This week, Donald Trump picked fights with Canada, Mexico, Ukraine, US veterans and every Democrat sitting in Congress for his State of the Union address. Chris Michael and Joan E Greve discuss why the US president is turning up the heat on longtime allies, whether Democrats are responding successfully and, in the end, who loses out if Trump’s tactics fail?Send your questions and feedback to politicsweeklyamerica@theguardian.comHelp support the Guardian by going to theguardian.com/politcspodus

Stanley Greenberg, a bestselling author and political strategist known for his work with Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, joins to discuss the shifting political landscape surrounding Donald Trump. They delve into his waning approval ratings and the Democratic strategies to leverage this decline. Greenberg highlights the growing discontent among young voters and independents, suggesting potential electoral ramifications. The impact of international relationships and satirical political content on public perception also features prominently in this insightful conversation.

In a matter of days, Donald Trump completed the most radical shift in US foreign policy in decades, bringing Putin back into the fold while sidelining Europe. He claims to have brought the end of the war in Ukraine in sight, but with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the rest of Europe excluded from the US-Russia talks, are we really any closer to peace? And, at what price?Jonathan Freedland speaks to veteran US diplomat Kurt Volker, who served as Trump’s special representative for Ukraine during his first term, and the Guardian’s US live news editor Chris Michael Send your questions and feedback to politicsweeklyamerica@theguardian.com Help support the Guardian by going to theguardian.com/politcspodus

Leyland Cecco, The Guardian's Canada correspondent, dives into Donald Trump's audacious suggestion of making Canada the 51st state. He explores how this remark stirred feelings of Canadian identity and sovereignty. The conversation touches on historical tensions in U.S.-Canada relations and the impact of trade tariffs under Trump. Cecco also discusses the passionate Canadian patriotism that emerged in response to this idea and the implications for current political dynamics, painting a vivid picture of the relationship between the two nations.

Joining the discussion is Andy Kim, a US senator from New Jersey and former national security advisor. He dives into Trump's alarming proposals concerning the Gaza Strip and the implications of Musk's political maneuvers. Kim critiques the chaos in U.S. leadership due to executive overreach and highlights the risks of Musk's influence on federal operations. The conversation also touches on the potential constitutional crises and the concerns over Russell Vought's extremist agenda. A riveting look at contemporary governance and its challenges!

Less than two weeks into his second term as president, Donald Trump has signed several executive orders restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ people. But, as happened during his first term, organisations representing the community are fighting back. This week, Joan E Greve explores how this marginalised minority are planning to push back against such strong political will. How far could this conservative administration go?

In the first few days of his presidency, people tried to challenge and reason with Donald Trump – suing his administration, questioning his decisions to reporters and pleading to him for mercy. But does Trump care what his critics think? Jonathan Freedland speaks to Susan Glasser of the New Yorker about what we can expect from a leader who goes it alone

The cold forced the speeches indoors but it didn’t stop Donald Trump from announcing a flurry of executive orders dismantling much of the work of his predecessor. Jonathan Freedland speaks to the US commentator Molly Jong-Fast about what a virtual declaration of war against an American ally, a promise to “expand America’s territory” and a couple of declarations of emergency say about what we can expect from the next four years

After 15 months of war, a ceasefire deal in Gaza has been reached. In his farewell address to the nation, Joe Biden tried to convince the US public that it was just one of many successes he’d had in the White House. But is that how his time in office will be remembered? Jonathan Freedland speaks to the author Franklin Foer about Biden’s legacy

Blake Montgomery, Tech editor for Guardian US and author of the Techscape newsletter, discusses the intriguing shift in Silicon Valley's political allegiances. He highlights how major tech leaders, including Jeff Bezos, are now cozying up to Donald Trump, evidenced by significant donations to his inauguration. The conversation reveals Meta's controversial decision to drop third-party fact-checking, reflecting a deeper alignment with Republican interests. Montgomery explores how these dynamics impact public policy and the precarious balance of power between tech and the White House.