Christopher Rufo is leading a ruthless — and successful — counterrevolution against American elite culture. What does the country look like if he wins?
This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly and hosted by Noel King.
A sign for a Cracker Barrel restaurant, ... Show More
Aug 20
The tragedy of Jason Arday
What the death of a star Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism tells us about race, culture, and who we are. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by ... Show More
25m 39s
Jul 2023
Meet the Man Driving the Right’s Culture War Panic
The Republican Party’s full embrace of the culture war as a political tactic — from drag queen story hour to critical race theory and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives — has been chiefly guided by activist and polemicist Christopher Rufo, author of the new book “Americ ... Show More
45m 30s
Apr 2025
The Conservative Activist Pushing Trump to Attack U.S. Colleges
<p>This week, we interviewed two people with leading roles in the rapidly escalating conflict between the Trump administration and American higher education.</p><p>Today, we speak with Christopher Rufo, who led the conservative critique of, and assault on, critical race theory an ... Show More
43m 49s
Sep 2023
Fighting For Truth In The Age Of Leftism | Chris Rufo
Christopher Rufo is a writer, filmmaker, and Senior Fellow and Director of the Initiative on Critical Race Theory at the Manhattan Institute. His writings explore many issues such as gender ideology, identity politics, addiction, crime, and the decline of American cities. In this ... Show More
59m 58s
Aug 2025
The Right-Wing Provocateur Who Has Trump’s Ear
<p><i>Warning: This episode contains strong language.</i></p><p>In President Trump’s second term, Laura Loomer has emerged as the most influential outside adviser, telling the president whom to fire and shaping major policy decisions.</p><p>Ken Bensinger, who covers media and pol ... Show More
37m 7s
May 2022
Inside Operation Lone Star
<p>In the post-Trump era, some red states have moved aggressively to rebuke the Biden administration at the local level and signal to voters what a Republican-led country might look like.</p><p>In Texas, immigration is a key battleground. Today, we speak to Hunter Schuler, a memb ... Show More
34m 4s
Aug 2018
"Crazy Racist Trumps" (with Jon M. Chu)
Donald and Melania Trump go to war over LeBron James. Beyoncé takes control of Vogue. Succession gets thinkpieced to death. Zodiac killer Ted Cruz defends Alex Jones. Plus, Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu joins Ira, Kara, and Louis to discuss what the film means for Asian r ... Show More
54m 17s