To defend democracy, one has to believe in it. To believe in democracy, one has to understand it. Where it came from. How it works. What’s true. What’s not. What others did before you. How it could be better. How to make a difference. Each week, The David Frum Show digs deep into the big questions people have about our society, explains the progress Americans have made together, and reminds us that the American idea is worth defending.
What this show covers
U.S. politics2028 electionRepublican PartyMarco Rubiopublic spendingAmerican citiesurban policyforeign policypopulismpresidential politicsTrump approvalpollingpublic opinion2026 midtermsEric Holder
What listeners will find here
Marco Rubio’s Greece Speech as a Test for the GOP’s Future
Marco Rubio’s speech at the Acropolis is the focus here, with David Frum examining what it could signal about Rubio’s ambitions and the Republican Party’s direction. The episode looks at whether this moment feels like the start of a 2028 campaign—or something broader inside the GOP.
Why U.S. cities spend big, underdeliver, and fuel frustration
American cities are the focus here, with David Frum and Reihan Salam examining why urban governments can cost so much while providing so little. The episode also touches on the recall of 12 B-1 bombers and closes with a discussion of Fred Charles Iklé’s Every War Must End.
Why Trump’s second-term numbers are sliding so early
President Trump’s falling approval rating is the focus here, as David Frum examines why public support has dropped just two years into his second presidency. The episode centers on what the numbers suggest about whether Americans feel better off under Trump.
David Frum and Eric Holder on election risks, voting rights, and Trump’s power
The episode examines whether the 2026 midterms could be free and fair, with David Frum and former Attorney General Eric Holder discussing voting rights, gerrymandering, and presidential power. It also touches on Xi Jinping’s U.S. visit and closes with a brief discussion of Robert Harris’s novel Agrippa.
Why higher U.S. borrowing costs may signal a deeper Trump-era trust problem
Rising U.S. borrowing costs are the focus here, framed not just as an economic warning sign but as evidence of declining trust in America under Donald Trump. David Frum connects credit risk to politics, credibility, and the country’s standing.
