The United States we thought we knew is gone

featuring Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman
President Donald J. Trump accepts a DoorDash delivery from Sharon Simmons outside of the Oval Office, Monday, April 13, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
The White House/Flickr

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A majority of Australians now think Donald Trump is a bigger threat to world peace than either Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping.

On the 100th episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss new Australia Institute polling on Australians’ views of Trump, the deadlock between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, and what it might take for the Australian government to get out of the AUKUS submarine deal.

This episode was recorded on Monday 11 May.

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Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb

Show notes:

It’s not me, it’s you – Australians ready to break up with Trump’s America, the Australia Institute (May 2026)

Shorter America: The past is never past; Great (bad) men; Magical thinking by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

Photo: The White House/Flickr (U.S. Government work)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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