Talking Politics

''What happened in that conversation between Trump and Putin actually brings us quite close to a crunch moment for the British prime minister.''In this week’s Talking Politics, Tom, Robert and Anushka discuss:Why Donald Trump cosying up to Vladimir Putin could soon pop Keir Starmer’s newfound confidenceHow a Trump-Putin deal would see Downing Street’s Ukraine strategy unravelThe possible growth reboot for the British economy amid the defence spending hikeThe furious fallout from the government’s welfare reforms, both among listeners and inside LabourWhether Chancellor Rachel Reeves has lost control ahead of next week’s Spring Statement or 'emergency budget'Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and get us talking about the things that matter most to you...Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

"How this showdown between the executive and the judiciary plays out is the drama of the next four years!"After U.S. authorities deported hundreds of Venezuelan and Central American men to El Salvador - potentially in defiance of a federal judge - the Talking Politics USA team discuss the latest court battle Donald Trump could be about to face.Tom Bradby, Robert Moore and former White House advisor Laura Schwartz also examine the impact of Elon Musk's ties to Donald Trump on Tesla, and the state of the Democrats.Plus, Laura has details from the Gridiron Dinner, one of Washington's most exclusive nights.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com to make sure we're talking about what matters to you.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

In our first Talking Politics Q&A special, Tom Bradby, Robert Peston and Anushka Asthana give the listeners the answers to their key questions, burning concerns and a few less serious queries, namely:What would tip the UK to realise Trump can’t be counted as ‘one of the good guys’?How would Ukraine joining NATO affect the outcome of the war and America?Why has Starmer backtracked on so many promises in his manifesto before the election?Why does the media not cover stories on the Liberal Democrats? What’s one political buzzword you absolutely hate?If you could report on a different subject to politics or economics what would it be?Do you have a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and get us talking about what matters most to you...Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

"Backing out from the Tesla, I take the entire side off it…"Anushka reveals the expensive mistake which left her apologising to a Tesla driver as she, Robert and Tom discuss the damage Donald Trump and Elon Musk have done to the car’s market value amid the US president's continued assault on the world order.The trio also give the inside track on:The Downing Street response to the US president’s tariffs war with EuropeWhy Keir Starmer should ignore domestic pressure and be bolder with defence spendingHow the looming benefits cuts will hit our listenersAnd how Nigel Farage is handling yet another high profile public bust upTom Bradby, Robert Peston and Anushka Asthana are Talking Politics every Wednesday.Do you have a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com and get them in the mix for our new Q&A special episodes…Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

"Donald Trump is what every politician dreams to be - attitude and swagger".Fifty days into the Trump presidency, the Talking Politics USA team discuss how the new administration is going down at home and abroad.Tom Bradby, US Correspondent Dan Rivers and former Trump appointee Matthew Bartlett look at how Trump is picking fights with America's allies and whether any divisions are appearing within his own top team.Plus, after a long haul flight, Tom ponders how films like Top Gun would land now with audiences worried about America's role in the world.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.comGot a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

“My instinct is simply to go on the news and say ‘what the hell is this appalling person doing?!’ But that wouldn’t be impartial journalism…”In the latest Talking Politics, Tom Bradby, Anushka Asthana and a poorly Robert Peston react to one of the most shocking weeks in modern history and explain where the world is headed next, revealing:How those in the UK government reacted to the Trump-Zelenskyy showdown…How the US president has ripped up the international rulebook…What it means for our world order, the future of Ukraine and the potential for British troops to be sent into battle…Plus, how Trump’s trade war puts massive new pressure on UK spending - as Anushka reveals her insider scoop on how the government is exploring more cutbacks.And there’s even time for Robert’s dog to make a late cameo appearance!If you’ve got a question, please send it to talkingpolitics@itv.com and we’ll put them to Robert and Anushka.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

“It was like a diplomatic hand grenade which went off inside the room”After the jaw-dropping row between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House, the Talking Politics USA team take stock of what the consequences could be.Tom Bradby, Dan Rivers and former Trump appointee Matthew Bartlett dissect how the diplomatic spat unfolded, ask whether it could have all been planned and discuss how Europe should respond to the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.Got a question for the Talking Politics team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com to make sure we’re talking about the issues that matter most to you.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

“I almost can’t believe it’s happening. I almost can’t believe it’s real.”In the latest Talking Politics, Paul Brand is joined in the pod studio by Deputy Political Editor Anushka Asthana and Digital Politics Reporter Lewis Denison as they react to Donald Trump sharing an unbelievably provocative new vision for Gaza.Political Editor Robert Peston then dials in from DC to discuss everything from the heavyweight challenges facing Keir Starmer in Washington to whether the PM is a secret Spurs fan...The team also take your questions, including whether Starmer can really please the U.S. president without alienating the British public.Do you have a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com to make sure we’re talking about the issues that matter most to you.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

“If he’s banking on the special relationship, he’s probably on a hiding to nothing.”In the latest Talking Politics USA, our International Editor Emma Murphy and former Trump appointee Matthew Bartlett join Rageh Omaar to debate the weight of the US-UK “special relationship" as Keir Starmer heads to the White House in these most turbulent of times.The team also react to Elon Musk’s chainsaw stunt, the next German leader Friedrich Merz’s outspoken comments about the US and Amazon boss Jeff Bezos’s controversial takeover of the James Bond franchise - as Emma makes a surprising 007 confession and Matthew explains how he was inspired by Daniel Craig’s wardrobe.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com to make sure we're talking about the issues which matter most to you.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

"The big judgement for Starmer is whether he needs to show that European interest trumps the requirement to have a friendly relationship with America"As Donald Trump is accused of living in a "disinformation" bubble after he blamed Ukraine for Russia's invasion, the Talking Politics team explore the tricky position Prime Minister Keir Starmer finds himself in before his trip to Washington.While Ukraine continues to dominate discussion, Paul Brand, Robert Peston and Emma Murphy also talk about the latest scrutiny facing assisted dying legislation in England and Wales and its chances of becoming law.And with Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing more questions over her CV, the team consider how easy it is to make mistakes on your online profile and how trust in politicians and institutions - or lack of it - is having such an influence on so many debates right now.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com to make sure we're talking about the issues that matter most to you.Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com