Episode guide
PODCAST SERIES · 88 GUIDES
Breaking Points
Breaking Points features long-form conversations and commentary on politics, media, culture, and current events.
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Episode guide
Tx Voters Overwhelm Polls W Huge Turnout
Guests and hosts discuss unusually high early turnout in Texas ahead of the midterms and what those early votes may — and may not — reveal. The guest, a Texas data analyst, says the state is on track for its highest midterm turnout since 1976 and explains Texas’s lack of traditional party registration, how primary-voter history is used to infer partisan lean, and why a large share of non-primary voters leaves uncertainty. They also talk about patterns in urban versus rural turnout, long lines at voting centers, implications for the Paxton–Terico Senate race and Abbott’s gubernatorial standing, and how redistricting may affect House seats.Episode guide
Midterms Bloodbath? Dems Shock In Deep Red Nc W Richard Ojeda
The episode opens by flagging AI security concerns, previewing guests and contested races, and reviewing forecast models that give Democrats strong House chances and a competitive Senate path while debating whether polls reflect early-vote trends. Hosts highlight early-vote data, demographic turnout—especially Black voters in the South—methodological polling challenges, and rising oil prices’ likely effect on gas costs. Guest Richard Ojeda discusses his competitive bid in North Carolina’s 9th District, saying Democratic and unaffiliated turnout is surging while the incumbent is absent, and stressing affordability pressures and Fort Bragg families’ strain. Ojeda makes several allegations—attributing claims about Epstein-related files and an allegation about Donald Trump to himself—and warns of troop-safety risks if the U.S. strikes Iran. He also criticizes Republican ads, describes campaign outreach plans, mentions livestreaming problems, and notes endorsements and outside spending; hosts say they will track his race on election night.Episode guide
Maga Pollster: 'Its Over' Gop Doomsday Is Here
Krystal and Saagar interview pollster Rich Baris about polling he says shows Republicans in serious trouble heading into the midterms. Baris points to surprising competitiveness in deep-red states like Mississippi, South Carolina and Kansas and argues that Trump’s 2024 coalition—younger voters, Hispanics and some independents—has eroded after events such as the Epstein revelations and the Iran war. He warns that redistricting based on Trump’s 2024 performance was risky and could backfire, and that demographic shifts and variation among Hispanic subgroups, plus early-vote trends, will produce uneven regional effects. Baris says Democrats appear likely to retain the House, that the Senate is in serious danger for Republicans, and that disaffected GOP voters may suppress turnout, making undercounting Democrats the bigger polling risk.Episode guide
Professor Pape: Trump's Iran Strike Gamble Shatters Presidency
Professor Robert Pape argues U.S. policy toward Iran risks an "escalation trap," driven less by a chess-like calculation of options than by domestic political pressures—especially looming U.S. elections—that push leaders toward gambler-like doubling down. He warns that administration planning for a ‘‘three-day’’ air campaign resembles the Instant Thunder approach: a front-loaded offensive that can extend and produce prolonged consequences, and that growing military targeting knowledge pulls policymakers toward escalation. Pape says a major strike would likely cause severe economic and strategic fallout rather than a quick victory. He further contends that President Trump is gambling politically by escalating before an early-January deadline, compares possible outcomes to difficult past presidencies, and urges Republican leaders to oppose escalation, while hosts doubt such opposition will come soon.Episode guide
Troops Evacuated As Massive New Iran Strikes Planned
Krystal and Saagar outline rising tensions involving Iran, reporting that U.S. troops and diplomatic dependents have been ordered out of multiple Middle Eastern states while Iranian officials warn they are prepared to retaliate against Western targets, including civilian infrastructure and data centers. The hosts describe Israeli maneuvers and large air exercises that look like rehearsals for strikes, play Donald Trump clips suggesting action could come “fairly soon,” and flag a major cybersecurity event called “Black October,” plus related market reactions and oil price spikes. They then examine reporting that the U.S. and Israel may plan renewed strikes on Iran after elections, assess leaks about targets and exercises, and relay guest warnings that a short bombing campaign is unlikely to secure durable concessions and risks escalation, economic shock and major oil disruptions, with some arguing President Trump may be politically or emotionally motivated, possibly by revenge.FEATURED
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Poll Flip: Republicans Now Seen As 'Corrupt, Elite, Extreme'
Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti discuss a New York Times/Siena poll, independent and young-voter attitudes, perceptions of the Republican and Democratic parties, data-center politics, gas prices, economic pressure, Republican super PAC spending, Trump's proposed $5,000 dividend, and several 2026 Senate and House races.Episode guide
John Mearsheimer: Trump's War Is Strategic Disaster W/ No End In Sight
Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti interview political scientist John Mearsheimer about the Iran war, energy and food-price risks, prospects for negotiation, effects on U.S. alliances, Israel's campaign in Lebanon, allegations about how the United States entered the war, and the risks of a ground operation around the Strait of Hormuz.Episode guide
Yanis Varoufakis: 'Nothing Can Save' Trump From Iran War Disaster
Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti interview economist and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis about the Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. allies, energy and inflation risks, the post-2008 economic order, dollar hegemony, Cuba, and Gaza.Episode guide
Trump Is Trapped In Iran Escalation Nightmare
Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti interview University of Chicago political scientist Robert Pape about the Iran war, escalation dynamics, air power, energy and infrastructure risks, nuclear escalation, U.S. and Israeli strategy, and historical comparisons to Vietnam and Kosovo.Episode guide
Jeffrey Sachs: 'Psychopath' Trump Makes Bibi's Fantasy Come True
Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti are joined by Jeffrey Sachs to discuss Israel, the United States, and the Iran war.Episode guide
Breaking Points Live 2024 Election Coverage
Krystal Ball, Saagar Enjeti, Ryan Grim and Emily Jashinsky provide live coverage and commentary as 2024 U.S. election results arrive, using Decision Desk HQ data and discussing presidential, state and ballot-measure results throughout election night.Episode guide
Breaking: Trump Assassination Plot Details Revealed
Krystal Ball reviews the early reporting available on July 14, 2024 after the shooting at Donald Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, including video from the scene, statements from Trump and President Joe Biden, what was then known about the shooter, eyewitness accounts, and questions about the security response.Episode guide
Norm Finkelstein Shreds Bill Maher's Israel Defense
Krystal Ball interviews Norman Finkelstein in response to a Bill Maher monologue about Israel and the Palestinians. Finkelstein disputes Maher's historical framing and discusses Zionism, the 1948 war and Palestinian refugees, the PLO's support for a two-state settlement, the 1982 Lebanon war, the First Intifada, the Oslo process, and United Nations voting on a negotiated settlement.Episode guide
Krystal And Saagar Interview Joe Rogan On Politics, The Art Of Podcasting & More
Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti interview Joe Rogan about his political outlook, the growth and craft of long-form podcasting, handling influence and criticism, Hollywood and social-media dynamics, choosing guests, creative independence, and his approach to work and continuous improvement.COMPLETE ARCHIVE
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