From the relative comfort of our distant homes, it’s easy to look at the United States, and the grotesque inequality its people suffer and wonder: how did that happen?

But, it’s no accident. It’s by choice.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on the historical decisions made by American leaders that have led to this moment. And the perfect storm that president Donald Trump has created, to super-charge the inequality.

From the relative comfort of our distant homes, it&rsquo;s easy to look at the United States, and the grotesque inequality its people suffer and wonder: how did that happen?
But, it&rsquo;s no accident. It&rsquo;s by choice.
Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on the historical decisions made by American leaders that have led to this moment. And the perfect storm that president Donald Trump has created, to super-charge the inequality.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

New episodes

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

It's not only Trump, America's inequality is 'savage'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/172579fa-1c9e-4543-baea-b2a500678267/transcript

"Looksmaxxing" is a trend on social media where, as the name suggests, men aim to "maximise" their appearance in sometimes extreme ways. There are tales of breaking legs in order to be taller, and talk of "bone smashing" – where young men claim they are hammering their faces to heighten their cheekbones.

Today, Becca Rothfeld, a writer with The New Yorker magazine, talks about where this movement came from and why so many of its stars are Australian.

"Looksmaxxing" is a trend on social media where, as the name suggests, men aim to "maximise" their appearance in sometimes extreme ways. There are tales of breaking legs in order to be taller, and talk of "bone smashing" &ndash; where young men claim they are hammering their faces to heighten their cheekbones. Today, Becca Rothfeld, a writer with The New Yorker magazine, talks about where this movement came from and why so many of its stars are Australian.

'Looksmaxxing’ is the dark new trend and Australian men are leading it

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/394b3b73-2841-4fb0-b297-b4130057d816/transcript

This week we’re talking about the enormous global volatility the government is dealing with, courtesy of the US-Israel war on Iran, and whether we need to be worried about things like our fuel supplies.

Also, with this global instability and an interest rate rise this week, will Treasurer Jim Chalmers water down his budget ambitions, or press on with major changes to intergenerational equity and tax?

The Inside Politics team of Jacqueline Maley and Paul Sakkal also find time to touch on the electorate of Farrer, which is shaping up to hold one of the more interesting byelections.

This week we&rsquo;re talking about the enormous global volatility the government is dealing with, courtesy of the US-Israel war on Iran, and whether we need to be worried about things like our fuel supplies. Also, with this global instability and an interest rate rise this week, will Treasurer Jim Chalmers water down his budget ambitions, or press on with major changes to intergenerational equity and tax? The Inside Politics team of Jacqueline Maley and Paul Sakkal also find time to touch on the electorate of Farrer, which is shaping up to hold one of the more interesting byelections.

Is it really time to panic about petrol supply?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/cbdd2470-805c-468d-a5d9-b412004791a8/transcript

For someone who has said he’s already won the war in Iran, US President Donald Trump sure is angry.

On Tuesday night, he lashed out at allies, including Australia, that have declined to send ships to the Middle East to help put a stop to the oil crisis caused by the war.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher speaks on the attacks Trump is now facing from within his own party over the war, and who’s really winning in this conflict.

For someone who has said he&rsquo;s already won the war in Iran, US President Donald Trump sure is angry. On Tuesday night, he lashed out at allies, including Australia, that have declined to send ships to the Middle East to help put a stop to the oil crisis caused by the war. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher speaks on the attacks Trump is now facing from within his own party over the war, and who&rsquo;s really winning in this conflict.

Trump unloads on Australia, and MAGA official quits over Iran war

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/3bd5a5df-591a-49b3-988f-b4110064d037/transcript

It's not only Trump, America's inequality is 'savage'

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