The decline of US democracy?

Attacks on the rule of law

Climate destruction

An economy for the billionaires

Trump's America in the world

It’s only been SIX MONTHS.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman take a step back to reflect on what’s happened since Trump was inaugurated in January.

Tl;dr: it's all pretty grim.

This discussion was recorded on Monday 21 July 2025.

1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via their website.

You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.

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

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

Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB

Show notes:

Friday essay: Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump’s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (April 2024)

Tracking Trump’s overhaul of the federal workforce, CNN (July 2025)

Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts, Boston University

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.

It&rsquo;s only been SIX MONTHS.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman take a step back to reflect on what&rsquo;s happened since Trump was inaugurated in January.
Tl;dr: it's all pretty grim.
This discussion was recorded on Monday 21 July 2025.
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.&nbsp;Call&nbsp;<a href="tel:1800737732">1800 737 732,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://1800respect.org.au/help-and-support/telephone-and-online-counselling#faq-2707">text 0458 737 732</a>, chat online or video call via <a href="https://1800respect.org.au/">their website</a>.
You can <a href="https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/aukus_parliamentary_inquiry_now">sign our petition</a> calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/dead-centre-vantage-point-issue-2">available for pre-order</a> now via the Australia Institute website.
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@AngusRB</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-project-2025-the-policy-substance-behind-trumps-showmanship-reveals-a-radical-plan-to-reshape-the-world-227161">Friday essay: Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump&rsquo;s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world</a> by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (April 2024)
<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/politics/tracking-federal-workforce-firings-dg">Tracking Trump&rsquo;s overhaul of the federal workforce</a>, CNN (July 2025)
<a href="https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2025/tracking-anticipated-deaths-from-usaid-funding-cuts/">Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts</a>, Boston University
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
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>.

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

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman take a step back to reflect on what’s happened since Trump was inaugurated in January.