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 House?And..."I don't know how more dishonest you can possibly be" — Gerry's excoriating review of Jill Biden's memoir.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 KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessImage: @spencerpratt on XClips: Reuters, Gettym CNN, @spencerpratt on X, @grahamformaine on XThis podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.