Trump promised his state of the Union speech would be BiG. He meant Long. It was 99 minutes. We watched so you didn’t have to. Today, we bring you the high lights and low points. And we speak to the man who would now be Secretary of State - if Kamala Harris had won the 2024 election. How does that feel up close? Tickets to The News Agents Live On Stage with HSBC UK are now on sale! You can get your tickets for Edinburgh here: https://articles.globalplayer.com/7giHoMavXLgdrd6gaC3GxWG7T8 Editor: T...
Mar 05, 2025•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Trump has reimagined Gaza in an AI video as a gold embossed beach resort. He’s fired the head of the army for being 'woke'. He’s banned the Associated Press from his press room. And his mate Elon Musk is calling on all federal employees to report each other if they don’t get with the MAGA plan. Kurt Anderson wrote about Americas addiction to fantasy a decade ago - before Trump. He's with us and describes how he was sold cocaine from the man who’s now secretary of health. It’s all been just five ...
Feb 26, 2025•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a remarkable and rapid rapprochement, Donald Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in Riyadh meeting a Russian delegation to kick off talks about a deal to end the conflict in Ukraine. Who's not at the talks? Ukraine - or any other European leader. Is Russia calling the shots? And why is President Trump so happy to push ahead engaging with Moscow even when it is leaving America's allies dumbfounded? Douglas Heye is a veteran Republican strategist who reads the politics of DC more cl...
Feb 18, 2025•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Elon Musk has been holding court in the Oval Office. With Donald Trump by his side and his own toddler on his shoulders, he spoke to a press pack - justifying the gutting of federal agencies, DOGE plans to revolutionise government, and the mistakes he admits they’ve made along the way. Meanwhile, Trump has called for a reigning in of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act so that American businesses can offer backhanders if they need to. Is he Making Bribery Great again? Tickets to The News Agents Li...
Feb 12, 2025•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a week that’s seen a trade war come and go, an entire US government department frozen, and thousands of justice officials fired from their jobs at the FBI and DOJ, we start by asking if anyone is still prepared to stop Donald Trump amassing inordinate amounts of personal power? Why has any resistance left the Senate Republicans? Have the Democrats recovered their voice? We speak to Chris Cillizza about how to separate the lunacy and the noise from the down right dangerous. Tickets to The News...
Feb 05, 2025•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast The last living child of JFK, Caroline Kennedy, has dramatically come forward to warn of the dangers her cousin poses to America if he’s confirmed as health secretary. Will any Republican be prepared to go against Trump‘s wishes and try to prevent Robert F. Kennedy Jr's appointment? And why is the media now reshaping itself around Trump when so many outlets chose to confront him in his first presidency? Later, we are in Latin America talking to historian Peter Frankopan about Colombia, Panama an...
Jan 29, 2025•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Bishop of Washington is one of the few voices this week to have pushed back against Donald Trump's policies as he swept into office. She did so publicly, in strong terms, and in a church. The Trump family were not impressed - and spewed vitriol at her online. Will she pay a price for standing up? We speak to Mark Landler, London bureau chief at the New York Times, about what is different this time around. Plus, Jon has caught up with Helle Thorning-Schmidt, co-chair of Meta's oversight board...
Jan 23, 2025•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Pete Hegseth is a Fox News anchor now hoping to lead the US military. He’s Donald Trump pick to be Secretary of Defence. Leaving aside the allegations of sexual assault and work place drunkenness - which he denies - and the profound lack of experience, does he have what it takes? And will he get through his senate confirmation? Later, a life long friend of Joe Biden tells us why the President still thinks he could have beat Trump in 2024. How will Joe Biden be remembered? The legacy starts now. ...
Jan 15, 2025•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Why does it already feel as if Trump is President? Last night, he gave an hour long press conference at Mar-a-Lago and we suddenly remembered what it's going to be like. On the bingo card: Greenland, Canada, Panama Canal, and the January 6th protesters. Little mention of either the cost of living or immigration but hey, early days. On today's episode we hear from two sides of the Republican party - the MAGA wing and the WTF wing - and we try once again to figure out what Donald Trump actually me...
Jan 08, 2025•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode we have a Newsagents - Ruthie's Table 4 mash up. We’ve been chatting to Bill Clinton's strategist and Democratic supremo James Carville at the River cafe with Ruthie Rogers. What should Democrats have done differently? What was Joe Biden's mistake? And what’s the way back? But first, we kick off with the settlement ABC News just made to Donald Trump of 15 million dollars after he complained about an interview. Is the media ready to hold power to account this time around? Or is...
Dec 18, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump has done his first sit down TV interview with NBC News and it was largely a calm affair. Oddly he offered unity across the aisle. But he has made it clear that he wants to stop those born to illegal immigrants from claiming us citizenship. Would he change the constitution to do this? Later, did the left of the Democratic Party let ideology get in the way of a winning strategy? We speak to the author of Morning After the Revolution, Nellie Bowles. Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Produce...
Dec 11, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tickets to The News Agents Live On Stage with HSBC UK are now on sale! You can get your tickets for Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh here: https://articles.globalplayer.com/7giHoMavXLgdrd6gaC3GxWG7T8 Joe Biden decided late on Sunday to pardon his only surviving son, Hunter Biden who was convicted on gun charges earlier this year. It might have been the spectre of the incoming FBI Chief Kash Patel that spurred his choice. Or a sense that he ultimately had nothing to lose politically (and ever...
Dec 04, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Three weeks on from Donald Trump's historic comeback, the clamour for answers about where it all went wrong within the Democrat party is reaching a fever pitch. Kamala Harris has released a message to supporters urging them not to let anyone 'take their power' - but with her party consigned to another four years out of the White House, how can they rebuild and reconnect with the voters who deserted them at the ballot box? Jon and Emily speak to former Congressman and ally of Nancy Pelosi, Steve ...
Nov 27, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Later in the episode we will hear from James Orr - the Cambridge University theologian and academic who was one of JD Vance’s guiding voices and a close confidant. But we start with the world of wrestling - what does it tells us about Donald Trump’s cabinet picks? And, how many of them have faced, or continue to face, allegations of sexual harassment ? Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georg...
Nov 20, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump has named a Fox News anchor as his pick for Defence Secretary. And the former governor of South Dakota, known better in this country as the woman who shot her own dog, is set to be his head of Homeland Security. What do his picks tell us about the direction of travel of the incoming administration? And why has he had to appoint not one, but two heads to run the Department of Government Efficiency? Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge ...
Nov 13, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Emily, Jon and Lewis bid farewell to the United States by answering your questions on the US election. So what next for Kamala Harris? Why didn't the celebrity endorsements work for the Democrats? And is there any way Donald Trump could stand for a third term? Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal Digital Journalis...
Nov 11, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Democrats are only just beginning to digest what went wrong and what a Trump presidency might mean for America for the second time around. But in Britain and Europe alarm bells are already off the charts. What does Trump mean for Starmer, for populism and for national security? Do we have to start doing more without Americas help? Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video P...
Nov 07, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump’s result last night was astounding. He reached corners of America few republicans had reached, both geographically and demographically. The Democrat post-mortem will begin before she’s even conceded. What went wrong? What did they misunderstand? And what happens now that Donald Trump's power is unchecked and complete? Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Produ...
Nov 06, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's still early in Washington DC but in a remarkable and unprecedented night Donald Trump is on the verge of the greatest comeback in political history. He's on course to pick up the key swing states he needs to secure a return to the White House. How has he managed it? And what does it mean for America and the world? Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory ...
Nov 06, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast The stakes could hardly be higher as US voters turn out to vote for the next President. Is it the White House or the jailhouse for Donald Trump? Could America be on the cusp of its first female POTUS? The country is on a knife edge, security barricades are going up, and once again Donald Trump is slinging sexist insults. The next 24 hours could be fraught, unpredictable and historic. And, your questions answered on the US election. The surprises to watch out for, why Americans have to queue so l...
Nov 05, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re high on the rooftops overlooking the White House for our last full day of this election. How has each candidate closed the campaign? What should we be looking out for on election night itself as early results come in? And what has Jon learned from the Kamala Harris campaign team about how they're planning the last 24 hours? Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Produc...
Nov 04, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The News Agents are in Washington. And we’re asking one big question - will this be the election that brings women out for Kamala Harris in such numbers that she can seal the deal? That in essence is where we start the final lap of the campaign. What is the 'secret voter' really doing? And does anyone trust the shift in the polls? Later, we’re door knocking in a ruby red county of Pennsylvania. Why do the Democrats think they stand a chance here when they know it’s a deeply religious conservativ...
Nov 03, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast 45 million people - or 20 percent of the electorate - have already voted. What do the patterns tell us about who might have the advantage? Later, we speak to Bob Woodward, of The Washington Post and Watergate fame, about Trump and democracy. And we ask whether Madison Square misogyny and minority group racism will put Trump voters off - or turn them on. Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Fo...
Oct 29, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast With less than two weeks until the Presidential election, Donald Trump has carved out precious time on the campaign trail to focus on the size of a former golfer’s manhood and stake a claim to a McDonald’s Employee of the Month award. It’s certainly not conventional campaign strategy - but could it be helping, rather than hindering, efforts to gee up Republican voters? The polls are looking incredibly tight, so what does early voting tell us about the state of the race? And, with abortion on the...
Oct 22, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast The old wisdom held that Democrats could rely on the votes of those in the Black and Latino communities - often immigrant families that felt that party were on their side. But in recent elections that has started to shift. Kamala Harris is struggling to win the Black vote at the same levels Joe Biden won it in 2020, which pushed him over the line. And her latest pitch is an economic plan specifically tailored to Black men. Is this smart or reductive? And can Trump capitalise on that gap? We’re j...
Oct 16, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Kamala Harris was the unlikely guest on a sex and relationships podcast aimed at Gen Z women, asking them to ‘Call Her Daddy’ - it turns out it isn’t all blowjobs, redflags and narcissists. Meanwhile, Elon Musk was jumping around at the scene of the attempt on Donald Trump’s life in Pennsylvania, fist-pumping and talking about bloodied faces. The difference is stark. Could this be the biggest gender split in an election we’ve ever seen? All of this plays out with the background of two...
Oct 09, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Imagine a political world where Donald Trump doesn’t exist. That’s what the VP debate sounded like on CBS last night. There was none of the crazy talk. No stage stalking. Not a whisper of a pet eating migrant...It was just two blokes talking policy rather delicately. Tim Walz seemed nervous to a slicker more spirited JD Vance. But ultimately the Minnesota governor probably had the knock out blow when he asked his opponent “who won“ the last election. And JD Vance couldn’t say. Will this change t...
Oct 02, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast We start with the very strangest of tales - the man standing to be North Carolina's governor was found to have called himself a "black nazi" on a porn website some years ago and called for a return to slavery. The reason it's making headlines is because he was endorsed by Trump six months ago, and was called 'Martin Luther king on steroids'. Will that endorsement hurt Trump? The former president is tied in the polls with the vice president but out polls her by 11 points when voters are asked who...
Sep 25, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast How to make sense of not one but two assassination attempts in as many months on a former president? Donald Trump says it's all down to the language that Kamala Harris and the Democrats are using. JD Vance has just called her 'the most fraudulent person to run for president'. Is it language? Guns? Or an impossible to police golf course perimeter? The first voting by post began in Pennsylvania this week. What does the attack bode for the November election and beyond? Tickets to see the News Agent...
Sep 18, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Presidential debate on Tuesday night was everything that team Harris were praying it would be. Trap after trap laid for Donald Trump which he appeared to walk into. His areas of strength - the economy and immigration - didn’t really get off the ground. She baited him on his rallies and his racism. And he got very cross. Moments after the debate ended the Democratic nominee won the support of arguably the most powerful woman alive - Taylor Swift. How will this shift the electoral race? Editor...
Sep 11, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
