Scott MacFarlane

Things Scott Says on Podcasts

I've been covering news in Washington for more than 20 years, specializing in enterprise and investigative reporting. This is a 7-day-a-week home to my latest updates. No days off. Unvarnished, unfiltered and eager for your ideas

Where to Find Them

Scott MacFarlane hosts and writes Scott MacFarlane Reports , writes Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance , writes Lincoln Square , writes The Jim Acosta Show , writes Katie Phang , writes Denver Riggleman , writes Zeteo , writes Frank Figliuzzi , writes Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou , writes Conor Lamb , writes Eli's Substack , writes Lawyer Oyer , writes Katie Couric , writes Meidas+ , writes The Red Letter , writes Hardball with Chris Matthews , writes Standing Our Ground , writes The Ken Harbaugh Show , writes The Daily Beans and writes Rep. Mike Levin . They have also been a guest on Money, Power, Politics with Stephanie Ruhle , Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino , SpyTalk , Legal AF by MeidasTouch , The MeidasTouch Podcast , The Intersection with Michael Popok and Narativ with Zev Shalev .

Recently: “ELECTION ROUNDUP WITH SCOTT MACFARLANE” on Narativ with Zev Shalev (October 2026); “Trump Administration Extends Losing Streak in Court - Live w/ Scott MacFarlane & Joyce Vance” on Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance (October 2026); “People are Underestimating the Anger in Michigan about Trump’s Tariffs” on Scott MacFarlane Reports (October 2026); “DAY AHEAD - My Daily Editorial Note” on Scott MacFarlane Reports (October 2026); “The GOP’s Emerging Problem in Mississippi & Through the South - Voters are Pissed Off” on Scott MacFarlane Reports (October 2026); “The GOP’s Emerging Problem in Mississippi & Through the South - Voters are Pissed Off” on Scott MacFarlane Reports (October 2026).

What They Said

“The rally might also mark a weakness in the gubernatorial candidacy of Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who is getting a fierce challenge from Democratic nominee David Jolly. The Democratic Governors Association is pumping $1 million into the race to support Jolly’s campaign, which indicates the party might see an indicator of a tightening battle.” — Scott MacFarlane on Byron Donalds, Scott MacFarlane Reports

From Scott MacFarlane's daily editorial note of October 23, 2026, previewing a Trump rally in Florida for Donalds, the Republican nominee for governor, in the final stretch of the campaign.

Scott MacFarlane Reports · 2026-10-23 Permalink → Listen →
“Ciscomani is touting his independence and bipartisan work, perhaps another unspoken nod to Trump’s fraying “tape.”” — Scott MacFarlane on Juan Ciscomani, Scott MacFarlane Reports

Discussing how battleground Democrats are leaning on Trump fatigue.

Scott MacFarlane Reports · 2026-10-26 Permalink → Listen →
“In Arizona’s battleground 6th Congressional District, the Democratic nominee Joanna Mendoza is trying to jab her GOP opponent Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) for not appearing at Trump’s rallies, perhaps sensing the rallies are politically damaging and mangled.” — Scott MacFarlane on Juan Ciscomani, Scott MacFarlane Reports

Discussing how battleground Democrats are leaning on Trump fatigue.

Scott MacFarlane Reports · 2026-10-26 Permalink → Listen →
“Rutinel is seeking to oust first-term Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO). Rutinel knows Trump’s approval is sinking especially low in Colorado, a state which has never voted to elect Trump.” — Scott MacFarlane on Gabe Evans, Scott MacFarlane Reports

Discussing how battleground Democrats are leaning on Trump fatigue.

Scott MacFarlane Reports · 2026-10-26 Permalink → Listen →
“As for Evans, in Colorado: He recently appeared side-by-side with Speaker Mike Johnson and tries to tap into anti-incumbent sentiments by blasting “Denver Democrats” at the state level.” — Scott MacFarlane on Gabe Evans, Scott MacFarlane Reports

Discussing how battleground Democrats are leaning on Trump fatigue.

Scott MacFarlane Reports · 2026-10-26 Permalink → Listen →
“Suozzi co-sponsored a bill with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) to halt the Trump $1.776 billion slush fund for convicted crooks and Capitol rioters.” — Scott MacFarlane on Brian Fitzpatrick, Scott MacFarlane Reports

Previewing the day's congressional debates and campaign events.

Scott MacFarlane Reports · 2026-10-20 Permalink → Listen →
“The ‘Bama race has two familiar names: Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) against former Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL). Jones is slamming Tuberville for declining to debate.” — Scott MacFarlane on Tommy Tuberville and Doug Jones, Scott MacFarlane Reports

MacFarlane was previewing competitive races that could move toward Democrats.

Scott MacFarlane Reports · 2026-10-23 Permalink → Listen →
“In California, Emerson Polling shows Democratic nominee Xavier Becerra with a 27-point lead in the gubernatorial race over GOP nominee Steve Hilton.” — Scott MacFarlane on Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton, Scott MacFarlane Reports

MacFarlane was running through the day's campaign developments in his daily editorial note.

Scott MacFarlane Reports · 2026-10-22 Permalink → Listen →
“How the controversy impacts the race is still unclear. But even before the ad sparked outrage, Ramaswamy appeared to be in a jam. Cook Political Report has released a new poll today showing Ramaswamy trailing by 5 points, before the impact of the commercial could be measured.” — Scott MacFarlane on Vivek Ramaswamy, Scott MacFarlane Reports

MacFarlane was running through the day's campaign developments in his daily editorial note.

Scott MacFarlane Reports · 2026-10-22 Permalink → Listen →
“Democrats have blanketed Michigan in ads tying GOP U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers to President Trump.” — Scott MacFarlane on Mike Rogers, Scott MacFarlane Reports

Reporting on voters and campaign advertising in the Michigan Senate race.

Scott MacFarlane Reports · 2026-10-30 Permalink → Listen →

Collections They Appear In