Left, Right & Center

Iowa Republicans picked Zach Lahn over the Trump-backed Randy Feenstra in the gubernatorial primary. Lahn’s a farmer who spoke about the pain of high fertilizer prices and cancer caused by pesticides, earning him support from the MAHA. Was this some rebuke of Trump, or just voters looking for the right person to make their lives better? 
Critics say ICE detainees face horrific conditions. Trump won over a lot of voters arguing that tough immigration policies were needed to keep the country safe. Does what’s unfolding at these detention centers cross a line? 
Plus, the President’s short-lived Anti-Weaponization Fund seems to be dead, and one listener asks when AI political ads cross a line. 
Producer: Leo Duran
Host: David Greene 
Guests: 

Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee

Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons

We bring you an episode of "Intention to Treat: The Race Equation." It's a new series from the New England Journal of Medicine that investigates how race-specific diagnostic tools harm Black patients and contribute to growing health inequities.

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Texas Republicans are pinning their hopes on Senate candidate Ken Paxton, the state attorney general who was impeached for abusing his office. Maine Democrats are pinning theirs on Graham Platner, who’s had to explain an old tattoo that looks like a Nazi symbol. Welcome to the 2026 installment of the race to control the U.S. Senate.  
Pope Leo used his platform to warn about the dangers of A.I. It’s a big topic here in the U.S., but neither the Trump White House nor Congress seem eager to do much. 
Plus, a listener incensed over taxpayer dollars being used for Trump’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund” asks what he should do with his anger.   
Producer: Leo Duran
Host: David Greene 
Guests: 

Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee

Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code KCRW at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/KCRW
What is an anti-weaponization fund? Is it a legit use of taxpayer dollars to help people of all political stripes who were wronged by their government, or is it a corrupt slush fund to help President Trump and his political allies? One immediate question on the minds of Democrats is if people who attacked the Capitol on January 6 will be some of the early beneficiaries. 
Also, despite Trump’s sagging poll numbers, he continues to hold sway over his party with one primary vote after another against sitting Republicans. Is there a political cost for Trump and the GOP if a coalition of lame ducks starts growing with an eye towards their own counter-revenge? 
And we’ve got some great questions from you this week, including whether we really need politicians at all to run a government. 
Producer: Leo Duran
Host: David Greene 
Guests: 

Elizabeth Bruenig, staff writer, The Atlantic (@ebruenig)

Mike Dubke, veteran GOP communications strategist and advisor. He was the White House Comms Director under Donald Trump in 2017 (@MikeDubke)

Some voters are in the dark about which districts they live in and who their candidates are because officials in several states and the president are obsessed with redrawing congressional maps. The latest push on redistricting comes after the Supreme Court struck down parts of the Voting Rights Act.
Also, public health officials are clear: hantavirus is different from COVID and highly unlikely to cause a global pandemic. But is our government ready for the next health crisis?   
And RFK Jr talks a lot about Making America Healthy Again. But so far, he’s getting politically beaten up by the junk food lobby. 
Producer: Leo Duran
Host: David Greene 
Guests: 

Elizabeth Bruenig, staff writer, The Atlantic (@ebruenig)

Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch (@whignewtons)