Politics Now Alastair Campbell on Trump: "What the f is he talking about?" | Insiders On Background
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Sep 26, 2025 
Alastair Campbell, former communications director to Tony Blair and a prominent political commentator, dives into the challenges faced by progressives in the Trump era. He emphasizes the need for proactive ideas to counter far-right narratives. Alastair critiques Trump's unpredictable speeches, revealing their global implications. He discusses the rise of far-right Christian nationalism and the struggles of leaders like Keir Starmer. With keen insights on diplomatic approaches to Trump and the importance of strategic alliances, Campbell urges progressive response to rising hard-right politics.
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Progressives Must Reclaim Idea Leadership
- Progressive politics has ceded the habit of developing and communicating bold ideas, leaving space for the far right to dominate narratives.
- Rebuilding idea-generation and proactive messaging is vital to counter movements like MAGA and nationalists.
Unpredictability Shapes Global Weather
- Trump's UN speech shows unpredictable rhetoric can have global policy implications and unsettle other leaders in the room.
- Unpredictability itself is a strategic risk for international diplomacy and policy stability.
Trump's London Claims As A Narrative Example
- Campbell recounts Trump's false claims about London and Sharia law to show how MAGA-driven narratives are detached from reality.
- He warns these confident, media-amplified narratives rapidly shape public debate if unchallenged.