Purposely Negative
Summary
Hosts Emily Bazelon, John Judis, and guest Juliet Kim discuss Trump’s ban on CNN, Politico, and MS Now from the White House, noting the press’s rare solidarity and the administration’s pretextual national security justifications. They also analyze the upcoming Trump-Xi summit, with Jane Perlez explaining how China views the U.S. as a declining power and why Beijing is unlikely to speed up its plans despite U.S. pressure on Iran. Finally, the group examines the 2026 midterms, arguing that widespread distrust of institutions and the Iran war have become key proxies for voter sentiment, potent…
Topics discussed
Intro, live show announcement, and Slate Plus promo
Preview of topics: China summit and election distrust
Sponsors: Kohler smart toilets and Planned Parenthood
White House press ban, court order, and media solidarity
Trump's 'cocooning' and risk-avoidance behavior
Future of press access and collective action strategies
Legal battles over press access and First Amendment limits
Sponsors: Upwork and HomeServe
Trump-Xi summit: AI, trade, and election interference
China's role in Iran pressure and Taiwan security
Sponsors: NPR Politics Podcast and Quince
Election update: Distrust, polling, and Senate chances
Iran war as a proxy for political distrust
Republican defections and campaign fundraising dynamics
Trump's low approval ratings and voter disillusionment
Cocktail Chatter: Orange wine and Ulysses S. Grant
Cocktail Chatter: Ecclesiastes and Jimmy Carter
Outro: Slate Plus and live show reminders
Sponsor: Kohler smart toilets
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