The State of It: USA

As Donald Trump lands in China, could he change the US position on Taiwan in exchange for President Xi's help with Iran?
What's at stake in the battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman?
And is it chivalry that prompted the decision to concrete over the rose garden at the White House?

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Image: Getty Images.
Clips: Reuters
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The unpredictability of Trump’s conflict with Iran shows no sign of slowing. Is a genuine peace deal with Tehran actually close — or is the President once again overstating progress? Why did Trump abruptly announce and then abandon “Project Freedom,” the US naval plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz?
Meanwhile, Marco Rubio’s warmly received White House press briefing has sparked fresh speculation about his 2028 ambitions. And despite Trump’s declining national approval ratings, the latest Indiana primary results suggest it still pays for Republicans to stay firmly in line behind the President.

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Image: Getty Images.
Clips: Reuters
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an assassination attempt on President Trump threatened to derail the Royal Visit, King Charles has gone on the charm offensive -- with some mild and elegant rebukes.
Katy Balls describes the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' attitude inside the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
And as the former FBI director James Comey is charged with endangering the president's life, we discuss the weaponisation of political violence.

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Image: Getty Images.
Clips: Reuters
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump has said he's extending the ceasefire with Iran, and it's still unclear when talks will resume. What could an eventual deal look like and can the US find a radically better one than the deal that President Obama signed in 2015 to so much Republican scorn?
Can the King paper over the cracks in the US-UK relationship?
And did a joke by President Obama sow a seed that led to Donald Trump standing for office?

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Image: Getty Images.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the US counter-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is an elegant solution
Will Donald Trump pay a price with voters for his row with the Pope?
And Gerry tells us what he really thinks about JD Vance.

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: TruthSocial.com/@realDonaldTrump
Clips: Reuters

Email us: [email protected]
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.