Politics Weekly America

Tom Phillips, The Guardian's Latin America correspondent in Brazil, dives into the escalating tension around Donald Trump's focus on Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro. They discuss the political turmoil in Venezuela, the implications of U.S. military actions, and the misinformation surrounding drug trafficking. Phillips debunks claims linking Venezuela to fentanyl and highlights the humanitarian crisis caused by migration. He warns of potential escalation and the risks posed by reckless military strategies, drawing parallels to past conflicts.

Amelia, a Texas resident who sought a medication abortion, shares her personal journey navigating restrictive laws. Dr. Angel Foster, a health sciences professor and co-founder of a medication abortion access project, discusses the innovative telemedicine models providing care. They explore the implications of Texas' controversial HB7 law, raising fears about privacy and legal repercussions for abortion pill providers. Amelia reflects on her decision-making process and the emotional toll of restrictive legislation, highlighting the ongoing battle for reproductive rights.

Arwa Mahdawi, a Guardian columnist and author of the Week in Patriarchy newsletter, dives into the significance of women in Republican politics. She discusses Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, who is stepping into a larger role after her husband’s passing. The conversation touches on the GOP's 'baby bonus' proposals and the push for pronatalist policies to win over female voters. Mahdawi also explores Katie Miller's podcast, revealing how it aims to humanize conservative figures and attract women to the MAGA movement.

Nikki McCann-Ramirez, a Politics reporter for Rolling Stone, dives into Trump's surprising decision to release Epstein files amid tensions with Marjorie Taylor Greene. They discuss Greene's transformation from a conspiracy theorist to a MAGA star and her collision course with Trump over the Epstein documents. Nikki elaborates on the implications of redactions and how they might fuel conspiracy theories. The conversation also touches on the potential electoral impact for Trump and the GOP, as well as Greene's political future amidst the fallout.

George Chidi, a politics and democracy reporter for The Guardian, joins to uncover the implications of newly released Epstein emails relating to Donald Trump. They discuss how these documents shifted the political narrative from the government shutdown to allegations against Trump. Chidi highlights Epstein's assertion that Trump was aware of the victims, further complicating Trump's legacy. The conversation also touches on bipartisan efforts to release all Epstein files and the potential fallout from ongoing revelations that could haunt Trump’s political future.

David Smith, Washington bureau chief for The Guardian, delves into the repercussions of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. He discusses the stark contrast between Trump’s lavish plans for a new ballroom and the struggles of 42 million Americans facing delayed food aid. With the president focused on ostentatious renovations, Smith highlights the ethical concerns surrounding donor funding, the human cost of the shutdown, and the chilling political ramifications as federal workers face uncertainty.

This time last year, no one had really heard of him. Now, Zohran Mamdani is the first Muslim, millennial and person of south Asian heritage to run America’s largest city. Jonathan Freedland speaks to Ed Pilkington about Mamdani’s historic win, his challenge to the president, and what the Democrats should take away from a successful night at the ballot box

Less than an hour before Donald Trump met the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, to discuss a deal that could end the trade war between the two superpowers, the US president posted on Truth Social that he had directed the Pentagon to match Russia and China in nuclear weapons testing. Jonathan Freedland speaks to Jonathan Czin, the former director for China at the National Security Council, about why Trump did this and whether he or Xi left South Korea feeling the strongest

Barbara Walter, a political scientist at UC San Diego and author of "How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them," joins to discuss the potential for political violence in the U.S. amid recent No Kings protests against Trump. They explore how political identity—not ideology—shapes voter alignment and how democratic standards have declined. Walter highlights the troubling use of the National Guard and media manipulation to justify military presence in cities. Ultimately, they question whether Trump seeks civil war or simply thrives in chaos.

Andrew Roth, the Global affairs correspondent for The Guardian, dives into Trump's ambitious global agenda, questioning if he seeks to be 'king of the world.' Roth highlights Trump's recent deals, such as a ceasefire in Gaza, his influence in Argentina, and renewed focus on Ukraine. The discussion reveals the contrast between Trump's grandiose style and the complexities of diplomacy. They also touch on Trump's relationships with authoritarian leaders and the implications of his foreign actions amid domestic challenges.