WIRED Politics Lab

4.6 (236)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Politics has never been stranger – or more online. Each week on WIRED Politics Lab, our reporters guide you through the exciting, challenging and sometimes entertaining vortex of internet extremism, conspiracies, and disinformation. Expect in-depth analysis and conversations based on facts and research. Plus, we’ll give you information you can actually use to lift the fog of disinformation we find ourselves in today.

12/12/2024

Some Educated Guesses About Trump’s Second Term

Donald Trump’s presidency will be unpredictable, but in our final show, we make some guesses about what’ll happen anyway. WIRED’s Tim Marchman sits down with reporters David Gilbert and Makena Kelly to talk about what could go wrong between Trump and Musk, if Christian nationalists will get their porn ban, the rise of human brain organoids and whether the new administration will finally declassify those UFO files. Tim Marchman is @timmarchman. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Makena Kelly is @kellymakena. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

42 min
12/05/2024

Keeping Your Personal Data Safe in the Age of Trump

Donald Trump has threatened to go after a lot of people — journalists, political rivals and undocumented immigrants to name a few—and starting next year, he’ll have the entire national security apparatus at his disposal. What’s the best way to keep your personal information secure from surveillance, not just by the government, but also data brokers, tech companies, and online scammers? Leah talks with WIRED business editor Louise Matsakis and security editor Andrew Couts about what to expect and practical tips for your phone, computer, and life. Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. Andrew Couts is @couts.bsky.com. Louise Matsakis is @lmatsakis. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here. Mentioned this week: The WIRED Guide to Protecting Yourself From Government Surveillance by Andy Greenberg and Lily Hay Newman Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels in Germany by Dhruv Mehrotra and Dell Cameron A New Phone Scanner That Detects Spyware Has Already Found 7 Pegasus Infections by Lily Hay Newman Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

44 min
11/21/2024

Is Everyone Leaving X (But Me)?

Since the election, a number of organizations, journalists, and left-leaning X users have announced their intentions to leave the town square formerly known as Twitter and move over to Threads or Bluesky. Leah talks with WIRED reporters David Gilbert and Vittoria Elliott about what these X-pats will find on the newer platforms, what happens to X when there are no more libs to troll, and just how fragmented online communities are now. Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Vittoria Elliott is @telliotter. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here. Mentioned this week: Donald Trump Taps Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to Lead Nonexistent Department of Government Efficiency by Vittoria Elliott As Trump Takes a Victory Lap, the Crypto Faithful Kiss the Ring by Joel Khalili Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

44 min
11/14/2024

The Internet’s Future Under Trump 2.0, with Katie Drummond

Today on the show, WIRED’s global editorial director Katie Drummond joins Leah to talk about how the internet and online communities contributed to Donald Trump's victory. Plus, one last look at Brat summer, the perils of the Trump-Elon Musk alliance and digital security under the next Trump administration. Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. Katie Drummond is @katie-drummond.bsky.social. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here. Mentioned this week: The WIRED Guide to Digital Security Editor’s Note: What’s Next for WIRED by Katie Drummond It’s Election Week. Brace Yourselves by Katie Drummond Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

41 min
11/07/2024

Did Elon Musk Win the Election for Trump?

The election is over and Donald Trump has won a second term in the White House. The next several months—and maybe years—will be spent analyzing what actually tipped this election, but we at WIRED Politics Lab have a theory: Elon Musk. Throughout the election season, and especially in the homestretch, Musk has used his influence and platform to try to shape the results. Today, Leah sits down with Vittoria Elliott and Timothy Marchman to discuss if it worked.Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. Vittoria Elliott is @telliotter. Tim Marchman is @timmarchman. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

38 min
10/31/2024

Stacey Abrams on Outworking Elon Musk and the Far Right in Georgia

It’s the election homestretch, and today on the show, we spoke with Stacey Abrams. Abrams has fought voter suppression for more than a decade — and she’s still fighting it. She joins Leah from Kamala Harris’s campaign trail to talk about election conspiracies, Elon Musk's influence, ballot box fires, Joe Rogan, and whether a Democratic candidate can win Georgia. Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here. Mentioned this week: US Intel Says Insider Threats Are 'Likely' During the Election by Tess Owen and Dell Cameron Election Fraud Conspiracy Theories Are Already Thriving Online by David Gilbert Russian Propaganda Unit Appears to Be Behind Spread of False Tim Walz Sexual Abuse Claims by David Gilbert Elon Musk's PAC Is Buying Ads for Donald Trump on Elon Musk's X by Vittoria Elliott Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

40 min
10/24/2024

The Far-Right Constitutional Sheriffs Gearing Up to Challenge the 2024 Election

It sounds like something out of the Old West, but this year, Constitutional Sheriffs — law enforcement officers who believe they’re above state and federal oversight — have rounded up posses and set their sights on election security. WIRED’s Tim Marchman talks with reporter David Gilbert about how the Constitutional Sheriffs hitched their wagons to the big guns in the election denial movement, and how just one rogue county sheriff could call the entire presidential race into question. Tim Marchman is @timmarchman. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here. Mentioned this week: 'Take Back the States': The Far-Right Sheriffs Ready to Disrupt the Election by David Gilbert Far-Right Sheriffs Want a Citizen Army to Stop ‘Illegal Immigrant’ Voters by David Gilbert Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

42 min
10/17/2024

WIRED Investigates: The JD Vance Adviser Secretly Posting About Using Drugs

On Wednesday, a WIRED exclusive revealed that one of J.D. Vance’s financial policy advisers has posted a lot on Reddit about illicit substances. Given Vance’s hard stance on drugs, WIRED’s Tim Marchman and Makena Kelly join Leah to discuss why it matters that a member of his staff seems to have been using them. Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. Makena Kelly is @kellymakena. Tim Marchman is @timmarchman. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here. Mentioned this week:JD Vance Adviser Posted on Reddit for Years About Use of Cocaine, ‘Gas Station Heroin,’ Other Drugs by Makena Kelly Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

31 min

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TRAILER

New Podcast: WIRED Politics Lab

Politics has never been stranger – or more online. Each week on WIRED Politics Lab, our reporters guide you through the exciting, challenging and sometimes entertaining vortex of internet extremism, conspiracies, and disinformation. Expect in-depth analysis and conversations based on facts and research. Plus, we’ll give you information you can actually use to lift the fog of disinformation we find ourselves in today. You can subscribe to the Wired Politics newsletter here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

03/20/2024

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1 min

4.6

out of 5

236 Ratings

Great series on why this election is different

10/07/2024

RadioDodo

With increasing online campaigning and candidates presence, it's great to have a podcast that unpacks all the hidden dynamic, highlights the new trends and points to what is tilting the scales for the 2024 election. Super informative and easy to listen, with a great host and knowledgeable guests. Love the "conspiracy of the week" segment too! Highly recommended for anyone to add to their podcast playlist
Wired should fire these reporters

11/09/2024

iiccctunes

Was looking for intellectual and balanced reporting on technology used in the election process on all sides. Instead had to listen to whiny, liberals about “Maybe” what they “might think” and asking if the could “speak” and how their feelings have them so lost. They completely discredit Wired as a publication about technology. Whose kids are these? Just feel like I was tricked into listening to an episode of mean girls.
The best political podcast out there

10/07/2024

RYSW 14

Leah Feiger’s Wired Politics Lab is required listening for anyone interested in the intersection of tech and politics. She’s an excellent interviewer and host, always asking the right questions and making complex topics easier to digest. Come for the fascinating guests and engaging convos, stay for the ‘conspiracy of the week’ at the end of each episode. Whether you’re into tech, politics, or just curious about the future, this podcast delivers every time. 11/10 recommend!
listen to it!!

10/07/2024

yayforthispodcast

this is my favorite politics podcast right now!

Politics has never been stranger – or more online. Each week on WIRED Politics Lab, our reporters guide you through the exciting, challenging and sometimes entertaining vortex of internet extremism, conspiracies, and disinformation. Expect in-depth analysis and conversations based on facts and research. Plus, we’ll give you information you can actually use to lift the fog of disinformation we find ourselves in today.