Elon Musk's controversial postings on British politics have ignited the row over the United Kingdom's long-running child grooming scandal. Musk's interventions and his proximity to Donald Trump are becoming a prominent feature in political debate on both sides of the Atlantic.This week, host Anne McElvoy talks to Rupert Soames, chair of the Confederation of British Industry, the U.K.’s biggest business lobby group — and grandson of Winston Churchill — about what the new administration in Washington and Musk's influence mean for the transatlantic business relationship.The U.K.'s economy has been in the doldrums and a tax-raising budget from the new Labour government has put business leaders’ noses out of joint. Will the return of Trump to the White House galvanize or harm economic ties across the pond? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To ring in the New Year, here’s a recent episode from one of our sister podcasts in the U.S., Playbook Deep Dive, hosted by Rachel Bade and produced by Alex Keeney. Power Play with Anne McElvoy will return next week.Donald Trump’s Washington will be packed with big business heavyweights such as Elon Musk, Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which represents traditional business interests in D.C., has recently found itself estranged from its longtime allies in the Republican Party. On this episode of Playbook Deep Dive, the Chamber’s top lobbyist, former Rep. Rodney Davis, joins Rachael Bade to discuss how the Chamber is getting its swagger back with the GOP, and how they plan to interface with President-elect Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Harris is the Global Editor-in-Chief at POLITICO, offering critical insight on global political trends, while Nicholas Vinocur serves as the Editor-at-large for POLITICO's Europe newsroom. They discuss the imminent political landscape of 2025, with Trump's return and its implications for the Republican Party and global relations. Key topics include Europe’s reaction to U.S. policies, changing geopolitical dynamics, migration challenges stemming from the Syrian crisis, and the complex state of Franco-German relations amid the Ukraine conflict.

Kate Day, POLITICO Europe's deputy editor-in-chief, dives into the seismic shifts following Donald Trump's historic election win. She discusses the emerging geopolitical challenges, including the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. The conversation highlights Trump's impact on the Atlantic Alliance and the changing political dynamics in Europe. Day also examines the evolving U.S.-U.K. relationship post-Brexit and how Trump's unique diplomatic style could reshape international trade and security collaborations.

Alexandre Kouchner, a political analyst and lecturer at Sciences Po, dives into the chaos engulfing France’s government as President Macron faces unprecedented challenges. They discuss the fallout from a historic no-confidence vote, raising questions about Macron's stability and the future of his party. Kouchner also highlights the far-right's growing influence in France and its potential impact on upcoming elections. With a backdrop of economic turmoil, they explore how these political shifts affect France's international relations, particularly with the U.S.

In this engaging discussion, Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna shares insights on bridging the gap between the party's progressive values and the tech industry's influence, particularly through his acquaintance Elon Musk. They dive into how the Democratic Party can revitalize its vision after recent losses, highlighting the need for a focus on workers' rights. Khanna also explores the potential for bipartisan engagement in defense and the importance of navigating online conversations to foster political discourse. The episode culminates in a discussion on online safety and the implications of social media regulations.

It’s been six years since a British prime minister met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Could Keir Starmer's encounter with the president at this week’s G20 lead to a thaw after years of frosty relations as the world prepares for a possible trade war when Donald Trump returns to the White House? The quiet quads of Oxford University might seem a world apart from the high diplomacy on the other side of the globe. But China’s influence in Britain’s universities is far from remote — not least for a former senior politician hoping to lead one of the most powerful centers of learning in the world. Host Anne McElvoy talks to William Hague, the former British foreign secretary, who is front-runner to become the university’s next chancellor. Next week, tens of thousands of Oxford alumni and faculty members will decide who becomes the university's titular head, serving a full 10-year term.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is there much the outgoing U.S. administration can do to salvage its climate change agenda as Donald Trump surrounds himself with global warming skeptics in his new team?Host Anne McElvoy talks to one of those playing a leading role at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Ali Zaidi is assistant to President Biden and White House national climate adviser.  They discuss what the Biden administration is seeking to accomplish in its last weeks in office and what it's seeking from the climate talks. Later, she's joined by Karl Mathiesen, senior climate correspondent at POLITICO Europe, to survey the state of play as the first week of negotiations draw to a close. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid the 50,000-odd delegates attending this year’s sprawling COP29 UN climate conference in Azerbaijan, you can hear the wheels of climate diplomacy turning. But even 6,000 miles from Washington, D.C., you don’t have to go far before Donald Trump intrudes on the conversation. Will he follow through on plans to dilute or abandon the climate initiatives of the incumbent Biden administration?Host Anne McElvoy begins Power Play’s coverage of the talks in Baku by chatting with Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s minister of the environment and climate change, about how Canada and the rest of the world are preparing for Trump’s next presidency. She also talks with climate campaigner Paul Polman — a former Unilever CEO — on his serious concerns about the Azerbaijani hosts of COP29 and about his encounter with Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

remarkable comeback to the White House. By any standards, his victory over Kamala Harris was historic. What does it mean for the U.S. and its place in the world?Host Anne McElvoy was in POLITICO's Washington, D.C. newsroom to see how the election unfolded. She talks to John Harris, global editor-in-chief — a veteran of many races for the White House — and in Philadelphia, to Senior Political Columnist Jonathan Martin. Josh Gerstein, senior legal affairs reporter, also joins to discuss the president-elect's various legal battles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices