TrumpWorld

Channel 4 News

Buckle up for TrumpWorld, the Channel 4 News podcast that takes you inside the chaos, drama and consequences of Donald Trump’s America. Whether you’re thrilled or terrified on the ‘America First’ rollercoaster, one thing’s clear: the ride doesn’t stop at the US border.

Each week, Global Anchor Matt Frei and US Editor Anushka Asthana are joined by a special guest to cut through the noise of White House headlines and uncover what Trump’s second presidency really means, at home and around the world.

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47 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes47

Newest first

Wednesday · 35 min
US Midterms: Do the Republicans have a Donald Trump PROBLEM?
Is Donald Trump still the election asset he once was? With the Midterm election campaign well underway, Republican candidates are grappling with an unpopular president who has left them with a rising cost of living, tariffs and the seemingly never ending war in Iran. Meanwhile the Democrats are beset by internal divisions, questions over leadership, and growing concerns about whether they have the money and the message to capitalise on Trump's vulnerabilities. On this week’s episode of Trumpworld, Matt Frei is joined by Democratic political strategist Simon Rosenberg and Sarah Chamberlain, strategist and president of Republican Main Street Partnership. They discuss if Trump is becoming an election liability for the Republicans and: are the Democrats suffering from an identity crisis?
July 21 · 28 min
Burnham v Trump: will new PM stand up to President?
The “special relationship” is facing its greatest test in years - Andy Burnham had barely unpacked in Number 10 before taking an hour-long call from President Trump to discuss football, Manchester, Nato and Trump’s favourite topic - oil. Now, as the fallout from America's strikes on Iran grows, big questions remain for the new prime minister - how far should the UK go in backing Trump? What happens if the White House pushes for something that crosses Britain's legal or political red lines? And can Burnham really build a successful relationship with one of the world’s most erratic leaders? On this episode of TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana was joined by Ed Owen, director of Think Labour and Evelyn Farkas who served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Obama and is now the director of the McCain Institute.
July 15 · 31 min
Has Donald Trump actually made Iran’s regime STRONGER?
Donald Trump's Iran strategy is unravelling. Days after declaring a ceasefire, the agreement appears to have collapsed. Trump has scrapped plans for a 20% toll on ships using the Strait of Hormuz in favour of major Gulf investment deals, while warning that even tougher military action could still be to come. So why did the ceasefire fail? Has Iran emerged politically stronger despite months of conflict? And is the Strait of Hormuz still Tehran's most powerful bargaining chip, or is it becoming a liability? On this episode of Trumpworld, Anushka Asthana is joined by Nate Swanson from the Atlantic Council and British-Iranian author Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini to examine what's really driving the conflict, whether diplomacy is finished, and what Donald Trump's next move could be.
July 7 · 28 min
World Cup: how Trump’s Balogun red card call ‘COMPLETELY BACKFIRED’ on America
An unprecedented FIFA decision, a direct intervention from Donald Trump, and a World Cup controversy that has left football divided. Trump says he personally asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun's red card suspension. FIFA overturned the automatic ban, prompting protests from Belgium, criticism from UEFA, and fresh questions about President Gianni Infantino's relationship with the White House. This week on TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana speaks to Financial Times journalist and author of World Cut Fever Simon Kuper, who is in the US covering his 10th World Cup, about what happened behind the scenes, hydration breaks, whether politics is reshaping world football, and what Trump's involvement means for the 2026 World Cup.
July 2 · 47 min
‘UNREAL CORRUPTION’ - Has Trump gone too far with crypto billions?
Donald Trump reported earning more than $2.2 billion last year, with huge sums linked to cryptocurrency, licensing deals and his growing business empire. At the same time, fresh questions are being asked about thousands of stock trades, government ethics and where the line between public office and private profit should be drawn. This week on TrumpWorld, Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana ask whether America has entered a new era, one where presidential power and personal wealth are becoming increasingly intertwined. They also examine a landmark week at the Supreme Court, where rulings expanded presidential authority while preserving birthright citizenship, and discuss whether Trump's growing power could reshape the presidency long after he leaves office. They also speak to Justin Florence, co-founder of Protect Democracy and former Special Counsel in the Obama White House, to explain what these developments mean for American democracy.
June 26 · 46 min
‘SHAMEFUL, UNQUALIFIED, DISASTROUS’ - what swing state voters think of Trump
Trump's polling numbers have plummeted since his return to office - with the Iran war and soaring cost of living hurting the most. Now some say he's the most unpopular president ever - but is that really true? When you step outside of the Washington bubble, a different story emerges. On this episode of TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana worked with pollsters Public First to hear what voters in the key Georgia swing state think about the state of their country under president Trump ahead of the mid-term elections. She also spoke to Seb Wride, the head of opinion research at Public First.
June 23 · 29 min
Is JD Vance becoming Trump's Iran scapegoat?
If Andy Burnham succeeds Keir Starmer in Downing Street, as is expected, how will he approach the US UK relationship with Donald Trump in the White House? A growing number of leaders around the world have concluded that they have to stand up to Donald Trump, even if he threatens tariffs - including recently Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni. On this episode of TrumpWorld Anushka Asthana and Matt Frei discuss the so-called special relationship and look at whether Trump is gearing up to throw his vice president under the bus if the Iran deal turns sour.
June 17 · 25 min
Trump accused of ‘COMPLETE CAPITULATION’ as Iran deal LEAKED
A leaked copy of Donald Trump’s deal with Iran appears to show the president facilitating a $300 billion fund for the Islamic Republic, but Trump has denied that the US will be putting even “10 cents” into the fund as he spoke to reporters at the G7 summit in Evian. Either way, he has faced a fierce backlash from hawkish Republicans, with Senator Lindsey Graham comparing the deal to a marshall plan for Germany “with the Nazis still in charge”. So, what is exactly in the memorandum of understanding and what’s next for Iran, America and the rest of the world watching on?
June 9 · 37 min
Iran crisis: can “SLEEPY TRUMP’ stop Netanyahu?
In the past week in Trump’s world, the US president stormed out of an NBC interview, appeared to have been caught napping at the New York Knicks game and in the Middle East, Israel and Iran exchanged missiles in a move that further threatened the fragile ceasefire. President Trump has tried to assert a sense of control over events in the Middle East, telling reporters that he “calls the shots” and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have to accept any deal he strikes. But, as Israel and Hezbollah continue to exchange fire, is that really true? On this episode of TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana and Matt Frei discuss whether the US president has control in the Middle East and at home.
June 2 · 41 min
Has Netanyahu Trump relationship hit ‘ROCK BOTTOM’ after ‘EXPLOSIVE’ call?
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu had a very tense and fraught conversation on the phone - that much is clear, but did the US president really tell the Israeli prime minister that nobody likes him or his country and call him ‘f***ing crazy’ as Axios reported? On this episode of TrumpWorld, Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana explore the fallout from this explosive call and ask what it means for the war in Iran and Israel’s long term relationship with America. Matt Frei also speaks to Israeli journalist and chief political commentator on Channel 12 Amit Segal who was briefed by senior sources in Netanyahu’s government who dispute the claims made in the Axios report.
May 26 · 34 min
Trump’s Iran GAMBLE - can the US strike Iran and still make a deal?
Tensions between the United States and Iran have entered an unstable holding pattern, with fresh American strikes on Iranian missile sites and patrol boats near the Strait of Hormuz, and Tehran reportedly shooting down a US drone, fuelling renewed uncertainty across the region. In this episode of TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana and Lindsey Hilsum examine the latest escalation, from President Trump’s shifting negotiating tactics to his revived Abraham Accords pitch, and what this strategic brinkmanship means for Iran’s leverage, Lebanon’s fragility, and the wider Middle East. Anushka also speaks to Dina Esfandiary, Middle East lead at Bloomberg Economics, about why Tehran may be less hungry for a diplomatic breakthrough than Washington hopes, and the deep structural obstacles that still stand in the way of progress.
May 19 · 53 min
‘If Trump wins mid-terms, IT’S GAME OVER’ - top democrat says democracy at stake
Donald Trump’s approval ratings have hit a new low amid anger over the Iran war and soaring gas prices - raising fresh fears for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. In this episode of TrumpWorld Anushka Asthana speaks to former US congressman Beto O'Rourke, who also ran to be the Democratic nominee for president in 2020 and he warns that the mid-terms “will decide the future of the country” and that if Trump wins “it;s game over”. Channel 4 News’ Kiran Moodley also joined Anushka to discuss what chances Democrats have and if there’s any sign about who could be their next leader.
May 13 · 43 min
Trump heads to China after ‘JAW DROPPING’ remarks about Americans’ finances
Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing for the first US presidential visit to China in nearly a decade - but it’s his comments on Iran that are dominating headlines. Asked whether Americans’ financial struggles were influencing his negotiations with Iran, Trump gave a strikingly blunt answer: “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody.” The comments have sparked fresh questions about his priorities as tensions in the Middle East continue to rattle global markets. In this episode of TrumpWorld, Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana discuss Trump’s high-stakes China trip, the pressure surrounding Iran negotiations, and what the President’s remarks reveal about how he sees power, diplomacy and America’s role in the world.
May 5 · 40 min
Iran war: is Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ DOOMED?
The first ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz as part of Donald Trump’s “Project Freedom”, a US-led operation to escort commercial ships after Iran’s blockade disrupted global oil supplies and stranded hundreds of vessels. Tehran has warned it will treat any unauthorised military presence in the strait as a hostile act, and America says there has been some ‘low level kinetic’ activity in the Strait - despite reports of renewed backchannel diplomacy. So is this a masterstroke from Trump - break Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait while devastating Tehran’s economy with his own blockade? Or is this whole endeavour doomed to fail? On this episode of TrumpWorld Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana are joined by analyst Trita Parsi who is co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
April 28 · 30 min
Who really has a special relationship with Trump - Israel or the UK?
Another assassination attempt on Donald Trump, relations between the president and Keir Starmer have hit rock bottom and the spectre of Jeffrey Epstein hanging over the White House and Buckingham Palace. King Charles III’s state visit to America is happening at one of the most turbulent periods to hit the so-called “special relationship”, and now the leaked footage obtained by the Financial Times appears to show the UK ambassador to the US Christian Turner saying that the only country to have a special relationship with the US is “probably Israel”. A Government spokesperson says: "These were private, informal comments made to a group of UK sixth-form students visiting the US in early February. They are certainly not any reflection of the UK government’s position.” So, will the state visit stay on track or could it all unravel? And does Israel really have a more "special relationship" with America than Israel? In the latest episode of TrumpWorld Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana pick apart all the latest news from DC and the Palace and analyse exclusive polling about what Americans feel about the monarchy, the special relationship and Trump himself where almost a fifth of people polled said they supported Trump running for a third term.
April 22 · 43 min
White House says ‘3-5 day limit’ on Trump Iran ceasefire - what next?
Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, but only for around 3-5 days the White House told Fox News. At the same time, Trump has maintained the naval blockade while unleashing fresh threats against Iran, as Tehran signals it will not back down. So, is there any hope for the peace negotiations? Or are we on the brink of a fresh round of military action? On this episode of TrumpWorld Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana are joined by former Pentagon official and Middle East expert Jasmine El-Gamal.
April 15 · 26 min
Pope, China, blockade: has Trump lost the plot?
Donald Trump says his war with Iran is “close to over” and there’s reports of more peace talks coming soon, but this isn’t the first time the US president has said an end to the war is imminent - so what’s actually going on? This comes off the back of a week where the president has picked a fight with the Pope, he then went on the attack against Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for cancelling a defence agreement with Israel and to top it off his other European ally, Viktor Orban of Hungary, was ousted after 16 years of power. So, is this the week it all went wrong from Trump? Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana discuss.
April 8 · 40 min
US-Iran ceasefire: what we don’t know
It’s the morning after the night before - when - just 90 minutes before his deadline for Iran to unblock the Strait of Hormuz or “a whole civilisation will be destroyed”, President Trump announced a two week ceasefire. Iran has signed on and both sides have claimed victory. In this episode of TrumpWorld, Matt Frei discusses what we don’t know about the ceasefire and the control of the Strait of Hormuz with the Brookings Institution’s Suzanne Maloney, a leading voice on US policy on Iran, who’s advised both Democratic and Republican administrations.
April 1 · 45 min
Is the Iran war about to end?
Donald Trump says the United States could be “out of Iran pretty quickly”, with the option of returning for “spot hits”, even as he escalates his criticism of Nato allies and questions America’s future in the alliance. His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is amplifying that message despite having backed legal safeguards preventing a US exit from Nato only two years earlier. In this episode of TrumpWorld, Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana examine why this rupture feels different, how Trump’s frustration over the Iran war is driving the rhetoric, and what diplomats in London and Washington are saying privately about the strain. They also speak to lawyer and political scientist Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America and former State Department official under Hillary Clinton.
March 25 · 45 min
Trump reveals 15-point peace plan but Iran says US ‘negotiating with itself’
As Israel and Iran exchange fresh attacks, President Donald Trump says a 15-point peace plan has been sent to Tehran via Pakistan and claims negotiations are underway. Iran publicly rejected Trump's proposal and said the US is negotiating with itself, but did respond with demands of its own. In this episode of TrumpWorld Matt Frei, in Jerusalem, and Anushka Asthana, in Washington, try to make sense of the contradictions. Is there really a diplomatic off-ramp - or is the US trying to calm markets while escalating militarily? And what does Trump actually want from Iran after weeks of war and rising tensions across the Middle East? They’re joined by Matthew Miller, former US State Department spokesperson under Joe Biden, to unpack the strategy, the politics in Washington, and the global stakes. From Trump’s shifting messaging to Israel’s role and the pressure on Gulf states, we ask the key question: is this the start of peace talks - or the next phase of the war?