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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Former Republican Congressman George Santos provides his first UK interview after President Trump commuted his seven-year sentence for wire fraud and identity theft. Santos explains his past actions, defends against specific accusations, and reflects on his experience in solitary confinement, expressing a new commitment to prison reform. The episode also delves into a broader debate about presidential clemency and the implications of Trump's actions for American justice, concluding with a discussion on controversial White House renovations funded by donors.
This episode delves into the "No Kings" protests, expected to be the largest mass demonstration in modern American history, as citizens voice discontent with Donald Trump's perceived overreach. It explores the MAGA movement's strategy to label protestors as "traitors" and "pro-Hamas" while examining how government shutdowns, ICE actions, and judicial weaponization fuel public anger. Crucially, the podcast highlights a significant shift as prominent right-wing voices, including Joe Rogan and Marjorie Taylor Greene, publicly rebuke the Trump administration's policies, suggesting a potential fracture in his base.
The podcast discusses Donald Trump's relentless pursuit of former FBI Director James Comey, examining the legal flaws and politically motivated nature of the prosecution. It delves into how Trump weaponizes the Justice Department, eroding long-standing norms, and his federal overreach into states challenging his authority, as exemplified by Governor Pritzker. Furthermore, the episode reveals a fracturing "bro coalition" of influencers, previously staunch Trump supporters, now expressing discomfort with his extreme immigration policies and the government's partisan messaging.
The podcast delves into former President Trump's escalated rhetoric, including ordering the military to fight a perceived "enemy within" and demanding loyalty over the Constitution. Miles Taylor, a former Trump administration official, shares his harrowing experience of being accused of treason and the catastrophic impact on his life and family. The discussion also highlights the challenges of legal defense against politically motivated persecution and the broader implications for American democracy. Additionally, it covers Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's controversial policies, which include criticizing military physique and dismantling "woke" initiatives, raising concerns about the future direction of the US military and its adherence to established rules.
Following attempts by Donald Trump and the FCC to cancel Jimmy Kimmel's show over critical remarks, Disney initially complied but reinstated him due to public outcry and financial losses. Kimmel's return ignited a broader conversation about free speech and satirists' role in resisting political pressure, with other late-night hosts uniting in support. Congressman Hank Johnson further warns of America's drift towards authoritarianism, emphasizing the "we the people" movement fighting back against attacks on comedy and journalism.
The episode delves into the controversy surrounding the Trump administration's rhetoric on "hate speech" and its response to the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, with critics on both sides expressing concern over potential free speech infringements. Experts discuss how the administration leverages power to silence dissent and analyze the alleged killer's online messages, revealing a complex, possibly incoherent mix of memes rather than a clear political ideology. The discussion highlights fears of increasing political polarization and its dangerous implications for American democracy and institutions, including an impending government funding crisis.
The episode critically examines Donald Trump's foreign policy, highlighting his perceived ineffectiveness with leaders like Putin and Netanyahu and the frivolous nature of his approach. It then delves into the controversy surrounding his alleged involvement in the Epstein files, his adamant denials, and the political implications for both his base and the upcoming midterms, where economic and crime issues are expected to be key drivers. The discussion also touches on Democratic messaging challenges and Trump's upcoming UK visit.
This episode delves into the controversial actions of America's Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as he fires the CDC Director and implements anti-vaccine policies, leading to scientific resignations and public health concerns. It also explores Donald Trump's politically motivated deployment of federal troops to Democrat-run cities, raising fears of a "private army" and ICE's intimidation tactics. Finally, the discussion covers Trump's failed foreign policy, particularly his strained relationship with India, which has pushed the nation closer to Russia and China.
The discussion delves into Donald Trump's assertions of absolute power, his attempts to undermine independent bodies like the Federal Reserve, and his pattern of political retribution against critics such as John Bolton. It examines how he uses diversionary tactics and an "enemies list" while eroding traditional checks and balances. The episode also features an interview about the New York mayoral race, analyzing Zohran Mamdani's "outsider" appeal in a post-pandemic landscape and the Democratic establishment's complex relationship with his progressive movement, ultimately questioning the future of American democracy.
The News Agents USA dissects Donald Trump's motivations regarding the Ukraine war, navigating his desire for a peace deal against the MAGA base's opposition to "forever wars" and Putin's unwavering demands. The episode also scrutinizes California Governor Gavin Newsom's unconventional strategy of imitating Trump on social media, debating its effectiveness in the attention economy. Finally, it examines Trump's misleading claims about D.C.'s economy and the alarming implications of normalizing military presence in American cities under the guise of law and order.
The episode delves into Donald Trump's "cultural revolution," showcasing his efforts to control the narrative by targeting institutions like the Smithsonian Museum, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and even Harvard. It highlights the serious implications of manipulating data and history, drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes. Additionally, the podcast features an extraordinary interview with Texas State Representative Jolanda Jones, detailing her decision to flee the state with colleagues to prevent racially motivated gerrymandering, facing an FBI hunt. Finally, it explores the alarming prospect of the Supreme Court revisiting same-sex marriage rights following the precedent set by Roe v. Wade.
The podcast dissects Donald Trump's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein crisis, including Ghislaine Maxwell's controversial prison transfer and the administration's questionable efforts to divert public attention. It also examines the alarming trend of undermining US democratic institutions through political attacks on economic data and the gerrymandering efforts in Texas, leading to a dramatic flight of Democratic lawmakers. Finally, the episode touches on Kamala Harris's recent reflections on a "broken system" and what it might signal for her political future.
In an exclusive interview, Congressman Jamie Raskin offers unsparing criticism of Donald Trump, labeling him a threat to democracy and an unreliable ally, particularly concerning free speech and international relations. Raskin delves into the Jeffrey Epstein files controversy, arguing for transparency and highlighting the broader issue of institutional child sex abuse. He also addresses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for global unity and a ceasefire, while evaluating the Democratic Party's current state and its policy achievements, including his personal confrontation with Nigel Farage over free speech.
This episode explores House Speaker Mike Johnson's unprecedented decision to shut down Congress to prevent a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein files, a move interpreted as an attempt to shield Donald Trump. It delves into Trump's escalating efforts to distract from the scandal, including bizarre social media posts and a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal for its reporting on his ties to Epstein. The discussion also covers the cognitive dissonance among Trump's base, shifting public opinion on his policies, and expert analysis on the true nature of Epstein's connections and the administration's fears about what the unreleased files might contain.
The episode begins by examining how Donald Trump's dismissive stance on the Jeffrey Epstein files is creating internal rifts within his administration and the MAGA base, highlighting the difficulty of controlling a conspiracy theory once unleashed. It then features an interview with progressive challenger Saikat Chakrabarti, who argues for a complete reinvention of the Democratic Party to address economic stagnation, proposing new ideas, populist approaches, and a focus on investment and taxing the wealthy. The hosts conclude by debating Chakrabarti's views and the future direction of mainstream Democratic politics.
Donald Trump's cheerleaders and media outriders are apoplectic with his administration. After months of anticipation that the attorney general Pam Bondi would release an Epstein 'client list' - the names of wealthy individuals that the disgraced paedophile billionaire had blackmailed for influence - a joint DOJ and FBI memo this week dismissed the idea that any such list even existed. Not normally shy to answer questions, the President appeared apoplectic too, with a journalist who asked about h...
This episode delves into President Trump's controversial spending bill, highlighting its impact on various demographics and the political maneuvering in the Senate. It explores Elon Musk's threat to launch a new political party in opposition and features an interview with Alex Whiting, former Assistant Special Counsel, who discusses the erosion of the rule of law and Trump's targeting of opponents and institutions. The episode concludes by examining Trump's threat to deport New York mayoral nominee Zoran Mamdani and the political implications for both figures.
This episode delves into Zohran Mamdani's surprising victory over Andrew Cuomo in the New York mayoral primaries, analyzing what his progressive agenda means for the Democratic Party's future direction and its struggle to connect with voters. Later, Republican strategist Doug Heye shares his firsthand experience during the Israel-Iran conflict and discusses traditional Republicans' views on Trump's foreign policy. The episode concludes with a lighthearted look at Jeff Bezos's wedding controversy in Venice.
Author Michael Lewis joins to explore why Americans have seemingly fallen out of love with their government, examining the disconnect between public perception and the reality of civil servants' essential, selfless work. The discussion delves into the myth of widespread government waste, the structural inefficiencies, and the long-term consequences of undermining public institutions, including the risk of severe financial and societal crises. Lewis also shares his thoughts on political strategies and the future impact of AI.
Jon and Emily interview Steve Bannon about the controversial deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles against undocumented immigrants, a move Bannon fully supports as part of Trump's mass deportation plan. Bannon justifies aggressive ICE tactics and discusses the legal basis for federal intervention, along with the political implications and Trump's base support. He also shares his perspective on the clash with Elon Musk over the tax bill, calls for Musk to be investigated or deported, and offers insights into UK politics and Nigel Farage.
For months, Donald Trump has been heralding his "Big, Beautiful" spending bill - a key piece of his agenda, containing tax cuts for the rich and benefits cuts for the vulnerable. It will also add trillions to America's debt - to the point that some are now sounding the alarm, warning of a "debt bomb" about to hit the US economy. What the White House didn't bet on was that one of those leading critics would be Elon Musk - who's turned fire on his former boss in spectacular fashion, calling the le...
This episode delves into Donald Trump's controversial efforts to defund Harvard and impose controls on higher education, including suspending student visas, which critics argue constitutes national self-harm and authoritarian tactics. Harvard scholars push back, emphasizing the importance of academic independence and America's global leadership in education. Additionally, the podcast explores Trump's surprisingly shifting rhetoric towards Vladimir Putin, the call for stronger action on Ukraine from former intelligence officials, and Elon Musk's public disagreement with Trump's spending policies, highlighting deepening divisions in US politics.
The News Agents USA investigates Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis and the immediate conspiracy theories, examining the White House's candor and the role of Biden's inner circle. Former policy advisor Jamie Rubin offers an insider's perspective, defending Biden's leadership on critical foreign policy decisions while discussing the challenges of his legacy in a hyper-partisan world. The episode also delves into Trump's evolving positions on the Gaza conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, before concluding with the bizarre James Comey seashell controversy.
This episode explores several contentious actions and proposals by Donald Trump. It examines his policy of welcoming white South African refugees, contrasting it with the broader immigration debate and the drastic suggestion to suspend habeas corpus amidst claims of an 'invasion.' The discussion also scrutinizes the ethical implications of Trump accepting a $400 million jet from Qatar, which critics and even some MAGA loyalists view as corruption. Finally, the podcast features an interview with Bryan Lanza, who defends Trump's economic policies and offers insights into the administration's approach to tariffs and inflation.
This episode explores the diplomatic tensions between the US and Canada over Trump's tariffs, highlighting Mark Carney's strategic pushback and the real economic impact on American consumers and businesses. Later, Bill Clinton's former advisor Doug Sosnik analyzes Trump's weakening approval, arguing his victory was a rejection of Biden, and delves into the evolving American political landscape where education and culture now heavily influence voting patterns. He also outlines the challenges and opportunities for the Democratic party to regain working-class support.
This episode explores how Donald Trump's first 100 days have irrevocably changed America's position on the world stage, pushing traditional allies away and fostering new global alignments. Discussions with former National Security Advisor John Bolton highlight Trump's transactional approach, self-interest over grand strategy, and the resulting unpredictability in international relations. The episode also delves into the domestic political landscape, the nature of resistance to Trump, and his impact on information transparency.
The discussion centers on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's controversial tenure, including classified leaks and internal Pentagon turmoil, and whether he has become a liability for Donald Trump. An interview with former Trump comms director Mike Dubke explores Trump's governance style, the administration's achievements, and the political implications of personnel decisions. The episode also critically examines Trump's ongoing legal battles with media outlets like CBS, highlighting concerns over journalistic independence and corporate influence in an era of waning press freedom.
This episode explores the constitutional crisis unfolding as Donald Trump's administration defies a unanimous Supreme Court order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran national deported without due process. It delves into the political motivations behind Trump's tough stance on immigration and his escalating attacks on academic institutions like Harvard, which refused to cede control over its governance. The discussion also touches on the erosion of civil liberties, the potential for presidential lawlessness, and the broader implications of Trump's 'cultural revolution' against knowledge workers.
The News Agents USA dissects Donald Trump's new tariff policy, revealing significant internal administration conflicts, notably between Elon Musk and Peter Navarro. The episode examines the policy's unquantifiable economic impact, predicting potential recession or depression, and how it challenges the loyalty of the MAGA base. Discussions include Republican concerns, the Democrats' strategy to counter the tariffs, and the frightening lack of a coherent economic plan, with markets belatedly reacting to Trump's long-held protectionist views.
This episode delves into the Trump administration's controversial deportations, highlighting a Maryland man mistakenly sent to El Salvador despite protected legal status, and the White House's contradictory justifications. It also explores the widespread confusion and negative economic impact of Trump's new, indiscriminate tariffs on various global industries, featuring a car dealership owner's firsthand account. Finally, the discussion covers Elon Musk's unsuccessful twenty-million-dollar intervention in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, signaling a potential shift in voter sentiment.
