Reporting on Trump 2.0

Trump isn't an aberration

Albo's selfie with Trump

Trumpist politics in Australia

As Trump takes a sledgehammer to American democracy, Australia’s leader snagged a selfie – and a one-on-one meeting in October. How that will go is anyone’s guess. 

On this episode of After America, Charlie Lewis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the apparent obsession of Anthony Albanese’s opponents with that bilateral meeting, the transformation of the Republican Party under Trump, and how Australia’s political landscape is being influenced by MAGA.  

This episode was recorded on Thursday 25 September. 

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. 

Guest: Charlie Lewis, reporter-at-large, Crikey // @theshufflediary 

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

Show notes: 

Welcome to the new McCarthyism by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (September 2025) 

Theme music: 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. 

As Trump takes a sledgehammer to American democracy, Australia&rsquo;s leader snagged a selfie &ndash; and a one-on-one meeting in October. How that will go is anyone&rsquo;s guess.&nbsp;
On this episode of After America, Charlie Lewis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the apparent obsession of Anthony Albanese&rsquo;s opponents with that bilateral meeting, the transformation of the Republican Party under Trump, and how Australia&rsquo;s political landscape is being influenced by MAGA.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This episode was recorded on Thursday 25&nbsp;September.&nbsp;
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/">available now </a>via the Australia Institute website.&nbsp;
Guest: Charlie Lewis, reporter-at-large, Crikey // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/theshufflediary.bsky.social">@theshufflediary</a>&nbsp;
Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>&nbsp;
Show notes:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/22/mccarthism-donald-trump-america-united-states/">Welcome to the new McCarthyism</a> by Charlie Lewis, Crikey&nbsp;(September 2025)&nbsp;
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions&nbsp;
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.&nbsp;

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.

The United States we thought we knew is gone. And it isn&rsquo;t coming back.&nbsp;
Every week on After America, Dr Emma Shortis examines the second Trump presidency, what&rsquo;s happening in global politics, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better.&nbsp;
Presented by the Australia Institute.

After America

As Trump takes a sledgehammer to American democracy, Australia’s leader snagged a selfie – and a one-on-one meeting in October. How that will go is anyone’s guess. 

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