During today’s conversation with New York Times columnist David French, Matt and David discuss: — Trump’s Iran Limbo & Defensive Strikes: David breaks down the chaos in Iran, Trump’s desire to “declare victory and go home,” failed negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz, recent U.S. strikes in southern Iran, and why this represents historic levels of foreign policy incompetence.

— Texas Senate GOP Primary Showdown: Ken Paxton vs. John Cornyn runoff, what a Paxton win would mean for Republicans, Democrats, and Senate control.

— The Platner Trap: David explains his controversial New York Times column on Graham Platner, why he opposes Democrats backing flawed or unstable candidates even to stop Trump, and the dangers of “the stakes are too high” rationalizations.

— GOP Healing vs. Rock Bottom: David and Matt debate whether the Republican Party can gradually recover from Trumpism, or if it must suffer major electoral defeats first?

— Evangelical Support for Corruption: David’s blunt take on white evangelicals backing Ken Paxton — calling him corrupt, an “apostate,” and prioritizing Trump loyalty over character.

— Pope Leo XIV’s Powerful AI Warning: David’s reaction to the new Pope’s first encyclical on disarming AI, Big Tech power, human dignity, and avoiding a new Tower of Babel.

— Friendship Across Disagreement: Two longtime Never Trumpers attempt to model civil debate on tactical differences while agreeing on core issues.