Israel, Autism & Broadway: Leland Vittert + Clay Aiken

Citizen McCain with Meghan McCain

Citizen Cain Productions

News, News Commentary, Society & Culture

3.9 • 692 Ratings

🗓️ 9 October 2025

⏱️ 74 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Journalist Leland Vittert joins Meghan and Miranda to talk Israel, the post–October 7 climate, and why moral clarity still matters. He opens up about his book 'Born Lucky' - growing up autistic, bullying, tough-love parenting, and reflects on leaving Fox. They also talk about shutdown politics, and America’s reaction after the Charlie Kirk assassination, including the Roblox lawsuit over extremist content. Then Meghan & Miranda break down Katie Porter’s viral interview walk-off, press accountability vs. thin skin, and what it signals about leadership temperament. Finally, Clay Aiken goes behind the curtain on Broadway economics: why so many new shows aren’t recouping, when stunt-casting helps (and when it tanks a production), the Kennedy Center Honors lineup, and that viral Les Mis clip. Plus: Clay’s 17-year-old son completes his first solo flight.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Megan McCain has entered the chat.
0:07.0	Megan McCain has entered the chat. Hello and welcome to Citizen McCain.
0:33.1	I'm so happy you guys are here on this gloomy day in D.C.
0:36.9	It feels like fall is finally here, which
0:38.5	you know, Miranda and I have been complaining about at length right now that it hasn't been
0:42.8	cold enough. We want it to be spooky season already.
0:44.9	Just a reminder to raise our digital hands if you want to ask us a question. And if you're
0:50.6	joining us on Zoom, you can register at 2a.tv slash Megan. And if you're not subscribed to our YouTube channel, what are you waiting for? YouTube.com slash at Citizen McCain YouTube. Really quick. We have two wonderful guests coming on today. But I just want to let you guys know a little update. We did our interview with Cheryl Hines yesterday in person. It would be airing next week.
1:12.4	She was a total delight.
1:14.8	So kind, so down to earth.
1:19.5	I think the first person who has ever come to be interviewed with me in person that came without a publicist or a hair and makeup person, like the most mellow, chill vibes person
1:24.9	ever.
1:26.0	So it was a really lovely conversation.
1:28.2	Yeah, she's a major Hollywood actress and married to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
1:33.4	So it was wonderful.
1:34.8	For so long, though, I wonder if she's just like, whatever, just another.
1:38.6	It's old news.
1:39.8	She's just so, like California cool.
1:41.8	I love her.
1:42.4	It's going to air next Wednesday, right, Ashley?
1:45.0	And special thank you to our team here, Ashley, Kara, Miranda, Carmen, my wonderful hair makeup artist, everybody
1:50.1	who made it happen. It was fantastic. But first and foremost, today I'm so excited. We have
	...

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