The Trump Report

Sir Bill Browder joins Maddie Hale to discuss Donald Trump’s comments he will “finish the job” if Iran doesn’t agree to a peace plan, the US President threatens key regional partners if they don’t sign the Abraham Accords and Vladimir Putin offers to wipe up to $140,000 worth of debt to Russians who join the army. 

Professor Scott Lucas joins Maddie Hale to analyse the latest developments in US-Iran negotiations to end the war — including whether Trump is now moving toward a deal structurally similar to Obama’s 2015 agreement, why Gulf states are resisting his push for a broader anti-Iran alliance, and growing Republican tensions over the cost of the conflict and Trump’s expanding use of presidential power. 

Marianne Williamson, former Democratic presidential candidate, joins Maddie Hale to discuss the conflicting narratives over whether or not Iran has nuclear weapon capabilities and ambitions, if the US underestimated Iran’s ability to rebuild and recover and Donald Trump hints at military action against Cuba. 

General Sir Richard Shirreff, NATO’s former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, joins Maddie Hale to discuss reports Israeli planners explored reinstalling Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during the early Iran war, fears the US is preparing for an Epic Fury 2.0 operation and reports Trump plans to reduce US military forces across Europe.

Professor Scott Lucas joins Maddie Hale to discuss Donald Trump tightening his grip over the GOP after Thomas Massie lost his congressional seat, why Republicans are being punished for breaking with Trump on Iran, spending and the Epstein files, and the growing backlash after four Republicans sided with Democrats to limit Trump’s Iran war powers. 

UCL Centre on US Politics senior research fellow and author of The US Grand Strategy and The Madman Theory, James D. Boys joins Maddie Hale to discuss Donald Trump reportedly calling off major US strikes on Iran after Gulf allies pushed for more time for diplomacy, growing reports the White House is split between hawks demanding escalation and fears the war is becoming politically unsustainable, and new polling suggesting younger Trump voters are increasingly uneasy about the conflict.