The Backlash: Anger, Affordability, and Corruption in the 2026 Midterms

With Susan Glasser, Jane Mayer, Evan Osnos, and special guest David Remnick.

Are corruption and economic inequality becoming the defining issues in American politics — and the weapons that could drive a Democratic comeback in the 2026 midterms?

From Donald Trump’s rise to Zohran Mamdani’s insurgent win in New York City, economic anger has become one of the most powerful forces in American life. The chasm between the very rich and everyone else — between billionaires buying influence and voters struggling with rent, child care, and basic stability — is no longer in the background. It may be the central political fact of the moment.

But who can best channel that anger? Republicans have long turned class resentment against wealthy liberals, universities, and the media. Democrats are now trying to redirect it — toward oligarchy, corporate power, super PACs, and the ultra rich. As Democrats battle to harness economic anger, they face questions about what they’ll do if they retake Congress. Will investigating corruption in the Trump Administration, as they’re expected to do with their restored subpoena power, help the Party win back the trust of disillusioned voters? And looking to 2028, who will the Democratic presidential candidate be? What will Democratics learn, if anything, from the 2024 Harris loss to ensure victory in 2028?

In a live recording of The Political Scene podcast, The New Yorker’s political writers Susan B. Glasser, Jane Mayer, and Evan Osnos are joined by editor David Remnick to discuss inequality, affordability, and dark money—and who might be best positioned to tap the country’s anger over corruption and the wealth gap. How will Republicans respond? And how might the fight over this year’s midterms reverberate in the 2028 Presidential contest?