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Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron Maté

Useful Idiots, LLC
Gaza
Israel
Iran
Palestine
United States
Donald Trump
Trump Administration
Ukraine
Hamas
U.S. Foreign Policy
Venezuela
Joe Biden
Hezbollah
Kamala Harris
Biden Administration
Palestinians
Syria
Palestinian Rights
Russia
Human Rights

Useful Idiots is an informative and irreverent politics podcast with journalist Aaron Maté and podcaster/writer Katie Halper. Episodes feature analysis of the political news of the week and exclusive interviews, with humor, commentary and dissection of why both Republicans and Democrats suck. Join Aaron and Katie as they examine important stories that have slipped through the cracks and what the m... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes403Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryPolitics

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Lev Golinkin
Ukrainian-American journalist
Author of A Backpack, A Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka
Episode: Ukrainian Journalist DESTROYS Zelensky for Nazi Support
Cat Graham
Irish activist
Global Samud flotilla participant
Episode: Ukrainian Journalist DESTROYS Zelensky for Nazi Support
Peter Kornbluh
Director of the Cuba and Chile Documentation Projects
National Security Archive
Episode: “WORST CASE SCENARIO” Leaked in Secret Cuba Files—Here’s What They Hid
Lindsey Graham
Senator (guest on discussion about Iran policy)
U.S. Senate
Episode: Lindsey Graham: "The Iran War is worth losing my job" (and how to make that happen)
John Fetterman
U.S. Senator
U.S. Senate
Episode: Lindsey Graham: "The Iran War is worth losing my job" (and how to make that happen)
Mike Johnson
Speaker of the House
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: Lindsey Graham: "The Iran War is worth losing my job" (and how to make that happen)
Thomas Massie
U.S. Representative
U.S. Congress
Episode: Lindsey Graham: "The Iran War is worth losing my job" (and how to make that happen)
Rami Elghandour
Biotech entrepreneur, executive producer of The Voice of Hin Rajab
The Voice of Hin Rajab, American Doctor
Episode: The Commencement Speech Israel Doesn't Want You To Hear
Wyatt Reed
Editor at The Gray Zone, international correspondent
The Gray Zone
Episode: The Commencement Speech Israel Doesn't Want You To Hear

Hosts

Katie Halper
Host of the show, known for humorous, provocative political commentary and interviews; frequently engages in media critique and can sponsor guests with strong viewpoints.
Aaron Maté
Co-host with a background in journalism and critique of foreign policy; known for rigorous analysis and willingness to challenge prevailing narratives.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 6.3k ratings
  • The anti establishment perspective and sharp criticism of politics as usual is both refreshing and appreciated

    Podcast Addict
    4
    RuminatingStoic
    2 months ago
  • Such a fan-boi

    Honestly - you guys are saving my brain. I’m thankful. A very helpful - extremely informed show !!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lola Britawater
    Canada2 months ago
  • Like brietbart for the left

    Too much rhetoric and spin, a lot of junk info. Poorly produced. Good guests though.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    m0risan54
    United States3 months ago
  • Thanks for teaching us!!

    Thank you for explaining the details & context that legacy fails to do!!

    Yours truly, Leslie Poplawski of @ink7 RecessAwareness on Twitter,

    I care about all child rights-especially the rights that lead to fulfillment & true inner joy such as the right to play, leisure & creativity.

    Article 31 CRIN UnitedNations Convention on the Rights of the Child. 🙏✌️🕊️☮️✨👧👶🏽🧒🏿👦🖍️📝📚🧸🛴🦽🎺🎨🩰🏄🏽‍♂️🤸🏼‍♂️⛸️🛝

    And anti-war anti-death penalty anti-USA intervention Etc…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lesliepopleslie
    United States6 months ago
  • Fun, engaging and FEW ads!!

    This show is very entertaining with two accomplished hosts who discuss the unfortunate state of the world and the lies of media in plain, fun language. There are also very few ads, compared to other podcasts that shove the same annoying ads every 5 minutes, so you don’t need to keep the phone nearby to skip long ad segments. Also smash that like button.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ommar365
    Sweden7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners wish for stricter guest vetting and more diverse viewpoints.
Fans appreciate the hosts' humor and willingness to challenge mainstream narratives.
Listeners praise informed, critical analysis and engaging guests.
Critics note strong bias and occasional ad-heavy episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#202
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#174
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#191
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#224
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#178
Japan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#180
China/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Journalist REVEALS Israelis Behind Secret Doxxing War on Americans
Q: What is Canary Mission and how has it evolved over the years?
Jacqueline Sweet explains Canary Mission started as a doxxing site targeting pro-Palestine activists, with later revelations showing government usage and a more formal, corporate-like operation.
Pepe Escobar & Aaron Maté on Israel, America & Iran War: BRICS vs The West
Q: What is the role of China and Russia in supporting Iran currently, and how visible is their involvement compared with what is publicly acknowledged?
China and Russia are actively supporting Iran beyond public declarations, including military-technical collaboration, missile and Beidou-based intelligence support, and high-level coordination that involves the presidents and defense ministries, though some aspects remain discreet and not publicly disclosed.
Pepe Escobar & Aaron Maté on Israel, America & Iran War: BRICS vs The West
Q: Do you see a fundamental shift in how the global financial system operates with BRICS and Petro-Yuan taking a more active role, and what could that mean for sanctions regimes?
Yes, a de facto new operating system is already in play, allowing parallel payments and settlement channels that bypass SWIFT and the petrodollar, which could erode Western financial dominance and force a reevaluation of sanctions as more countries participate in BRICS-led financial architecture.
Pepe Escobar & Aaron Maté on Israel, America & Iran War: BRICS vs The West
Q: Inside the Strait of Hormuz, what has changed in terms of movement and access for ships now that Iran is asserting new payment and routing mechanisms?
The new mechanisms, centered on Petro-Yuan and tied to Chinese influence, have introduced a governance layer that makes crossing more selective and contingent on Iranian terms, with brokers and IRGC involvement becoming more prominent, and restrictions tightening even for previously approved routes.
Israel’s Plan BACKFIRES, Iranians Rally Around Government
Q: What do you think Iran needs to do to counter the US-backed narrative?
There's a need for transnational cooperation among governments to resist foreign interventions, especially in the context of U.S. aggressions.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Useful Idiots

What is Useful Idiots about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two sharp, opinionated hosts unpack global politics with a skeptical eye toward both major parties and mainstream media. Across episodes, they dissect foreign policy debates, media framing, and the moral costs of hawkish rhetoric, often featuring guests who illuminate the Israel–Palestine conflict, U.S. diplomacy, and Middle East dynamics. Noteworthy is a willingness to challenge conventional narratives through clips, interviews, and provocatively humorous commentary, which can appeal to listeners who crave contrarian analysis and accessible policy critique.

A standout aspect is the consistent emphasis on free speech, media accountability, and the human impact of abroad policies, making it a potentially valuable platform for sponsors and g... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Useful Idiots?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Useful Idiots:

1. The Katie Halper Show
2. The Chris Hedges Report
3. Bad Faith
4. System Update with Glenn Greenwald
5. Drop Site News

How many episodes of Useful Idiots are there?

Useful Idiots launched 7 years ago and published 403 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Useful Idiots?

Recent guests on Useful Idiots include:

1. Lev Golinkin
2. Cat Graham
3. Peter Kornbluh
4. Lindsey Graham
5. John Fetterman
6. Mike Johnson
7. Thomas Massie
8. Rami Elghandour

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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