SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18th, 2026
Three weeks out from the midterms, today's conservative shows split between campaign math and culture-war flashpoints — Ted Cruz's panel fact-checks Tucker Carlson's pro-Russia talk, JD Vance stumps for a tightening Alaska Senate race, and the Shane Gillis SNL fallout keeps rippling across the roundup. Here's today's look at 10 of the biggest shows on the right.
The Ben Shapiro Show — "This Roadster Clip Is Jaw-Dropping. Here's What It Means."
Shapiro uses Tesla's new Roadster demo to argue free-market capitalism out-innovates state-led and heavily regulated economies. He defends Musk against critics and ties it to the midterms, saying Republicans must hold the Senate.
Tesla's new Roadster claims 0-60 mph in 0.81 seconds, with SpaceX-derived cold-gas thrusters and production slated for 2028.
Shapiro ranks free-market capitalism first, state capitalism (China/BYD) second and regulated Europe third.
He defends Musk against criticism from AOC and Elizabeth Warren, citing jobs and self-driving safety.
He opposes California's proposed Prop 40 wealth tax.
He blames regulation for high housing costs, using New York City as the example.
The Dan Bongino Show — "Bongino Weekend Report - Week of 10/12/26"
Bongino's weekend report is a get-out-the-vote pitch about three weeks before the midterms. He argues early-vote data undercuts blue-wave talk and defends ICE arrests in New York City.
Bongino says early-voting numbers do not show a Democratic wave and that Democrats are starting to hedge.
He defends ICE arrests of people with criminal records and criticizes NYC Mayor Mamdani's opposition to ICE.
He lists what he calls the Democratic agenda: open borders, defunding police and ICE, Medicare for All, taxes on unrealized gains and court expansion.
He targets candidates including Hochul, Ossoff and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico.
He accuses the media of shielding those candidates; all of this is his characterization.
Verdict with Ted Cruz — "Tucker Loves Mother Russia, a Look into the Muslim Brotherhood & James Talarico 'Dangerous for America'"
This weekend review episode pushes back on Tucker Carlson's pro-Russia framing with economic comparisons to the UK. It also raises disputed allegations about Abdul El-Sayed and attacks James Talarico's positions.
Guests counter Carlson's Russia-versus-Britain claim with GDP figures of roughly $4.26T for the UK and $2.65T for Russia.
They allege El-Sayed has Muslim Brotherhood ties through family and a 2018 documentary bookshelf; his campaign denies it.
They give a history of the Brotherhood and tie some US groups to a 2008 terror-financing case.
They criticize Talarico on immigration, energy and trans care for minors.
They cite a reported $64M third-quarter Talarico haul and a close race with Ken Paxton.
The Megyn Kelly Show — "Shane Gillis Fallout Has Today Show ATTACKING Other SNL Cast Members"
Kelly's panel defends Shane Gillis against backlash over his SNL gym-clothes joke and criticizes the Today Show's line of questioning. Their theme is that comedy should be allowed to offend and critics apply the standard unevenly.
Fallout from Gillis's SNL monologue has reached the Today Show, where the panel thought questions fished for controversy.
Travis Kelce drew criticism for liking a tweet containing the monologue.
Cecily Strong and Casey Anthony posted responses, which the panel called hypocritical or worth condemning.
The panel says NBC keeps booking Gillis despite the old tweets that got him fired from SNL years ago.
Core argument: comedy should sometimes offend.
Louder with Crowder — "The Shane Gillis Gym Wh*re Protest Is Backfiring in the Best Way Possible"
Crowder treats the Gillis gym-clothes protest as a failed backlash, mixing street interviews with irreverent humor. He argues comedians should not have to self-censor.
Crowder says the protests against Gillis are backfiring and the backlash is overblown.
Women filming themselves in revealing gym outfits as protest is, in his telling, a tactic that backfired on critics.
He plays street-interview bits about gym dress expectations and mocks them.
He covers an SNL cast member being pressed about the monologue.
The episode also includes lighter bits and sponsor spots.
The Michael Knowles Show — "Michael REACTS to WNBA Fails with Enes Kanter Freedom"
Knowles and guest Enes Kanter Freedom use a comedic WNBA segment to attack the league's transgender-inclusion policy and finances. Several figures and quotes are the speakers' unverified claims.
Ex-NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom says he was escorted from a Chicago Sky game over a shirt defining "woman."
Knowles says the WNBA should specify "biological female" in its rules.
They lean on the claim that the NBA subsidizes the WNBA and discuss ticket prices and Caitlin Clark's effect on viewership.
They claim other players target Clark on the court and mock Angel Reese's salary and draw.
Treat salary, subsidy, commissioner and owner-quote claims as unverified.
The Matt Walsh Show — "This is The Most Impressive Democrat in Years"
Walsh builds a satirical segment around a viral candidate forum clip from a Democratic county council candidate in Fayette County, Indiana. He mocks her rambling answers but agrees with part of her data-center position.
Jamie West's candidate forum went viral; Walsh implies she seemed intoxicated, which is his characterization only.
West said companies building data centers should fund local firefighters, schools and infrastructure.
She criticized data centers over water use and pollution, and said she would "fire all Republicans."
She described threats she had received, including one from a sheriff's nephew.
Walsh says he partly agrees with her on data centers.
Morning Wire — "Your Future Depends on Alaska, Here's How"
This Morning Wire "Behind the Story" episode covers the Alaska Senate race between Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola, reported from the road with JD Vance. The race is described as close despite Trump's 2024 win there.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) faces former Rep. Mary Peltola (D); Trump won Alaska by about 13 points in 2024 but the race is called close.
Vance drew a big crowd in Fairbanks and attacked Peltola's voting record; Trump also rallied in Alaska.
Ranked-choice voting and a large bloc of undeclared voters make the state hard to poll.
Remote and seasonal workers and doubts about absentee ballots are cited as turnout risks.
Reporter Mary Margaret Olohan says polls lean Democratic but it is too early to call.
Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey — "Boomer Responds to the Social Security Debate on X | Ron Simmons"
Guest Ron Simmons argues Social Security's problem is government spending of payroll money and pushes private accounts over tax hikes. The episode then covers early-voting dates and listener Q&A.
Simmons cites a poll: 89% of those over 65 favor tax hikes to preserve benefits, versus under half of those under 30.
He backs Bush-style personal investment accounts and says taxes are never the answer.
He criticizes fellow podcasters Steve Deace and Matt Walsh on the issue.
The episode lists early-voting windows for Texas, Iowa, North Carolina, Michigan, Georgia and Ohio.
Listener Q&A covers saving, debt, adult children, in-law boundaries and faith.
The Glenn Beck Program — "DON'T Believe the Polls Until You Go Out and Do This"
Beck argues survey headlines hide more hopeful numbers on optimism, faith and community, and urges neighborly connection over national politics. He also warns that generic midterm polls are weak.
He cites Gallup: about 68% say they personally can achieve the American dream.
He cites Barna data showing more weekly Bible reading, led by young men, and rejects the "lost generation" framing.
He cites Pew: knowing your neighbors is linked to less loneliness.
He calls generic-ballot polls unreliable and says to check named candidates state by state.
He points to close races in Minnesota, Oregon, Michigan and Texas.