The David McWilliams Podcast

Neo-imperialism is marching, loud and proud, straight into the heart of global politics. Between Trump’s quiet dealmaking in Riyadh, to his open musings about annexing Canada, the last few weeks have shattered the illusion that the age of empire is behind us. The world order of the last 70 years is crumbling, replaced by raw, transactional power. Trump and Putin are set to carve up Ukraine, billionaires are circling mineral-rich territories like vultures, and Washington’s foreign policy has been reduced to a simple equation: If you have resources, we’ll take them. This episode draws an eerie parallel between Trump’s tactics and one of the most brutal imperial heists in history; King Leopold’s reign of terror in the Belgian Congo. Just as European powers once justified plunder with the rhetoric of “civilization,” today’s resource grabs are wrapped in the language of “economic deals.” And at the heart of exposing that brutality was Roger Casement, a man who paid with his life for revealing the truth.

What do DIY stores, French financial bubbles, and Elon Musk have in common? Kicking off with a detour into The Pope’s Children and the perils of being a DIY impostor, we quickly shift gears to the real story: the Trump Dump. As financial markets recoil from the chaos of MAGA economics, we dive into history for a striking parallel: John Law, the 18th-century financial mastermind who convinced France to bet everything on his wild vision of a new economic order. Law promised a dazzling future, just as Musk does today, but his empire of speculation collapsed, taking the French monarchy down with it. What happens when the richest man in the world gets inside the head of a leader hungry for power? Are Trump and Musk unwittingly following the script of Law and the Duke of Orléans? Are we on the brink of a modern-day financial reckoning? With markets tanking, Bitcoin crumbling, and the spectre of stagflation looming, we explore the dangerous dance between speculative hype and economic reality. Will history repeat itself, first as tragedy, then as farce? Buckle up.

Germany’s latest election has sent shockwaves across Europe. The CDU has reasserted itself, but the far-right AfD continues to gain ground, fuelled by economic anxieties and social media echo chambers. Meanwhile, younger voters are breaking in radical new directions, young men shifting right, young women embracing the far left. With NATO under strain, America’s global leadership in question, and the war in Ukraine forcing Germany to confront its historical reluctance to lead, Berlin is at the heart of an unfolding geopolitical realignment. As German arms manufacturers see their stock prices soar, the Bundeswehr prepares to fill the security vacuum left by the U.S. withdrawal from Europe. Will Germany finally embrace its role as the continent’s dominant power, or is it doomed to remain an economic giant but a political pygmy? Historian Katja Hoyer joins us to break down the election results, the shifting tides of power in Berlin, and what it all means for the future of the European project. Is this the moment Germany finally steps up, or is Europe heading for a deeper divide?

Anxiety is in the air. Trump's latest outbursts underscore America’s shifting economic stance. Who knows if there is a method to the madness? In this episode, we break down the logic of MAGA economics, tracing its roots back to mercantilism; the imperialist trade philosophy that once fuelled global empires. We dissect Trump’s obsession with trade surpluses, the inevitable clash between MAGA and Wall Street, and why Ireland might be enemy number one in the next trade war. Just when you think things can't get more chaotic, we explore the looming "mass extinction event" set to shake Silicon Valley and the tech elite. From tariffs to TikTok bans, economic history to geopolitical strategy, this is a no-holds-barred deep dive into the forces reshaping the world, whether we like it or not.

What if we could start over? What if instead of just stitching the North onto the South, we reimagined the whole country. new flag, new anthem, even a brand-new capital? What if Ireland’s future wasn’t just about unity, but about revolutionising how we run our society? From Swiss-style direct democracy to high-speed rail, from Athlone as a futuristic capital to a redefined relationship with the Commonwealth, this episode dives deep into bold ideas for a Second Republic. We’re talking more than a united Ireland, instead an Ireland that actually works. With special guest Paddy Cullivan, this is a no-holds-barred conversation on history, identity, and the radical ideas that could shape the next decade. Whether you think a united Ireland is inevitable or impossible, one thing’s for sure: the way we do things now is broken. And maybe, just maybe, there’s a way to fix it.

The world as we know it is over. The post-Cold War order, the American-led security umbrella, the assumption that Europe will always be protected has been shattered in real time. Trump’s America is walking away. Russia has played the long game and won. Ukraine is the new Ireland, abandoned by its supposed allies. Europe is like a deer in the headlights, unarmed, unprepared, and utterly exposed. From the Swiss Alps to the ghosts of the Flight of the Earls, this episode unpacks the seismic shift happening beneath our feet. Who holds power now? What happens when small nations, like Ireland, wake up to the reality that they’re on their own? And why are we sleepwalking into a world where the rules are being rewritten without us?Buckle up, this is the moment history turns, and you don’t want to be left behind.

What can a city built on water teach us about the economics of the 21st century? In this episode, we dive into the economics of Venice, how a tiny republic with no natural resources became one of the most powerful trading hubs in history. From their financial innovations, like double-entry bookkeeping and reserve currency, to their mastery of diplomacy and soft power, the Venetians thrived for centuries by being nimble, opportunistic, and always thinking ahead. What led to their decline? And are there parallels between their story and modern Ireland’s role in global trade? Join us as we walk the eerie alleyways of Venice, explore its hidden economic history, and ask: what does it take to stay ahead when the world is constantly changing?

Donald Trump has always been blunt about his transactional view of global politics but has he just accelerated the decline of American soft power? We unpack his latest moves, from tariffs on Canada to his surreal vision for a 'Gaza Riviera,' and explore why his worldview could redefine America's role on the global stage. With USAID shutting down, longtime allies turning away, and economic isolationism on the rise, is the U.S. shifting from a nation of influence to one of brute force? What does this mean for global power dynamics? Is Trump simply playing for attention, or are we witnessing a true transformation in America's foreign policy? We dive into it all with Evan Solomon, examining how trust, trade, and tariffs are reshaping the world, and whether the U.S. is burning down the very system it built.

What do Donald Trump and William McKinley have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, we dig into the economic and political legacy of America’s 25th president, the so-called Napoleon of Tariffs, and explore why Trump sees him as a role model. From trade wars to big business alliances, McKinley reshaped America’s economic landscape through protectionism and expansionism, laying the groundwork for the country’s rise as a global power. But his presidency also triggered a powerful counter reaction, one that led to the breakup of monopolies, progressive reform, and a seismic shift in U.S. politics under his unexpected successor, Teddy Roosevelt. How does McKinley’s era mirror today’s America? What lessons does his legacy hold for Trump’s economic vision? And how did a single gold discovery in the Yukon change everything? Tune in as we trace the hidden connections between past and present in America’s political and economic supercycle.