FiveThirtyEight Politics

ABC News

4.7 (40)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

The 538 team covers the latest in politics, tracking the issues and "game-changers" every week.

1 DAY AGO

How Serious Is Trump About Greenland?

With one week remaining before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, the nation is orienting itself towards his policy goals. Will they include the addition of new American territory? On this episode of the podcast, the crew breaks down Trump’s recent comments about Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal. They also unpack how they are thinking about these types of comments from Trump — should they be taken literally, seriously or both? And, the crew discusses former President Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

31 min
5 DAYS AGO

Campaign Throwback: 'The Beer Question'

This is the third installment of the 538 Politics podcast mini-series, “Campaign Throwback.” Across three episodes, we're taking a look back at campaign tropes from past elections such as, “it’s the economy, stupid,” or “soccer moms” or that question about which candidate you’d rather share a beer with. We’ll ask where those tropes came from, whether they were actually true at the time and if they still hold up today. In our third installment: "the beer question." After the 2000 and 2004 elections, political observers remarked that Republican George W. Bush defeated his Democratic opponents in part because he was the candidate who voters would rather "have a beer with." The phrase quickly became a cliche for evaluating a candidate's likability or relatability. But is it really how voters choose their presidents? This episode originally aired in May 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 min
6 JAN

What Will The Politics of 2025 Look Like?

What’s on the horizon for American politics in 2025? In this episode of the 538 Politics podcast, the team dives into what lies ahead. They start with Washington, analyzing President-elect Donald Trump’s first 100 days and the challenges Republicans face with their slim congressional majority. Next, they explore how public opinion on critical issues like the economy and immigration could evolve with Trump back in office. Finally, the crew turns to 2025’s pivotal electoral races, breaking down what’s at stake in the year to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

45 min
30/12/2024

Campaign Throwback: 'Soccer Moms'

This is the second installment of the 538 Politics podcast mini-series, “Campaign Throwback.” Across three episodes, we're taking a look back at campaign tropes from past elections such as, “it’s the economy, stupid,” or “soccer moms” or that question about which candidate you’d rather share a beer with. We’ll ask where those tropes came from, whether they were actually true at the time and if they still hold up today. In our second installment: "soccer moms." In 1992, Bill Clinton won the presidential election in what was called the "year of the woman" after a record number of women ran for office and won. As the 1996 election took shape, gender politics were still at the forefront of campaign coverage. As Clinton’s popularity was growing and Republican Bob Dole was lagging in the early polls, the idea took hold that “soccer moms” might either save Dole’s chances or ensure that Clinton made it over the edge. But when the election was all said and done, was that conventional wisdom correct? This episode originally aired in May. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 min
23/12/2024

Campaign Throwback: 'The Economy, Stupid'

This is the first installment of the 538 Politics podcast mini-series, “Campaign Throwback.” Across three episodes, we're taking a look back at campaign tropes from past elections such as, “it’s the economy, stupid,” or “soccer moms” or that question about which candidate you’d rather share a beer with. We’ll ask where those tropes came from, whether they were actually true at the time and if they still hold up today. Our first installment: “It’s the economy, stupid.” It's a trope that dates back to Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign. Clinton's chief strategist at the time, James Carville, had three main messages for his staff to remember: 1) Change vs. more of the same 2) The economy, stupid, and 3) Don't forget about healthcare. The second message was memorialized in a 1993 documentary about the Clinton campaign called "The War Room," and has taken on a life of its own in the field of election analysis. But is it accurate? This episode originally aired in May. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

26 min
19/12/2024

What We're Putting In Our 2024 Time Capsule

What would you save to remember 2024 in politics? In the second part of our end-of-year series on the 538 Politics podcast, the crew builds a time capsule to capture the political essence of the year. From a Dean Phillips bumper sticker to President-elect Donald Trump’s 16-page indictment and the 538 polling average, they debate what deserves to be preserved. Plus, a discussion on the looming government shutdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

43 min
16/12/2024

Our 2024 Superlatives

How do you measure a year? In votes cast? Money spent? Or in “seasons of love”? On this end-of-2024 installment of the 538 Politics podcast, the crew tries to find out by making a yearbook and assigning superlatives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

43 min
12/12/2024

What Happens To Trump's Legal Cases Now?

Earlier this year, as President-elect Donald Trump mounted his campaign to return to the presidency, it seemed like one of the biggest barriers to his election would be the battery of criminal and civil cases that had been filed against him. Now, as we near Trump’s inauguration day, what will happen to them? Law professor and former federal prosecutor Jessica Roth joins the podcast to unpack the fate of the legal cases against Trump. She provides clarity on the status of the major cases, discusses the potential impact of the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling on Trump’s presidency, and examines President Joe Biden’s use of the pardon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

40 min

See All (203)

4.7

out of 5

40 Ratings

The most informative political podcast!

09/12/2020

jojupuu

I cannot write a new review, so I’ll add to this one: I will only continue listening to the podcast if you find someone to keep Nate‘s ego in check... but I guess that’ll be very hard now that the wonderful Clare Malone has left (well, let’s skip the euphemisms: let go). My original review from summer 2020: Pretty much the only place in news that gives a nuanced overview of American politics. Just one thing: I hope Claire stays a regular on the podcast - the combination of smart, funny, outspoken and thoughtful that she brings to the table are one of the main draws for me to tune in!! Thank you for keeping me informed!
Used to be great.

26/08/2023

Bduurkrhusueihheje

Nothing against the new people, but the original crew was best. I understand that people move on, but it’s become a cull. Very curious to see what’s gonna happen now you’ve kicked out Nate.
Best US politics podcast

05/05/2020

Antoine R Bonnet

Just the best
Great

02/02/2017

Lalou, ex New Yorker

Jodie is just amazing, and the discussion topics are always on point. Thanks you all