Firing Line with Margaret Hoover — Season 2020
David Miliband, former British Foreign Secretary and Labour politician, has spoken out regarding the intensifying conflict between the United States and Iran. Currently the head of the International Rescue Committee, Miliband cautions that …
Filmmaker Michael Moore reflects on the unfolding 2020 presidential election. Having accurately forecast Donald Trump's victory in 2016, Moore now posits that the Democratic candidate might secure the popular vote by an even wider margin, y…
Former Massachusetts Governor and current contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, Deval Patrick reflects on his decision to enter the 2020 race later than his peers. As the sole African-American candidate remaining, Patrick re…
Economist Paul Krugman, a Nobel laureate, reflects on persistent, outdated economic theories—what he terms "zombie" ideas—and his public clashes with President Trump. In conversations for The New York Times, the columnist addresses the incr…
In an age marked by deep division, Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Robert George, an unlikely pair of friends, address the vital need for civil discourse. West, a prominent voice on the left, and George, a respected conservative, share a friendship…
Steve Bannon, former Chief Strategist to the White House, offered his perspectives on the 2020 election and the trajectory of populism. He addressed the influence of Bloomberg's involvement in the political landscape, suggesting that the em…
Michael Eric Dyson, a prominent voice in academia, literature, and political discourse, offers his perspective on the current condition of race in the United States as the South Carolina Democratic primary approaches. He examines how Black …
Jeh Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security, reflects on the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Having served as DHS Secretary during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, he shares insights into the challenges of public…
Ken Starr, the former independent counsel whose investigation paved the way for President Clinton's impeachment, reflects on that pivotal period and his subsequent role defending President Trump through his own impeachment trial, more than …
Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the CDC, addresses the genesis of the coronavirus, the present strategies employed to combat it, and his projections for the pandemic's trajectory. He further considers how the United States might improve…
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont addressed the state's ongoing battle against COVID-19, particularly within a nation experiencing high per capita infection rates. He detailed the urgent pursuit of additional ventilators and personal protecti…
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the FDA under President Trump, offers his perspective on the future trajectory of the coronavirus pandemic. He expresses concern regarding a possible resurgence of COVID-19 in September, suggesting…
Mark Cuban, billionaire and prominent investor, recently spoke about his role advising President Trump on the nation's economic recovery. As part of a newly formed group, Cuban defended the President's approach, characterizing him as an unw…
Senator Marco Rubio of Florida addressed the growing movement within several states advocating for reopening their economies.
Rudy Giuliani, longtime friend and legal counsel to President Trump, addressed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state most severely affected. The former Mayor of New York City drew upon his experience leading the city through the…
Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, and David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee, recently convened to address the far-reaching consequences of COVID-19 on women and girls globally. Their conversatio…
Susan Rice, who served as President Obama’s National Security Advisor and previously as ambassador to the United Nations, has sharply criticized President Trump's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She argues that a conspicuous absence of l…
Actor Sean Penn spoke about his work to broaden access to coronavirus testing through his non-profit organization, CORE. Beginning with free drive-through testing in his hometown of Los Angeles, the organization has since expanded its reach…
Bakari Sellers, an activist, attorney, and author, reflects on the death of George Floyd, the ensuing national protests, and the potential for genuine progress in addressing racial injustice during this period of crisis. The son of a civil …
Stacey Abrams, a prominent voting rights activist and politician, reflects on the ongoing struggle for racial justice and shares her perspective on police reform, including the contentious "defund the police" movement. Looking ahead to the …
In a series of interviews, Margaret Hoover speaks with a cohort of prominent young women in the Republican Party who have gained seats in Congress: Representatives Elise Stefanik of New York, Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington, Senator Jon…
Three conservative women seeking re-election to the U.S. Congress – Young Kim of California, Ashley Hinson of Iowa, and Lisa Scheller of Pennsylvania – are the subject of Margaret Hoover's latest exploration. She delves into their reasons f…
John Bolton, former National Security Advisor to President Trump, has declared his former boss unfit for a second term and affirmed he will not be casting a vote in the upcoming election. In recent interviews, Bolton addresses his decision …
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, having recently tested positive for COVID-19, addressed the state's escalating case numbers and the troubling increase in gun violence within Atlanta. She also responded to conjecture regarding a potential Vice P…
Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) addressed the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, outlining his decision to mandate statewide mask-wearing. He also spoke on the matter of school reopenings and offered his perspective on the 2020 election. Furthermor…
Philanthropist Melinda Gates, having dedicated over three hundred million dollars to combating COVID-19, addresses the urgent effort to create vaccines, the pandemic's disproportionate impact on women, and the Trump administration’s handlin…
Larry Kudlow, President Trump's chief economic advisor, addressed the effects of COVID-19 on the economy, examining its toll on employment and businesses. He outlined potential avenues for future federal stimulus, commented on the escalatin…
Veteran Republican strategist Stuart Stevens has voiced his strong disapproval of President Trump and the contemporary Republican Party. Currently, he is collaborating with fellow prominent Republicans, both active and retired, at the Linco…
Governor Gretchen Whitmer addressed the possibility of her being considered for the Vice Presidency under Joe Biden, highlighted Michigan's pivotal position in the 2020 election, and spoke to the difficulties surrounding mail-in voting. She…
Rich Lowry, editor of *National Review*, a conservative magazine, articulates his support for President Trump over Joe Biden, acknowledging a deep unease with the former president's behavior. He also discusses his new book, in which he argu…
Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the upcoming presidential election, affirming his support for Joe Biden despite existing policy disagreements. He cautioned that Donald Trump might challenge the results and refuse to vacate the office shoul…
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former White House Press Secretary, recently spoke about her latest book and the often-heated press briefings that defined her tenure during the Trump administration. She addressed her future in politics, hinting at …
Congresswoman Val Demings of Florida addressed the Supreme Court vacancy, the pressing need for police reform, the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, and Florida's significant influence on the presidential election. A former police chief in Or…
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressed the contentious issue surrounding the Supreme Court and the influence of undisclosed financial contributions—often referred to as “dark money”—within t…
Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, a veteran of the Iraq War and recipient of the Purple Heart, addressed the unfolding Vice Presidential debate and the recent COVID-19 outbreak within the White House. She further articulated her reasonin…
In a recent discussion, Dr. Anthony Fauci addressed the current state of COVID-19 research and the ongoing efforts to create a vaccine. With a resurgence of daily cases reported in over a dozen states, Dr. Fauci outlined what Americans can …
Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who recently sought the presidency, reflects on the election, his future in politics, and the COVID-19 vaccine. He speaks candidly about his experience coming out as mayor and express…
Senator Angus King (I-ME) addressed the issue of foreign interference in the current election cycle, outlining the objectives of those seeking to disrupt the process and assessing the nation's readiness to confront cyber threats and disinfo…
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican known for his pragmatic approach, offers insights into his decision not to support President Trump. He reflects on the trajectory of Trumpism and its implications for the Republican party, and exa…
Renowned lawyers David Boies and Ted Olson, who faced each other in the high-stakes legal battle of *Bush v. Gore* in 2000 before later collaborating professionally, offer their perspectives on President Trump's claims of voter fraud, his l…
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla recounted the company's intensive eight-month effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, anticipating its availability to frontline workers by December and to the wider public before the coming summer. He addressed consi…
Veteran sportscaster Bob Costas appears on Firing Line to examine the complex relationship between sports and the defining narratives of 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic, the presidential election, and the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, the initial pick among President Trump’s three appointments to the Supreme Court, reflects on the enduring influence of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, outlines his own approach to the law, and addresses the decline of re…

