
Swamp Notes
Swamp Notes is the weekly US politics podcast from The Financial Times. Every Saturday, host Marc Filippino talks to reporters in Washington as well as the FT's veteran US political commentators and a cast of expert guests to explain what the latest moves in the Capitol mean for the economy, business and for people in America — and beyond. Subscribe and listen for incisive analysis, on-the-ground insights and a uniquely global perspective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Jun 4, 2025 • 2min
Coming soon: The Wolf-Krugman Exchange
In a special six-part series of The Economics Show, Martin Wolf, the FT’s chief economics commentator, and Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman discuss the economic events reshaping the world in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s election. Subscribe and listen to this series on The Economics Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Episodes will also be available on the FT’s YouTube channel.If you’d like to get in touch and ask Martin and Paul a question, please email economics.show@ft.com Read Martin’s FT column hereSubscribe to Paul’s substack here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 snips
May 31, 2025 • 18min
Do Republicans still care about debt?
James Politi, the Washington bureau chief for the Financial Times, and Edward Luce, U.S. national editor and columnist for the same publication, dive into the Republican Party’s evolving stance on fiscal responsibility. They discuss the contradictions in the party’s big spending and tax cuts, questioning the authenticity of their commitment to reducing national debt. The conversation also touches on the ideological rifts within the GOP and reflects on broader economic implications, giving listeners a fascinating look at current political dynamics.

May 24, 2025 • 24min
Trump’s next 100 days
Katie Martin, a markets columnist and co-host of the Unhedged podcast, joins Chris Giles, a prominent economics commentator, to dissect Trump's upcoming political landscape. They analyze the recovery from market shocks and the implications of looming tariffs. The duo discusses the tension between Trump's administration and the Federal Reserve along with inflation's potential impact on his voter base. Additionally, they touch on personal escapes like gardening and football, providing a lighthearted contrast to the serious political discourse.

May 17, 2025 • 18min
Trump’s tilt to the left
Within the space of one week, US President Donald Trump endorsed tax increases for America’s top earners and promised to slash drug prices by up to 70 per cent. It’s a platform that echoes former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and others on the political left. So why are we hearing it from Trump, and why now? FT’s Washington bureau chief James Politi and global business columnist Rana Foroohar are on the show to discuss.Mentioned in this podcast:Trump leans left in bid to revive flagging poll numbersWhy ‘Make Hollywood Great Again’ makes senseSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is produced by Katya Kumkova. Topher Forhecz is the acting co-head of audio. Special thanks to Sonja Hutson and Pierre Nicholson. CREDIT: clip from ForbesRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 6, 2025 • 2min
Coming Soon: Swamp Notes
Introducing Swamp Notes, the FT's US politics chat show. Every Saturday, host Marc Filippino talks to reporters in Washington as well as the FT's veteran US political commentators and a cast of expert guests to explain what the latest moves in the Capitol mean for the economy, business and for people in America — and beyond. Subscribe and listen for incisive analysis, on-the-ground insights and a uniquely global perspective. Swamp Notes launches May 17. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.