USAID being dismantled before our eyes is just the beginning. In this episode Rick is joined by Josh Rogin, Lead Global Security Analyst for Washington Post Intelligence, to discuss the shocking dismantlement of USAID by Elon Musk and Donald Trump. They explore the broader implications of this decision, including the erosion of America’s global influence, the potential humanitarian crisis, and how adversaries like China and Russia stand to benefit. The conversation also delves into Trump’s complicated relationship with Xi Jinping, the future of Taiwan, and the geopolitical risks of a second Trump presidency—particularly regarding Ukraine, where Vladimir Putin is poised to take advantage.
If you skipped Trump's "State of the Union" record-setting ramble, this show's for you. Joe and Alex dive in - what actually is the state of our union? Part 1 of where we see the world, the economy, and the state of both parties... Starting with how Joe thinks Trump's second term has completely remade American foreign policy. It's Trump and Putin against the world. He answers maybe the scariest listener question to date. And what about here at home? Turns out, when you burn it all down... it takes a REALLY long time for things to grow back.
Trump has no mandate. Full stop. Does he want to pretend he does? You bet! But it’s a bad bet for Trump and he is way overplaying a bad hand. His sinking numbers with the American people on everything from the economy to Elon tell the story. Lisa Senecal, executive editor of Resolute Square, joins Maya May to punch up at a very deserving bully, Donald John Trump, the POTUS Who Cried Mandate. They discuss why Trump’s attempt to show strength in Tuesday's Castro-esque rant before the joint session of Congress was really a huge tell of where he knows he’s weak and failing.
The balance of power in American democracy is being tested like never before. In this episode Rick is joined by legal expert and author Tristan Snell to discuss the latest legal battles surrounding Trump, the Supreme Court’s role in shaping executive power, and the broader implications for American democracy. They break down key cases, including the limits of presidential immunity, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the growing constitutional crisis if Trump defies court rulings. Visit Tristan's Substack at tristansnell.com.
Political scientist, author, and entrepreneur Ian Bremmer -- who's also the founder and president of Eurasia Group and the founder of GZERO Media -- stops by to chat with Rick about how we're fucked, and why we're fucked. There is nothing like sitting down with a good ole expert friend at the beginning of a potential World War to discuss the American economy, AI, global politics, and the growing dangers inside and outside the U.S. democratic government.
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Follow Ian Bremmer at @ianbremmer on X & @ianbremmer.com on Bluesky
Check out more of Ian's work at @eurasiagroup.net and @gzeromedia.com
Brian Daitzman writes, "For years, U.S. allies privately acknowledged what had been taboo to say outright: that the United States, under Trump, was falling into autocracy and was no longer a defender of democracy, but an enemy of it." Now, it's all out in public.
