Begins (31:02) The Mood in Iran: Internet Blackouts & Cautious Optimism (38:28) The Lack of a US "Grand Plan" for Post-Regime Iran (42:56) The Plight of Political Prisoners & Evin Prison Strikes (48:35) Civilian Casualties & Controlling the Information War (54:21) Caroline's Family History, US Moral Responsibility, & Book Recommendations (1:03:23) Closing Remarks Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Attorney Arick Fudali, managing partner at The Bloom Firm and counsel for 11 survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, joins us to break down the latest controversy surrounding the DOJ’s release of millions of pages of Epstein documents. Fudali has said publicly that his clients were never contacted by the DOJ before the recent document dump, calling the rollout a “gross mishandling” that risks exposing survivors while withholding key information. We discuss what the files reveal, what’s still missing, and why survivors’ advocates say the process falls short on transparency, accountability, and basic protections. Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael welcomes Jason Zengerle to discuss his new book, Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind. The book traces Carlson's ascendency, and explains how he became one of the most influential people on the far right. Buy the book! Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Moynihan is joined by Colby Hall, founding editor of Mediaite, for a wide-ranging discussion on the news of the day — including the release of the Melania Trump movie and what early projections suggest about turnout and ratings. Expect a sharp, candid exchange on media, politics, and what’s actually breaking through right now. Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What do we actually mean when we say “fascism,” and who gets to decide? In this episode, Michael Moynihan is joined by Professor Roger Griffin of Oxford Brookes University, one of the world’s foremost scholars of fascism, for a careful and unsparing look at a claim now ricocheting through American media and politics: that Donald Trump represents a fascist turn in U.S. history. The conversation engages directly with Jonathan Rauch’s recent Atlantic essay, “Yes, It’s Fascism,” and uses it as a jumping-off point to interrogate the term itself. What distinguishes fascism from authoritarianism, populism, or demagoguery? How do historians and political theorists define it? And when those definitions are applied rigorously, does Trump qualify? This is not a debate by slogan or vibe. It is an attempt to slow the moment down, clarify the language, and examine the charge with scholarly precision rather than panic or partisanship. Atlantic essay referenced: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/america-fascism-trump-maga-ice/685751/ Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Moynihan Report , Moynihan tackles the latest New York Times/Siena poll regarding Donald Trump’s approval ratings and the American economy. Moynihan breaks down the disparity between Trump’s overall numbers and his low approval on specific issues like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Epstein files. The conversation then pivots to a critical look at the economic impact of tariffs, citing recent data from the Wall Street Journal on who actually foots the bill for trade wars. Listeners join the show to discuss heavy-hitting historical and political topics. The discussion covers the definition of fascism versus authoritarianism (and whether modern labels fit Trump), the forgotten contributions of Danish soldiers in the War on Terror, and a deep dive into historical revisionism with Brendan Simms’ biography of Hitler. The episode concludes with a nostalgic look at intellectual combat, featuring William F. Buckley, Norman Mailer, and the classic documentary Town Bloody Hall . Key Questions Answered in This Episode: 1. What does the latest NYT/Siena poll say about Trump’s approval? 2. Who really pays for tariffs: China or the American consumer? 3. Is buying gold and silver a solution to the U.S. National Debt? 4. What is the difference between Fascism and Authoritarianism? 5. What is Brendan Simms’ theory about Hitler’s motivation? 6. Did Denmark fight in the War on Terror? 7. Who won the debate between Norman Mailer and Feminists in Town Bloody Hall ? Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode of The Moynihan Report features Swedish author Johan Norberg, who joins Moynihan to discuss the shifting global economic and political landscape in 2026. The conversation begins with a critical look at U.S. trade policy, where Norberg argues that recent tariffs act as a "stupid consumption tax" that harms American manufacturing by raising the cost of input materials. Contrary to the America First narrative, he contends that these costs are absorbed by consumers and businesses rather than foreign exporters, fueling inflation that remains higher in the U.S. than in Europe. While the world has avoided a 1930s-style trade collapse so far by not retaliating, Norberg warns that new threats of tariffs on European nations could trigger a more damaging trade war. Transitioning to his home country, Norberg dispels the myth of Sweden as a socialist paradise, explaining that its wealth was actually built on a century of ruthless free market capitalism before the stagnation caused by 1970s socialist experiments. He notes that while Sweden is a large welfare state, its tax system is less progressive than America's, relying heavily on taxing the middle class and consumption rather than "soaking the rich." The discussion also touches on the geopolitical fallout of U.S. aggression toward Greenland, which Norberg suggests marks the end of the American world order. This instability is driving European nations to rearm and even consider nuclear deterrents, while global markets begin diversifying away from the U.S. dollar due to perceived political risk. Finally, they address the paradox of capitalism's declining popularity among young people despite creating unprecedented abundance, which Norberg attributes to a deep-seated human bias toward viewing wealth as a zero-sum game. Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight we examine the growing fallout from ICE raids and federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, and what it signals about the direction of the country. As unrest spreads, Donald Trump is now threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act, raising urgent questions about federal power, civil liberties, and the possible use of the military inside the United States. Joining us are immigration attorney David Leopold and former U.S. Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem to break down what is actually happening, whether enforcement has gone too far, what the law allows, and what Trump’s end game may be. Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight, Michael starts solo with a look at U.S. interest in Greenland and what it means today. Mid-show, journalist and historian Eli Lake joins to dig into Iran, focusing on how the 1953 overthrow of Mohammad Mossadegh is often misunderstood and misused in current debates. Their discussion draws on Eli’s Free Press article, The Wrong Lessons from Iran’s Past Read Eli’s piece here Eli's Podcast "Breaking History" Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this wide-ranging and candid interview on The Moynihan Report , former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joins Michael Moynihan for a deep dive into the personal history that shaped his worldview, the complexities of American foreign policy, and the future of progressive politics in NYC. The conversation begins with a moving reflection on de Blasio’s father, a World War II veteran who lost his leg at the Battle of Okinawa. De Blasio opens up about how his father’s subsequent struggle with PTSD and alcoholism deeply influenced his own understanding of war, mental health, and the importance of family. The discussion then pivots to a heated but respectful debate on US imperialism and interventionism. Moynihan and de Blasio spar over historical US involvement in Latin America, specifically the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, whom De Blasio defended as seeking a third way between US capitalism and Soviet communism, and the morality of overthrowing sovereign leaders. They also tackle the episode's "ripped from the headlines" topic: the recent US extraction of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela. De Blasio argues that even surgical removals of foreign leaders set a dangerous precedent that could embolden rivals like China and Russia. Finally, de Blasio reflects on his two terms as Mayor, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the emotional toll of the job, which he managed with a philosophy he calls "don't look down." He offers a ringing endorsement of rising progressive star Zohran Mamdani, debating Moynihan on the feasibility of Mamdani's boldest proposals, including free buses, rent freezes, and public grocery stores. Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Maduro is in a Brooklyn jail cell, but Venezuela is far from free. In this episode of The Moynihan Report, Moynihan returns to the mic to unpack the historic arrest of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. While the Trump administration is taking a victory lap, the reality on the ground in Caracas suggests the celebration is premature and potentially dangerous. We are joined by exiled Venezuelan journalist Germania Rodriguez Polio (formerly of Vox and the Daily Mail) to discuss why the removal of one dictator might have simply cleared the path for a more ruthless, efficient operative: Delcy Rodriguez. While the New York Times and other mainstream outlets are busy branding Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as a shrewd operator with leftist credentials who is softening her tone, Germania reveals the terrifying truth. Delcy isn't a reformer; she is a SEBIN (secret police) operative and the architect of the draconian "Law Against Hate." We analyze why Western media consistently falls for the reformer narrative in socialist regimes and why Delcy’s rise could mean a darker chapter for Venezuelan human rights. Germania shares her shocking personal story of being escorted out of the Daily Mail after refusing to delete a video criticizing the New York Times’ coverage of the Venezuelan regime. We dig into the concept of Venezuela’s "fake opposition," figures who play the part of democrats while maintaining the status quo, and how major media organizations silence dissenting voices to maintain access or appear objective. Why are some American conservatives defending a socialist dictatorship? Moynihan reacts to a bizarre clip of Tucker Carlson defending the Maduro regime, exposing the growing fracture in the American Right. We discuss the absurdity of the "Horseshoe Theory," where the far-left and far-right unite in their hatred of the West, leading figures like Tucker to confuse a brutal, impoverished police state with a traditionalist society. Finally, we ask the hard question: Will Trump save or sell out Venezuela? With the administration already eyeing Venezuela’s oil reserves, there is a real fear that the US will accept a "stabilized" dictatorship under Delcy Rodriguez in exchange for energy deals. We discuss what needs to happen next, including the release of over 900 political prisoners, to ensure this intervention doesn't end in betrayal. Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Moynihan talks with Cambridge historian Brendan Simms about his biography Hitler: A Global Biography. Simms dismantles the WWII revisionism currently popular on social media: The idea that Churchjill was the war's true antagonist. Simms explains why Hitler declared war on the U.S., his obsession with German emigration to the United States, and how Nazi ideology was fueled by a deep-seated hatred of international capitalism. Hitler: A Global Biography is available here . Brendan Simms is Director of the Centre for Geopolitics at University of Cambridge and a prolific author on European geopolitics, past and present, and his principal interests are the German Question, Britain and Europe, Hitler’s global anti-semitism, Humanitarian Intervention and state construction. Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Devon Archer explains what it was like to be caught between Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump, and how power, access, and consequences actually played out behind the scenes. In this extended interview, Archer speaks firsthand about his relationship with Hunter Biden, the reach of Joe Biden’s influence, and how the Trump era changed the legal and political stakes. He reflects on business dealings, loyalty, fallout, and what happens when proximity to power turns into liability. This conversation is not about accusations or defenses. It’s about the real-world consequences of political access and what it feels like to be caught in the middle as alliances shift and scrutiny intensifies. Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael interviews Adam Irving, grandson of David Irving and head of Irving Books, the publisher managing his grandfather’s catalog. The conversation looks at David Irving’s trajectory from bestselling World War II historian to a figure discredited for Holocaust denial and racist distortion. Michael probes how Adam handles the responsibility of publishing work widely condemned for distorting the historical record and what it means to run a business in the shadow of that legacy. Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode features journalist and author Jamie Kirchick, who dissects the rise of the populist, far-right movement on both sides of the Atlantic and the accompanying decay of mainstream conservative politics. The discussion focuses on the rapid ascent of parties like Germany's AfD, noting that their success is driven by failure to integrate immigrants and the subsequent Danish model adopted by mainstream parties to curb their influence. Domestically, Moynihan and Kirchick characterize figures like Tucker Carlson as "the most dangerous antisemite in America right now" and a fusion of "every awful ideology," exploring his influence over politicians like JD Vance and the MAGA wing's adoption of pro-Russian, anti-capitalist, and isolationist foreign policy that demands a revisionist view of World War II. Finally, the episode touches on historical revisionism, previewing an interview with the grandson of Holocaust denier David Irving, and questions the utility of debunking misinformation in the current, high-speed digital environment. Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.