2026 Midterms, China's AI Strategy, & U.S. Economy with Joshua Philipp

In this episode of The Neil Haley Show, Neil “The Media Giant” Haley welcomes investigative journalist Joshua Philipp of The Epoch Times for an in-depth discussion about the 2026 midterm elections, the debate over socialism, the Chinese Communist Party, the U.S. economy, and the growing competition in artificial intelligence. Joshua begins by sharing his background as an investigative journalist, including his work examining Chinese espionage and the activities of the Chinese Communist Party. He discusses his investigations into Chinese influence operations in the United States, his reporting on the origins of COVID-19, his work involving January 6 footage, and his documentaries on political and international issues. He also explains his work with The Epoch Times, where he has spent approximately 20 years, and discusses his television programs, Crossroads and The Josh Philipp Show. The conversation then turns to the 2026 midterm elections and whether Republicans can retain control of the House and Senate. Neil and Joshua examine the possibility of divisions within the Democratic Party over socialism, the potential for some conservative voters to support candidates outside the Republican Party, and the uncertainty surrounding the election. Joshua argues that disagreements over socialism could create challenges for Democrats, while Neil considers whether a divided government could affect the future of the MAGA movement and the Republican Party. Neil and Joshua also discuss the balance of power between the federal government and individual states. They compare policies under different presidential administrations and consider whether federal authority has expanded too far. Joshua explains his views on states’ rights and federal overreach, emphasizing that he sees the issue as a broader challenge in American government rather than a problem associated with only one president. Another major topic is the platform and goals of Democratic socialist groups. Joshua discusses proposals he attributes to the movement, including changes to congressional representation, the status of Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the Senate, the presidency, and the Supreme Court. He also addresses proposals involving immigration enforcement, military funding, housing, food, healthcare, and other public services. The discussion explores concerns about the role of government, individual incentives, entrepreneurship, and the long-term sustainability of economic systems. Joshua discusses China’s economic growth, Western investment, state capitalism, intellectual property concerns, and competition between foreign and state-supported businesses. He also compares China’s economic system with those of Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. Neil and Joshua further examine China’s international business strategy, including manufacturing, government subsidies, infrastructure projects, and the movement of wealth outside China. They discuss why some businesses have sought to reduce their dependence on Chinese manufacturing, how COVID-era restrictions affected supply chains, and the role of U.S. trade policies and tariffs in encouraging companies to reconsider where they produce their goods. Toward the end of the episode, Neil raises questions about artificial intelligence and the competition between American and Chinese AI developers. Joshua discusses concerns about Chinese AI models, including claims of reliance on Western technology, and explains why he believes access to advanced semiconductor chips is a critical factor in AI development. They also consider China’s extensive data collection capabilities and the implications of government access to data under its national security and cybersecurity framework. To close, Neil asks Joshua for his outlook on the midterm elections. Joshua explains why he believes Republicans have a real chance of retaining control, pointing to divisions over socialism and his assessment of election-related policies. The conversation offers a wide-ranging look at American politics, China's influence, economic competition, and the future of AI. Watch this episode of The Neil Haley Show to hear Joshua Philipp share his perspective on the 2026 midterms, socialism, China's economic model, federal power, international trade, and the technological competition shaping the future. 📍 To Learn More About Joshua Philipp: theepochtimes.com/author/joshua-philipp