After America
The United States we thought we knew is gone. And it isn’t coming back.
Every week on After America, Dr Emma Shortis examines the second Trump presidency, what’s happening in global politics, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better.
Presented by the Australia Institute.
How’s that trade war working out?
Last week, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had signed a trade deal with China. Did it though?
June 2025
Why did Trump join the Israel-Iran war?
It’s never about regime change (until it is).
“Mugged by reality”: Australia’s AUKUS disaster with Malcolm Turnbull
Australia traded sovereignty for security with the AUKUS submarine deal, but it might end up with neither.
Trump-Musk meltdown & the administration’s ‘crystal ball’
Musk may be out, but the influence of the tech bros has never been greater.
The golden age
Trump promised a golden age for the US economy – and now a golden dome to protect the continent.
May 2025
Another Oval Office ambush
Trump’s confrontation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was about trying to show who’s in charge.
The ‘better America’ bias
Donald Trump isn’t an aberration – he’s as much a product of American history as JFK or Barack Obama.
Oligarchy or democracy?
The Trump administration is orchestrating a colossal transfer of wealth and power to the very rich.
The Trump effect
How big a role did Trump play in Australia’s remarkable federal election result?
April 2025
Boys will be boys
The white men in the White House are trying to radically reshape modern America.
Trump and the Australian election
The United States is disappearing down an authoritarian rabbit hole and Australian leaders are struggling to respond.
Golfing while Rome burns
However well the 47th president hit ‘em in Florida, he cannot find a green with his tariffs.
Bully’s gonna bully
The Australian defence and foreign policy establishment is trying to continue with alliance-as-usual with America, but Trump will always put Australia’s interests second.
No joke
The Trump administration’s approach to the world can be summed up in three emojis: fist, American flag, fire. The president, meanwhile, is busy “not joking” about staying in office for an unconstitutional third term.
March 2025
We don’t need no Education
Trump has signed an Executive Order that seeks to dismantle the Federal Department of Education – but can he actually do it?
Dog acts
The will-he-or-won’t-he game over Trump’s steel and alumnium tariffs is over. Turns out he will – despite the apparent offerings of the Australian Government.
Why Russia’s aggression cannot be rewarded with Vasyl Myroshnychenko
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia joins us to discuss why defending Ukraine’s sovereignty is critical for Australia, America and other democracies around the world.
Insecurity guarantee
After a week when America’s reliability as an ally was called into question, new research shows that more Australians think Donald Trump is the greatest threat to world peace than either Xi Jinping or Vladimir Putin.
February 2025
Thrown under the bus: Ukraine abandoned by the Trump administration
Trump appears to want a quick and dirty end to Russia’s invasion, but at what cost to Ukraine and to America’s reputation?
With friends like these
The Trump administration is chatting with Putin and telling European leaders that they’re the problem. So what does this mean for Australia?
“A crime against humanity”: Trump’s intentions for Gaza
Trump’s proposal for the US to “own” Gaza and force out the Palestinian population would make it American policy to support “a crime against humanity”, says US foreign policy expert, Matt Duss.
Manifest destiny
We discuss US tariffs against its three largest trading partners, the political battle over who gets to be American, and Trump’s imperial ambitions.
January 2025
Flooding the zone | After America x Follow the Money
President Donald Trump has been issuing Executive Orders and dominating the media cycle, trying to radically reshape America and the world in the process.
Victim-in-chief
The second Trump era has begun.
A world on fire
From threatening to annex Greenland to blaming California Democrats for the state’s deadly wildfires, the Trump circus is back in town – and he’s not even president yet.
December 2024
Kissing the ring
Don Watson joins us to discuss Trump’s beyond-bizarre cabinet selections, Joe Biden’s tainted legacy, and what this might all mean for Australia on the final episode of After America for 2024.
Return to Trumpland with Zoe Daniel
Zoe Daniel MP joins us to discuss the MAGA loyalists Trump is tapping for senior roles and how Australia can deal with the President-elect.
November 2024
The worm kingdom
We discuss brainworms, Elon’s new gig, and why it’s a really bad idea to micro-dose E. coli.
Standing up to Trump with Malcolm Turnbull
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joins the show to discuss how Australia should approach the second Trump presidency.
Fill the sky
With this presidential race now over, Emma Shortis reflects on an extraordinary campaign and the challenges that may lie ahead for Australia.
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