The two-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence arrives during intense disputes about American history, as the Trump Administration demands a more glorifying view of the nation’s past at federally run historical sites and in federally funded projects. The staff writer <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/jill-lepore" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jill Lepore</a> (who won the Pulitzer Prize in History this month for her book “<a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631496080" rel="noopener noreferrer">We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution</a>”) guest-hosts a special episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour about this fraught moment, reflecting on the responsibility of academic historians to shape the public debate. She compares our moment with the bicentennial—which fell in the wake of the Vietnam War and the scandals of Richard Nixon’s Presidency—in a conversation with the Yale historian Beverly Gage. Lepore looks at the nature of the country’s war over history with <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/jelani-cobb" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jelani Cobb</a>, the dean of Columbia Journalism School and a staff writer at The New Yorker. They discuss the Donald Trump-approved “Freedom 250” projection on the Washington Monument, and talk about how Americans can meaningfully participate in the semiquincentennial. If “we’re sitting around waiting for the occupant of the White House to tell us what American history means,” Lepore says, “you just kind of want to walk into traffic.” 
Further reading: 
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/america-at-250" rel="noopener noreferrer">America at 250</a>, a special issue of The New Yorker</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/05/11/why-the-declaration-of-independence-went-through-seventeen-drafts" rel="noopener noreferrer">Was the Declaration of Independence Better Before the Edits?</a>,” by Jill Lepore</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/03/09/scandal-protest-goofiness-and-grandeur-at-the-us-bicentennial" rel="noopener noreferrer">Scandal, Protest, Goofiness, and Grandeur at the U.S. Bicentennial</a>,” by Jill Lepore</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/05/11/two-hundred-and-fifty-years-of-complicated-commemorations" rel="noopener noreferrer">Two Hundred and Fifty Years of Complicated Commemorations,” </a>by Jelani Cobb</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/This-Land-is-Your-Land/Beverly-Gage/9781668033104" rel="noopener noreferrer">This Land Is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History</a>,” by Beverly Gage</li>
</ul>
 
New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, New Yorker staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;The two-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence arrives during intense disputes about American history, as the Trump Administration demands a more glorifying view of the nation’s past at federally run historical sites and in federally funded projects. The staff writer &lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/jill-lepore" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Jill Lepore&lt;/a&gt; (who won the Pulitzer Prize in History this month for her book “&lt;a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631496080" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution&lt;/a&gt;”) guest-hosts a special episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour about this fraught moment, reflecting on the responsibility of academic historians to shape the public debate. She compares our moment with the bicentennial—which fell in the wake of the Vietnam War and the scandals of Richard Nixon’s Presidency—in a conversation with the Yale historian Beverly Gage. Lepore looks at the nature of the country’s war over history with &lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/jelani-cobb" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Jelani Cobb&lt;/a&gt;, the dean of Columbia Journalism School and a staff writer at &lt;i&gt;The New Yorker&lt;/i&gt;. They discuss the Donald Trump-approved “Freedom 250” projection on the Washington Monument, and talk about how Americans can meaningfully participate in the semiquincentennial. If “we’re sitting around waiting for the occupant of the White House to tell us what American history means,” Lepore says, “you just kind of want to walk into traffic.” &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Further reading: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/america-at-250" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;America at 250&lt;/a&gt;, a special issue of &lt;i&gt;The New Yorker&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/05/11/why-the-declaration-of-independence-went-through-seventeen-drafts" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Was the Declaration of Independence Better Before the Edits?&lt;/a&gt;,” by Jill Lepore&lt;/li&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/03/09/scandal-protest-goofiness-and-grandeur-at-the-us-bicentennial" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Scandal, Protest, Goofiness, and Grandeur at the U.S. Bicentennial&lt;/a&gt;,” by Jill Lepore&lt;/li&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/05/11/two-hundred-and-fifty-years-of-complicated-commemorations" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Two Hundred and Fifty Years of Complicated Commemorations,” &lt;/a&gt;by Jelani Cobb&lt;/li&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/This-Land-is-Your-Land/Beverly-Gage/9781668033104" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;This Land Is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History&lt;/a&gt;,” by Beverly Gage&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, &lt;i&gt;New Yorker&lt;/i&gt; staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Three prominent historians discuss a national milestone arriving in the midst of a politically charged conflict over how Americans see the past. It’s a “goat rodeo,” Lepore says. 

The History Wars and America at 250, with the Historian Jill Lepore

Harriet Clark’s novel, “<a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374614546/thehill/" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Hill</a>,” is one of the most anticipated works of fiction of the year. It’s a story of a girl growing up visiting her mother, who is serving a life sentence in prison for a politically motivated crime. And although “The Hill” is a work of fiction, it follows the contours of Clark’s own life closely: her mother is Judy Clark, who drove a getaway car after a robbery in which two police officers and a security guard were killed. One of “The Hill” ’s enthusiastic admirers is Rachel Aviv, a staff writer at The New Yorker. She spoke with Clark about the power of fiction, her mother’s life story, and the power of narrative when thinking about how to confront carceral systems.
Further reading: 
<ul>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/05/11/the-hill-harriet-clark-book-review#rid=f9071ad2-f3ad-44d0-9034-f8e1a3d19509&q=harriet+clark" rel="noopener noreferrer">Harriet Clark’s Début Is a New Kind of Coming-of-Age Novel</a>,” by James Wood</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/03/02/the-trial-of-gisele-pelicots-rapists-united-france-and-fractured-her-family" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Trial of Gisèle Pelicot’s Rapists United France and Fractured Her Family</a>,” by Rachel Aviv</li>
</ul>
 
New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, New Yorker staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Harriet Clark’s novel, “&lt;a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374614546/thehill/" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;The Hill&lt;/a&gt;,” is one of the most anticipated works of fiction of the year. It’s a story of a girl growing up visiting her mother, who is serving a life sentence in prison for a politically motivated crime. And although “The Hill” is a work of fiction, it follows the contours of Clark’s own life closely: her mother is Judy Clark, who drove a getaway car after a robbery in which two police officers and a security guard were killed. One of “The Hill” ’s enthusiastic admirers is Rachel Aviv, a staff writer at &lt;i&gt;The New Yorker&lt;/i&gt;. She spoke with Clark about the power of fiction, her mother’s life story, and the power of narrative when thinking about how to confront carceral systems.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Further reading: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/05/11/the-hill-harriet-clark-book-review#rid=f9071ad2-f3ad-44d0-9034-f8e1a3d19509&amp;q=harriet+clark" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Harriet Clark’s Début Is a New Kind of Coming-of-Age Novel&lt;/a&gt;,” by James Wood&lt;/li&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/03/02/the-trial-of-gisele-pelicots-rapists-united-france-and-fractured-her-family" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;The Trial of Gisèle Pelicot’s Rapists United France and Fractured Her Family&lt;/a&gt;,” by Rachel Aviv&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, &lt;i&gt;New Yorker&lt;/i&gt; staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Harriet Clark’s new novel “The Hill” parallels her own childhood years spent visiting the prison where her mother was incarcerated. She talks with Rachel Aviv.

Growing Up with a Mother in Prison

The contributing writer Peter Slevin met with Barack Obama at the new Obama Presidential Center, which opens next month, in Chicago, and asked him the question on a lot of Democrats’ minds: Where is he, and why isn’t he doing more to help the country in a moment of crisis? Slevin shares excerpts from his interview, during which Obama explains the limits of his role, and why he should no longer be the figurehead for his party. Slevin also speaks with David Remnick about why the famously optimistic President has lost some of his confidence in the American prospect. “I would be dishonest if I didn’t acknowledge that,” Obama admitted. 
Further reading: 
<ul>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/05/11/barack-obama-in-the-age-of-trump" rel="noopener noreferrer">Barack Obama Considers His Role in the Age of Trump</a>,” by Peter Slevin</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/presidents-days-from-obama-to-trump#rid=4cef9e7d-ba9d-4751-abf9-5afd160e2fba&q=obama" rel="noopener noreferrer">Presidents’ Days: From Obama to Trump</a>,” by David Remnick</li>
</ul>
 
New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, New Yorker staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;The contributing writer Peter Slevin met with Barack Obama at the new Obama Presidential Center, which opens next month, in Chicago, and asked him the question on a lot of Democrats’ minds: Where is he, and why isn’t he doing more to help the country in a moment of crisis? Slevin shares excerpts from his interview, during which Obama explains the limits of his role, and why he should no longer be the figurehead for his party. Slevin also speaks with David Remnick about why the famously optimistic President has lost some of his confidence in the American prospect. “I would be dishonest if I didn’t acknowledge that,” Obama admitted. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Further reading: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/05/11/barack-obama-in-the-age-of-trump" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Barack Obama Considers His Role in the Age of Trump&lt;/a&gt;,” by Peter Slevin&lt;/li&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/presidents-days-from-obama-to-trump#rid=4cef9e7d-ba9d-4751-abf9-5afd160e2fba&amp;q=obama" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Presidents’ Days: From Obama to Trump&lt;/a&gt;,” by David Remnick&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, &lt;i&gt;New Yorker&lt;/i&gt; staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

The reporter Peter Slevin asks the former President the question on many Democrats’ minds: Where is he, and why isn’t he doing more in a time of crisis?

Barack Obama in the Trump Era

Most basketball fans first took note of Steve Kerr when he played for the Chicago Bulls in the nineteen-nineties, but it’s through coaching that Kerr really came to the fore in the N.B.A. For more than twelve years, he’s led the Golden State Warriors to four titles, and a record seventy-three-win season, in 2016. He also took home an Olympic gold medal as the coach of the U.S. men’s team in 2024. Kerr has used his platform, at times, to wade into politics. He’s spoken at the Democratic National Convention, and his name comes up in conversations about candidates for higher office. He’s also been vocal about President Donald Trump, which is not without some risk. “Calling the President a buffoon? I kind of regret that, even though I felt it in my heart, even though a lot of people agreed with me,” Kerr tells the staff writer <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/charles-bethea" rel="noopener noreferrer">Charles Bethea</a>.
 
Further reading: 
<ul>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-new-yorker-interview/has-steve-kerr-had-enough#rid=d45238f4-9740-4a57-99e8-700ed8572648&q=steve+kerr" rel="noopener noreferrer">Has Steve Kerr Had Enough?</a>,” by Charles Bethea</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/usa-basketball-is-still-an-awkward-fit-at-the-olympics#rid=d45238f4-9740-4a57-99e8-700ed8572648&q=steve+kerr" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S.A. Basketball Is Still an Awkward Fit at the Olympics</a>,” by Louisa Thomas</li>
</ul>
 
New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, New Yorker staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Most basketball fans first took note of Steve Kerr when he played for the Chicago Bulls in the nineteen-nineties, but it’s through coaching that Kerr really came to the fore in the N.B.A. For more than twelve years, he’s led the Golden State Warriors to four titles, and a record seventy-three-win season, in 2016. He also took home an Olympic gold medal as the coach of the U.S. men’s team in 2024. Kerr has used his platform, at times, to wade into politics. He’s spoken at the Democratic National Convention, and his name comes up in conversations about candidates for higher office. He’s also been vocal about President Donald Trump, which is not without some risk. “Calling the President a buffoon? I kind of regret that, even though I felt it in my heart, even though a lot of people agreed with me,” Kerr tells the staff writer &lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/charles-bethea" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Charles Bethea&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Further reading: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-new-yorker-interview/has-steve-kerr-had-enough#rid=d45238f4-9740-4a57-99e8-700ed8572648&amp;q=steve+kerr" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Has Steve Kerr Had Enough?&lt;/a&gt;,” by Charles Bethea&lt;/li&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/usa-basketball-is-still-an-awkward-fit-at-the-olympics#rid=d45238f4-9740-4a57-99e8-700ed8572648&amp;q=steve+kerr" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;U.S.A. Basketball Is Still an Awkward Fit at the Olympics&lt;/a&gt;,” by Louisa Thomas&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, &lt;i&gt;New Yorker&lt;/i&gt; staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

The Golden State Warriors’ coach on playing with Michael Jordan in his prime, what he’s learned about leadership, and how outspoken is too outspoken in the league.

The N.B.A. Legend Steve Kerr

In the governor’s race in California, the leading Republican candidate appears to be Steve Hilton, a British-born political consultant and former Fox News contributor. Hilton has been endorsed by Donald Trump, which may not help him in the heavily Democratic state. His lead may owe something to California’s unusual primary system, but it’s not the first time a Republican has had a strong showing in the state: former Republican governors include Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hilton is running on a platform emphasizing affordability, cutting waste in the government, and increasing oil and natural-gas production. He talks with David Remnick about how a Republican might win this election, and how he would govern with a minority of Californians supporting him.
 
Further reading: 
<ul>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/02/09/gavin-newsom-profile#rid=3e00cfa1-9503-4f72-951d-42b2198a51ed&q=california+elections" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gavin Newsom Is Playing the Long Game</a>,” by Nathan Heller</li>
 <li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/california-strikes-back-in-the-redistricting-war#rid=3e00cfa1-9503-4f72-951d-42b2198a51ed&q=california+elections" rel="noopener noreferrer">California Strikes Back in the Redistricting War</a>,” by Jon Allsop</li>
</ul>
 
New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, New Yorker staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In the governor’s race in California, the leading Republican candidate appears to be Steve Hilton, a British-born political consultant and former Fox News contributor. Hilton has been endorsed by Donald Trump, which may not help him in the heavily Democratic state. His lead may owe something to California’s unusual primary system, but it’s not the first time a Republican has had a strong showing in the state: former Republican governors include Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hilton is running on a platform emphasizing affordability, cutting waste in the government, and increasing oil and natural-gas production. He talks with David Remnick about how a Republican might win this election, and how he would govern with a minority of Californians supporting him.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Further reading: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/02/09/gavin-newsom-profile#rid=3e00cfa1-9503-4f72-951d-42b2198a51ed&amp;q=california+elections" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;Gavin Newsom Is Playing the Long Game&lt;/a&gt;,” by Nathan Heller&lt;/li&gt;
 &lt;li&gt;“&lt;a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/california-strikes-back-in-the-redistricting-war#rid=3e00cfa1-9503-4f72-951d-42b2198a51ed&amp;q=california+elections" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;California Strikes Back in the Redistricting War&lt;/a&gt;,” by Jon Allsop&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, &lt;i&gt;New Yorker&lt;/i&gt; staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Steve Hilton is leading in the polls in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by twenty per cent. Could he win in blue California?

How a Trump-Endorsed Republican Could Become California’s Next Governor

Profiles, storytelling and insightful conversations, hosted by David Remnick.

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