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- The State of It: USA
51 episodes
The State of It: USA
by The Times · English
Katy Balls and Gerard Baker on the state of Trump’s America. No fake news, no flag waving and no Trump Derangement Syndrome. Just honest, in-depth discussion of what’s going down inside the White House. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes
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The Nvidia Scandal: the fallout
A special edition of State of It USA focused on a reported NVIDIA scandal and its fallout, linking alleged personal misconduct, U.S.-China chip export risks, and Trump-era cronyism; it also discusses…
12 Nov 2026 · 29m · 10 chapters"Buckle up. It's going to be a nasty two years."
U.S. politics after a Trump-era shakeup and Democratic election wins, focusing on Stephen Miller’s appointment, Pete Hegseth’s impeachment attempt, and internal Democratic leadership fights (Schumer…
11 Nov 2026 · 27m · 8 chaptersUS midterms: what now for MAGA?
Post-midterm analysis of a major Democratic victory and what it means for MAGA and the 2028 outlook, framed as a referendum on Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
4 Nov 2026 · 31m · 9 chaptersTrump's midterm circus
Ahead of the US midterm elections, the episode argues Republicans are heading into “red dashboard” territory while Democrats are cautiously optimistic.
30 Oct 2026 · 29m · 9 chapters
Musk and Trump dance to Putin's tune
The State of It USA discusses alleged U.S.-Russia tensions and midterm-election campaign tactics.
21 Oct 2026 · 30m · 13 chapters
Is this the real reason Trump made a deal with Putin?
Political and corruption fallout around a reported Trump-Putin diesel deal, plus related administration controversies and a brief discussion of Elizabeth Holmes’ new documentary.
14 Oct 2026 · 27m · 7 chapters
Is Iran getting reckless?
The episode discusses three current U.S. political/legal stories. Topic 1: “Is Iran getting reckless?” The hosts analyze the RAF Fairford (Gloucestershire) incident, arrests of suspects, and the U.S.
6 Oct 2026 · 29m · 9 chapters
Is a blue tsunami coming for Trump?
The State of It USA discusses (1) whether Democrats are on track for a “blue wave/blue tsunami” in upcoming US midterms, focusing on polling shifts and Republican vulnerability in states like Kansas,…
30 Sep 2026 · 25m · 8 chapters
Trump meets Burnham: smiles - and policy clashes
State of US-UK relations after Donald Trump met UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the UN sidelines, plus analysis of Trump’s UN General Assembly speech and what it signals for Iran, Cuba, AI…
22 Sep 2026 · 31m · 10 chapters
Trump's three gifts to the Democrats
The episode (State of It USA) argues that Donald Trump’s approach to AI and the economy is politically inconsistent, while highlighting controversy over Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding being reportedly…
16 Sep 2026 · 29m · 11 chapters
It's a cult! Trump goes to Dallas
The episode is a “State of It USA” recap of Donald Trump’s midterm Republican National Convention in Dallas, arguing it functioned less like a normal convention and more like a Trump-centered media…
11 Sep 2026 · 19m · 7 chapters
Trumpapalooza: the risky Republican midterm strategy
The “Trumpapalooza” Republican midterm convention in Dallas and how Trump’s dominance, plus his Truth Social messaging, may shape turnout and messaging; then a broader discussion of 9/11’s…
9 Sep 2026 · 31m · 9 chapters
Trump, Iran and why he’s glad Harry left America - Washington Insider
Escalating US-Iran conflict, including Iran’s threats of cyber attacks on US critical infrastructure, Trump’s comments about renaming the Strait of Hormuz, and internal US defense turmoil; plus a…
3 Sep 2026 · 11m · 5 chapters
Read this! Watch this! Culture to understand America
The “State of USA” podcast episode discusses how American culture is understood through cultural products—books, films, TV, and music—especially in relation to Donald Trump and modern politics.
26 Aug 2026 · 14 chapters
Killer rabbits, violent protest and an awful lot of golf: American summer
How “American summer” shapes politics and culture—presidential vacation patterns, summer news not going quiet, and why heat and time off can coincide with unrest and mass protest.
19 Aug 2026 · 21m · 11 chapters
The socialists take a beating and the tyranny of "woke 1"
The episode of State of It USA argues that Democratic Socialists and other “woke” left-wing candidates underperformed in recent primaries, suggesting a backlash by mainstream Democrats.
12 Aug 2026 · 25m · 9 chapters
How did Trump mitigate an Iranian assassination attempt? – Washington Insider
A Washington Times Radio interview with Katie Balls about (1) how President Trump allegedly used multiple aircraft and a “catering truck” decoy during the NATO summit in Turkey amid Iranian…
11 Aug 2026 · 8m · 3 chapters
Could America go socialist?
The episode argues that America could shift left within the Democratic Party, focusing on the Michigan Senate primary as a test of the “left insurgency.” Guests Katie Balls (Washington…
5 Aug 2026 · 26m · 8 chapters
MAGA's Iran War Apathy - Washington Insider
The episode discusses three linked political storylines: US-Iran negotiations and the risk of escalation around the Strait of Hormuz; MAGA “war apathy” amid economic pressure from high gas prices;…
4 Aug 2026 · 10m · 5 chapters
How Trump changed his mind about Zelensky
The episode argues that U.S.-Ukraine relations are warming after Trump’s meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, driven by battlefield realities and MAGA influence; it then pivots to controversy over Gianni…
29 Jul 2026 · 28m · 11 chapters
What to expect from Trump's meetings with Netanyahu and Zelensky - Washington Insider
Katie Balls interviews Carolyn Quinn on what to expect from Donald Trump’s meetings with Benjamin Netanyahu and Volodymyr Zelensky, plus related Washington political context.
28 Jul 2026 · 11m · 5 chapters
Bromance but for how long? Trump and Burnham's first call
UK-US politics—Andy Burnham’s first call with Donald Trump, prospects of a Manchester visit, tensions around Middle East policy and UK foreign secretary Ed Miliband, plus US-Canada 50% tariffs and…
21 Jul 2026 · 12m · 4 chapters
Who the hell is this Andy guy? Washington sizes up Burnham
UK-US politics and the new UK prime minister Andy Burnham; U.S.-Iran escalation after U.S. servicemen deaths; conservative backlash and cultural debate over Christopher Nolan’s film “Odyssey.”
21 Jul 2026 · 30m · 10 chapters
Trump in Iran: war as performance art
U.S.-Iran renewed conflict and “performance war” strategy; plus Democratic Party leftward shift and election-integrity rhetoric ahead of midterms.
15 Jul 2026 · 30m · 12 chaptersWe use cookies.They keep VO running smoothly and help us improve it. Privacy policy