Could the November 2026 US midterms reshape Donald Trump’s presidency—and how far would the consequences travel beyond America?


Dr John Bruni welcomes Professor Scott Lucas to The Focus for a discussion of the prospect of a Democratic “blue wave”, the pressures facing the Republican Party, and the capacity of America’s institutions to hold presidential power accountable.


At the centre of the conversation is a question with global implications: if Trump faces a serious electoral setback, what happens next?


The discussion explores Republican loyalty, JD Vance’s political future, election integrity, press freedom and the relationship between domestic political pressure and America’s behaviour abroad. For Australia and other US allies, these questions have direct implications for the reliability of American leadership and the assumptions underpinning their security.


Show Notes:


ABOUT SCOTT LUCAS


Professor Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin, and Professor Emeritus of International Politics at the University of Birmingham. He is also the founder and editor of EA WorldView, which provides news and analysis of US politics and international affairs.


An academic and journalist, Scott specialises in American politics and foreign policy, media and propaganda, and intelligence services. He brings decades of experience to examining presidential power, the resilience of democratic institutions and the global consequences of political change in Washington.


Read Scott’s analysis at EA WorldView.


Have your say: Would a major Republican defeat weaken Trump’s hold on the party? And should Australia be doing more to prepare for uncertainty in Washington?


Watch The Focus: https://www.youtube.com/@thefocus_SAGEIntl


Explore SAGE International: https://sageinternational.com.au


Follow The Focus on your preferred podcast platform, leave a review and share this episode.
Host: Dr John Bruni Guest: Professor Scott Lucas Producers: Neil Smart & Lin Siah A podcast of SAGE International.

Challenge the assumption, test the system, identify the consequence  

Could the November 2026 US midterms reshape Donald Trump&rsquo;s presidency&mdash;and how far would the consequences travel beyond America?
 Dr John Bruni welcomes Professor Scott Lucas to The Focus for a discussion of the prospect of a Democratic &ldquo;blue wave&rdquo;, the pressures facing the Republican Party, and the capacity of America&rsquo;s institutions to hold presidential power accountable.
 At the centre of the conversation is a question with global implications: if Trump faces a serious electoral setback, what happens next?
 The discussion explores Republican loyalty, JD Vance&rsquo;s political future, election integrity, press freedom and the relationship between domestic political pressure and America&rsquo;s behaviour abroad. For Australia and other US allies, these questions have direct implications for the reliability of American leadership and the assumptions underpinning their security.
 Show Notes:
 ABOUT SCOTT LUCAS
 Professor Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin, and Professor Emeritus of International Politics at the University of Birmingham. He is also the founder and editor of EA WorldView, which provides news and analysis of US politics and international affairs.
 An academic and journalist, Scott specialises in American politics and foreign policy, media and propaganda, and intelligence services. He brings decades of experience to examining presidential power, the resilience of democratic institutions and the global consequences of political change in Washington.
 Read Scott&rsquo;s analysis at EA WorldView.
 Have your say: Would a major Republican defeat weaken Trump&rsquo;s hold on the party? And should Australia be doing more to prepare for uncertainty in Washington?
 Watch The Focus: https://www.youtube.com/@thefocus_SAGEIntl
 Explore SAGE International: https://sageinternational.com.au
 Follow The Focus on your preferred podcast platform, leave a review and share this episode. Host: Dr John Bruni Guest: Professor Scott Lucas Producers: Neil Smart &amp; Lin Siah A podcast of SAGE International.
Challenge the assumption, test the system, identify the consequence &nbsp;

The Focus is the flagship current affairs podcast of SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical  think tank.

Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.

Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

The Focus&nbsp;is the flagship current affairs podcast of&nbsp;SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical &nbsp;think tank.
Hosted by&nbsp;Dr. John Bruni&mdash;a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media&mdash;The Focus&nbsp;brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the&nbsp;Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for&nbsp;Jane&rsquo;s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.
Produced by&nbsp;Neil Smart,&nbsp;The Focus&nbsp;cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.