The Focus Group Podcast

S6 Ep25: Texas-Sized Scandal (with Eric Benson)

Sen. John Cornyn has been a consistent ally of President Trump. Even Trump likes him just fine...but that may not be enough to save him in Texas, because he may have just been too mild-mannered for too long. He's running against a scandal-plagued (but combative) Attorney General, and a less scandal-plagued (but also less known) newcomer. Texas Monthly writer Eric Benson joins Sarah to break down the Republican brawl in the Lone Star State.Get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals at https://TempoMeals.com/THEFOCUSGROUP.Show notes:Eric Benson's John Cornyn profile: The Last Ride of Big Bad John

S6 Ep24: Two Qual Researchers Walk Into a Bar (with Margie Omero)

More and more Trump voters are souring on his administration. But why? Inflation, immigration, and Epstein are all in the mix, but there's a giant mosaic of disappointments. We needed a second qualitative researcher to make sense of it all. Democratic pollster Margie Omero joins the show to discuss what she's heard in her own focus groups, listen to Trump voters who are down on his job performance, and check in with the Democratic base.Get free shipping and 365 day returns from Quince at https://Quince.com/THEFOCUSGROUP.Margie's focus groups:Trump’s Problems With Latinos Go Deeper Than the Economy14 Wellness Voters Talk Parenting, MAHA and Social Media

S6 Ep23: Young Trump Voters Have Feelings (with Rachel Janfaza)

Why are Gen Z men drifting right while Gen Z women move left? And why do right-wing zoomers think the gender gap is so wide? Sarah Longwell talks with the newest Bulwark contributor Rachel Janfaza, founder of The Up and Up, to analyze new focus groups of Gen Z Trump voters. They also get into these voters' Trump fatigue on foreign policy, why a future JD Vance presidential run isn't appealing, and whether these voters could ever date someone across the political divide.The Bulwark is heading to Minneapolis, and then to Texas. Get your tickets at https://TheBulwark.com/Events.Show notes:Rachel in Vox: The quiet reason why Trump is losing Gen ZFrom November 2025: Rachel Janfaza on The Focus Group Podcast

S6 Ep22: Put Excuses on ICE (with Adrian Carrasquillo)

We saw an ICE officer kill an American citizen for the second time in less than three weeks. This time, it was harder for some of the voters we talked to to make an excuse for it. Bulwark immigration correspondent Adrian Carrasquillo returns to the show to discuss his reporting and listen to voters' raw reactions to what they're seeing in the news.Show notes:The abhorrent power of the photograph of a 5-year-old held by ICEBy Adrian Carrasquillo:Why a Scared 5-Year-Old Boy Shook Our National ConsciencePortraits of the Minneapolis ResistanceLet Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at https://RocketMoney.com/THEFOCUSGROUP

S6 Ep21: The Heebie Jeebie GOP (with Will Sommer)

Some strange, under-the-radar things are happening on the right. Marco Rubio is experiencing a strange rehabilitation with the Republican base, and some young men are excited about taxing OnlyFans. Meanwhile, JD Vance is still on the struggle bus with swing voters, especially women. Will Sommer, The Bulwark’s right-wing fever swamp correspondent, joins Sarah to break down the growing rift between the MAGA establishment and the America First wing—and what it means for 2028.By Will Sommer:MAGA Influencers Cheered Trump’s Venezuela War. Their Audience Said ‘WTF?!’Meet the First Groyper Politician