Politics Weekly America

How did a political nobody, Zohran Mamdani, beat one of New York’s best-known establishment figures, Andrew Cuomo? Rachel Leingang speaks to Moira Donegan about how Democratic party leaders view the historic New York City mayoral primary result. Does the party need to fundamentally change to meet voters where they are?

What is Donald Trump’s plan for Iran? Is he about to break his campaign pledge for ‘no more wars’? And if he does, could this be the moment he loses some of his most loyal Maga supporters? The Guardian’s Rachel Leingang and Andrew Roth discuss

Judith Levine, an author and journalist for Guardian US, discusses the alarming shift towards authoritarianism under Donald Trump. She highlights the deployment of military forces against protesters and critiques the increasing militarization of domestic law enforcement, especially around immigration policies. Levine addresses the implications of these actions for civil liberties and the balance of power. With looming military parades and rising political tensions, she warns about the risks facing democracy and the pervasive surveillance practices affecting citizens.

Three years ago British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous defender Bruno Pereira vanished while on a reporting trip near Brazil’s remote Javari valley. The Guardian’s Latin America correspondent Tom Phillips investigates what happened in the first episode of a new six-part investigative podcast series. Find episode 2 – and all future episodes – by searching for “Missing in the Amazon”

In this discussion, Susan Glasser, a seasoned political writer from The New Yorker, delves into the dramatic fallout between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. She highlights the initial support Musk lent to Trump’s campaign and how their friendship soured due to ideological rifts. The conversation also touches on how Musk's actions have impacted Trump's political landscape, including legislative implications and personal ambitions. Additionally, they explore the shifting dynamics of U.S.-Russia relations and reflect on the broader ramifications for democracy.

Last week Robert F Kennedy Jr, Donald Trump’s health chief and a longtime vaccine sceptic, presented a report on children’s health by the Make America Healthy Again (Maha) commission. The study singled out the negative impact of vaccines, ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, lack of exercise and “over-medicalisation”. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Jessica Glenza about the long-term implications of the Maha movement’s influence on US policy

As scepticism grows over Joe Biden’s mental and physical health during his presidency, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Bakari Sellers, a political commentator and former Democratic state lawmaker, about what the party needs to do to regain trust after the fallout from the 2024 election

From a trip to the Middle East to talks between Russia and Ukraine, it’s a busy week for Donald Trump and US foreign policy. Jonathan Freedland speaks to the Guardian’s global affairs correspondent, Andrew Roth, about the big players behind the US president’s deals and decisions on the world stage

Elana Schor, Senior Washington editor at Semafor, dives into Trump's shifting priorities, from controversial trade deals to bizarre political theatrics. They uncover the implications of his trade negotiations with the UK and rising tensions in Kashmir. The discussion highlights Trump's inconsistent governance, intertwining domestic strategies with international dilemmas. With a humorous twist, they explore the absurdity of AI-generated imagery and social media antics that reflect the surreal nature of today’s political landscape.

In this engaging discussion, Eric Cortellessa, Senior Political Correspondent for Time magazine, shares insights from his interview with Donald Trump on his first 100 days in office. He highlights Trump's optimistic self-promotion amid low approval ratings and explores the significant leadership shifts within his administration. Cortellessa delves into Trump's controversial economic narratives, including remarks about Canada as the 51st state, and the implications of his judiciary preferences on civil rights amid ongoing deportation policies.