Katie Couric and Meghan McCain don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye across the political landscape. McCain is a self-described “proud, strong, conservative woman.” Katie, on the other hand, voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. However, in this episode of Next Question, the two attempt to demonstrate bipartisan solidarity and critical, open dialogue in a gripping conversation.

“I know we disagree on a number of issues,” Katie tells McCain, “but…I really don’t want to live in a country where half the population doesn’t talk to the other half of the country. My goal today is for you and me to hopefully model a conversation marked by respect, kindness, and open-heartedness.”

“You’re a lifelong conservative,” Katie points out. “But you’re not really a part of the MAGA movement. In fact, you’re what they call a ‘McCain Republican’…Can you talk about what’s happened to today’s GOP and the MAGA takeover of the party and what it’s been like for you personally to witness this?”

“It’s complicated…I have friends who are more than likely going to work in the Trump administration,” McCain replied. “And I had a conversation with one recently where I [said], ‘I hope your relationship with me doesn’t hurt you.’ It’s horrible. In the same way that like the left is tribal, the right is comparably tribal as well, in all ways.”

“It’s been personally difficult and also just politically bizarre to feel like [I’ve] done something wrong because I’m not a MAGA, Kool-Aid drinking populist and I’m never going to be,” McCain continued. “And that’s OK. I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong. But it certainly makes you unpopular in a lot of spaces.”

Tune into this riveting episode to hear Katie and McCain talk about who McCain voted for and why; plus, they give their separate takes on what Harris may have done to fumble the election. Together, they also try to dissect the challenges faced by journalists and other members of the media who are reporting on the president-elect.