Republicans find their spines

Why America's leaders keep getting worse

* California is "a beautiful state, and they keep electing these terrible people to run it". Any chance of a change now? * We discuss how polarisation drives the decline of character in political leadership. * Donald Trump has suffered some political setbacks. His anti-weaponisation fund has been scrapped and his preferred candidate lost out in Iowa. Blips or signs of something more serious for the White House? * And..."I don't know how more dishonest you can possibly be" — Gerry's excoriating review of Jill Biden's memoir. 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: @spencerpratt on X Clips: Reuters, Gettym CNN, @spencerpratt on X, @grahamformaine on X This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today [https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=FY26_TML_thestateofitusa_] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Republicans find their spines

President Trump's pick, Ken Paxton, has won the Republican primary to set up an interesting senate race in Texas. He beat John Cornyn who joins a growing group of Republican senators who are not standing for re-election so have little to lose from standing up to Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Steve Hilton is hoping to become the Republican governor of California and Katy has spent some time with him. We hear what people inside the Iran discussions are saying about the prospects of a deal. And finally New York has something sporting to shout about. 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 [https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=FY26_TML_thestateofitusa_] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

No dissent: Donald Trump's revenge tour

* Donald Trump has demonstrated his grip on his party in this week's Republican primaries, and dissent will be punished. * The president has established a $1.8bn fund to compensate people who've been unfairly investigated. Critics say it's just a slush fund for his allies. We explain how it came into being, how it will work and why people are worrying about it. * And Britain's deputy ambassador to Washington has been sacked. We have the details. 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 [https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=FY26_TML_thestateofitusa_] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Trump in China: Iran for Taiwan?

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 [https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=FY26_TML_thestateofitusa_] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Trump's Iran problem deepens as a new king moves into view...

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 [https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=FY26_TML_thestateofitusa_] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.