U.S. and Israeli forces struck targets across Iran as President Trump tells Iranians to overthrow their government, a dramatic escalation of what had been tense nuclear negotiations. But popular opinion is stacked against another Middle Eastern war.
Watch Michael's reaction: https://bit.ly/4u26lgE
A shock turn of events: U.S. and Israeli forces strike Iranian targets, and President Trump urges Iranians to use the U.S. support to overthrow their government. Michael presents a LIVE first reaction on YouTube NOW!
https://youtube.com/live/ukBb08P-MR8
What do you think? VOTE on the poll question here: https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
28.02.2026 04:46 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 11 📌 0
Down in Texas, a thrilling Senate race pits Republican John Cornyn against controversial Attorney General Ken Paxton, while Democrats battle it out between Jasmine Crockett and rising star James Talarico. Texas Monthly's Ben Rowen discusses.
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Today's poll question: Does the value of transparency from release of the Epstein files outweigh the risks of spreading unverified accusations?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Yesterday's poll showed a narrow preference that Democrats should NOT have stood for President Trump's demand to protect citizens over illegal immigrants. The State of the Union moment has been seen as a preview of Republican midterm strategy. Do you agree?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Did you see the "Trump Train" coming? Michael didn’t — and neither did Barack Obama’s inner circle. Drawing from newly released interviews from Obama admin officials, Michael explores how top advisers underestimated Donald Trump’s political rise.
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
After two election wins and a decade in the political spotlight, it's easy to forget how much everyone discounted Donald Trump's campaign in 2016. A new set of archival interviews with Obama administration officials shows how much the White House missed it, too.
Watch more: youtu.be/-gmdNEXOCHw
Today's poll question: Should Democrats have stood in agreement when Trump said: the “first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens”?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Yesterday's poll showed an overwhelming belief that Google search history SHOULD be private. A recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court opinion found that there is no expectation of privacy when sharing with a company like Google. Do you agree with this result?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
2WAY's Mark Halperin breaks down President Trump’s State of the Union — from the “stand up” immigration moment to the pivot on affordability, the Supreme Court swipe, and a late warning shot toward Iran. Was it unifying or just political theater?
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
President Trump exercised rare restraint last night in the State of the Union, primarily addressing policy initiatives ahead of attacking political opponents. But is it enough to turn the tide for an unpopular president? 2WAY's Mark Halperin discusses.
Watch more on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4qS62SD
Today's poll question: Should an individual’s Google searches be private?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Yesterday's poll showed a strong preference that people did NOT want to see the Olympic-winning U.S. hockey teams at the State of the Union address. About 20 players from the men's team attended; five men and the entire women's team declined. Do you agree?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
On the eve of the State of the Union, Yahoo News national politics reporter Andrew Romano previews President Trump's upcoming address, which Trump says will be "long." With approval ratings hovering in the 30s, can Trump reset the narrative?
Listen on the podcast 🎧 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
"No."
That's the simple answer from Adm. James Stavridis when asked if we've ever massed the kinds of troops we have in Iran without going on to attack a target. The U.S. did this in Iraq twice, in 1990 and 2003—is a war in Iran next?
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Xrf3VfNIm6s
Today's poll question: Would you like to see the USA gold medal-winning men's and women's hockey teams present at tonight's State of the Union?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 https://bit.ly/4r4gY08
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Yesterday's poll showed a very slight tilt towards people who think broadcasters should NOT be obligated to give equal time to candidates. Late Show host Stephen Colbert says CBS's concerns about the equal-time rule led them to spike an interview last week.
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Is the United States on the brink of striking Iran? Adm. James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, breaks down President Trump’s options—diplomacy, cyber operations, limited precision strikes and even the possibility of “shock and awe.”
Listen on the podcast 🎧 vist.ly/4skym
The U.S. men and women both took home gold medals in Olympic hockey, the men's first gold since 1980 and the women's third since 1998. But how does the world see U.S. dominance in light of the Trump era? Michael asked in yesterday's poll question.
Watch more on YouTube: vist.ly/4skp2
Today's poll question: Should licensed broadcast radio and television stations have to give equal time to competing political candidates?
Listen to Michael's thoughts on the podcast 💭 vist.ly/4sj9z
Then cast your vote 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Yesterday's poll showed that the majority of Smerconish listeners were pulling for the U.S. in the gold medal hockey game. The U.S. took down Canada in overtime to win their first gold since the 1980 Miracle on Ice. Are you proud of this team?
Vote on today's poll 🗳️ at smerconish.com
Yesterday's poll closed with 52.49% of 56,740 voters saying that consumers who bore the cost should get the tariff money. What do you think?
Listen to Michael's insights 🎙️ https://loom.ly/uuz7AOE
Vote today 🗳️ https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
What do you think? VOTE on the poll question here: https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
22.02.2026 03:57 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 7 📌 0
An unusual combination of Supreme Court justices struck down President Trump's sweeping tariffs as illegal, though it's not clear what will happen to the money collected this past year. Fortunately, Michael says, the market seems unbothered by the result.
Watch more: vist.ly/4sebz
Yesterday's poll closed with 92.55% of 36,102 voters saying that the use of profanity in politics is overdone. What do you think?
Listen to Michael's insights 🎙️ https://loom.ly/7l3hQnE
Vote today 🗳️ https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
The world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, has moved into the Mediterranean Sea as part of the massing of U.S. troops off Iran. President Trump says if Iran won't negotiate a nuclear deal, he'll attack. But David Sanger says his objective isn't clear.
Watch more: vist.ly/4se7k
What do you think? VOTE on the poll question here: https://loom.ly/6Y9cBds
21.02.2026 03:48 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 26 📌 0
Princess Diana's former private secretary Patrick Jephson was thrown out of her inner circle the year before he died—and it wasn't until years later that he found out why. Jephson joined Michael this week to talk about former prince Andrew's arrest.
Hear more about "Dianarama:" vist.ly/4scr9
Former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, tied to newly surfaced Epstein-related revelations. Patrick Jephson, Princess Diana’s former private secretary offers an insider’s perspective.
Listen on the podcast 🎧 vist.ly/4sc5m
