Firing Line

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

Join author, activist and commentator Margaret Hoover for a public affairs talk show that delivers a civil and engaging contest of ideas among the brightest minds and voices from across the ideological spectrum.

Watch: S2025 E15

26m 46s

Stuart Stevens

S2020 E407 / 27m 18s

Former Republican strategist Stuart Stevens discusses his opposition to President Trump and the current GOP. Stevens is working with other prominent current and former Republicans at the Lincoln Project to strategize against Trump’s reelection bid.

Larry Kudlow

S2020 E406 / 27m

President Trump’s top economic advisor Larry Kudlow discusses COVID-19’s impact on the economy, jobs and businesses. He talks about what is next for federal stimulus spending, the massive deficit levels and his assessment of recovery.

Melinda Gates

S2020 E405 / 26m 46s

Philanthropist Melinda Gates, who has committed more than $300 million to fight COVID-19, discusses the race to develop vaccines, COVID-19’s toll on women and the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic.

Mike DeWine

S2020 E404 / 27m 24s

Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) discusses why COVID-19 cases are surging, his new decision to mandate masks statewide, reopening schools and the 2020 election. He reacts to the arrest of the Ohio House Speaker in connection with a $60 million bribery case.

Keisha Lance Bottoms

S2020 E403 / 27m 24s

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who tested positive for COVID-19, discusses Georgia’s surge in cases and Atlanta’s recent spike in gun violence. She also addresses the speculation that she is a possible Biden VP pick, saying she’s “absolutely” qualified.

John Bolton

S2020 E402 / 27m 16s

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton says President Trump, his ex-boss, is unfit for a second term and he will not vote for him. Bolton discusses why he stayed silent during impeachment and his scathing new book about the White House.

Sean Penn

S2020 E401 / 26m 46s

Actor Sean Penn discusses his efforts to expand coronavirus testing access through his non-profit, CORE. The organization initially offered free drive-through tests in Penn’s hometown, Los Angeles, and is now in a dozen cities. Penn urges people to come together in this moment of crisis rather than focus on partisan politics.

Trailblazers Special: Newcomers

S2020 E353 / 26m 40s

Meet conservative women running for a first term in Congress: Young Kim of California, Ashley Hinson of Iowa and Lisa Scheller of Pennsylvania. Margaret Hoover explores their motivations for running, policies and visions for the Republican Party.

Trailblazers Special: Rising Stars

S2020 E352 / 26m 46s

Margaret Hoover interviews several female Republican rising stars in Congress: Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY), Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA), Sen. Joni Ernst (IA) and Rep. Liz Cheney (WY). They discuss the effort to recruit more GOP women in Congress.

Stacey Abrams

S2020 E351 / 26m 57s

Voting rights activist and politician Stacey Abrams discusses the fight for racial justice and her views on police reform including the "defund the police" movement. Abrams talks about election reform and voter access in November. She also addresses reports that she is a potential running mate for Joe Biden.

Bakari Sellers

S2020 E350 / 26m 46s

Activist, attorney and author Bakari Sellers discusses the death of George Floyd, the nationwide protests, and whether this moment of crisis will lead to meaningful change on issues of racism. Sellers, the son of a civil rights activist who was shot and wounded by police in 1968 during a student protest, talks about police brutality and reform.

Sheryl Sandberg & David Miliband

S2020 E349 / 26m 47s

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and International Rescue Committee president David Miliband team up to discuss how COVID-19 will affect women and girls worldwide. They say the pandemic poses a particular threat to girls’ education in the developing world and is increasing sexual violence. They also discuss combating misinformation.

Cornel West and Robert George

S2020 E348 / 26m 49s

Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Robert George, the “ideological odd couple,” discuss the importance of civil discourse in this era of polarization. Leftist West and conservative George are friends who teach together and travel the country to demonstrate their commitment to free speech. They explore their opposing views on several policy areas, respectfully disagreeing as well as finding common ground.

Sean Penn

S2020 E347 / 27m 15s

Actor Sean Penn discusses his efforts to expand coronavirus testing access through his non-profit, CORE. The organization initially offered free drive-through tests in Penn’s hometown, Los Angeles, and is now in a number of cities. Penn urges people to come together in this moment of crisis rather than focus on partisan politics.

Susan Rice

S2020 E346 / 26m 46s

Susan Rice, President Obama’s National Security Advisor and the former ambassador to the United Nations, calls President Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic abysmal. She says the lack of leadership has led to the loss of American lives and jobs. Rice says that she would run as Joe Biden’s vice president if asked.

Sheryl Sandberg & David Miliband

S2020 E345 / 27m 14s

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and International Rescue Committee president David Miliband team up to discuss how COVID-19 will affect women and girls worldwide. They say the pandemic poses a particular threat to girls’ education in the developing world and is increasing sexual violence. They also discuss combating misinformation.

Rudy Giuliani

S2020 E344 / 27m 15s

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, now President Trump’s personal attorney, discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the hardest-hit state. Giuliani reflects on his time as mayor of NYC during the September 11 terrorist attacks and talks about messaging during a crisis. Giuliani says that he is concerned about current restrictions to civil liberties and says that it is time to start reopening.

Marco Rubio

S2020 E343 / 26m 46s

Florida Senator Marco Rubio discusses the push among some states to reopen. He says that we should be guided primarily by what it will take to save lives but also says there are limits to how long Americans can stay at home. As one of the architects of Congress’ relief program for small businesses and employees, Rubio addresses whether the hundreds of billions allocated so far is enough.

Mark Cuban

S2020 E342 / 26m 46s

Billionaire Mark Cuban discusses advising President Trump as a member of his new group on reopening the U.S. economy. Cuban defends the president as the cheerleader-in-chief but dismisses the idea of setting a date now to reopen. The "Shark Tank" investor discusses relief for small businesses, tackling unemployment, and how he would address income inequality

Scott Gottlieb

S2020 E341 / 26m 50s

President Trump’s former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses what is next for the coronavirus. Gottlieb says he is concerned about a second wave of COVID-19 that may hit in September. Gottlieb says parts of life may be altered until there is a vaccine, which could be still two years away. Gottlieb also discusses the prospects for antiviral and antibody medicine to treat the virus.

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