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Episode · Stubborn Things

Introducing: Stubborn Things

24 Nov 2025 · 2 min

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The American Enterprise Institute is pleased to present a new podcast: Stubborn Things, hosted by Gerald R. Ford Nonresident Senior Fellow Jay Cost and by Nonresident Fellow Sean Trende. John Adams famously said: “Facts are stubborn things. Whatever our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." In this era of knee-jerk partisanship and ideological posturing, Adams's warning is as important as ever. Tune in to Stubborn Things every other week as Cost and Trende draw on their wide-ranging base of knowledge and stubborn…

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Stubborn Things

AEI Podcasts · News · English

John Adams famously said: “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." In this era of knee-jerk partisanship and ideological posturing, Adams's warning is as important as ever. Tune

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  1. 29 Jan 2026 · 55 min

    Radicalism, Instability, and a Dysfunctional Senate

    This week, Jay and Sean zoom out from the ongoing immigration enforcement debate to talk about the history and politics of immigration. In the spirit of Stubborn Things, Jay and Sean try to make sense of various views – right, left, and center – on immigration and discuss the radical politics that prevents compromise and consensus. During the second half of the episode, they talk about Senate dysfunction and the upcoming Senate election in Texas. Take a listen! Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast . Comments? Suggestions? Email…

  2. 20 Jan 2026 · 53 min

    From the Halls of Caracas to the Shores of Tripoli

    This week, Jay and Sean talk the Donroe Doctrine. They address the centuries-old historical precedent of American military intervention in the Western Hemisphere and analyze how the Trump admiration's forays into Venezuela fit into this story. On the second half of the episode, Jay interviews Sean about his experiences as an election lawyer and congressional map-drawing extraordinaire. Take a listen! Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast . Comments? Suggestions? Email us at [email protected] .

  3. 7 Jan 2026 · 52 min

    Elections Galore

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  4. 18 Dec 2025 · 52 min

    How Much Executive Power Will President Stephen A. Smith Have?

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  5. 3 Dec 2025 · 56 min

    Gerrymania

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