Ep84. Through the Looking Glass: Trump’s Appointments and Can Starmer do Global Leadership?
Nov 26, 2024
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Dive into the chaos of Trump's controversial appointments and their impact on American institutions. Explore the evolving legal challenges Trump faces while pondering whether Biden's approach has been too timid. Meet Xela Llah Llah, a quirky alter-ego providing insights from beyond the political looking glass. Shift focus to Starmer's role in global leadership and his COP appearance, questioning the future of multilateralism. The discussion blends humor with serious political critique, showcasing complex character dynamics and the state of UK politics.
49:55
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Quick takeaways
Trump's appointments reflect a shift towards valuing loyalty over qualifications, raising concerns about governance effectiveness under compromised leadership.
Biden's perceived inadequacies in responding to global crises highlight the need for stronger leadership to counteract disruptive political forces.
Deep dives
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Concerns Over Appointments by Trump
The discussion highlights fears surrounding the appointments of individuals perceived as deliberate disruptors by the Trump administration. This reflects a broader sentiment of anxiety regarding qualified leadership in key positions, especially when considering the implications of RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard's appointments. The conversation likens the current situation to previous political movements, emphasizing that voters desiring change have, paradoxically, assumed positions that may not address their actual concerns. Much like Brexit, where seeking change resulted in unforeseen consequences, the podcast suggests that the Trump administration's chosen path is unlikely to remedy the public's perceived issues.
Legal and Political Consequences
The podcast examines the troubling reality that many of Trump's allies, such as Matt Gaetz, who has criminal allegations against him, were considered for high office. This reflects a strategy where Trump's appointments indicate loyalty over qualifications, creating a climate of codependency among his inner circle. It highlights concerns over how institutions and professionals within the government may struggle to operate under compromised leadership, ultimately impacting the effectiveness of governance. As they navigate this challenging political landscape, public servants face moral dilemmas in maintaining their integrity while working under potentially unethical appoints.
Biden's Leadership During Turmoil
The podcast critiques President Biden's handling of pressing global issues, particularly the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The speakers express frustration that Biden's response has been inadequate, highlighting missed opportunities to exert influence and leverage over foreign policy matters effectively. Furthermore, they discuss the troubling dynamic of appearing soft on pressing matters while being perceived as disconnected from the unfolding humanitarian crises. This criticism culminates in a call for a stronger, more assertive leadership approach to counteract the dangerous rise of disruptive political forces.
We have crossed through the looking glass – Up is Down, Disorder is Order, Vice is Virtue, Felony is a Positive, and Rape Convictions are a reason to get a cabinet position. With Trump unsurprisingly appointing disruptors to his administration, Global Disorder beckons. How did we get here? Seemingly because Biden wasn’t bold enough in trying to assert order. Is Starmer making the same mistake?
In this episode, Jason and Alex discuss what will happen to the ongoing legal cases against Trump, the forthcoming Trump administration’s attempts to disorder and dismantle American institutions and checks and balances, and the likely evolution of the Supreme Court. After a lengthy discussion of the initial proposal of Matt Gaetz’s as Attorney General and his subsequent withdrawal, Alex introduces listeners to Xela Llah Llah, her Trump-voting alter-ego who lives on the other side of the looking glass and who will occasionally be coming on the podcast to explain politics from her point of view.
After some wise words from Xela which ‘help us empathize with the other side’, Jason and Alex turn their attention back to the UK, looking at whether Starmer’s appearance at COP means anything, and how (if at all) he can push to become a more prominent global leader on a range of issues. In a rather downbeat and informal Ordering the Disorder segment, we examine the future of multilateralism and the global political order (is there any such thing anymore?)