Just Ask the Question Podcast

Brian Karem

Just Ask the Question is a unique and provocative look at the news in today’s headlines. Playboy White House correspondent and CNN political analyst Brian Karem hosts a conversation with newsmakers across the spectrum, asking the hardest questions and engaging them in deep conversation about issues that matter to all of us. Just Ask the Question is an unedited conversation with those in the public eye who influence life in the United States. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever heard.

  1. Just Ask the Press - Trillionaires, Situation Rooms, and Cage Matches

    20h ago

    Just Ask the Press - Trillionaires, Situation Rooms, and Cage Matches

    This week on Just Ask the Press, Brian Karem is joined by national security and FOIA expert Mark Zaid and journalism professor Nolan Higdon to unpack an incredibly chaotic week in news, politics, and media.   The trio kicks off the episode reacting to Elon Musk officially becoming the world’s first trillionaire after SpaceX went public on the NASDAQ. They delve into his sci-fi aspirations for Mars and debate whether his staggering wealth is inherently dangerous for democracy or a catalyst for taking risks that governments won't. Next, the panel breaks down blockbuster reporting exposing a high-level, secret Situation Room meeting from the summer of 2025. Trump administration officials scrambled to manage damning, unreleased Epstein files, sparking an internal civil war over transparency—and a rogue strategy proposed by JD Vance. Later, Mark Zaid guides us through a packed week in the legal system, detailing the dramatic, eleventh-hour removal of Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center, a federal judge definitively halting a $1.776 billion "slush fund," and why a last-minute lawsuit failed to stop a massive UFC extravaganza on the White House lawn. Finally, the team scrutinizes the "on-again, off-again" war in Iran, the Department of Justice's controversial approval of the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, and how the New York Knicks managed to win it all—despite a potential "Trump jinx." Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JATQPodcast Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jatqpodcast.bsky.social Intragram: https://www.instagram.com/jatqpodcast Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCET7k2_Y9P9Fz0MZRARGqVw This Show is Available Ad-Free And Early For Patreon supporters here: https://www.patreon.com/justaskthequestionpodcast Purchase Brian's book "Free The Press"    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 18m
  2. May 13

    Just Ask the Press - Gerrymandering, Justice Thomas, and the Epstein Note

    In this episode, we unpack a whirlwind week of legal battles, political maneuvers, and international tensions, highlighting key developments affecting democracy and global stability. Stay tuned as we break down the implications of redistricting chaos, Epstein's mysterious notes, and escalating conflicts in the Middle East. Key Topics: Virginia Supreme Court decision on district gerrymandering and its procedural challenges The political fallout from court rulings on redistricting efforts across states The controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's purported suicide note and conspiracy theories The ongoing US-Iran tensions including recent naval skirmishes and diplomatic efforts The state of the US economy under Trump, including job reports and inflation concerns The integrity of the Supreme Court and its role in partisan politics The influence of race, progressivism, and historical context in current judicial and political debates Media coverage, censorship, and the transparency of military and governmental actions Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction: News overview and importance of the week’s topics (02:00) - Virginia Supreme Court decision stalling redistricting efforts (04:00) - Gerrymandering’s impact on midterm elections and political landscape (06:00) - Court's procedural errors and the partisan battleground (09:00) - The potential realignment of Southern districts and racial implications (11:00) - The court’s stance on partisan gerrymandering; political expert insights (13:00) - The Supreme Court’s energy: politically motivated yet legally balanced? (15:00) - Justice Thomas’s speech on progressivism and American governmental shifts (17:00) - The dangerous rhetoric about race, progressivism, and their historical narrative (19:00) - Epstein's suicide note: authenticity, conspiracy theories, and media response (23:00) - The bizarre and cryptic contents of Epstein's alleged note and legal questions (26:00) - The significance of Epstein’s death: truth, cover-ups, and public trust (30:00) - Tensions with Iran: naval skirmishes, diplomacy, and strategic questions (37:00) - War or no war? The confusing nature of recent US-Iran military activity (40:00) - US economic reports: job growth, inflation, and political spins (43:00) - The disconnection between job numbers and everyday economic reality (44:00) - Gas prices, grocery costs, and the public’s economic skepticism (48:00) - Political narratives about taxing the wealthy and social reforms (50:00) - The impact of political pandering on local and national elections (54:00) - The looming scandal: legal repercussions for Trump administration figures (61:00) - The potential prosecutions, cover-ups, and post-presidency consequences (66:00) - The importance of accountability and truth commissions in American democracy (69:00) - Closing remarks: reflections on justice, truth, and upcoming political battles Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JATQPodcast Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jatqpodcast.bsky.social Intragram: https://www.instagram.com/jatqpodcast Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCET7k2_Y9P9Fz0MZRARGqVw This Show is Available Ad-Free And Early For Patreon supporters here: https://www.patreon.com/justaskthequestionpodcast Purchase Brian's book "Free The Press"    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 11m
4.6
out of 5
257 Ratings

About

Just Ask the Question is a unique and provocative look at the news in today’s headlines. Playboy White House correspondent and CNN political analyst Brian Karem hosts a conversation with newsmakers across the spectrum, asking the hardest questions and engaging them in deep conversation about issues that matter to all of us. Just Ask the Question is an unedited conversation with those in the public eye who influence life in the United States. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever heard.

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