Episodes

  • ‘A promise’: Cadets describe their journeys at West Point

    ‘A promise’: Cadets describe their journeys at West Point
    Jan 16 2025
    Many of the future officers of the United States Armed Forces begin their journeys as cadets at West Point, America’s oldest military academy and one of the top military academies in the world today. The United States military is often commended for its skill in complex organization and team-building, and students and faculty say that this culture starts early at West Point. Watch the above 25-minute episode of America Speaks as pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks a focus group of West Point students to describe their journeys as cadets to the American public and to share the lessons they’ve learned.
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    26 mins
  • ‘A disturbing pick’: Americans debate Musk, Trump’s cabinet picks

    ‘A disturbing pick’: Americans debate Musk, Trump’s cabinet picks
    Jan 9 2025
    Controversy has surrounded Donald Trump’s questionable selections for top cabinet positions in his upcoming second term, and around his close partnership with Elon Musk, a multibillionaire who spent at least $277 million to help Trump win reelection. Recent arguments between Musk and MAGA-affiliated U.S. Congress members, however, have revealed deep schisms within the Republican Party in the run-up to Trump’s inauguration. Watch the above 39-minute episode of American Speaks as pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks Americans to share their opinions of Trump, Musk, Trump’s cabinet selections and Trump’s relationship with Congress.
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    40 mins
  • ‘Dysfunctional’: Americans share criticisms of Congress

    ‘Dysfunctional’: Americans share criticisms of Congress
    Jan 2 2025
    Only about 1 in 5 Americans say they support or have an optimistic view of Congress, while 3 out of 5 say they disapprove or have a pessimistic view. While these numbers change a little over time, there are consistently more Americans who disapprove than approve. Watch the above 28-minute episode of America Speaks as pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks Americans to share their criticisms of Congress, why they say it’s failing to deliver, and what they’d like to see change in the years ahead.
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    28 mins
  • ‘Instill optimism’: Americans on how future generations can succeed

    ‘Instill optimism’: Americans on how future generations can succeed
    Dec 26 2024
    It can be difficult to predict the relative living standards of future generations in the modern world, where it seems like so much is changing so fast. Emerging technologies like AI, for instance, might empower and accelerate human productivity, but at the same time could also exacerbate wealth, income and power inequalities. And while many of today’s opportunities might not exist for the next generation, it’s also probable that new opportunities will emerge which we cannot yet imagine. Watch the above 21-minute episode of America Speaks as pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz dives into the debate about changing U.S. standards of living over time, how those changes relate to evolving technologies, and what advic
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    21 mins
  • ‘System is rigged’: Black Americans on the American Dream

    ‘System is rigged’: Black Americans on the American Dream
    Dec 17 2024
    Over the past few decades, rising costs of living and housing in the United States have outpaced real wage gains, which have remained more or less stagnant despite consistent growth in worker productivity over time. All of this — together with rising inequality, the shrinking of the middle class, and the inability of unemployed or unhoused Americans to access the welfare that they need — has contributed to a growing sense of financial hardship for many Americans. Watch the above 30-minute episode of America Speaks as pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks a panel of Black Americans to share their thoughts and feelings about whether or not the American dream can still survive in this economy. Dr. Luntz and the panel are later joined by John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, who shares tools and guidance for achieving greater success in the American financial system.
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    30 mins
  • ‘Have a little compassion’: Americans talk high holiday prices, anxiety

    ‘Have a little compassion’: Americans talk high holiday prices, anxiety
    Dec 12 2024
    American shoppers say they will spend a record high amount this year on holiday gifts and expenses, up 8% from the same time last year. While the holidays are meant to be a time of celebration, those with tight budgets can experience acute anxiety from the costs associated with travel, gifts, and taking time off work to be with friends and family. Watch the above 25-minute episode of America Speaks as pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks Americans to share how they’re making ends meet this holiday season, what gifts they’re choosing when everything costs more, and why they believe the economy is worse this year than last.
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    25 mins
  • ‘Extremist’ or ‘phony’: Americans share who they voted for and why

    ‘Extremist’ or ‘phony’: Americans share who they voted for and why
    Nov 22 2024
    The U.S. 2024 presidential election delivered a decisive victory for Donald Trump in the Electoral College and a narrow victory in the national popular vote. In the days after the election, social media was flooded with celebrations among those who voted for Donald Trump, but with alarm, anger and despair from those who voted for Kamala Harris. Watch this 38-minute episode of America Speaks as pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks American voters to share and discuss who they voted for and why.
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    38 mins
  • ‘Extreme’ or ‘fake’: Swing voters weigh Trump or Harris

    ‘Extreme’ or ‘fake’: Swing voters weigh Trump or Harris
    Nov 5 2024
    Election Day is tomorrow, and very few American voters have yet to decide which candidate they’ll cast their ballot for. Some of those remaining undecided, however, reside in a handful of key swing states, and their votes could ultimately decide who becomes the next president of the United States. In this 34-minute episode of America Speaks, pollster and political analyst Dr. Frank Luntz asks undecided swing state voters for their final thoughts and opinions about who they’ll be voting for in the 2024 U.S. presidential race.
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    33 mins