The State of It: USA
Katy Balls and Gerard Baker offer an honest, in-depth discussion of US politics and power, covering what's really being said inside the White House. Gerard brings nearly 30 years of experience reporting on America, while Katy chases news and navigates the Washington cocktail circuit. The podcast launches on 28 January 2026 and is supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times.
Episodes
Musk and Trump dance to Putin's tune
It's been confirmed that Elon Musk ordered a slowdown of the Starlink internet that Ukraine relies on to defend itself from Russian attacks. President Trump has said he didn't know who was responsible but is this a Henry II-Thomas Becket situation?In Moscow, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has called President Putin a humanitarian. Russia has released retired American teacher Ste
Is this the real reason Trump made a deal with Putin?
Gargantuan griftAre the wheels coming off the Trump administration? President Trump's deal with Putin to buy Russian diesel has even dismayed some Republicans. Both the domestic politics and the geopolitics of it are baffling. Gerry has another theory about Trump's motivations for making a deal with Moscow.Katy has been on the campaign trail with Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of R
Is Iran getting reckless?
The threat from IranThe Trump administration has given mixed messages about exactly why US jets have been moved from RAF Fairford. It's still unclear whether there was a terror plot and whether Iran was involved and no one has been charged, but there's speculation that Iran could be activating terror cells around the world.Midterm U-turnDonald Trump has made a rare U-turn. He has said he p
Is a blue tsunami coming for Trump?
A blue wave is building across America, as Republicans brace for a brutal midterm reckoning. Red strongholds like Kansas, Oklahoma and Florida are starting to look vulnerable. Does President Trump even care?The mystery surrounding RAF Fairford is only getting stranger, raising more questions than answers and exposing the fragility of the US-UK relationship. Is Marco Rubio right that a foreign acto
Trump meets Burnham: smiles - and policy clashes
Donald Trump and Andy Burnham have had their first meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Trump said that US-UK relations were better now than when Keir Starmer was prime minister. But he reiterated his opposition to the Chagos Islands deal. We look at what was said, what was not said and the body language between the two men.Making sense of Trump's UNGA speechIn President
Trump's three gifts to the Democrats
Why is Donald Trump so relaxed about AI regulation? After the Anthropic boss Dario Amodei called for AI regulation to save the human race, Trump said that his own IQ was the only guardrail needed to prevent an AI Apocalypse. Not everyone has been reassured by that. And President Trump's breezy attitude to AI may end up costing the Republicans votes.How are rising gas prices impacting the 2026 US m
It's a cult! Trump goes to Dallas
Katy Balls reports from the Republican midterm convention in Dallas where President Trump made a pledge that every adult will get a $5,000 dividend if the Republicans win the House and the Senate. That adds up to about $1.2 trillion.Golden balloons were dropped and the crowd joined the president in repeating a vow to vote for "the greatest president in the history of the United States that loves u
Trumpapalooza: the risky Republican midterm strategy
We're in Dallas for the Republican National Convention. It's been nicknamed Trumpapalooza. But some Republicans are uneasy about putting the president front and centre of their midterms campaign when his approval ratings are so low. Is it a wise move?The UK has imposed sanctions on Israel and accused Binyamin Netanyahu's government of supporting ethnic cleansing. How much of an issue is this for t
Trump, Iran and why he’s glad Harry left America - Washington Insider
President Trump’s Iran war was supposed to be over in weeks. Instead, tensions are escalating again, with Iran threatening cyberattacks on US infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz still at the centre of the crisis. Does Trump really want to rename the Strait of Hormuz Trump Strait?Katy Balls joins Carole Walker to assess whether Trump is losing control of the conflict — and why he’s saying he’s
Read this! Watch this! Culture to understand America
What can culture tell us about the US that news can’t? Gerry and Katy pick books, films, TV and songs that have shaped the way they see America. Is Modern Family an underappreciated bit of social realism? Why does Katy think a 2004 Disney movie strikes at an essential component of American patriotism? And what film is the most viewed on Air Force One?Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at
Killer rabbits, violent protest and an awful lot of golf: American summer
Who was attacked by a rabbit on his summer holiday?How many days a year does Donald Trump play golf?And why was George W Bush so keen on cutting brush?In this summer special episode, Katy and Gerry explore the political and cultural significance of the American summer.Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday TimesGerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at lar
The socialists take a beating and the tyranny of "woke 1"
Francesca Hong suffered a shock defeat in the Wisconsin primary, losing out to the Democrats’ more centrist candidate David Crowley despite holding a 10-15 point lead in the polls. Is this a sign that the Democratic establishment is finally pushing back against the party’s socialist insurgency? And, as AOC distances herself from the “woke 1” politics of yesteryear, is she quietly positioning herse
How did Trump mitigate an Iranian assassination attempt? – Washington Insider
What's the best way of avoiding an Iranian assassination attempt? Turns out it's hiding out in a catering truck and using Air Force One as a decoy. Katy Balls takes us inside the clandestine operation.Produced in partnership with Times RadioKaty Balls, Washington editor and columnist, The Times and Sunday TimesEd Vaizey, presenter, Times RadioProducers: Amelia MelvinPicture: Getty ImagesThis podca
Could America go socialist?
One of America's largest states is set to nominate left-wing candidate Abdul El-Sayed. His victory in the Democratic primary is the latest sign that the party is shifting decisively to the left. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, Francesca Hong has defeated her opponent despite previously arguing that Thanksgiving should be cancelled. Is America on the verge of embracing democratic socialism after 250 years
MAGA's Iran War Apathy - Washington Insider
There is a growing sense of blasé indifference within the MAGA movement over Trump's war with Iran. Could that complacency come back to haunt Republicans at the midterm elections?There's also a growing rift between Donald Trump and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro after she dropped charges in a high-profile vandalism case, prompting fresh questions about loyalty and power inside the administration.Finall
How Trump changed his mind about Zelensky
US foreign policy shifts on Ukraine: President Zelensky and President Trump have met in the White House and US-Ukraine relations are on a much friendlier footing than at any time since Donald Trump returned to office. They agreed that the US will give Ukraine licences to make their own Patriot missile interceptors to protect from Russian attacks, and there's talk that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushn
What to expect from Trump's meetings with Netanyahu and Zelensky - Washington Insider
President Trump is having meetings with both Binyamin Netanyahu and Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. What can we expect?Also, new footage of Lindsey Graham before his death reveals more about his attitude to Iran.And how does Donald Trump do when he's delivering jokes that have been written for him?Produced in partnership with Times RadioKaty Balls, Washington editor and columnist, The
Bromance but for how long? Trump and Burnham's first call
Andy Burnham and Donald Trump have had their first phone call. How did it go? Will President Trump find time to visit Manchester? And how is Ed Miliband's appointment as foreign secretary going down in Washington?Also, why has the US announced 50% tariffs on goods from Canada? And JD Vance and his wife Usha have had another baby, their fourth child. How is the Secret Service coping with Vance's gr
Who the hell is this Andy guy? Washington sizes up Burnham
As Andy Burnham takes over as prime minister, how will he get on with Donald Trump and what will their relationship mean for US-UK relations? President Trump wrote on Truth Social that the people of Aberdeen are dancing in the streets because Burnham will open up North Sea Oil, and will "make the United Kingdom, from a Poverty Stricken Disaster, to one of the Richest Countries anywhere in the Worl
Trump in Iran: war as performance art
It's groundhog day in the White House, as Donald Trump reverts back to all out war with Iran, bombing essential targets and threatening escalation if Iran refuses to open the Strait of Hormuz. Is there any genuine optimism in Washington that the regime could fall—or is this 'hit em hard' attitude a cover for a foreign policy running out of options? If there is no appetite for real military action
Trump’s dizzying Nato summit: Greenland, Iran and Ukraine
Donald Trump has called the Iranians scum, as he calls off ceasefire talks. At the NATO summit in Ankara, his comments on Iran, Ukraine and more have once again put allies on edge. Nigel Farage has just returned from Washington to deepen his ties with Donald Trump – but is he also borrowing Trump's political playbook to distract from increased interests in his undeclared finances ahead of the loom
What JD Vance told me: UK politics, Donald Trump and cat ladies
Vice-President JD Vance has said there is something very broken about British politics and that he hopes Andy Burnham can figure out how to get Britain back on track. He has spoken exclusively to Katy Balls for the Sunday Times.They also discussed:Social media spats: does he regret the childless cat ladies comment?His faith and how it's changed him.And has Donald Trump read his book?Katy Balls,&nb
Birthright citizenship reaction: hysterical, borderline insane
Donald Trump has been thwarted by the Supreme Court over his plan to end birthright citizenship, prompting passionate reactions on both left and right. One Maga influencer has called for a ban on pregnant women travelling to the US and for the sterilisation of foreign visitors. Is the Trump v Barbara Supreme Court ruling evidence that the reports of the death of American democracy have been exagge
Trump, Hitler, Mao, Stalin: the list the president loved
Find out why President Trump was thrilled to be on a list with Hitler, Mao and Stalin. It's one of many astonishing details in a new book, Regime Change, by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan. We pick some highlights from the book, and Katy has been speaking to authors.As Andy Burnham prepares to take over as British prime minister, how would a more left-wing government go down in Washington and in
Trump’s Iran Deal: A Calamity for the US — and JD Vance
President Trump has made a deal with Iran. On Friday, Vice President JD Vance will attend the official signing in Geneva of a 14-point US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding that covers the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear ambitions, the lifting of sanctions, a $300bn reconstruction fund for Iran and a ceasefire.The deal has gone down badly in the US, and with good reason. Gerry
Why the naysayers are wrong about the Maga World Cup
Welcome to the World Cup. Gianni Infantino spent much time and effort cultivating Donald Trump's friendship. Will it have been worth it? Some are complaining about America's border policies and about the price of the tickets but let's see...For a moment President Trump said he was going to bomb Iran, but now he's pulled back. We discuss the dizzying back and forth over the war.Donald Trump's birth
Why America's leaders keep getting worse
California is "a beautiful state, and they keep electing these terrible people to run it". Any chance of a change now?We discuss how polarisation drives the decline of character in political leadership.Donald Trump has suffered some political setbacks. His anti-weaponisation fund has been scrapped and his preferred candidate lost out in Iowa. Blips or signs of something more serious for the White
Republicans find their spines
President Trump's pick, Ken Paxton, has won the Republican primary to set up an interesting senate race in Texas. He beat John Cornyn who joins a growing group of Republican senators who are not standing for re-election so have little to lose from standing up to Donald Trump.Meanwhile, Steve Hilton is hoping to become the Republican governor of California and Katy has spent some time with him.We h
No dissent: Donald Trump's revenge tour
Donald Trump has demonstrated his grip on his party in this week's Republican primaries, and dissent will be punished. The president has established a $1.8bn fund to compensate people who've been unfairly investigated. Critics say it's just a slush fund for his allies. We explain how it came into being, how it will work and why people are worrying about it. And Britain's deputy ambassador to Washi
Trump in China: Iran for Taiwan?
As Donald Trump lands in China, could he change the US position on Taiwan in exchange for President Xi's help with Iran?What's at stake in the battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman?And is it chivalry that prompted the decision to concrete over the rose garden at the White House?Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday TimesGerard Baker, columnist at The Times
Trump's Iran problem deepens as a new king moves into view...
The unpredictability of Trump’s conflict with Iran shows no sign of slowing. Is a genuine peace deal with Tehran actually close — or is the President once again overstating progress? Why did Trump abruptly announce and then abandon “Project Freedom,” the US naval plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz?Meanwhile, Marco Rubio’s warmly received White House press briefing has sparked fresh
Trump and the King, and America's age of political violence
After an assassination attempt on President Trump threatened to derail the Royal Visit, King Charles has gone on the charm offensive -- with some mild and elegant rebukes.Katy Balls describes the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' attitude inside the White House Correspondents' Dinner.And as the former FBI director James Comey is charged with endangering the president's life, we discuss the weaponisation of
Is the Trump magic gone?
President Trump has said he's extending the ceasefire with Iran, and it's still unclear when talks will resume. What could an eventual deal look like and can the US find a radically better one than the deal that President Obama signed in 2015 to so much Republican scorn?Can the King paper over the cracks in the US-UK relationship?And did a joke by President Obama sow a seed that led to Donald Trum
Trump's blockade, AI Jesus and JD Vance's soul
Why the US counter-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is an elegant solutionWill Donald Trump pay a price with voters for his row with the Pope?And Gerry tells us what he really thinks about JD Vance.Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday TimesGerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street JournalProducers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson
A fragile ceasefire and JD Vance's moment in Budapest
After threatening Iran with total civilisational collapse, Donald Trump steps back from the brink and agrees to a fragile ceasefire that both sides claim as a win. But how long can it really hold?And as Hungary heads to the polls, JD Vance lands in Budapest to back Viktor Orbán—a leader often seen as aligned with Moscow. What does it mean when the White House throws its weight behind a pro-Russia
Bonus: Trump's address to the nation unpacked
President Trump has addressed the nation about the war in Iran for the first time. What did we learn?This is a bonus episode. For this week's regular episode, click hereKaty Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday TimesFraser Nelson, columnist at The TimesProducers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture: Getty Images.Clips: ReutersEmail
Foreign policy by tantrum
Forget the fog of war, this is the fog of Donald Trump. How much does he care about the political pressure created by the war in Iran? Is America entering the end game or ramping up operations? Also, how are the grassroots feeling? Katy has been to the Conservative Political Action Conference to find out. And we look at the secret life (and enormous fake breasts) of Kristi Noem's husband, Byron No
Trump in Iran: Blitzkrieg to quagmire?
Donald Trump is in a bind: there's very little appetite in Washington for boots on the ground but will that be the only way to unblock the Strait of Hormuz? Is there any possible deal that would look and feel like a victory over the Iranian regime?And why do people start looking more nervously at the president towards the weekend?Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and Th
How Keir Starmer became Donald Trump's kickable pet
There are some reasons for the US to be optimistic about the war in Iran, but have the main beneficiaries so far been America's enemies?The resignation of a counterterrorism official has ignited a debate about antisemitism in US politics.Could Tucker Carlson really be the next president?And what on earth is a shamrock shake?Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sund
No grand strategy on Iran, just vibes
In Washington people are talking about an off-ramp, but if the Iranian regime doesn't surrender, can the US really claim any kind of victory? And as sentiment in the US turns against Israel, could this war ultimately leave Israel more rather than less fragile? Meanwhile President Trump seems to be playing Marco Rubio and JD Vance off against one another.Katy Balls, Washington editor and colum
The White House's mixed messages on Iran
What is the plan for Iran? Donald Trump has given 30-second interviews to many different journalists; there are disagreements in the administration and in MAGA about the decision to attack Iran. So it's a fairly confused picture coming out of the White House. And what about the special relationship between the US and the UK? President Trump has said that Keir Starmer is no Winston Churchill. Is th
What Trump got right and wrong at the State of the Union address
President Trump’s State of the Union address included berating the Democrats and sweeping claims that America is entering a new golden age. But what were the real successes and missteps in the marathon speech? What trial by fire awaits the incoming British Ambassador to the United States? And why could the upcoming Texas primary prove so pivotal for the current administration?Katy Balls, Wash
The Democratic Trump? AOC shapes up to take on JD Vance
With the media spotlight on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gavin Newsom, Gerry asks if we should be looking instead at the outsiders to become the next Democratic candidate for the US presidential election in 2028. Is the Dallas Mavericks's owner Mark Cuban a dark horse? And is Stephen A. Smith a brighter, funnier Gary Lineker?Hosts:Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and T
Is America past peak Trump?
Polls suggest the Republicans are in big trouble, and people in Washington are getting jumpy about it. It could put JD Vance in a difficult position.Secretary of State Marco Rubio is on his way to meet European leaders: what's his message from the White House?And the antisemitic influencer Nick Fuentes has hundreds of thousands of online followers: how much impact are they having on American polit
Epstein tried to befriend me
His enemies were hoping that Donald Trump would come out badly from the Epstein files, but he hasn't. Gerry argues that the scandal is a parable about modern capitalism, and remembers the time Jeffrey Epstein tried and failed to make friends with him. Katy tells the inside story of her interview with Peter Mandelson.Also, what can we expect when the Clintons testify to the Epstein investigation? A
Trump v Iran: what MAGA and the military are saying
Welcome to the first ever episode of The State of It: USA. An attack on Iran looks imminent: we reveal what senior military and political figures are saying about it.Also, is Donald Trump taking a softer line on immigration after the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis?And get ready for Melania, the movie.Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday
Introducing The State of It: USA
Katy Balls and Gerard Baker bring you the REAL truth about US politics and power. No fake news, no flag waving and no Trump Derangement Syndrome. Just honest, in-depth discussion of what’s really being said inside the White House. Join the conversation between two people who know everyone in the USA who matters. Beaming in from NYC, Gerard brings almost 30 years’ experience reporting on Ameri
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