Mid-Atlantic - conversations about US, UK and world politics

In Washington, a rare flicker of institutional resistance is lighting up the political gloom. As the Supreme Court sides 7-2 against mass deportations and Harvard takes legal aim at executive power, Roifield Brown and his panel ask the awkward but necessary question: Is the American Republic finally growing a spine? Panelists Denise Hamilton and Mike Donahue agree that while Trump’s pressure tactics aren’t new, the scale of legal and educational defiance certainly is. Meanwhile, they also highlight the existential threat: America’s fragmented information ecosystems mean citizens no longer even start from the same facts, making any comeback for democratic norms a grinding uphill struggle.Across the Atlantic, a different kind of existential crisis unfolds. Robert Jenrick, already measuring the curtains for Tory leadership, hints at a tactical realignment between the Conservative Party and Reform UK. Cory Bernard and Steve O’Neill dissect the fine line between electoral pragmatism and political self-destruction. They warn that while Britain’s political history favours the Conservative Party's survival, wealth inequality and voter volatility could easily tear up the rulebook. Roy Field, clearly unimpressed by complacency, reminds everyone that assuming Britain’s institutions are immune to collapse is dangerously naive.The panel closes with a lighter moment: each guest picks a hometown hero worthy of a street name. Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson, and Clement Attlee are among the choices, though Steve O’Neill’s initial bid for "Roger Federer Street" suggests some people should stay away from naming contests. Throughout the episode, the tone is bracing: whether it's executive overreach in the U.S. or far-right drift in the U.K., democracy’s defenders will need a lot more than nostalgia and wishful thinking to hold the line.5 Selected Quotes:“I think what we're seeing is a stiffening of the spine and a bigger commitment to holding up our institutions.” — Denise Hamilton“It’s not left versus right anymore — it’s institutions versus chaos.” — Roifield Brown“You can't rationalize with people who aren't working with the same facts.” — Mike Donahue“Britain's political history doesn't guarantee immunity from collapse.” — Roifield Brown“One street at a time, we still get to choose who we celebrate.” — Denise Hamilton

This week on Mid-Atlantic, Roifield Brown hosts a packed panel to break down Donald Trump's latest economic gamble: a 10% blanket import tariff and steeper levies on select countries, with China squarely in the crosshairs. The result? Global market chaos, retaliatory threats, and international alarm bells over the US’s role in the rules-based economic order.Joining from across the Atlantic and the US are Logan Phillips in D.C., Michael Donahue in L.A., and Cory Bernard in Manchester. The panel weighs whether the tariff plan is part of a coherent economic strategy or just political theatre aimed at riling up Trump's base — spoiler: coherence is not in attendance. More than just a trade war, this marks a serious erosion of trust in the US as a trading partner. The dollar might be strong, but America's brand value? Not so much.The second half turns sharply towards the UK's options in a world where the US is a geopolitical liability. Roifield pitches a Commonwealth-centric economic bloc as a post-Brexit survival strategy — cue a full-on diplomatic skirmish. What follows is a clash of economic realism, nostalgia, and pride as the panel debates whether Britain should grovel, realign, or get louder. Yes, tempers flare. And yes, someone gets called Neville Chamberlain.Five Standout Quotes:“This was not Team Trump’s best moment. It’s like trying to put out a fire with gasoline.” – Logan Phillips“If you know tariffs are coming and then vanishing, there’s billions to be made — and lost. That’s terrifying.” – Michael Donahue“Brand America just took a six-trillion-dollar hit. But it’s the trust deficit that really stings.” – Roifield Brown“Trump won’t lose his base until their wallets feel it. If they can’t feed their families, that’s the break.” – Cory Bernard“I’m not giving away the Sudetenland — I’m trying to build a coalition against economic lunacy.” – Roifield Brown

This week’s Mid-Atlantic felt like reading classified memos in the group chat, except the group chat accidentally included a journalist and the memos were about bombing Yemen. Host Roifield Brown and his panel of sharp minds, Aram Fischer in Oakland, Denise Hamilton in Houston, Steve O’Neill in London, and Leah Brown in Broadstairs, looked at two transatlantic absurdities: national security leaks from Team Trump 2.0, and a British Labour government budgeting like it’s still 2010.In the US, cabinet officials used Signal to discuss military strikes in Yemen, adding a reporter to the chat by mistake. The conversation quickly turned from emoji-filled incompetence to existential dread. Denise Hamilton called it what it is: “a cabinet of convenience and fealty,” while Aram Fischer reminded us that when the “vibes” run the state, reality bites hard. Bombs fell, 53 people died, and somehow no one resigned.Across the pond, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a Spring Budget that sounds progressive until you read it. Welfare cuts, frozen benefits, and a forecast of a quarter-million more people—including 50,000 children—falling into poverty. All while wealth remains virtually untaxed. The panel didn’t hold back. “Tories in all but name,” Roifield declared, with Steve admitting he didn’t vote Labour to get austerity rebranded with a red rosette.Takeaway: If this episode had a moral, it’s this: Government by vibes kills. And Labour’s soft technocracy might just be Tories on mute.5 Pull Quotes:“This is not a cabinet of excellence. This is a cabinet of convenience and fealty.” – Denise Hamilton“They added a journalist to the Signal thread and thought, ‘Eh, it’s fine.’ That’s where we’re at.” – Aram Fischer“Nothing really matters as long as the vibes are right.” – Aram Fischer, summarising MAGA foreign policy“Labour’s playing a long game with no message. That’s a strategy with a short shelf life.” – Leah Brown“You knew what the Tories stood for. I’ve got no idea what this lot stand for.” – Roifield Brown

Mark Carney is Canada’s new prime minister, the Liberals are surging in the polls, and the country is locked in an escalating trade war with its unpredictable southern neighbour. At the centre of it all? Donald Trump. Since returning to the White House, Trump has hit Canada with aggressive tariffs and even floated the outrageous idea of annexation. The result? A nationalist backlash, a boycott of U.S. goods, and a shifting political landscape that could redefine Canada’s future.Roifield Brown is joined by media strategist Laura Babcock and political analyst Adam Schaan to unpack what Carney’s leadership means for Canada and whether Pierre Poilievre, Canada’s own mini-Trump, can survive the fallout. Has Trump inadvertently handed the Liberals a lifeline? Will Canada turn further toward Europe as America becomes an unreliable partner? And is this trade war just a symptom of a much deeper ideological battle?Five Notable Quotes from the Episode:“We are in a propaganda war with our southern neighbors, and they are trying to get us to question our own democracy.” – Laura Babcock“This election won’t be about facts—it will be fueled by emotions, and right now, Canadians feel under siege.” – Adam Schaan“Trump didn’t think this through. He needs Canada’s resources far more than Canada needs his nonsense.” – Roifield Brown“If Trump can do this to Canada, what’s stopping him from doing it to any other ally?” – Laura Babcock“If Poilievre can’t secure a majority, his leadership will be on borrowed time.” – Adam SchaanFurther Reading & Resources:The Times UK: “Mark Carney Must Beat Canada’s Mini-Trump”Toronto Star: “Canada’s Elbows-Up Response to Trump’s Trade War”CBC: “How Canada’s Trade Strategy is Shifting Amid U.S. Tensions”For more, follow @LauraBabcock and @AdamK on social media, and don’t forget to subscribe to Mid-Atlantic for the latest political analysis from both sides of the pond.

On this episode of Mid Atlantic, host Roifield Brown, broadcasting from sunny Oakland, takes on a transatlantic feast of political intrigue with guests Aram Fischer, Cory Bernard, Denise Hamilton, and Mike Donahue.In the U.S., Kash Patel’s confirmation as FBI director raises alarm bells about the erosion of institutional integrity. Denise calls it “catastrophic,” while Aram points out the grim normalization of political weaponization. The panel digs into Robert F. Kennedy’s new role as health secretary, questioning what it means for evidence-based policy when a vaccine skeptic helms public health. Trump 2.0 looms large, with concerns about transactional diplomacy in Ukraine and a revamped "America First" agenda that feels all too familiar.Across the pond, the UK's proposed youth mobility scheme sparks debate. Cory argues it’s a pragmatic fix for Brexit’s labor shortages, but Mike warns of political skittishness. Nigel Farage’s departure from Reform UK has mixed implications—could his influence truly wane? Kemi Badenoch’s warnings of Western decline also come under the microscope, with the panel parsing whether this is a genuine call to unity or a veiled push against multiculturalism.Notable Quotes:“We need these institutions to work, and they are being compromised from the inside out.” — Denise Hamilton“It’s a hostile takeover of government, plain and simple.” — Aram Fischer“If you think the park ranger was keeping you from living your best life, maybe reevaluate.” — Denise Hamilton“Farage knows how to speak to regular people, but that doesn’t mean he’s good for them.” — Mike Donahue“We need someone to present a vision of Britishness that feels real—not just a reactionary echo.” — Cory Bernard

This episode of Mid Atlantic tackles two seismic geopolitical issues shaping transatlantic discourse. First, Donald Trump’s alarming suggestion that the U.S. should take control of Gaza sparks global outrage, raising questions about America’s stance on foreign intervention and human rights. The panel—featuring host Royfield Brown, progressive organizer Aram Fischer, polling expert Logan Phillips, mediator Leah Brown, and tech entrepreneur Michael Donahue—dissects the domestic and international fallout, the Republican Party’s reaction, and how this aligns with Trump’s broader disregard for international norms.Then, the UK’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius—while retaining control of Diego Garcia for military operations—triggers fresh debates about colonial legacy and national security. As Keir Starmer takes heat for a deal orchestrated under the Conservatives, the panel examines Britain’s reluctance to fully reckon with its imperial past and whether this move signals true decolonization or a carefully managed power play.To wrap up, the panel weighs in on the Super Bowl—some with genuine excitement, others with absolute indifference.

This episode of Mid-Atlantic examines the latest political and economic turmoil on both sides of the Atlantic. In the US, Trump’s sweeping executive orders, including plans for an immigration detention center at Guantanamo Bay, signal a hard-line second-term agenda. His tariffs threaten global trade, while his federal appointments prioritize loyalty over competence. Across the UK, immigration dominates headlines as the population surpasses that of France, fueling debates over national identity, economic necessity, and post-Brexit trade strategy. Meanwhile, China’s DeepSeek AI has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley, raising questions about the West’s technological dominance and the future of work in an AI-driven world.Logan Phillips, Denise Hamilton, Dave Smith, Tonye Altraide, and Michael Donahue break down the real motives behind Trump’s policy blitz, the UK’s struggles to reconcile border control with labor shortages, and whether AI will lead us toward utopia or economic collapse. With a mix of analysis, frustration, and a few well-placed snarky remarks, this episode tackles the intersection of power, populism, and technology.Notable Quotes:Logan Phillips: “Building an immigration detention centre at Guantanamo Bay? It’s cruelty for the sake of spectacle.”Denise Hamilton: “You can’t negotiate with someone willing to cut the throats of his own people just to stop minorities and women from succeeding.”Michael Donahue: “AI is going to rule our lives in 30 years anyway—enjoy it while it’s still fun.”Dave Smith: “Britain keeps trying to reclaim a role it held by force, not by consensus. Maybe it’s time to figure out what we actually want to be.”Tonye Altraide: “We’ve allowed people to redefine Britain as something it’s not. This country is supposed to be about fairness, inclusion, and dignity.”Further Reading:Race to the White House – US Election ForecastsThe Guardian: UK Immigration and Economic PolicyBBC: AI and the Future of Work

The second Trump inauguration was more than just a political spectacle—it was a clear signal of Silicon Valley’s growing entrenchment in American governance. Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and other tech moguls sat front and center, ahead of cabinet secretaries, embodying a stark new reality: the marriage of big tech and the state is no longer subtle, it's explicit. This week’s Mid Atlantic dissects what this means for democracy, corporate power, and the growing rift within the American right.Host Roifield Brown is joined by an incisive panel: progressive strategist Aaron Fisher, political thinker Cory Bernard, campaign strategist Z Cohen Sanchez, and tech entrepreneur Michael Donoghue. Together, they explore whether this alignment is mere corporate pragmatism or a more sinister ideological shift. Fisher warns of the perils of unchecked billionaire influence, Sanchez underscores the Democratic Party’s failure to counteract these forces, and Bernard highlights the distinct differences between U.S. and U.K. political structures. Donoghue, speaking from the tech world itself, offers a bleak outlook: billionaires are playing with power like a passing fad, but the systemic consequences are anything but temporary.As Trump’s executive orders begin dismantling legal and regulatory frameworks at breakneck speed, the discussion pivots to how opposition forces—particularly the Democrats—should respond. Is it time to watch and wait for fractures in the new ruling class, or is immediate mobilization necessary? The panel is divided, but one thing is clear: the line between corporate control and state power has never been thinner.Five Notable Quotes from the Episode:"Billionaires have always owned America. The difference now is they aren’t even pretending otherwise." – Aram Fischer"The Democratic Party treats its movements like inconveniences, while the Republicans elevate theirs into power." – Z Cohen Sanchez"Trump’s second term isn’t just dangerous—it’s disciplined. That’s what makes it terrifying." – Cory Bernard"Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos—they’re not just donors, they’re shaping policy. That’s the death of democracy in real time." – Michael Donoghue"This isn’t the Gilded Age. It’s the Gilded Age on steroids, with an algorithmic propaganda machine to match." – Roifield Brown

Labour’s Tulip Siddiq has resigned as Economic Secretary to the Treasury amid corruption allegations, marking the first major scandal to hit Keir Starmer’s government. The panel dissects what this means for Labour’s credibility, with some suggesting it’s merely the growing pains of governance, while others argue it could be an easy attack line for opponents eager to undermine Starmer’s promise of clean politics.Meanwhile, Reform UK is shaking up the political landscape, overtaking the Conservatives in polls and edging closer to Labour. Nigel Farage’s populist movement is tapping into young, disillusioned voters—particularly young men—through an aggressive social media strategy. With Elon Musk openly engaging in British politics, the conversation turns to the wider implications of billionaire influence and whether the traditional party system is on the brink of collapse.In a lively discussion, the panel debates whether the Conservatives have any identity left, what Labour must do to win back young voters, and why British politics might just be a more chaotic version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?—except the final prize is government control, and the lifeline is TikTok.Notable Quotes:"Welcome to the NFL, Ricky—Labour’s now in government, and scandals are inevitable." – Olisa Jones"Reform UK is just saying what young voters want to hear—on the platforms where they actually listen." – Saffana Monajed"The Conservatives have no clear identity. If Jenrick leads, aren’t they just Reform Party Lite?" – Royfield Brown"We’ve always had billionaire influence in politics, but now it just feels more… blatant." – Tanye Altraide"Labour is doing the right things—but they’re terrible at telling people about it." – Olisa Jones