Peter Hamby
Political journalist, founding partner of Puck and host of The Powers That Be podcast
Peter Hamby (Political journalist, founding partner of Puck and host of The Powers That Be podcast) has appeared as a guest on 1 episode in TMT. Topics they speak about most include Political violence in the United States, 2026 California gubernatorial election, 2026 United States Senate election in Maine.
In their words
Positions and remarks grouped by topic, each with the exact quote and where it was said.
Political violence in the United States
Hamby argues social media algorithms amplify extreme rhetoric, making it more prevalent on the left than before.
“I just think that it's easier to hear the crazy stuff that the algorithms have poured gasoline on than it ever was”
Pod Save America: Bernie vs. the Robots (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 37:17
Hamby cites CSIS data showing 2025 was the first year left-wing violent incidents and plots outnumbered right-wing ones, while noting the small numbers.
“2025 was the first year ever that left-wing violence and plots and or plots surpassed right-wing violence and or plots”
Pod Save America: Bernie vs. the Robots (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 40:52
2026 California gubernatorial election
Hamby says Xavier Becerra has clear momentum in recent polling of the California governor's race.
“The last four polls, two independent, I think, and two sort of partisan, have showed him climbing and having clear momentum”
Pod Save America: Bernie vs. the Robots (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 1:08:14
2026 United States Senate election in Maine
Hamby characterizes Platner's general election race against Susan Collins as a toss-up, noting Maine's old and not very partisan electorate.
“Maine is the oldest electorate in the country. So it's also not very partisan”
Pod Save America: Bernie vs. the Robots (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 1:03:54
Media credibility and independent journalism
Hamby cites an AP poll showing near majorities of Americans now get news from influencers and creators.
“near majorities of americans say they get news from influencers and creators now and that's a huge shift in just a few years”
Pod Save America: Bernie vs. the Robots (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 55:18
Conspiracy theories in the United States
Hamby observes that recent political attackers share having grown up online with constant access to dark corners of the internet.
“all of these examples are people who grew up online”
Pod Save America: Bernie vs. the Robots (May 3, 2026) · Listen from 47:53
Appearances
Bernie vs. the RobotsPod Save America · May 3, 2026 · 1 h 16 min
Jon Lovett interviews Bernie Sanders on AI risk, super PAC money and Israel arms sales, then Peter Hamby on left-wing political violence, Maine and California races.
Often appears with
- Jon Lovett · 1 shared episode
- Bernie Sanders · 1 shared episode