We know that Donald Trump has long chased after Vladimir Putin’s approval. Remember the time Trump tweeted: “Do you think Putin will be going to the Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow – if so, will he become my new best friend”? That was 13 years ago.

But now the American president is Putin’s match. Just not in the way he’d like.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on the humiliation of Trump and Putin by far smaller nations – and where their distinctly “dumb” power might lead us all.


Background reading
While Xi gets smart, Trump and Putin are showing the world what dumb power can do

We know that Donald Trump has long chased after Vladimir Putin&rsquo;s approval. Remember the time Trump tweeted: &ldquo;Do you think Putin will be going to the Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow &ndash; if so, will he become my new best friend&rdquo;? That was 13 years ago.
But now the American president is Putin&rsquo;s match. Just not in the way he&rsquo;d like.
Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher&nbsp;on the humiliation of Trump and Putin by far smaller nations &ndash; and where their distinctly &ldquo;dumb&rdquo; power might lead us all.
 Background reading
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/while-xi-gets-smart-trump-and-putin-are-showing-the-world-what-dumb-power-can-do-20260601-p602ui.html">While Xi gets smart, Trump and Putin are showing the world what dumb power can do</a></li>
</ul>

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.

Trump and Putin are showing the world what dumb power can do

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/702dd5e7-9d5d-4e8b-a2e6-b45e00728581/transcript

This weekend, there was supposed to be a special game played between the Sydney Swans and St Kilda. It was the teams' annual Pride match, in which the players would wear rainbow jerseys and celebrate diversity, the aim being to boost inclusivity for LGBTQ fans.

But for the first time in a decade, because of a far-reaching scandal involving Saints player Lance Collard, the Pride match was scrapped. Sydney opted to play the game against a different side, at a different time.

Today special correspondent Stephen Brook discusses the role that homophobic slurs play in footy and why the code’s attempts at cracking down on hate may be backfiring.
And just a heads-up, this episode contains offensive language.

Background reading
The question that exposed a massive flaw in the AFL’s fight against homophobia.
Not much pride in the AFL’s LGBTQI+ efforts.

This weekend, there was supposed to be a special game played between the Sydney Swans and St Kilda. It was the teams' annual Pride match, in which the players would wear rainbow jerseys and celebrate diversity, the aim being to boost inclusivity for LGBTQ fans.
But for the first time in a decade, because of a far-reaching&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-question-that-exposed-a-massive-flaw-in-the-afl-s-fight-against-homophobia-20260506-p5zugb.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">scandal involving Saints player Lance Collard</a>, the Pride match was scrapped. Sydney opted to play the game against a different side, at a different time.
Today special correspondent Stephen Brook discusses the role that homophobic slurs play in footy and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/not-much-pride-in-the-afl-s-lgbtqi-efforts-20260520-p5zz4u.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">why the code&rsquo;s attempts at cracking down on hate may be backfiring</a>. And just a heads-up, this episode contains offensive language. Background reading
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-question-that-exposed-a-massive-flaw-in-the-afl-s-fight-against-homophobia-20260506-p5zugb.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">The question that exposed a massive flaw in the AFL&rsquo;s fight against homophobia</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/not-much-pride-in-the-afl-s-lgbtqi-efforts-20260520-p5zz4u.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">Not much pride in the AFL&rsquo;s LGBTQI+ efforts</a>.</li>
</ul>

A player suspended, a Pride match bumped: Is the AFL doing more harm than good?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/8b84508b-b8cf-4745-a07f-b45d00618d7f/transcript

Tony Abbott is one of our most divisive former prime ministers. Lauded in conservative political circles, and mocked outside of them.

And now, after he was knifed by his own party as a first-term prime minister, and then lost his political seat, Abbott is back.

Today chief political commentator James Massola discusses Abbott's selection as the new president of the Liberal Party and the risk, and reward, he poses to Opposition leader Angus Taylor.

Background listening:
Tony Abbott's interview on Inside Politics – On running for Senate, AUKUS and cultural ‘self-loathing’.

Tony Abbott is one of our most divisive former prime ministers. Lauded in conservative political circles, and mocked outside of them. And now, after he was knifed by his own party as a first-term prime minister, and then lost his political seat, Abbott is back. Today chief political commentator James Massola discusses Abbott's selection as the new president of the Liberal Party <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/abbott-was-australia-s-best-opposition-leader-but-his-return-to-the-spotlight-could-overshadow-the-new-guy-20260601-p602nf.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-6078">and the risk, and reward, he poses to Opposition leader Angus Taylor</a>. Background listening:
<ul>
<li>Tony Abbott's interview on Inside Politics &ndash; <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/please-explain-1/tony-abbott-on-one-nation-the-liberals-and-cultural-self-loathing">On running for Senate, AUKUS and cultural &lsquo;self-loathing&rsquo;</a>.</li>
</ul>

Tony Abbott is back, but what does it mean for the Liberal Party?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/71be4d92-b76d-45fb-b42f-b45c00710e16/transcript

Roughly 5,000 new electric vehicles are due to land this week from China. This is just the first part of a shipment expected from the Chinese car manufacturing behemoth, BYD. The company is due to ship another 25,000 EVs here this year.

Australians are embracing electric vehicles more than ever before, thanks to skyrocketing fuel prices. But it also comes with unanswered questions and potential complications.

Today, North Asia correspondent Lisa Visentin discusses China's dizzying technological advances in EVs, and whether Australians buying these cars risk being spied on.

Background reading
‘Made in China’ EVs are taking over the streets, but just how safe is your data?

Roughly 5,000 new electric vehicles are due to land this week from China. This is just the first part of a shipment expected from the Chinese car manufacturing behemoth, BYD. The company is due to ship another 25,000 EVs here this year.
Australians are embracing electric vehicles more than ever before, thanks to skyrocketing fuel prices.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/made-in-china-evs-are-taking-over-the-streets-but-just-how-safe-is-your-data-20260420-p5zpfw.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">But it also comes with unanswered questions and potential complications</a>.
Today, North Asia correspondent Lisa Visentin discusses China's dizzying technological advances in EVs, and whether Australians buying these cars risk being spied on. Background reading
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/made-in-china-evs-are-taking-over-the-streets-but-just-how-safe-is-your-data-20260420-p5zpfw.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;Made in China&rsquo; EVs are taking over the streets, but just how safe is your data</a>?</li>
</ul>

A ‘mega ship’ will deliver 30,000 EVs from China. Just how safe is your data?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/0913ba01-2959-4616-9720-b459003f0148/transcript

Trump and Putin are showing the world what dumb power can do

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