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WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

Paul Gigot, The Wall Street Journal
Donald Trump
Iran
Trump Administration
Federal Reserve
Supreme Court
China
Congress
Ukraine
Tariffs
Republican Party
Russia
Democratic Party
Inflation
United States
NATO
President Trump
California
Venezuela
ICE
Gerrymandering

From the award-winning opinion pages of The Wall Street Journal, Paul Gigot, Kim Strassel, Bill McGurn and Kyle Peterson discuss the latest from Washington. Get critical perspective and the analysis you need on developments from the nation’s capital. Join them every weekday. Send your feedback to pwpodcast@wsj.com

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Artwork for WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

Latest Episodes

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Donald Trump says the latest negotiations with Iran are "proceeding nicely," but the details of any nuclear deal remain elusive, as U.S. forces strike new Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz. How should proposed terms be evaluated, particularly... more

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Recent Guests

Todd Blanche
Acting Attorney General spokesperson on the settlement
U.S. Department of Justice
Episode: The $1.776 Billion Deal for Trump's 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'
Matthew Hennessy
Editor of Free Expression, WSJ opinion columnist
Wall Street Journal
Episode: Kevin Warsh Wins Confirmation as Fed Chair, as the Inflation Gauge Hits 3.8%
Colin Grabow
Associate Director, Trade Policy Studies, Cato Institute
Cato Institute
Episode: Trump Waives the Jones Act, Temporarily Freeing U.S. Oil Supply Chains
Ben Sasse
Former senator, university president, physician-scientist in discussion
Former Senator of Nebraska; University of Florida; author/columnist
Episode: Ben Sasse on Experimental Medical Research and Why the Senate is Broken
Fernando Tomas
CEO and co-founder, DS Laboratories
DS Laboratories
Episode: The Abortion Pill Mifepristone Comes Back to the Supreme Court
Elliott Kaufman
Editorial board member
The Wall Street Journal Editorial Page
Episode: Trump's Iran Ceasefire Extension, the U.S. Blockade, and the Strait of Hormuz
Matt Contenetti
Columnist for the Journal's new free expression newsletter
WSJ Opinion
Episode: Virginia Narrowly Approves a 10-1 Democratic Gerrymander
Kate O'Dell
Editorial board member
WSJ Opinion
Episode: Virginia Narrowly Approves a 10-1 Democratic Gerrymander
Mike Waltz
US Ambassador to the United Nations (as described in the episode)
Episode: Negotiations Between the U.S. and Iran Take an Uncertain Turn

Hosts

Kyle Peterson
Host of Potomac Watch at The Wall Street Journal; provides informed political and policy analysis with a supply-side, market-oriented lens.
Paul Gigot
Host of Potomac Watch; veteran journalist and commentator offering conservative-leaning policy critique and governance perspective.
Matthew Hennessy
Editor of Free Expression; WSJ opinion page contributor providing economic and policy analysis.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 3.7k ratings
  • 5/11 guest was great.

    Hopefully Paul et al. leaned something

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    abp4567891234
    United States21 days ago
  • Both sides

    I listen to find out what the Kool-Aid drinkers are up to.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Chattasteff
    United Statesa month ago
  • WSJ Editorial Board in all its fanaticism

    Given the title of my review, why would I give it even 2 stars? Because, despite raising my blood pressure, the pod is the most intelligent exposition of this country’s kleptocratic business class. So I must force myself to listen to it to hear what the other side is saying. And I would rather listen to them and read this Murdoch rag’s editorials than any other disreputable outlet in his stable, certainly not the NY Post or Fox News,

    But I have to say something about the cast of characters: Bam... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    sidneyhart
    United States2 months ago
  • Fox News-ish analysis weirdly in line with Putin’s interests.

    This WSJ podcast is the 156th most popular on itune news and politics offerings; there's a reason it's so poorly rated in spite of it's WSJ pedigree.

    I was terribly disappointed when I listened to Potomac Watch. On the recent Paris Climate Change Agreement episode it was shocking to hear that Gigot and his two contributor's knowledge of the withdrawal's effect on foreign policy, international trade or even macroeconomics was akin to what you'd expect to hear from three insurance salesman havin... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Kickerofelves77
    United States2 months ago
  • Not a Good-Faith, Competent Discussion of Conservative Opinion

    I have opinions that differ in general from those often expressed on this podcast. I do my best to seek out opinions that differ from my own. While this podcast has been helpful at times with that, it has become clear that the opinion coverage here puts on such complete blinders to inconvenient facts and opposing arguments that it does not serve as good-faith or effective opinion coverage.

    I specifically am absolutely stunned that in the latest podcast about the ceasefire in Iran, which the ep... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    S. Cal.
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The discourse is widely regarded as intelligent and deeply sourced, though opinions may diverge.
Guests are valued for expertise, but episodes can be polarizing depending on viewpoints.
Some critics feel the show leans too conservative and lacks balance on certain topics.
Listeners appreciate sharp, policy-forward analysis with a business-friendly angle.
Regular hosts maintain a confident, provocative style that drives engaging conversations.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#185
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#97
Norway/News
Apple Podcasts
#113
Colombia/News
Apple Podcasts
#132
Saudi Arabia/News
Apple Podcasts
#202
Argentina/News
Apple Podcasts
#245
Switzerland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Does Donald Trump Have Planned for Cuba?
Q: What does Donald Trump have planned for Cuba?
The hosts suggest that Trump and his advisers may pursue a combination of diplomatic pressure, sanctions, and, as a last resort, credible military threats to push for regime change, while weighing the risks of instability and backlash.
Can Trump Break the Impasse With Iran in the Gulf?
Q: But just to go back to Trump's choices on Iran, okay, the blockade is sort of the big pressure point, but what about the hostilities? Where is he going to target? Why hasn't he gone after Karg Island yet?
The guest explains two main reasons for avoiding immediate target escalation: fear of Iranian retaliation against critical infrastructure and a strategic preference to avoid a complete regime collapse, signaling that a calibrated approach with possible mini agreements may be more feasible than broad military action.
Can Trump Break the Impasse With Iran in the Gulf?
Q: What levers does he have to be able to essentially force the regime, whoever is in charge, to come to an agreement that Trump can live with?
The main lever is the economic blockade and sanctions, especially tightening the shadow banking and oil trade networks; the guest emphasizes that sanctions pressure must be sustained and augmented through allied financial and maritime actions to increase the cost of intransigence for Iran.
Can Trump Break the Impasse With Iran in the Gulf?
Q: Okay, now let's start where we are at the weekend. So Trump had this term sheet, which you've read about. We laid it out in an editorial last week. And it's got some really significant red lines on the nuclear program in particular. But the Iranian response is basically, so is your mother.
The question frames the weekend's term sheet as a hard set of red lines; the guest suggests that Iran's refusal to meet those terms signals they still aim to extract concessions, while the host notes the risk that accepting those terms would amount to a US defeat and would require pressure and time to balance competing incentives.
Ben Sasse on Experimental Medical Research and Why the Senate is Broken
Q: Why is the Senate often considered dysfunctional, and how might it improve?
Sasse argues that cameras and social media incentivize grandstanding, while dedicated committees like the Intel Committee show how genuine oversight can work; he calls for spaces that reward deliberation and a public that values accountable governance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

What is WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekday political and policy conversation led by a Wall Street Journal opinion panel that blends conservative-leaning analysis with data-driven commentary. Episodes typically cover high-stakes issues in Washington—from federal policy, regulatory debates, and monetary policy to foreign affairs and Supreme Court developments—often featuring regular hosts and several expert guests. The show is known for its brisk, argumentative style, deep dives into policy trade-offs, and a willingness to challenge opposing viewpoints, making it useful for listeners who want a clear, market-minded take on current events and governance.

Noteworthy traits include the strong emphasis on U.S. economic policy, regulatory issues, and national-security matters, an... more

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Which podcasts are similar to WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch?

These podcasts share a similar audience with WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch:

1. All Things with Kim Strassel
2. WSJ What’s News
3. The Editors
4. The Journal.
5. WSJ's Take On the Week

How many episodes of WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch are there?

WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch launched 11 years ago and published 77 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 WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch?

Recent guests on WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch include:

1. Todd Blanche
2. Matthew Hennessy
3. Colin Grabow
4. Ben Sasse
5. Fernando Tomas
6. Elliott Kaufman
7. Matt Contenetti
8. Kate O'Dell

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