Divided States

Sky News

Divided States is the American politics podcast from Sky News looking at all the issues that divide the most powerful country on the planet.

  • 15 minutes 2 seconds
    DAY 12: Why is Trump blaming diversity policies for the DC plane crash?
    As a passenger plane and a military helicopter collide above Washington’s Potomac River, President Trump has faced criticism after blaming Democrat diversity policies for the incident. 
     
    Sky News’ US correspondents Mark Stone, Martha Kelner and James Matthews assess how Trump responded to the first big test of his presidency, and look at the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies which he says are to blame.  
      
    You can email James, Martha and Mark on [email protected] 
    31 January 2025, 5:05 am
  • 16 minutes 30 seconds
    Day 11: Will RFK Jr. become Trump’s new Health Secretary?
    As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is grilled by senators, our US correspondents James Matthews, Mark Stone and Martha Kelner look at his colourful past, his contentious views, and ask if Donald Trump really wants him to be the new health secretary.   
      
    They also look at President Trump's new plans to house deported immigrants at Guantanamo Bay, and why he is offering government employees eight months' pay to resign. 
      
    You can email James, Martha and Mark on [email protected] 
     
    30 January 2025, 5:15 am
  • 15 minutes 7 seconds
    Day 10: Why is Trump inviting TikTokers to the White House?
    As the Trump White House holds its first press briefing, our US correspondents Mark Stone and James Matthews look at why Trump’s Gen-Z press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, is inviting TikTokers and podcasters to cover the new presidency.   
      
    What does a freeze on government funding mean for American’s access to health insurance?  
      
    And, as the Trump administration confirms plans to hold immigration raids in three cities every week - James speaks to migrants in Chicago where mass deportations have already begun.   
     
    You can watch Sky News' international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn's exclusive interview with Iran's foreign minister in Tehran here.  
      
    You can email James, Martha and Mark on [email protected] 
    29 January 2025, 5:10 am
  • 15 minutes 46 seconds
    Day 9: Trump and Gaza
    As thousands of Palestinians head back to their homes in Northern Gaza, US correspondents Mark Stone and James Matthews find out if Arab Americans who backed Trump in November are still happy with their choice, or if his comments about ‘cleaning out’ the Gaza Strip have rocked their confidence in the President.  
     
    And, diplomacy via social media? What does Donald Trump’s almost-trade war with Colombia, and the way it was resolved, tell us about how the Trump administration will handle international affairs?
     
    You can email James, Martha and Mark on [email protected] 
     
    Producer: Rosie Gillott      
    Editor: Philly Beaumont  
    28 January 2025, 5:05 am
  • 14 minutes 53 seconds
    Day 8: Trump calls Starmer
    President Trump says he and Keir Starmer "get along well’ as he speaks to the UK Prime Minister for the first time since his inauguration. 

    Sky’s US correspondents, James Matthews, Martha Kelner and Mark Stone look at what it tells us about the ‘special relationship’ under Trump 2.0.  

    Plus, why has the US started a trade war with Columbia via social media posts?  

    You can email James, Martha and Mark on [email protected] 
     
    Producer: Rosie Gillott      
    Editor: Philly Beaumont  
    27 January 2025, 5:05 am
  • 2 minutes 53 seconds
    Day 7: Mark recommends
    As Donald Trump spends a day on the golf course, US correspondent Mark Stone has some recommendations for things he and the rest of the team have been watching and reading this week.  
     
    READ: 
    Sky’s Ed Conway on the history of US tariffs, or why high-fashion is only now embracing the Trumps.
     
    WATCH:  
    Die-hard Trump fans on their hopes for Trump 2.0.

    You can email James, Martha and Mark on [email protected] 
     
    Producer: Rosie Gillott       
    Editor: Philly Beaumont   
    26 January 2025, 5:05 am
  • 17 minutes 58 seconds
    Day 6: What Trump’s really trying to say?
    As Donald Trump leaves Washington DC for the first time since his inauguration - to visit disaster sights in North Carolina and California - Martha Kelner, Mark Stone and James Matthews look at his plans for FEMA, and his torrid relationship with California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom.  
     
    And, as President Trump approaches the end of his first week in office, Sky's US team look beyond the Washington bubble to focus on how his policies have already impacted the lives of ordinary Americans and those outside its borders.  

    Watch Martha's report from the Mexico border here: https://news.sky.com/story/at-the-us-mexico-border-migrants-experience-the-reality-of-trumps-first-few-days-in-office-13294060

    You can email James, Martha and Mark on [email protected] 
     
    Producer: Rosie Gillott      
    Editor: Philly Beaumont  
    25 January 2025, 5:05 am
  • 14 minutes 57 seconds
    Day 5: Pushback
    As Donald Trump faces the first legal challenge to one of his Day One executive orders, Sky’s US correspondents Mark Stone, Martha Kelner and James Matthews look at why ending birthright citizenship might be harder to achieve than he had hoped.  

    Plus, James speaks to Stewart Rhodes, head of the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers. Rhodes was imprisoned as an architect of the January 6th riots, and chose to spend his first day of freedom back at the Capitol Building. 
     
    Producer: Rosie Gillott      
    Editor: Philly Beaumont  
        
    24 January 2025, 5:05 am
  • 15 minutes 8 seconds
    Day 4: Trump and the media
    As President Trump sits down for his first big interview since taking office, Sky News' US correspondents James Matthews and Mark Stone examine what his relationship with the media might look like this time around.

    They also speak to friend of the podcast Pastor Jonathan B Hall about religion and politics, looking at whether the two can and should mix.  

    Plus a round up of latest Trump news and Joe Biden's parting letter.  
    Email us: [email protected]
     
    Producer: Rosie Gillott    
    Editor: Philly Beaumont
    23 January 2025, 5:05 am
  • 14 minutes 33 seconds
    Day 3: Trump and the Bishop
    As President Trump defends his decision to release two high-profile prisoners jailed over the Capital riot, Sky News' US correspondents James Matthews, Mark Stone and Martha Kelner talk about the divisions in America.   
      
    They also discuss the moment the Bishop of Washington appealed from the pulpit to the president to “have mercy” on people who were scared.   
      
    Plus, Martha Kelner talks about one woman, Erica, she met in Mexico whose plans to get to the US have been upended with the arrival of President Trump.  
     
     
    Producer: Rosie Gillott    
    Editor: Philly Beaumont   
    22 January 2025, 5:10 am
  • 13 minutes 37 seconds
    Day 2: Executive Orders
    As President Trump declares the beginning of a "golden age" for America – Sky News' US correspondents James Matthews, Mark Stone and Martha Kelner analyse his inauguration speech.   
      
    Martha heads to the Mexican border to discover what people there make of President Trump's declaration of a state of emergency over immigration. 
     
    And James is outside the DC correctional facility where a number of the Jan6th rioters are expected to be released.  

      
    Producer: Rosie Gillott   
    Editor: Philly Beaumont  
    21 January 2025, 5:05 am
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