Latest Interviews
Showing 1–11 of 11 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist10 min
How Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is making America weaker | The Economist
Recent administrative actions have redirected deportation efforts from the southern border to the U.S. interior while simultaneously halting asylum requests and freezing visa processing for dozens of countries, resulting in near-zero irregular border crossings. These restrictive policies, which include revoking temporary protected status and raising fees for student and work visas, have coincided with a one-million-person contraction in the labor force and a 29% decline in student visa issuance. Critics warn that the resulting hostility toward specific ethnic groups and nations threatens long-term economic growth by deterring high-skilled talent and shifting the burden of national debt to a shrinking workforce.
- The Economist7 min
Can Donald Trump secure a deal with Cuba? | The Economist
Donald Trump, Dr Christopher Sabatini, David Rennie, Sarah Birke, Christopher
A proposed transactional framework seeks to secure Cuban economic relief, including lifting the oil embargo, in exchange for a credible multi-party election plan. Key figures like Marco Rubio and Donald Trump aim to satisfy the Cuban-American voting bloc by offering a political roadmap that prioritizes economic liberalization over immediate regime change. Despite skepticism regarding the administration's long-term commitment, proponents argue that even a flawed agreement could dismantle the current stagnant leadership structure.
- The Economist8 min
Donald Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a dangerous gamble | The Economist
Donald Trump, Shashank Joshi, Rosie Blau
U.S. Central Command is implementing an economic blockade targeting all vessels transiting Iranian coastal waters to cripple Tehran's revenue and force negotiations on its nuclear program. This strategy risks triggering a global energy crisis with Brent crude projected to hit $150 per barrel if Iran retaliates by restricting neutral shipping in the Gulf of Oman. Analysts warn that the move may alienate key allies and ultimately fail, as Tehran appears prepared to outlast the U.S. administration amid approaching midterm elections.
- The Economist7 min
Finland’s president: are Europe and America’s interests still aligned?| The Economist
Alexander Stubb, Donald Trump, David Rennie
Recent US policy shifts driven by MAGA ideology and an "America First" pecking order have inflicted irreparable damage on transatlantic morale, despite maintaining strategic alignment on Arctic defense and containing Russian influence in Europe. While Finland has bolstered its self-reliant military with conscription and advanced weaponry, the alliance remains fragile due to lingering US control over critical assets like long-range missiles and Starlink capabilities. Bilateral cooperation continues through massive joint exercises in Northern Norway and Finnish acquisition plans, yet the relationship risks escalation if diplomatic off-ramps at venues like Davos fail to prevent trade wars or military threats over issues such as Greenland.
- The Economist7 min
How long will Donald Trump and Xi Jinping’s trade war truce last?
Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Jeremy Page, Jason Palmer
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a one-year trade truce during a meeting at a South Korean airbase, securing reciprocal delays on rare earth export controls, threatened tariffs, and fentanyl-related duties while restoring soybean purchases. This temporary pause was accompanied by parallel U.S. initiatives to diversify critical mineral supply chains with allies and upgrade defense technology for South Korea, even as structural disputes over industrial policy and semiconductor sales remain unresolved. Although the deal reduces immediate escalation risks, the agreement lacks a final resolution to underlying tensions, leaving the relationship vulnerable to future volatility amid ongoing geopolitical instability.
- The Economist7 min
Mark Carney on dealing with Donald Trump
Mark Carney, Donald Trump, Zanny Minton Beddoes, Prime Minister Carney, Sani
Prime Minister Carney attributes Canada's recent economic stagnation to persistent tariff uncertainty while characterizing U.S. trade policy as a coercive "mafioso" strategy driven by President Trump. In response to this geopolitical rupture, Ottawa is pivoting toward strategic sovereignty by bolstering Arctic defense and cultivating a "variable geometry" of trade alliances to reduce reliance on the American market. This dual approach acknowledges a permanent shift toward high-tariff U.S. protectionism, compelling Canada to prioritize self-sufficiency and diversify global partnerships beyond traditional transatlantic frameworks.
- All-In Podcast2h 47m
All-In Inauguration Day Livestream with the Besties from Washington, DC!
David Friedberg, Akash Singh, Chamath Palihapitiya, Sam Altman, Luke Nosek, Lex Friedman, Jeff Bezos, Donald Trump, JD Vance, Tim Cook, Barron Trump, Eric Trump, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama, Jimmy Carter, Dana White, Matt Rife, Mark Cuban, Bobby Kennedy
Hosts provided live coverage of Donald Trump's 47th presidential inauguration from the Grand Hyatt and Capitol Rotunda, observing key figures like Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk while noting President-elect Trump's freestyle speech delivery. The event highlighted a shift toward deregulation, including crypto-friendly policies and a controversial "Department of Government Efficiency" led by David Friedberg and Vivek Ramaswamy, alongside Trump's executive orders on immigration, energy, and social policy. Despite a lack of enthusiasm from the outgoing Biden administration, the inauguration featured a traditional transfer of power with diverse leaders attending, signaling a chaotic yet dynamic Republican approach to governance.
- Lex Fridman1h 4m
Donald Trump Interview | Lex Fridman Podcast #442
Donald Trump, Lex Fridman, Kamala Harris, Joe Rogan, JFK, Jeffrey Epstein
Former President Donald Trump outlines a comprehensive second-term agenda centered on immediate border enforcement, a rapid peace deal for the Ukraine war, and the disclosure of classified UFO and Epstein-related documents. He aggressively critiques current administration figures like Kamala Harris and the Biden team while advocating for strict election integrity measures and the potential legalization of medicinal marijuana. The discussion further explores his assessment of global security threats, specifically regarding China and Afghanistan, alongside his strategy for countering media narratives through direct communication on Truth Social.
- Lex Fridman3h 19m
Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump | Lex Fridman Podcast #335
Fiona Hill, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Lex Fridman
Fiona Hill, a former National Security Council official and expert on Russian affairs, analyzes the causal link between the 2016 U.S. impeachment proceedings and Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine, arguing that Washington's internal polarization signaled a lack of commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty. Hill characterizes Putin as a rational actor driven by historical grievances who has shifted from pragmatism to imperial restoration, utilizing nuclear threats and the shelling of civilian infrastructure to coerce Western adversaries. She concludes by calling for a depoliticized government operating system to restore professional expertise and urges young people to build local coalitions to counter the long-term geopolitical fractures that threaten global stability.
- The Economist10 min
Cindy McCain: what next for the Republican Party?
Cindy McCain, Joe Biden, John McCain, Donald Trump
Cindy McCain, the widow of Senator John McCain, asserts that the Republican Party has strayed from its historic values of inclusion and predicts a potential fracture due to current high partisanship and the January 6th insurrection. She contrasts the recent violence with the successful democratic transition under President Joe Biden, whom she praises for prioritizing bipartisanship and immediate crisis management regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Ultimately, McCain envisions a new era of cooperation where the law-abiding majority within the party helps restore the United States' global standing as a beacon of hope and democratic stability.
- The Economist38 min
James Comey on emails, the "American giant" and the end of Donald Trump
James Comey, Donald Trump, Anne McElvoy
Former FBI Director James Comey articulates his judgment that President Trump is morally unfit for office while asserting the FBI remains a rock-solid, unpoliticized institution despite intense scrutiny. He reflects on the contentious October 28 decision regarding the Clinton email investigation and expresses skepticism about the North Korean denuclearization deal, maintaining high confidence that the Mueller probe will uncover criminal facts regardless of political fallout. Looking ahead to his public policy course at the College of William & Mary, Comey emphasizes that ethical leadership is defined by rigorous truth-seeking processes rather than outcomes, arguing that American democratic values may ultimately strengthen through a necessary national reassessment.