Friday, August 7, 2026

FASCIST AMERICA 2026: Extraordinary writer, public intellectual, journalist, author, social and cultural critic, historian, scholar, media figure, philosopher, teacher, and activist Ta-Nehisi Coates in a typically fascinating and truly riveting conversation with outstanding journalist, media producer, cultural and social critic, public intellectual, comedian, actor and dynamic interviewer/host Hasan Minhaj

Is America The Bad Guy? with Ta-Nehisi Coates



Hasan Minhaj

August 5, 2026

VIDEO: 
 

Hasan sits down with writer and journalist, Ta-Nehisi Coates, to talk about his latest Vanity Fair article, the difference between intelligence and wisdom, and the inherent violence of Empire.

PROGRAM CHAPTERS:

0:00 Introducing Ta-Nehisi Coates

3:19 Ad

4:15 The reaction to “Between the World and Me” vs. “The Message”

11:47 Hasan’s favorite passage from “The Message” 13:39 Confusing intellect for wisdom

17:51 Does America have good intentions?

19:09 Sincerely, President Donald Trump

21:48 Constraints on free speech creating your world 23:28 Do states have a right to exist?

27:00 Discussing “The Next Black President”

31:20 Thinking bigger to fight empire

33:56 What does “Empire” mean?

38:07 Kamala Harris at the 2024 DNC

43:00 Survival-ball

45:15 Blaming undecided voters

49:17 Does it have to be this way?

52:59 Will the progressive Democratic primary wins in New York change the whole party’s approach?

54:52 The 2026 midterm elections

1:00:01 Celebrity

1:05:14 Remaining open to the world

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THE SHOW: 

Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know is a long-form interview podcast hosted by two-time Peabody Award-winning comedian Hasan Minhaj. The show features in-depth conversations with politicians, public figures, financial experts, scientists, intellectuals, authors and celebrities. 

Rather than sticking to standard talking points, Minhaj aims to ask deeper, more probing questions that reveal personal perspectives and challenge conventional narratives. The tone is direct and curious, and focused on uncovering what guests really think beyond rehearsed answers.