About this episode
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Trump’s strange legal maneuvering in the obstruction investigation; what Trump’s second term would do to U.S. democracy; and what voters deserve to know about a candidate’s health. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Jonathan Rauch for The Atlantic “ Trump’s Second Term Would Look Like This ” Age of Innocence , by Edith Wharton Portrait of a Lady , by Henry James Heart of Darkness , by Joseph Conrad Lord Jim , by Joseph Conrad Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do , by Studs Terkel This Is Chance!: The Shaking of an All-American City, a Voice That Held It Together , by Jon Mooallem The Way We Live Now , by Anthony Trollope Here are this week’s chatters: John: Ella Koeze, Denise Lu and Charlie Smart for The New York Times: “ Can You Gerrymander Your Party to Power? ” Emily: Aaron Byrd, Weiyi Cai, Geoff Macdonald, Emily Rhyne, Noah Throop, Joe Ward and Jeremy White for The New York Times: “ The Toss ” David: CityCast DC ; Bad Sisters Listener chatter from Michael Koehler: Christo Grozev for Bellingcat: “ Socialite, Widow, Jeweller, Spy: How a GRU Agent Charmed Her Way Into NATO Circles in Italy ” For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the non-political books that most influenced their understanding of politics. Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com . (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Kevin Bendis. Research by Bridgette Dunlap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices