It is a weird time for the podcast charts. If you’ve been looking for the Dan Bongino Apple podcast recently, you might have noticed a massive hole where the daily firebrand used to be. Honestly, the timeline of the last twelve months feels like a fever dream for fans of conservative media. One minute, Dan is the undisputed king of the news charts, and the next, he’s sitting in a high-security office as the Deputy Director of the FBI.
It’s been a wild ride. But as of January 2026, the silence is officially ending.
Most people don't realize how much of a vacuum he left behind. When Bongino stepped away in March 2025 to join the Trump administration, Apple Podcasts saw a significant shuffle in the "News" category. Heavy hitters like Ben Shapiro and the FOX News Hourly Update fought for those vacant spots, but the "Bongino Army" is a different breed of loyal. They didn't just move on; they waited.
The 2025 FBI Chapter: Behind the Mic and the Badge
You can’t talk about the current state of his podcast without talking about why he left. It wasn't about money—reports suggest he was walking away from a media empire worth upwards of $160 million. He wanted to "fix the place" from the inside.
His nine-month stint as FBI Deputy Director under Director Kash Patel was, to put it mildly, explosive. While he was off the air, his name still dominated the Apple charts through "Biography" podcasts and news updates tracking his every move. He wasn't just a bureaucrat; he was a news cycle.
Internal reports from late 2025 suggest some friction within the bureau. Some career agents reportedly weren't fans of his "social media obsession," but the Trump administration credited him with disrupting over 1,800 gangs and making massive fentanyl seizures.
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Then came the December 2025 bombshell.
Trump told reporters, "I think he wants to go back to his show." Just days later, Bongino confirmed it on X (formerly Twitter). He’s officially resigning from the FBI this month, and the podcast world is already bracing for the impact.
Why the Relaunch on February 2, 2026, Changes Everything
If you’re a regular listener on Apple Podcasts, you need to mark February 2, 2026, on your calendar. That is the official relaunch date for The Dan Bongino Show.
But there’s a catch this time.
The structure is shifting. While the recorded audio will still drop on Apple Podcasts, the "live" experience is moving. Rumble has secured the exclusive video and live-streaming rights. This is a massive play for independent media platforms.
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Here is what the new schedule looks like:
- Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET (Monday through Friday).
- Format: A two-hour daily podcast (up from his previous shorter format).
- Platforms: Live video on Rumble; Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and major apps.
Basically, if you want the "raw and emotional" Dan in real-time, you'll need the Rumble app. If you’re a commuter who prefers the Apple ecosystem, you’ll get the edited audio version shortly after the live stream ends.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rankings
A lot of folks think that because Bongino was "gone," his influence on Apple Podcasts died. That's just not true. Even in his absence, the The Dan Bongino Show feed remained a top destination for listeners revisitng old episodes or checking for the "return" announcement.
In July 2024, right before his transition began, his show hit Number 2 Overall on the Apple charts. It was seeing 16 million downloads a month. When a voice that big goes silent, the algorithm gets twitchy.
Industry veterans at Westwood One, who handle his distribution, noted that his departure contributed to an estimated $15 million revenue dip for the network in 2025. They are, understandably, ecstatic to have him back. Collin Jones, President of Westwood One, described the return as an "incredible journey" for a voice that commands "formidable" loyalty.
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Real Talk: Is the Content Going to Change?
Expect the "loud, obnoxious Dan Bongino" to be back in full force, but with a twist. Having spent nearly a year inside the FBI, he’s coming back with "receipts" that most commentators can only dream of.
He’s already hinted at being "shocked to his core" by what he learned about public corruption and the "political weaponization" of law enforcement. Honestly, he’s probably going to be more dangerous to his political enemies now than he was before he left.
One thing that won't change is his partnership with Rumble and Cumulus. He’s doubling down on the "long-form" trend. Two hours a day is a lot of airtime to fill, but if anyone can do it without a script, it’s him.
Actionable Steps for the Bongino Army
If you want to ensure you don't miss the relaunch, you should probably do a quick digital "cleanup" of your podcast library:
- Refresh your Apple Podcast Subscription: Go to the The Dan Bongino Show page on Apple Podcasts and toggle the "Follow" button off and then back on. This often forces the app to re-index the feed so you get the first new episode on Feb 2nd immediately.
- Check the "DAN Podcast App": If you use the standalone app, make sure it’s updated to the latest version. Several updates were pushed in late 2025 to prepare for the 2026 relaunch.
- Sync your Rumble and Apple accounts: If you want the video but prefer the Apple interface, some third-party integrations allow for better cross-platform tracking, though usually, it's easiest to just have both apps ready.
- Prepare for the Midterms: Bongino has explicitly stated he is returning to "lead the way" into the 2026 midterm elections. Expect his commentary to be heavily focused on legislative races and "fixing the Republic" based on his time in D.C.
The return of the Dan Bongino Apple podcast isn't just another show coming back; it's a massive shift in the media landscape just as the 2026 election cycle heats up. He's coming back "bigger, bolder, and always unfiltered."
Stay tuned for February 2nd. It’s going to be a loud morning.