Trump-Musk meltdown & the administration’s ‘crystal ball’

Musk may be out, but the influence of the tech bros has never been greater. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump’s dystopian presidency, the administration’s renewed pressure on the Australian government to increase defence spending, and the end of the Trump-Musk bromance. This discussion was recorded on Friday 6 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: ‘Australia must resist US bullying to increase its military spending’ by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2025) ‘Let’s rethink Australia’s national security – and focus on fairness and climate action, not blind fealty to the US’ by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (June 2025) ‘The Gleeful Profiteers of Trump’s Police State’ by Sophie Hurwitz, Mother Jones (February 2025) ‘How US Intelligence and an American Company Feed Israel’s Killing Machine in Gaza’ by James Bamford, The Nation (April 2024) ‘The Cruelty is the Point’ by Adam Serwer, The Atlantic (October 2018) Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts, Boston University Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected] After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.