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

March 18 · 38 min
Israel strike Iranian gas field - is Trump locked into an escalating war?
In week three of the Iran war, Donald Trump faces the consequences of a campaign he believed he could control. As Israel strikes the South Pars gas field and Tehran vows retaliation across the Gulf, the regional balance is shifting in real time. With turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz, a spiraling energy shock, and a widening conflict stretching into Lebanon, TrumpWorld asks one central question: What did Donald Trump think would happen, and does he now regret it? Matt Frei reports from Jerusalem where Israel insists everything is going to plan after the killings of senior Iranian officials, and Anushka Asthana joins from Washington DC, where the administration is scrambling to contain the fallout. We speak to Professor Robert Pape of the University of Chicago about the ‘escalation trap’, the logic that pulls presidents into wars they cannot easily end.
March 10 · 41 min
Trump’s Iran war: “pretty much” over, or just beginning?
The Trump administration is sending a blizzard of mixed messages about the war in Iran; yesterday Trump insisted it was “pretty much” over - today U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that today would be the “most intense day of strikes inside Iran.” Behind the scenes, global markets are jolting, oil prices are surging and the White House appears to be scrambling to contain the political and economic fallout. This is a conflict Trump never fully explained, a war of choice launched with no clear end point and no obvious definition of victory. Now voters are feeling the impact at the petrol pump and allies are trying to decipher whether the President is winding down the war, or simply reacting to the panic he helped unleash. What does all this reveal about Trump’s strategy, the pressure he is under at home, and the risks he is willing to take in the Gulf? On today’s TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana and Matt Frei are joined by Dana W. White, who was the Pentagon’s chief spokeswoman during Trump’s first term, to break down the military messaging, the political calculations and the reality behind the White House’s shifting story.
March 4 · 38 min
Who’s really behind Trump’s Iran war - and how does it end?
As the war between Iran, Israel and the United States enters its fifth day, Donald Trump is facing mounting pressure as his MAGA base tears itself apart over his decision to launch another conflict in the Middle East despite his promises to end America’s “forever wars”. Trump has now hit out at influential MAGA voices like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly after they condemned the war and suggested Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Nethanyahu was the real driving force behind the decision to attack. But with Trump’s ratings hitting rock bottom, polls showing little support for a prolonged war in the Middle East and mid-term elections looming, could domestic pressure on Trump help bring the war to a swift conclusion? If not, then what else could bring this bloody conflict to an end?
February 25 · 21 min
What Trump got wrong in the State of the Union
Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in American history, a two hour speech packed with dramatic claims, partisan attacks and a full political show of force. With approval ratings falling and Republicans increasingly anxious about the midterms, Trump used the moment to sell an economic turnaround and portray a country “winning again,” even as many of his assertions strained credibility. From repeated standing ovations by Republicans to a fiery confrontation with Democratic representatives over immigration and the killings in Minnesota, this was a speech designed to energise his base and provoke his opponents. But did it persuade the voters he needs? And what does it reveal about the future of the Republican Party, potential 2028 contenders and America’s standing on the world stage? On today’s TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana is joined by Republican commentator and strategist Tara Setmayer, who is a long-standing opponent of Donald Trump, to discuss all of this and more.
February 18 · 45 min
The real cost of Trump’s Cuban crisis
Cuba is in crisis. As severe fuel shortages disrupt daily life across the island, US President Donald Trump has declared Cuba is "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to US national security. The US president has cutting off the flow of Venezuelan oil to the island and threated to slap tariffs on any nation supplying Cuba with fuel. With no diesel to power collection trucks, rubbish is piling up across Havana. Extended blackouts are hitting homes, schools and hospitals, deepening what many describe as the country’s most serious humanitarian emergency in years. President Trump has urged Cuban leaders to “make a deal,” escalating pressure as conditions worsen. So how far will Washington push Havana, and what could come next? In today’s episode of TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana and Matt Frei discuss the roots of Cuba’s fuel crisis, the impact of US policy, and the political calculations driving events in Washington and Havana. We also hear from journalist Jon Lee Anderson, a writer for The New Yorker - with decades of reporting on Cuba he offers rare insight into the island’s history, its leadership and its struggle to navigate this latest crisis.
February 11 · 36 min
Inside Epstein’s world - what the spycams and unredacted files reveal
The latest release of the Epstein files has triggered political and cultural shockwaves on both sides of the Atlantic. Millions of documents, new surveillance footage verified by Channel 4 News, and a growing list of players including some of the world’s most powerful people have raised urgent questions about influence, accountability, and why so many continued to orbit Jeffrey Epstein long after he became a convicted sex offender. In this episode of TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana and Matt Frei break down the new revelations, including looking at the email trails that undermine public denials by figures like Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. We also hear from survivors who fought for the release of the files and who say that, despite the headlines, true accountability still feels like a distant dream.
February 4 · 38 min
Trump’s second term ‘is going to get much worse’ - Democrats eye 2026 comeback
It’s been a bruising week in TrumpWorld. Donald Trump is battling a fresh wave of Epstein headlines, walking back his ICE crackdown, and softening once-hard threats on Greenland and tariffs. Meanwhile, the cost-of-living crisis is still squeezing Americans, and unease is growing among his base: is this still ‘America First’ or is it becoming ‘America Fights’, as US military power looms over Iran?If a week is a long time in TrumpWorld, what could the next nine months bring? With the midterm elections on November 3 fast approaching, the stakes are high. Can Democrats finally land a blow? In this episode of TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana speaks to staunch anti-Trump political analyst and strategist Dr Rachel Bitecofer - author of Hit ’Em Where It Hurts - to look ahead to the midterms, and what the road to November could mean for America.
January 28 · 46 min
Trump backing down following Minneapolis killings?
Minneapolis has become the centre of a crisis that is reshaping American politics. After the killing of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse described by friends as gentle and decent, the Trump administration has been forced into an unexpected shift. The video of his final moments has ignited protests across the city, unnerved Republican lawmakers facing the midterms, and exposed the scale of ICE’s new power under Trump. In today’s episode of TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana reports from a frozen and fearful Minneapolis, where families have been hiding indoors and local police say they are being prevented from doing their jobs. And from London, Matt Frei breaks down how ICE grew into the most heavily funded enforcement agency in US history and why agents now seemingly act with near total impunity. We ask what Trump’s domestic revolution really looks like on the ground, why Pretti’s death became a turning point, and how the White House are responding to the crisis.
January 21 · 35 min
Davos showdown: How Trump triggered the worst transatlantic crisis in generations
Was Greenland ever just a punchline? Is Donald Trump now reshaping the Western alliance itself, one shock move at a time? He’s finally ruled out taking Greenland by force - but he wants to own it - and won’t take no for an answer. What happens if Europe refuses to bend? And is the damage already done to the transatlantic order as we know it? From an unprecedented showdown at Davos to record-breaking executive orders that have rewritten America’s map, Anushka Asthana and Chuck Todd break down a week that has left Washington, London Brussels and now the snowy mountains of Switzerland reeling. They examine Trump’s fixation on Greenland, the new 'Donroe' Doctrine taking hold inside the White House, and the rising influence of Stephen Miller as the architect of Trump’s most aggressive foreign policy gambits.
January 14 · 40 min
Could Trump take out the Ayatollah?
Could Donald Trump order a strike that eliminates Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? With tensions between Washington and Tehran escalating and protests sweeping Iran, with thousands now killed, the idea of dramatic military action has moved from the fringes into serious debate. To help unpack the legal, strategic, and real-world implications of this scenario, we’re joined by Robert Malley, President Biden’s former Special Envoy for Iran. A key figure in U.S. diplomacy on Tehran and a veteran negotiator of the 2015 nuclear deal, Malley brings deep insight into the limits of force, the power of diplomacy, and how U.S. policymakers think about confronting Iran’s leadership.
January 7 · 24 min
Trump vs the world: Venezuela, Greenland and NATO
Was Venezuela just the beginning? Is Donald Trump reshaping the global order, one country at a time? What happens to NATO if Greenland is next? And what would that mean in Ukraine? With the UK and France now promising boots on the ground if there’s a ceasefire, would the United States come to their defence if needed? From Nicolás Maduro in a beige jumpsuit to threats against NATO allies, Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana break down a week of jaw-dropping headlines that have upended the global rules based order. They discuss Trump’s ‘takeover’ of Venezuela, the rise of Marco Rubio as a key power broker in Latin America, and the shock return of the Monroe Doctrine as a guiding force in US strategy.
Dec 17, 2025 · 33 min
The 12 ‘beefs’ of Christmas: Trump’s 2025 enemies, from Europe to MAGA
In a year where President Donald Trump arguably made more enemies than friends, we look back at who ended up on his naughty list, with Trump’s 12 “beefs” of Christmas. From escalating wars with MAGA over the Epstein files, to clashes with Europe over tariffs, Venezuela, migrants, the media, universities, and Elon Musk. Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana are together in London to look back at a turbulent year in TrumpWorld. They ask what these feuds reveal about how power works inside the administration, and whether the fractures in Trump’s coalition are starting to show. Also in this episode, Matt and Anushka unpack one of the most revealing portraits yet of Donald Trump’s White House, prompted by a striking Vanity Fair profile of his chief of staff, Susie Wiles. We examine how Wiles became Trump’s most trusted power broker, why she can say things to him no one else can, and what her comments reveal about internal tensions over tariffs, deportations, Elon Musk, and USAID.
Dec 10, 2025 · 53 min
Epstein, MAGA feuds and the economy: What’s hurting Trump most?
Has Donald Trump finally hit his peak? With fractures inside MAGA, an increasingly hostile rhetoric towards Europe, a new security strategy that has unsettled America’s closest allies and a new affordability crisis gripping the US - he may have done just that. This week on TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana and Matt Frei take you inside a White House facing pressure both at home and abroad. Trump’s criticism of Europe has sparked anxiety among key allies, while a growing rebellion inside MAGA is beginning to shape the political mood in Washington. They examine the gap between Trump’s self-declared economic success and the reality of rising grocery bills, as well as Congress’s latest showdown with the president. And in an extended interview with Democrat and Former White House Chief of Staff, John Podesta gives his view on where this presidency is heading and what it means for America’s place in the world.
Dec 3, 2025 · 30 min
Why is Trump halting immigration applications from 19 countries?
President Donald Trump has intensified his anti-immigration stance, pausing all immigration applications from 19 countries. On Tuesday he singled out Somali communities in remarks that have drawn widespread criticism from across the world. In this podcast, Anushka Asthana and Matt Frei break down what he said, why his crackdown on immigration has escalated over recent days, and why this rhetoric is driving deep anxiety among many Americans. We explore the political context, human consequences, and the broader implications for immigrant communities across the country.
Nov 26, 2025 · 50 min
Could the Witkoff leaks upend Trump's Ukraine Russia peace deal?
After three years of war, could a Ukraine peace plan really be within reach? In this episode of TrumpWorld, we break down President Trump’s controversial 28-point peace proposal and the shockwaves it’s sending through Kyiv, Europe and Moscow. We look closely at the security guarantees being floated, but at what cost for Ukraine? And will the new revelations from Witkoff’s Ukraine leaks jeopardise progress? Matt Frei also speaks with Fiona Hill, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council during Trump’s first term. She explains why, in her view, this peace plan is still entirely beholden to Putin’s demands.
Nov 19, 2025 · 42 min
Is Trump starting a war with Venezuela?
Is Donald Trump preparing to take the U.S. to war with Venezuela? What is his gunboat diplomacy really aiming to accomplish and what could it mean for Maduro’s presidency? And as tensions hit a boiling point, a few days ago, America’s largest aircraft carrier was ominously sent to the region.In today’s episode, Matt Frei speaks with America’s former U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela, Elliott Abrams to break down the motives, the risks, and the potential fallout.
Nov 12, 2025 · 38 min
Trump and Epstein: what do the new emails tell us?
A new tranche of Epstein emails have been released, exposing more details about one of the most notorious scandals in modern politics - and putting fresh pressure on Donald Trump. All this in the week that Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion for ‘defamatory’ statements, plunging the BBC into an existential crisis. On this week’s episode of TrumpWorld, Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana explore how the revelations are reverberating through Washington and Westminster, unpack what the Epstein revelations could mean for Trump, and discuss his relationship with the media. And we speak to former Washington Post editor Martin Baron about what this moment reveals about the future of journalism, and accountability in the age of Trump. The White House has responded to this release of emails by House Democrats. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says: “The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump. "The ‘unnamed victim’ referenced in these emails is the late Virginia Giuffre, who repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and “couldn’t have been friendlier” to her in their limited interactions. "The fact remains that President Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre. "These stories are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trump’s historic accomplishments, and any American with common sense sees right through this hoax and clear distraction from the government opening back up again.”
Nov 5, 2025 · 46 min
Does Zohran Mamdani’s victory spell trouble for Trump?
Zohran Mamdani has just been elected the Mayor of New York in a victory hailed as a political earthquake. But what does the socialist democrat’s win mean for Donald Trump, and why does it matter so much to him? In this episode of TrumpWorld, Matt Frei and Anushka Asthana unpack the implications of Mamdani’s triumph with Dr. Christina Greer, political scientist and proud New Yorker.
Oct 29, 2025 · 38 min
Why Trump-Xi summit could escalate their trade war
As Donald Trump continues his Asia tour, all eyes are on his upcoming meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday - amid a fierce trade war and fraught geopolitical backdrop. In this week’s episode of TrumpWorld, Anushka Asthana and Matt Frei break down what we can expect from this meeting and what’s at stake; from trade deals to tech tensions
Oct 22, 2025 · 36 min
Is Trump a peacemaker overseas but authoritarian at home?
Donald Trump claims to be the President of Peace. But at home, he faces accusations of authoritarianism as protests sweep the country and the National Guard hits Portland. From Gaza to Ukraine, and from Portland to Chicago, his foreign and domestic agendas are on a knife edge. So, is Trump really the peacemaker he claims to be - or an authoritarian tightening his grip? Can America’s democracy withstand another Trump crackdown? And what does his vision of “law and order” mean for the rest of the world?