The Bret Baier Podcast

Following a series of sweeping cuts from Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, President Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' narrowly cleared the Senate — after Vice President JD Vance cast a tie-breaking 51-50 vote. Now, as the bill heads back to the House, where it also only passed by one vote back in May, how will House Republicans react to the slashes made to their original legislation? Will they accept the changes to get the bill on President Trump's desk by the 4th of July, or will it undergo another round of revisions? Chief Political Correspondent for 'The Washington Examiner' Byron York, FOX News Radio Political Analyst Josh Kraushaar, and Democratic Strategist Leslie Marshall join Bret to discuss this, Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani winning the New York City mayoral primary, and more on today's All-Star Panel. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last Saturday the United States launched airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities. While many Americans feared the country was on the brink of full-scale war, many were surprised when the President announced Monday on Truth Social that a "Complete and Total CEASEFIRE" had been reached. Moments after this announcement, Bret sat down with Vice President JD Vance for an exclusive interview — where the Vice President reacted live to the ceasefire agreement, shared how successful he believed the strikes were, and explained why he supported America's attack on Iran despite long-standing hesitation about getting directly involved in the past. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Saturday, the U.S. launched a successful strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, dealing a major blow to its nuclear program and hampering its ability to escalate regional conflict. Meanwhile, President Trump arrived at the NATO summit in the Netherlands today amid uncertainty over a possible ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The strike has triggered swift political reactions in Washington, with sharp divisions emerging along party lines. Today, Anchor of ‘The Story’ Martha MacCallum, FOX News Senior White House Correspondent Peter Doocy, and CEO of Schoen Cooperman Research Carly Cooperman break down the political fallout, the Big Beautiful Bill, and the latest on U.S. tariff negotiations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tensions between Israel and Iran have simmered for decades, fueled by Iran's opposition to Israel's existence, Tehran's funding of militant proxy groups, and their quickly developing nuclear program. In an exclusive interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joins Bret to explain why he believes Israel’s mission to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities is a matter of national survival—and far more justified than Iran’s civilian-targeted attacks.Later, Netanyahu weighs in on whether Israel can reach Iran’s clandestine and fortified nuclear sites. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After years of fighting through proxies, Iran and Israel are now exchanging direct military strikes—a dramatic escalation that’s unfolded over just the past five days. As tensions rise by the hour, President Trump is demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” telling reporters he isn’t interested in a ceasefire but in bringing a “real end” to the conflict. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers, host of ‘The Big Ben Show’ Ben Domenech, and FOX News Senior Political Analyst Juan Williams break down what could happen next—especially if Iran chooses to escalate further. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As President Trump calls on American companies to ramp up domestic production and reduce reliance on countries like China, many lawmakers are welcoming the push — seeing it as an alignment with priorities they’ve been working on for years. Today, Bret revisits his conversation with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Congressman Mike Waltz (R-FL), who have been leading the charge to bring shipbuilding back to America. They discuss how public-private partnerships and strategic incentives can jumpstart the industry, the critical role naval power plays on the global stage, and why investing in shipbuilding is not just an economic boost — but a matter of national security. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before President Trump and Elon Musk publicly cut ties last week, they were closely working together to identify government waste. The President even tapped Musk to lead the charge, appointing him as head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. Months later, Musk is now saying President Trump's "one big, beautiful bill," is undermining the work his team set out to do in the first place. Bret revisits his conversation with Elon Musk and the DOGE team from earlier this year, to take a look at what their initial goals and visions were, and how that compares with the work they've been able to do since. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The FBI has faced growing calls for greater transparency and accountability—something new FBI Director Kash Patel pledged to prioritize when he first stepped into the role. Bret had the opportunity to travel to Quantico, Virginia, for a one-on-one conversation with Director Patel on his plans for the bureau. Speaking from FBI headquarters, Director Patel tells Bret why he believes the bureau has taken a positive turn since President Trump returned to office—a shift he says is evident in the surge of FBI applications they're receiving, which have more than doubled from 2,500 to 5,700 per month over the past year. He also outlines the bureau’s efforts to tackle major challenges, including the fentanyl crisis and rising threats from China. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Senate returned to Capitol Hill on Monday with a new mission at the top of their agenda: uniting behind President Trump's "one big, beautiful bill." It took Congress weeks to narrowly agree on the legislation, passing it with a thin 215-214 vote. Many Senate Republicans have been vocal that they will not support the bill as it currently stands. So, what will the major sticking points be for the Senate GOP? Will the modifications they make to the bill lead to it being sent back to the House? Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) breaks down the Senate's main concerns with the bill, the challenges that come with navigating the Senate's budget reconciliation rules, and why he remains confidently optimistic that the Senate will pass a bill that aligns with President Trump's priorities. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coming out of Memorial Day Weekend, Americans across the country are reminded of just how many men and women have valiantly sacrificed their lives for the nation. In the eyes of Congressman Jake Ellzey (R-TX) and Congressman Don Davis (D-NC), the two veterans who co-chair the Four Country Caucus, the least we can do is ensure their families, and the veterans who return from war are taken care of. Today, Rep. Ellzey and Rep. Davis share how they've worked across the aisle on efforts to support veterans through meaningful legislation—efforts that have contributed to a record-low rate of veteran homelessness in the United States. They also discuss the encouraging increase being seen in military recruitment and how they work to put country over party on Capitol Hill. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump were reportedly having a cordial two-hour phone call, while House Republicans were locked in a high-stakes standoff over what was being called a "big, beautiful bill." Fast forward to this week, and the political landscape has shifted: President Trump took to Truth Social to proclaim that President Putin has "gone absolutely crazy" following a blitz attack in Ukraine and House Speaker Mike Johnson is taking a victory lap after successfully rallying Republicans behind a sweeping piece of legislation. To unpack how these developments unfolded so rapidly, South & Hill Strategies co-founder Colin Reed, former State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf, and FOX News Radio Washington D.C. Correspondent Jared Halpern join Bret on this week's All-Star Panel. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since reports emerged that Chinese President Xi Jinping allegedly directed the People’s Liberation Army to prepare for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027, the United States has ramped up efforts to ensure Taiwan has the resources and support it needs to defend itself. On Capitol Hill, Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Chris Coons (D-DE), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, are leading that charge with The PORCUPINE Act, a bill designed to streamline arms sales to Taiwan and bolster its defensive capabilities. Sen. Coons and Sen. Ricketts join Bret to discuss why arming Taiwan is one of the most effective steps the U.S. can take to deter aggression in the region. They also weigh in on former President Biden's recent diagnosis, and the U.S. decision to formally accept a jet from Qatar. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since the start of his second term, President Trump has championed his vision for "One Big, Beautiful Bill" — a comprehensive piece of legislation that would include tax reforms, immigration enforcement, defense spending, while cutting what he describes as “waste, fraud and abuse” in social programs like Medicaid and SNAP. With just two days left before the initial deadline to get the bill to his desk, President Trump stepped up the pressure — paying Capitol Hill a visit on Tuesday morning to give House Republicans a "pep talk" in a last push for compromise before Memorial Day. Meanwhile, outside of Washington, Democrats in former President Biden's inner circle are continuing to reveal what they knew, or didn't know, about the former President's health and competency. However, talk about these narratives took a new turn over the weekend, after President Biden announced he's been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. To break it all down, FOX News Contributor Katie Pavlich, FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram, and former Biden-Harris campaign surrogate Kevin Walling join Bret on this week's All-Star Panel. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As President Trump's extensive Middle East tour continues, Bret remains on the ground, closely following the President’s meetings and offering historical insights into key countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In addition to his coverage, Bret has secured exclusive interviews with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim, where he dives into strategic partnership opportunities, ongoing tensions in the region, and the future of U.S.-Middle East relations. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump kicked off a four-day trip to the Middle East, with a visit to the Saudi capital where he sat down Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The world leaders discussed the path forward for U.S.-Saudi relations and the push for an Iranian nuclear deal. Bret looks back on his conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman where they discussed Saudi Arabia's role in the Middle East, the relationship the Saudis have been able to build with Iran, and Bret questions Crown Prince Salman on the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Original Air Date: September 21, 2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump has expressed the demand for shipbuilding in the United States as a major priority, as most U.S. commercial ship production is in China. Will the United States be able to build up ship production quickly enough to run a modern economy, without being economically pigeonholed by our adversaries? Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Todd Young (R-ID) discuss how their bipartisan bill, the SHIPS for America Act, seeks to revitalize the U.S. Shipbuilding industry by establishing a maritime security advisor position in the white house. The Senators explain the importance of this legislation, noting that the U.S. has become overly reliant on China for commercial ship production, posing a national security risk. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite bipartisan claims that Democrats are "stranded in the wilderness" after President Trump's sweeping 2024 victory, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have been vocal about their disagreement. Though Sen. Sanders blamed the Democrats' poor performance on the party's abandonment of the working class and defending the status quo, he and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez are assuring Americans they are not lost — a message they're touting on the 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour. Today, Sen. Sanders sits down with Bret to discuss why the tour is drawing large crowds, why he opposes cuts to healthcare and education, and his concerns with Trump’s tariff policy. He also explains why he doesn’t believe the Democrats' challenges stem from President Biden’s delayed decision to exit the 2024 race. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just a week after eking out a win for the liberal party in Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney was catching a flight to Washington. Sitting down with President Trump in the Oval Office today, the two leaders addressed President Trump’s recurring suggestion that Canada consider becoming the “51st state,” as well as the current state of U.S.–Canada trade relations following the recent unveiling of the President’s new tariff plan. According to the White House, similar high-level discussions are taking place around the world, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicating that major trade agreements could be announced as early as this week. To discuss this, President Trump's latest policy ideas, and more, Bret sits down with host of 'The Big Ben Show,' podcast Ben Domenech, FOX News Radio Washington DC Correspondent Jared Halpern, and host of 'The Richard Fowler Show,' Richard Fowler. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The week has been marked by major developments in Washington—from the signing of the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal to President Trump's decision to remove National Security Advisor Mike Waltz from his position and nominate him as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. To unpack these events, Bret sat down with Vice President JD Vance following a tour of Nucor Steel in South Carolina, where he was promoting President Trump's "Manufacturing Renaissance" agenda. Vice President Vance shared his perspective on Waltz’s reassignment, framing it not as a demotion but as a strategic opportunity that allows him to serve in a new, impactful role. He also addressed the latest U.S. military operations targeting Houthi forces in Yemen—an issue tied to the recent Signal chat leak—provided updates on the administration’s trade negotiations, and emphasized the President’s renewed push to restore American manufacturing. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tuesday marked 100 days since President Trump returned to the White House to begin his second term. As the President touts his administration's handling of immigration, border security, the economy, and foreign policy challenges, many Americans' remain anxious that his tariff plan could impact prices at home and global relationships. To share their analyses of the President's first 100 days, FOX News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, host of 'The Guy Benson Show,' Guy Benson, and FOX News Senior Political Analyst Juan Williams join Bret on today's All-Star Panel. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices