Life After Trump: Astead Herndon on What’s Next for American Politics
4/27/20261 hr
Political journalist Astead Herndon is using his new Vox podcast America, Actually with Astead Herndon to ask what feels like an unfathomable question: What does our country look like after President Trump; and can we even talk about politics without putting him at the center? As we head towards its first truly open presidential election since 2016, Kara and Astead talk about the ways politics has changed in the last decade, and what it takes to attract voters today. They discuss the growing disillusionment and splintering amongst Trump’s base and toss around predictions about who might in the GOP be in line to replace him. And they analyze the structural impediments that could blunt a Democratic wave in the midterms and beyond. Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Clips
Showing 10 of 11Transcript preview
First 90 secondsKara Swisher· Host0:00
You don't break the Pope. You don't, you don't. Like, it's really- [laughs] ... even among people who don't agree with him.
Astead Herndon· Guest0:05
Also, this Pope, you know, don't mess with the South Side of Chicago. Like, pick different fights, Trump.
Speaker 20:10
It's on.
Kara Swisher· Host0:11
[upbeat music] Hi, everybody. From New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network, this is On with Kara Swisher, and I'm Kara Swisher. My guest today is Astead Herndon, a political reporter and formerly the host of the Run Up podcast at the New York Times. He made a name for himself with his on-the-ground reporting and ability to connect with voters. Astead is now a host and editorial director at Vox. He has a new video podcast called America, Actually with Astead Herndon. The show asks, "What does America look like after Trump? And can we even talk about politics without putting Trump at the center?" I'm excited to talk to him because Astead's an amazing reporter at the heart of it, and he's been talking to actual voters rather than just being a pundit. He also has incredible analytical skills and is able to sort of parse things out in an incredibly fair way, uh, which I think is important right now in these polarizing times. We have two expert questions this episode, one from Lulu Garcia-Navarro, host of the New York Times podcast The Interview, and another from Ben Collins, CEO of The Onion. Both sent in great questions, so stick around.
Unknown speaker1:23
[upbeat music]