Show Notes
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) joins Mona Charen for a conversation about why character still matters in leadership, how America lost many of the institutions that once helped build it, and what the military can teach about integrity, responsibility, and moral courage in an era of political double standards. Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://Quince.com/MONA. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Programming note: This Wednesday! Join us for the next edition of The Bulwark Book Club. Mona Charen and Bill Kristol will discuss Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson with you LIVE at 1:30 p.m. EDT. Drop your questions, comments, and thoughts on the book in the comments of this post.
Published in 1894, the novel tells the story of two boys–one born into slavery, the other the master’s son–who were switched at birth. Watch your inbox for a link on Wednesday to watch the show.
More from The Mona Charen Show
Susan Glasser joins Mona Charen to examine the advisers who failed to challenge Trump on his disastrous war in Iran, Pete Hegseth’s potential reckoning before Congress, the stunning collapse in Trump’s hardcore support, and whether Democrats are headed for a historic midterm victory. Upgrade your wardrobe for less with premium cashmere, everyday essentials, and more. Shop at https://www.quince.com/MONA for free shipping and 365-day returns.
Mona Charen and Will Saletan discuss the GOP’s disastrous attempt to ambush Jack Smith, the political warning signs pushing Republicans away from Trump, and what Democrats should actually do if they win Congress. Plus, would impeaching Trump again hold him accountable—or accidentally give JD Vance exactly the opening he needs? Bulwark Book Club pick for October: Jon Grinspan’s ‘The Age of Acrimony: How Americans Fought to Fix Their Democracy, 1865–1915.’ Mona Charen and JVL will discuss the book with the author LIVE with Bulwark+ members on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m. ET. Send your questions, comments and thoughts to them on the book through this post: https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkxd2uInylq-1yUJoDeKNd3qLYNJa4GDVjf
Mona Charen talks with Casey Revkin of Each Step Home about what happens to children and families caught inside the immigration detention system, including U.S.-citizen kids separated from their parents, postpartum mothers separated from infants, and families detained after showing up for routine ICE appointments. Revkin also explains how her group gets food, water, medicine, and other basic necessities to families being held at the Dilley detention center. Each Step Home: https://eachstephome.org/ ProPublica: More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents: https://www.propublica.org/article/immigration-dhs-american-citizens-arrested-detained-against-will Washington Post: She’s Feeding Hundreds of Kids in ICE Detention Using Commissary Accounts: https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/09/02/california-mom-sends-10000-week-buy-food-kids-ice-detention/ Texas Immigration Law Council: https://txilc.org/ --- Bulwark Book Club pick for October: Jon Grinspan’s ‘The Age of Acrimony: How Americans Fought to Fix Their Democracy, 1865–1915.’ Mona Charen and JVL will discuss the book with the author LIVE with Bulwark+ members on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m. ET. Send your questions, comments and thoughts to them on the book through this post: http://youtube.com/post/Ugkxd2uInylq-1yUJoDeKNd3qLYNJa4GDVjf?si=Fy14pgN9erXZk9Sb
Mona Charen is joined by Sonny Bunch to talk about The Odyssey for the September edition of The Bulwark Book Club with viewers. Mona and Sonny read Emily Wilson’s translation–the first English translation by a woman–and discuss the differences between the epic poem and Christopher Nolan’s recent film adaptation. Show notes Read Sonny Bunch’s review of The Odyssey film here. https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-odyssey-review Get The Odyssey original motion picture soundtrack by Ludwig Göransson vinyl set https://madebymutant.com/products/the-odyssey-original-motion-picture-soundtrack
Mona Charen talks with Adam Isacson and John Walsh of the Washington Office on Latin America about Operation Southern Spear, the Trump administration’s deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, and the secret legal theory being used to justify them. They examine the killing of survivors in a second strike, Pete Hegseth’s purge of military lawyers, the evidence that the campaign hasn’t reduced the cocaine supply, and why U.S. allies are increasingly wary of sharing intelligence that could be used in the strikes. Upgrade your everyday essentials with Quince, from Mongolian cashmere and premium-stretch denim to leather bags, 14k gold jewelry, bedding, bath, kitchen essentials, and furniture. Quince works directly with ethical factories to offer quality pieces at prices 50–80% less than similar brands. Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at https://www.quince.com/MONA. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Further reading: WOLA — Killing Spree: Extrajudicial Executions in the U.S. Boat Strikes Campaign https://www.wola.org/analysis/killing-spree-extrajudicial-executions-in-the-u-s-boat-strikes-campaign/ The Washington Post — Deadly U.S. boat strikes have failed to curb cocaine supply, Pentagon and DEA officials say https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/07/27/operation-southern-spear-has-not-slowed-cocaine-entering-us/ Reuters — We bought everything needed to make $3 million worth of fentanyl. All it took was $3,600. https://www.reuters.com/investigations/we-bought-everything-needed-make-3-million-worth-fentanyl-all-it-took-was-3600-2024-07-25/