Read more from our columnists:Dana Milbank: For the Trump administration, it’s amateur hourPhilip Bump: The bubble that created Trump is the reason he’s stumblingMonica Hesse: If Kilmar Abrego García is doomed, we all areSubscribe to The Washington Post here.
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23:54
Why religious people are happier
Americans have been turning away from organized religion for decades — but recent research suggests that trend might be stalling out. And studies do show that people affiliated with a religion tend to be happier and healthier. So should more people be joining up? And are there ways to make some of the most ancient religions a little more modern, or at least more open to progressive ideas? If not, where else can people find community and a sense of belonging? Drew Goins, Molly Roberts and Shadi Hamid discuss the usefulness, or not, of religion.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
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28:16
RFK Jr. just doesn’t get it
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s tenure as HHS secretary has been every bit as troubling as many feared. He won’t outright support vaccines, despite a measles outbreak. He’s insulted autistic people by saying the disorder is preventable. And he’s losing scientists who might be able to actually help with his promises to fight chronic disease and get Americans to eat healthier. Dana Milbank, Leana Wen and Robert Gebelhoff discuss the potential consequences of Kennedy’s reign and whether he can keep together the varied assortment of fans who’ve rallied behind him.Additional reading:Leana S. Wen: Why a worsening measles outbreak is a big dealWho are RFK Jr.’s ‘MAHA moms’? They might surprise you.Trey Johnson: Don’t listen to RFK Jr. on autism. Meet my special-needs son.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
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22:25
Has the right revived comedy — or destroyed it?
Bill Maher’s visit to the White House appears to mark a shift in how some comedians and late-night hosts will approach the second Trump presidency. But what role should political and subversive humor play during these very serious times? Can it bring Americans together — or just offer a form of escapism? Post Opinions’ Drew Goins, Molly Roberts and Theodore R. Johnson discuss the current landscape of the genre and where it could be headed next.Additional reading by our columnists:León Krauze: Bill Maher went to Washington. He got played.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
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22:33
Will Trump blink on deportation?
President Trump appears to be thumbing his nose at the Supreme Court by defying its rulings on deportation. And he escalated the issue this week during a visit from El Salvador’s president, when both leaders refused to try to return a Maryland father mistakenly deported to a notorious prison. Columnists Dana Milbank, León Krauze and Jason Willick discuss whether defying the rule of law could finally catch up to Trump —and if he'll take a hit on one of his most popular issues.Additional reading by our columnists:Jason Willick: The Supreme Court’s crafty Trump rebukeSubscribe to The Washington Post here.
Smart when you need it, fun when you want it — with hosts who feel like friends. Impromptu is your twice-a-week conversation with Washington Post columnists who bring fresh insight and perspective to the stories shaping the week. On Tuesdays, Dana Milbank and his colleagues dig into the political news that actually matters. Then, on Fridays, Drew Goins and Molly Roberts ease you into the weekend, breaking down the cultural moments you can’t stop thinking about.
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