Join Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel in a weekly podcast that unpicks everything you need to know about the world of US politics - all of it delivered with Emily and Jon’s astute analysis, world-class insight and wry sense of humour.
Episodes are available every Tuesday/Wednesday.
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Trump wanted taxpayer money set aside for a 'slush fund' critics feared would be used to payout millions for his January 6th allies. But in a rare act of defiance, Republicans have killed off the plan before it could become reality. Why did Trump’s own party draw the line here? Was it a principled stand, a political calculation, or a sign that some Republicans are growing nervous about defending everything linked to January 6th? And Has Trump pushed Republicans too far this time? Later, Congress...
Ken Paxton - Texas Attorney General - and a politician with a string of sleaze investigations behind him - has just been anointed by Trump as the Texas Senate candidate. Has Trump made a terrible mistake here? Why are the Democrats licking their lips? And is a blue seat in a deep red state starting to seem possible? Later, Philadelphia congressman Brendan Boyle on Trump’s slush fund, the mid term races, and his urgent warning to British voters. The News Agents USA is a Global Production. The New...
Donald Trump announced a $1.776bn new scheme this week labelled an 'anti-weaponisation fund' to compensate citizens who've been mistreated by the US justice system. Who could the President have in mind as in need of compensation? How about the January 6th rioters? Well they are stepping forward in their droves to state their intentions to claim millions from the IRS - and Trump seems to be cheering them on. Critics say he's using the money to keep his own private militia on retainer - are they r...
Did Trump really mean to tell Americans he wasn't thinking of their financial situation "at all" when he went to war with Iran? He repeated it several times so we can assume it was no slip of the tongue. The democrats are delighted. His allies are dismayed. Expect that line to get played on a loop. But has Trump stopped worrying about the economy for everyone except his own family? And has he given up on the midterms? Later, Politico's Jonathan Martin joins Jon in the studio. What's Trump playin...
Overnight in Indiana ,Trump showed the grasp he still has over the Republican Party where the candidates he’d endorsed for the State Senate won their primaries against the moderate Republicans that had stood up to his attempts to gerrymander. It's remarkable in itself that Trump was at all invested in the races - these are local politicians earning $33,000 a year - and yet his influence proved key. What does this tell us about how the midterms will play out? Meanwhile, Marco Rubio has announced ...
Fiona Hill served in Donald Trump's first administration and is one of the most authoritative voices on geopolitics. She advised on his Russia strategy and matters of national intelligence - before becoming a witness in his impeachment in 2019. She has worked up close and personal with the President. And, as the war in Iran rages, and Putin continues to try and chisel Trump away from Europe's position on Ukraine, she came into the News Agents studio to try and make sense of the new age of intern...
Voters in Virginia have approved changes to their electoral map which essentially makes it easier for Democrats to win. Republicans argue they’ve been disenfranchised - and they’re right: It’s ugly. It’s unfair. But it’s not illegal. What’s more, they've already done the same thing in the red state of Texas. So are democrats finally learning how to play dirty? Is it enough to win? And are they prepared to go low as a response to Trump - even if it creates a moral vacuum and erodes democracy in t...
Has Trump’s erratic behaviour and threatening rhetoric over the last few weeks rendered him unfit for office? The question seems an obvious one to House Democrats - who are petitioning to remove him under 25th amendment. They won’t succeed. No one ever has. But it raises a bigger question of how many and for how long those around Trump are prepared to stand by and do nothing. Miles Taylor was in the DHS in Trump's first term. He became a whistleblower - now being investigated by Trump's DOJ for ...
Besides Trump's threat to eliminate Iran, something else remarkable happened this week. A string of Republican Congressmen finally found the courage in themselves to come forward and criticise that threat. Trump's actions in the Middle East are a disaster for his colleagues. Gas prices are up, the affordability agenda is in tatters, and America looks on course for a humiliating military defeat to an old adversary. Is this the catalyst for widespread rebellion in the Republican party? Jon speaks ...
Things just aren’t going well for Donald Trump right now. Forget the Iran war, his spectacular NATO fallout, rising gas prices, Trump’s just heard that the construction of his 90,000ft ballroom will have to be paused after a judge told him he was the White House steward and not its owner. The affordability crisis in America is spiking as his poll numbers are tanking. Is he looking for a speedy way out? A diversion? We speak to Congressman Jim Himes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence C...
The News Agents USA investigates suspicious market trading activity that occurred minutes before a major announcement by Donald Trump regarding Iran, with Nobel laureate Paul Krugman explaining the high plausibility of insider trading and the severe global economic consequences of the ongoing Middle East conflict. The episode also covers a historic jury decision holding Meta and Google liable for deliberately designing addictive social media products that harmed children. Finally, it touches on unexpected Republican election losses and Trump's contradictory stance on mail-in ballots.
The episode examines the surprising internal fracturing of Trump's MAGA base concerning his war in Iran, triggered by high-profile resignations and criticisms. Former White House special envoy Jason Greenblatt offers a defense of Trump's strategy and decision-making, discussing the balance between national security and public transparency. The discussion also delves into the strained relations with European allies, the implications for global stability, and the war's economic impact on the American public.
This episode delves into President Trump's chaotic Kentucky rally, where he declared a swift victory in the Iran conflict, despite surging oil prices and civilian casualties. The discussion highlights the hollowness of his claims, the lack of strategic planning, and his diversion to attack political rivals. Former National Security Advisor John Bolton offers a critical assessment of Trump's approach, emphasizing the importance of regime change while questioning the current operation's effectiveness and public opinion polls reveal widespread disapproval of the war. The episode concludes with a lighter segment on Trump's potential VP choices and a humorous anecdote about shoe sizes.
Why did Trump decide to strike Iran? Was it the US that started the war? Is it even a war? Listening to senior figures in the administration and in MAGA it's not entirely clear. The accounts are confused, contradictory, and seem to change by day. What is clearer is that the American public don't support the action. Polling suggests only one in four Americans back the strikes - and a series of Trump influencers have reacted with fury to the move. This is another war from the President who pledged...
Has the DOJ withheld documents from the Epstein files that relate to allegations against President Trump? That's the accusation from senior Democrats after an NPR investigation found that more than 50 pages of FBI interviews and notes from a conversation with a woman who accused Trump of sexual abuse when she was a minor were removed from the dataset. California Congressman Robert Garcia is calling it "the largest government cover up in modern history". The White House says that President Trump ...
Senator Mark Kelly discusses his defiance against Donald Trump's threats, including sedition charges, after Kelly's video reminded military members to follow the law. He details the legal battles and the unprecedented grand jury refusal to indict, while expressing concerns about the state of US democracy and Trump's efforts to suppress votes. Kelly also reflects on the eroded trust between the US and Europe, advising allies to stand up to Trump, and seriously considers a 2028 presidential run.
This episode features top pollster Doug Sosnik, a former advisor to Bill Clinton, who unpacks Donald Trump's current dire polling numbers, attributing voter disillusionment to economic affordability issues and immigration tactics amidst a K-shaped economy. Sosnik details the Democratic Party's challenge in rebuilding its identity beyond anti-Trump sentiment and connecting with working-class voters. The conversation also delves into the "Epstein class," examining how the Jeffrey Epstein files reinforce public perception of a rigged system and highlighting the political implications of accountability for prominent figures.
In an exclusive interview, Amy Wallace, co-author of Virginia Giuffre's memoir, critiques the Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein files, noting that victims' lives are endangered by unredacted names while powerful men are shielded. The discussion explores the lack of criminal prosecution, systemic power imbalances, and Donald Trump's dismissive stance. It also delves into Epstein's eugenics obsession, a stolen child allegation, and Ghislaine Maxwell's audacious pardon request, emphasizing the ongoing fight for accountability.
Actor Billy Crudup discusses his London stage adaptation of “High Noon,” which serves as a potent allegory for moral cowardice and capitulation in modern American society, particularly in the Trump era. He reflects on foundational American ideals, the erosion of truth in media, and the actor's responsibility to engage with societal issues, while also touching on his role as Corey Ellison in “The Morning Show” and the nuances of corporate power and political division.
The episode delves into the Justice Department's failure to release the full Jeffrey Epstein files, despite legal obligations, and the frustration over the lack of progress. It also examines Ghislaine Maxwell's planned congressional deposition, which is expected to yield little. Later, the discussion shifts to Gavin Newsom's emergence as a strong Democratic contender for 2028, highlighting his confrontational strategy against Trump. Finally, the podcast covers Trump's attempts to silence late-night comedians like Jimmy Kimmel through FCC threats, questioning the motives behind this "fairness doctrine."
This episode delves into the alarming situation in Minnesota, where aggressive ICE actions have led to shootings and widespread protests. It explores Governor Tim Waltz's condemnation of ICE's "brutality" and Trump's calculated threat to invoke the Insurrection Act, framed as a political maneuver ahead of elections. The discussion also covers the media's struggle to navigate this polarized landscape and how politicians are increasingly adopting populist communication styles.
This episode delves into the meticulous US operation to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, discussing its tactical success but questioning long-term planning and the focus on oil over democracy. It highlights the strain on CIA resources, escalating tensions with Russia over a tanker, and Trump's serious threats to other nations and allies like Denmark. The second half unpacks a massive fraud scandal in Minnesota involving Somali Americans and a pandemic-era food program, detailing its political impact on Governor Tim Walls and how right-wing media amplified it, as Republicans now target California.
The episode dissects Donald Trump's recent address to the nation, revealing his questionable economic claims amidst declining approval ratings and internal political struggles. Discussion then pivots to a controversial Vanity Fair photo shoot, featuring intimate and unforgiving close-ups of Trump's staff, prompting debate over the MAGA aesthetic, journalistic ethics, and the impact of appearance on Trump's perception of his team. Finally, the departure of Dan Bongino from the FBI highlights a broader disinterest in public service within Trump's orbit.
The podcast examines why Americans are abandoning Donald Trump on the economy, with public approval low on affordability issues despite his claims of success. This shift poses a significant challenge for the Republican Party in the upcoming midterms, prompting discussions on campaign strategies to either centralize or de-emphasize Trump's role. Additionally, the episode delves into how recent Supreme Court cases could drastically expand presidential power, allowing control over independent agencies and loosening campaign finance regulations, potentially reshaping the landscape of American democracy and political influence.
The podcast dissects the Olivia Nuzzi affair with RFK Jr., a scandal likened to Monica Lewinsky's, raising critical questions about journalistic ethics, political influence, and career consequences in the age of clickbait versus investigative reporting. It also examines how MAGA culture provides immunity for figures like RFK Jr. and other controversial appointments. Additionally, the episode investigates allegations of war crimes against Secretary Pete Hegseth in Venezuela and the broader implications for military orders, political defiance, and the state of American journalism.
The podcast explores the implications of judicial dismissals against James Comey and Letitia James, highlighting concerns about Trump's use of the Justice Department against political enemies. It also delves into the controversial court-martial threat against Senator Mark Kelly for advising military personnel to uphold the Constitution. The discussion further examines signs of shifting Republican loyalty and Trump's eroding influence, along with his broader impact on media and global politics.
The News Agents USA explores Donald Trump's vulnerability after Congress voted to release the Epstein files, detailing his attempts to block it and his angry confrontations with journalists. The episode also features an compelling interview with Professor Mark Bray, an anti-fascism scholar forced into exile from the US after receiving death threats and experiencing travel complications due to his work on Antifa, which Trump labeled a terrorist organization. Bray discusses the reality of Antifa and his concerns about the US's authoritarian trajectory, comparing MAGA to a fascist movement in its aspirations.
Donald Trump is threatening to sue the BBC for a "billion dollars," alleging the broadcaster "defrauded the public" by misleadingly editing a January 6th speech clip. This episode examines Trump's strategy to globalize his attacks on the media, his broader campaign to rewrite the history of January 6th, and the severe financial and political implications for the BBC. Legal expert Andrew Weissmann discusses Trump's forum-shopping for a favorable court, the challenges of defamation suits, and the chilling effect of Trump's rhetoric on the justice system and individuals. The episode concludes with new Jeffrey Epstein emails referencing Trump's alleged knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
This episode delves into the recent electoral victories for Democrats across New York, Virginia, New Jersey, and California, highlighting the impact of figures like Zohran Mamdani and Gavin Newsom. It explores the Democratic Party's renewed energy, the generational shift, and strategic approaches, including Newsom's controversial gerrymandering counter-move. The discussion also covers the Republican Party's current struggles and reflects on the passing of Dick Cheney, examining his complex legacy from the Iraq War to his later criticism of Donald Trump.
Ahead of the New York mayoral election, this episode delves into Zohran Mamdani's unprecedented campaign, highlighting his progressive policies like free bus fares and rent freezes. It examines the historical significance of a socialist potentially leading NYC, the anxieties of establishment Democrats, and the fierce opposition, including accusations of Islamophobia. An insider's perspective compares Mamdani to Obama and clarifies his policy positions, while also exploring how his success could reshape the Democratic Party's future strategy across a diverse American political landscape. The discussion concludes by touching upon Donald Trump's reactive commentary on Mamdani and his own political maneuvering.
