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Politics Weekly America

Politics Weekly America

The Guardian 262 Episodes Aug 21, 2026

Every Friday, Guardian columnist and former Washington correspondent Jonathan Freedland invites experts to analyse the latest in American politics. From politicians to journalists covering the White House and beyond, Jonathan and his guests give listeners behind-the-scenes access to how the American political machine works. The podcast offers comprehensive reporting across every continent with a global network of over 900 journalists.

Episodes

Jill Lepore on why the artificial state is ‘doomed’
Jill Lepore on why the artificial state is ‘doomed’ Aug 21, 2026 00:27:58 With less than three months to go until the midterms, voters are thinking about grocery prices, the Iran war – and datacentres. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to the historian Jill Lepore about how this latest AI backlash could influence those all-important elections in November. Are we seeing the beginning of the end of the ‘artificial state’?
Trump’s great plane escape
Trump’s great plane escape Aug 14, 2026 00:25:35 When Air Force One took off from Turkey after July’s Nato summit, almost everyone believed Donald Trump was on board … but he wasn’t. Jonathan Freedland talks with Tara Setmayer of the Seneca Project about why the White House felt the need to come up with such an elaborate lie to protect the president
Trump unbound: the making of an imperial presidency
Trump unbound: the making of an imperial presidency Aug 7, 2026 00:36:53 Donald Trump’s second term is unlike his first. The politicians who challenged him are gone. The lawyers who once pushed back now choose their battles. What remains is an imperial president with almost no internal checks, using executive power to reshape everything from the economy, immigration and even the presidency itself. Few journalists have covered Trump as closely as the New York Times jour
AOC 2028: could she be the first female US president?
AOC 2028: could she be the first female US president? Jul 31, 2026 00:27:47 Leftwing Democrats are having their moment in the sun, with Zohran Mamdani in New York, Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and endless calls for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028. Has Democratic socialism shifted from the political fringe to the mainstream? And can this group lure back the all-important swing voters? Jonathan Freedland speaks to Bhaskar Sunkara, president of the Nation
Why did Trump just gift Saudi Arabia a nuclear win?
Why did Trump just gift Saudi Arabia a nuclear win? Jul 24, 2026 00:24:58 Donald Trump has announced a landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia while pressing ahead with efforts to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. What’s driving Trump’s new agreement with Riyadh? And how is it likely to be received at home and across the Gulf? Jonathan Freedland speaks to Robert Jimison, who covers Congress for the New York Times with a focus on defence and foreign policy, a
Are American politicians getting too old?
Are American politicians getting too old? Jul 17, 2026 00:25:15 The debate about how old is too old to serve in public office has resurfaced this week after the shock death of the Republican Lindsey Graham and the surprise return of Mitch McConnell, the 84-year-old senator who published a photo of himself in hospital after a long absence from the spotlight. With rumours continuing to swirl around Donald Trump’s health, why is it that US politicians seem to cli
Trump restarts war with Iran and plays nice(ish) with Nato
Trump restarts war with Iran and plays nice(ish) with Nato Jul 10, 2026 00:26:10 After the US launched strikes on Iran this week, Donald Trump said the fragile ceasefire he had co-signed just last month was over. He also reignited his threats to take Greenland, before leaving the Nato summit in Ankara, saying there was a lot of ‘love’ and ‘unity’ in the room. So how does anyone make progress with a leader choosing to relive a diplomatic Groundhog Day? Jonathan Freedland speaks
Trump hijacks America at 250 celebrations
Trump hijacks America at 250 celebrations Jul 3, 2026 00:32:10 This weekend marks 250 years since the signing of the declaration of independence, but Donald Trump is making the celebration all about himself. As the anniversary approaches, Jonathan Freedland talks to the Atlantic’s Yoni Appelbaum about why so many Americans are feeling less patriotic these days
Trump forced to drain the reflecting pool swamp
Trump forced to drain the reflecting pool swamp Jun 26, 2026 00:24:39 The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC will have to be drained again. Donald Trump has blamed vandalism for the failure to keep the water “American flag blue”. But what if this small body of water is proof that the president can’t outrun the truth? Jonathan Freedland speaks to Arwa Mahdawi about why this project, which has cost the taxpayer millions, is proving to be such an embarra
Tired of Iran, Trump refocuses on Ukraine
Tired of Iran, Trump refocuses on Ukraine Jun 19, 2026 00:22:22 Donald Trump has signed a 14-point agreement with Iran, trying to bring an end to a war he helped start. Satisfied his work is done in the Middle East, Trump now wants to move onto peace in Ukraine. But is it that easy? Jenna Amatulli speaks to the Guardian’s Andrew Roth about the chances this peace deal will succeed, and why Trump is turning his attention back to Ukraine
Is Trump about to ruin the World Cup?
Is Trump about to ruin the World Cup? Jun 11, 2026 00:22:09 Donald Trump is using some of the world’s most popular sporting events as his own personal stage. This week, Jenna Amatulli speaks to investigative reporter Karim Zidan about whether the US president’s influence on football, UFC and basketball is a help or a hindrance • This podcast was edited on 11 June 2026 because an earlier version incorrectly suggested that the search tactics of the Seneg
A Brit, a billionaire, and Spencer Pratt: California’s primary upsets
A Brit, a billionaire, and Spencer Pratt: California’s primary upsets Jun 5, 2026 00:25:49 In what has become one of the most chaotic primaries in recent history, elections in California are delivering some upsets. Elsewhere, establishment Democrats performed well and a Trump pick failed to make the cut. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to the Guardian’s Sam Levin about the big takeaways from the single busiest primary day of the year so far

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