Shane Smith Has Questions

Renée DiResta has spent the past decade investigating how propaganda, foreign influence and conspiracy theories spread online. Now, as the midterms approach and AI makes manipulation faster and cheaper, she warns that America may be returning to where it was before the 2016 election—with fewer safeguards and no one clearly in charge. DiResta joins Shane Smith to discuss Russia’s election operations, Chinese and Iranian influence campaigns, the Stanford Internet Observatory, the Election Integrity Partnership and the controversy over censorship. They also examine Cambridge Analytica, political influencers, “ampliganda,” AI-generated scams and the algorithms deciding what millions of people see. Who creates the lie? Who gives it reach? And how can we protect elections without policing legitimate political speech? Renée DiResta is an associate research professor at Georgetown University and the author of Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality. Thanks to our sponsors: -Try QUO for free and get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/shane Subscribe to Shane Smith Has Questions for candid conversations about politics, media, misinformation and the forces reshaping the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar just won a major Supreme Court fight against the Trump administration over its attempt to impose new federal restrictions on mail-in voting ahead of the midterms. Aguilar joins Shane Smith to explain what Trump was trying to do, why Nevada fought it, and why he believes the battle over who controls American elections is far from over. They get into mail-in ballots and voter fraud, voter ID, the DOJ’s demands for private voter data, seven federal subpoenas concerning Nevada voters, cybersecurity and foreign interference, and why Aguilar believes the fight over the 2026 midterms is really about control of the 2028 presidential election. Aguilar also explains why he thinks Trump’s ultimate goal is “choosing the voters rather than the voters choosing the electeds” — and why, after multiple court battles with the federal government, he says he’s not backing down. Subscribe to Shane Smith Has Questions for candid conversations about politics, media, misinformation and the forces reshaping the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At 23, Adam Mockler has become one of the most prominent young voices in liberal political media, building an audience of millions through rapid-response videos, debates and viral clips. Adam joins Shane Smith to explain why Republicans dominated the online attention economy—and why Democrats are still struggling to catch up. They discuss the failures of the 2024 Democratic campaign, Kamala Harris’s risk-averse media strategy, the growing appeal of anti-establishment candidates and what the party must do differently before the midterms. Adam also takes Shane behind the scenes of his viral confrontation with Scott Jennings, explains why he believes the Iran war has failed to achieve its stated objectives and examines the role independent media plays in challenging wartime narratives. The conversation moves from young men’s isolation and political radicalization to housing, AI, money in politics and a generation that no longer feels the economic system is working for them. Adam also explains his plans to build a new, youth-driven media organization combining debates, political commentary and gonzo-style reporting. Topics include: Why “clipping is the new canvassing” How Republicans captured the online attention economy Why Democrats have become too scripted and risk-averse Young men, social isolation and online radicalization Adam’s viral clash with Scott Jennings The Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz Biden, Harris and the Democrats’ loss of public trust Housing, cost of living and young people’s lack of capital Political corruption, lobbying and campaign money AI, disappearing jobs and the case for universal basic income The future of Mockler Media Subscribe to Shane Smith Has Questions for candid conversations about politics, media, misinformation and the forces reshaping the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most people know Ben McKenzie from The O.C. Over the past several years, however, he has made an unlikely transformation into a serious crypto investigator—and, as Shane puts it, a hell of a journalist and filmmaker. McKenzie joins Shane to discuss his documentary, Everyone Is Lying to You for Money, and the journey that took him from casual crypto skeptic to interviewing major industry figures, anticipating the collapse of companies like Celsius and FTX, and testifying before the Senate Banking Committee. Together, they examine the machinery behind the crypto boom: celebrity endorsements, insider control, market manipulation, Trump’s crypto ventures and the absence of meaningful enforcement. They also explore the human cost of an economy that increasingly encourages ordinary people to gamble their way toward financial security. The conversation eventually moves beyond crypto to prediction markets, legalized gambling, artificial intelligence and the opportunists who migrate from one technological gold rush to the next. It’s a sharp, funny and deeply human conversation about money, power—and who is left holding the bag when the hype collapses. For a limited time only, join audiences around the world for a special global streaming event celebrating Everyone Is Lying to You for Money followed by a live Q&A with director Ben McKenzie, actress Morena Baccarin, and special celebrity guests. Only available August 22nd through September 6th, 2026 -Get 20% off your first order at ⁠⁠https://www.mood.com⁠⁠ with promo code SHANESMITH -Save 20% on your first online Lucy order at ⁠⁠https://www.lucy.co/ QUESTIONS⁠⁠ with promo code QUESTIONS! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can one lawsuit change the future of American elections? Why almost everyone misunderstands Citizens United The legal mistake Lessig says created Super PACs Elon Musk's reported $270 million in political donations—and why it matters to this case  Whether billionaires are effectively buying political influence Why this case is likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court if the current ruling stands  What American elections could look like if Super PACs were fundamentally changed Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig believes it can.Most Americans blame Citizens United for the rise of Super PACs—but Lessig argues that's not actually what happened. Now, after years of litigation, a new court case could finally give the Supreme Court a chance to decide whether unlimited donations to Super PACs are constitutional at all. If the courts rule in his favor, the decision could dramatically reshape campaign finance before the 2028 presidential election by allowing limits on massive contributions to Super PACs once again. In this conversation, Shane Smith and Lawrence Lessig discuss:Whether you agree or disagree with the current campaign finance system, this is one of the most consequential legal challenges to election law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices