logo

17 April 2025

logo

Untangling Trump’s Tariff Logic

Robert Wright and Samuel Hammond, chief economist at the Foundation for American Innovation, try to make sense of Trump's tariffs. Play entire video

The Real (And Fictional) Orson Welles

Robert Wright and comics writer Milton Lawson discuss the life and legacy of the famous filmmaker—as well as Milton’s sci-fi graphic novel, “Orson Welles: Warrior of the Worlds”.

The logic behind Trump’s tariffs

Karthik Sankaran and Connor Echols discuss how the administration’s new levies could reshape the global economy.

Reid Hoffman’s p(bloom)

Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder and author of the new book Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future, offers an optimistic view of the coming AI earthquake.

Varieties of Authoritarianism

Almut Rochowanski of the Quincy Institute and Robert Wright discuss how Trump’s second term compares to authoritarian and oligarchic regimes abroad—and how Americans should respond.

Tesla, Tufts, and More Trump Chaos

Robert Wright and psychologist Paul Bloom discuss Trump’s Tesla-friendly tariff strategy, his Israel-friendly crackdown on free speech, Canada’s close election, and more.

Will Trump get locked into war in Yemen?

Justin Logan of the Cato Institute and Connor Echols discuss the renewed campaign of airstrikes against the Houthis.

Trump 2.0: Making “autarkic imperialism” great again?

Jeet Heer of The Nation and Robert Wright discuss the ideological roots of Trumpism, from William McKinley through Pat Buchanan and beyond.

Another DeepSeek Moment?

Connor Echols and Robert Wright break down the Manus AI mania and also discuss the Columbia free speech case, Trump’s Russia-Ukraine strategy, and more.

Nonzero (The Wright Show)

The myth of a ‘surgical’ military campaign against Iran

playvideo screenshot

Ahead of this weekend’s US-Iran talks, Sina Toossi explains to Connor Echols why diplomacy is the only way to guarantee Iran doesn’t get a nuclear weapon.

Nonzero (The Wright Show)

The Psycho-logic of Trump’s Tariffs

playvideo screenshot

Robert Wright and psychologist Paul Bloom try to make sense of Trump’s trade tactics. Plus: a would-be worthwhile Canadian initiative, Musk-MAGA infighting, the US’s (arguably) flawed structure, and more.

Nonzero (The Wright Show)

Lessons from the Signal snafu

playvideo screenshot

Kelley Vlahos and Connor Echols break down what leaked messages tell us about the intra-MAGA battle over Trump’s foreign policy.

Nonzero (The Wright Show)

CIA vs JFK

playvideo screenshot

JFK researcher Jefferson Morley and Robert Wright discuss the implications of newly released documents that bear on the Kennedy assassination.

Nonzero (The Wright Show)

Does God Exist?

playvideo screenshot

New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, author of the new book Believe, lays out his case for an affirmative answer to Robert Wright.

Nonzero (The Wright Show)

Canada, Tesla, and Other Trump-Musk Troubles

playvideo screenshot

Robert Wright and psychologist Paul Bloom discuss Trump vs. Canada updates, Elon’s Tesla problem, Trump’s free speech crackdown, how elite universities are reacting—or failing to—and more.