Firing Line

News and Public Affairs Series / 7 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: S2024 E50

26m 46s

Christine Todd Whitman

S2022 E607 / 26m 46s

Pro-choice Republican and fmr. NJ Gov. Christine Todd Whitman calls the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe judicial activism and says women will be harmed. She reflects on how the GOP became an anti-choice party and on polarization in America.

Matt Damon and Gary White

S2022 E606 / 26m 46s

Oscar-winner Matt Damon and water expert Gary White discuss their goal to end the global water crisis for 771 million people in their lifetimes. They explain how they use microfinance and impact investing to help millions gain access to clean water.

Mike Lee

S2022 E605 / 26m 46s

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) discusses his support for Trump leading up to Jan. 6, whether Trump’s inaction that day violated his oath, and what it may mean for 2024. He also makes his case against what he sees as a Democratic plot to pack the Supreme Court.

Adam Grant

S2022 E604 / 26m 46s

Organizational psychologist and bestselling author Adam Grant examines the value of rethinking deeply-held beliefs in an ever-changing world. He discusses how that approach could reshape our work, politics, and daily discourse for the better.

Chris Murphy

S2022 E603 / 26m 46s

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-CT, discusses his first success in a decade-long fight to stop America’s gun violence epidemic and explains how the new law may have stopped the Highland Park shooter. He addresses urban gun violence and the weakening gun lobby.

James Kirchick

S2022 E602 / 26m 46s

Author James Kirchick discusses his New York Times bestseller “Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington,” a chronicle of gay powerbrokers from the FDR presidency through the Cold War and into the Clinton years – and the risks they faced.

Christine Todd Whitman

S2022 E601 / 26m 46s

Pro-choice Republican and fmr. NJ Gov. Christine Todd Whitman calls the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe judicial activism and says women will be harmed. She reflects on how the GOP became an anti-choice party and on polarization in America.

Ben Ginsberg

S2022 E552 / 26m 46s

Republican election lawyer Ben Ginsberg discusses speaking out against Trump and other election deniers at the January 6 hearings. He weighs in on efforts to reform federal election laws and assesses whether Trump will be prosecuted.

Raphael Warnock

S2022 E551 / 26m 46s

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D), Georgia's first Black US senator and a minister, discusses the economy, Jan. 6, and other key midterm issues. Warnock is up against ex-football star Herschel Walker, a Trump-backed candidate, in a closely watched 2022 race.

Rhiannon Giddens

S2022 E550 / 26m 46s

Grammy Award-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens discusses what her journey from opera to Black string band music taught her about her own identity, her mission to reclaim the true history of the banjo, and how her “American music” transcends genres.

Tina Brown

S2022 E549 / 26m 46s

Renowned journalist Tina Brown reflects on Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee—marking 70 years on the throne—and predicts what is next for the British monarchy. Brown discusses Megxit, Prince Andrew and other topics from her new book on the royals.

Margaret Atwood

S2022 E548 / 26m 46s

In this updated interview, “The Handmaid’s Tale” author Margaret Atwood discusses what a post-Roe America could mean, the feminist protests that her dystopian classic have inspired, and the hit Hulu series currently in production for a new season.

Eric Schmidt

S2022 E547 / 26m 46s

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt discusses how artificial intelligence will change the world and impact the future of jobs, medicine and warfare. He says we need to prepare for the dark sides of AI and weighs in on other tech issues and climate change.

Ed Whelan and Mary Ziegler

S2022 E546 / 26m 46s

Legal scholars Mary Ziegler and Ed Whelan discuss their differing views on the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, the future of abortion law in America, and what this expected ruling could mean for other cases.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield

S2022 E545 / 26m 46s

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield discusses holding Putin accountable for war crimes and tackling the global food security crisis that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has accelerated. She addresses the UN's mission and possible reforms.

Tina Brown

S2022 E544 / 26m 46s

Legendary journalist Tina Brown discusses her new book about the royals, with reporting on Megxit, Prince Andrew, and what happens after Queen Elizabeth's reign. She weighs in on the future of magazines and billionaire Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover.

Marie Yovanovitch

S2022 E543 / 26m 46s

Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch discusses Putin's new offensive, Ukrainian resolve, and whether Russian atrocities are genocide. The impeachment witness analyzes Trump's dealings with Ukraine and Biden's response to the war.

Matt Damon and Gary White

S2022 E542 / 26m 46s

Oscar-winner Matt Damon and water expert Gary White discuss their goal to end the global water crisis for 771 million people in their lifetimes. They explain how they use microfinance and impact investing to help millions gain access to clean water.

Chris Coons

S2022 E541 / 26m 46s

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) discusses the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court but says public trust in the institution is falling. He responds to Russian war crimes in Ukraine and assesses Biden’s legislative agenda to date.

Rhiannon Giddens

S2022 E540 / 26m 46s

Grammy Award-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens discusses what her journey from opera to Black string band music taught her about her own identity, her mission to reclaim the true history of the banjo, and how her “American music” transcends genres.

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