Power Play
by POLITICO
Power Play is POLITICO's new weekly transatlantic podcast hosted by renowned British journalist Anne McElvoy. It takes listeners inside the minds of those who wield power to better understand the choices they face. The show features guests at the top of their fields in government, business, civil society and more — accompanied by the expert analysis of journalists across POLITICO's newsrooms globally, giving listeners the inside take on the most significant issues raised by the guest, as well as the implications. Read our show notes here: https://www.politico.eu/power-play-podcast/
Episodes
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How will Carney take on Trump?
One hundred days into Donald Trump’s second presidency and he’s already swung another election. How will Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, emboldened by his victory at the polls, take on Trump? Host Anne McElvoy talks to Ralph Goodale, who has been at the centre of Canadian politics for…
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Why the next pope may be a 'break' from the past
As Catholics gather in Rome to mourn Pope Francis, those hoping to succeed him are preparing to engage in one of the world's oldest and most intriguing electoral contests. This week's guest knows the inner workings of the Vatican and the key players involved as cardinals gather for the next...
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How the US-China trade war will do 'enormous damage' to the world
In a dramatic twist, President Trump announced an abrupt reversal of the tariff policy that had spooked the markets and threatened to upend world trade. While many trading partners have been given a temporary reprieve, Washington’s tit for tat with Beijing has reached new heights. Where does it...
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Sen. Mark Kelly notches up his feud with Elon Musk
United States President Donald Trump’s "Liberation Day" of tariffs on foreign imports has roiled the markets and caused upset across the Atlantic. But is there anything opposition Democrats can do to curtail an all-powerful president? Host Anne McElvoy talks to Sen. Mark Kelly, former NASA...
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Germany’s next leader could be a 'loose cannon.' Is that good news for Europe?
Germany entered a new political era this week as the Bundestag met for the first time since last month's pivotal general election. Does the country's leader-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, have what it takes to reassure a fractious nation worrying about its fading status as an economic giant and lead...
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Trump and Musk take on the judges. Will they win?
United States President Donald Trump has been rebuked by the chief justice of the Supreme Court for his attacks on judges who have ruled against his flurry of executive orders. Elon Musk has joined the fray by calling this a "judicial coup." Is this the road to a full-blown constitutional...
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How can Trump push Putin toward peace?
The United States-Ukraine plan for a temporary ceasefire has turned up the heat on Russian President Vladimir Putin. What are Donald Trump's next moves if Putin either refuses to accept the deal or places unacceptable demands on Ukraine and its allies? Host Anne McElvoy talks to Kurt Volker, who...
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Zelenskyy ally: Trump is being used by Putin
Will Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s olive branch to Donald Trump be enough to secure Ukraine’s future — and his own? After his bruising encounter with the U.S. president in the Oval Office, Zelenskyy issued an eleventh-hour missive and said he was ready to sign the minerals deal and...
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Trump ally Dan Crenshaw: Europe needs to boost its defense or 'shut up'
The French president and British prime minister have been to the White House to urge President Donald Trump not to abandon Kyiv as negotiations with Russia loom. Trump's attacks on Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and his administration's approach to the Western alliance have caused...
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Europe is dealing with Trump all wrong, according to his former national security adviser
President Donald Trump’s quick-fire approach to ending Russia’s war against Ukraine has left European allies worried they are being sidelined by the United States administration, as Washington and Moscow conduct direct negotiations. It has also caused a crisis in European capitals about the…
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What Trump and Musk think they can learn from Argentina’s Javier Milei
Donald Trump may have ruffled feathers with his closest neighbors in recent weeks, but he has a willing ally in South America. Argentina’s President Javier Milei has become something of a hero in the MAGA movement for his populist style and radical economic reforms. Will the love affair outlast…
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Larry Summers: How to deal with Trump's tariff threat
United States President Donald Trump has shown he means business when it comes to threatening a splurge of tariffs around the globe. Mexico and Canada agreed last-minute deals to temporarily avert tariffs, whereas China was not spared. Will the president's combative approach pay off? Host Anne...
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Why DeepSeek has deepened the US-China AI rivalry
Donald Trump has made a blitz of announcements designed to boost the United States' tech industry. But then a new Chinese artificial intelligence model came along and caused a stir on Wall Street. Is this a new dawn or a fresh threat? Host Anne McElvoy talks to one of Silicon Valley’s leading...
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Sponsored content: Davos marks a new era of collaboration on AI
The world has entered a new era of intelligence, as artificial intelligence technologies are being rapidly developed and adopted across industries and around the globe. So, it’s apropos that the theme of the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was “Collaboration in the Intelligent...
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Davos 2025: What is Trump's plan for Ukraine?
This year’s annual jamboree in the Alps is drawing to a close. And the man who’s dominated the week — Donald Trump —spoke to the World Economic Forum. He’s hardly the centrist “Davos Man” but he had a message from Washington for the gathering. In Power Play's final edition from the World Economic...
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Davos 2025: Will Trump's 'golden age' pay off?
Is America headed for a new "golden age"? Or will Donald Trump’s promise falter? And where does that leave the quest for prosperity across the Atlantic? They're the questions on the lips of many economists, business leaders and politicians gathering at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Host Anne...
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Davos 2025: Changing their minds on Trump — Anthony Scaramucci and Niall Ferguson
President Trump’s first 24 hours in the White House have certainly been the talking point here in Davos, as business leaders and politicians digest what the new era means for them and the rest of the world. Continuing Power Play's daily coverage from the World Economic Forum in Davos, host Anne...
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Davos 2025: How different will the new Trump era be?
New United States President Donald Trump declared a "new golden age" for America in an inauguration speech that defiantly set out his vision for his next four years at the White House. Will he fulfill his promises and how different will this presidency be to his last? Continuing Power Play's…
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Davos 2025: Global elites prepare for Trump's new America
It’s that time of year! Thousands of business leaders, politicians, tech maestros and an array of hangers are about to descend on the Swiss Alps. As the 55th meeting of the annual World Economic Forum gets underway in Davos, many eyes will be on Washington D.C. when Donald Trump takes the...
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The UN funding crisis: Tough choices on Ukraine and Gaza
The war in Ukraine is about to enter its fourth year. Will the incoming administration in Washington bring it to an end — and what will that mean for the millions of refugees inside the war-torn country and the territories Russia occupies? Host Anne McElvoy talks to Tom Fletcher, United Nations...
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Elon Musk should steer clear of politics, says top British businessman
Elon Musk's controversial postings on British politics have ignited the row over the United Kingdom's long-running child grooming scandal. Musk's interventions and his proximity to Donald Trump are becoming a prominent feature in political debate on both sides of the Atlantic. This week, host…
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How big business is making its relationship with Republicans great again
To ring in the New Year, here’s a recent episode from one of our sister podcasts in the U.S., Playbook Deep Dive, hosted by Rachel Bade and produced by Alex Keeney. Power Play with Anne McElvoy will return next week. Donald Trump’s Washington will be packed with big business heavyweights such as...
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How the world's political power brokers are gearing up for 2025
Out with the old and in with the new or in the case of 2025, it’s back to the future with the return of Donald Trump to the White House. As America and her allies prepares for Trump 2.0, what can we be certain of in an increasingly unpredictable and fractious world? In the final episode of Power...
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Donald Trump will shape Europe and the UK. Are they ready?
The President-elect's in-tray is filling up fast. Wars in Gaza, Ukraine and the fallen regime in Syria are among the many geopolitical shifts facing Donald Trump's new administration, alongside a spate of challenges at home. Is the United States — and the world — ready for Trump 2.0? This week,...
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French connection: Trump meets Macron in free fall
The toppling of the French prime minister has caused a massive headache for French President Emmanuel Macron just days before he receives U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Paris. As one president returns to the world stage, could the other’s days be numbered? France is convulsed by crisis…
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Why this Democratic lawmaker is prepared to work with Elon Musk
As Donald Trump puts the finishing touches to his new administration in Washington, the talk of the town continues to revolve around Elon Musk. The world’s richest man has the ear of the president-elect. How long will it last? Host Anne McElvoy talks to Democratic `Representative Ro Khanna, who...
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Why China looms large over contest to lead Oxford University
It’s been six years since a British prime minister met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Could Keir Starmer's encounter with the president at this week’s G20 lead to a thaw after years of frosty relations as the world prepares for a possible trade war when Donald Trump returns to the White House?…
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Biden's climate policies were designed to outlive him. Can they survive Trump?
Is there much the outgoing U.S. administration can do to salvage its climate change agenda as Donald Trump surrounds himself with global warming skeptics in his new team? Host Anne McElvoy talks to one of those playing a leading role at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Ali Zaidi is assistant to…
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UN climate talks contend with Trump 2.0
Amid the 50,000-odd delegates attending this year’s sprawling COP29 UN climate conference in Azerbaijan, you can hear the wheels of climate diplomacy turning. But even 6,000 miles from Washington, D.C., you don’t have to go far before Donald Trump intrudes on the conversation. Will he follow...
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Trump returns: The whole world is watching
remarkable comeback to the White House. By any standards, his victory over Kamala Harris was historic. What does it mean for the U.S. and its place in the world? Host Anne McElvoy was in POLITICO's Washington, D.C. newsroom to see how the election unfolded. She talks to John Harris, global...
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Kemi Badenoch makes her last pitch for the Tory crown
Britain’s Conservative Party chooses their new leader in a few days. Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the favorite to win, but her combative style and a number of bruising exchanges with her rival, Robert Jenrick, have prompted questions about the breadth of her appeal. Power Play host Anne McElvoy...
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Britain and Germany have a new defence pact. What will it mean for the Ukraine war?
The U.K. and Germany have signed a defense deal to bolster NATO and European security. But will it do anything to meet their immediate needs and alter the course of the war in Ukraine? Host Anne McElvoy talks to John Healey, the U.K. Defence Secretary — one of the most senior jobs in PM Keir...
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Israel needs ‘harder advice’ from the US, says Saudi ambassador to Britain
Few countries have as much influence inside and outside the Middle East as Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is an increasingly important power broker in the region, but can it help end the bloodshed and temper Iran’s ambitions? Host Anne McElvoy talks to Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, the Saudi…
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Transatlantic allies weigh up Israeli options on Iran
The barrage of Hezbollah rockets, the amassing of Israeli ground forces in Lebanon and the prospect of a retaliatory strike on Iran mark the grim first anniversary of Oct. 7. As Israel considers its options, how much influence do the U.S and its allies have in shaping the response? Host Anne...
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Tony Blair’s plan to end Hezbollah and Gaza wars
Israel's battle with Hezbollah and the recent retaliation from Iran has stoked fears of runaway escalation in the Middle East. Does Tony Blair, former British prime minister and veteran of the quest for a two state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict still believe the region can avoid...
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Trudeau's fight for survival: Chrystia Freeland enters the fray
Taking on the presidency of the G7 next year, Canada should be in prime position to shape transatlantic relations alongside its dominant neighbor — regardless of who moves in to the White House. But does Justin Trudeau have what it takes to deliver? Host Anne McElvoy talks to the Number 2 in...
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Meet JD Vance's surprising European support network
From Hillbilly Elegy to vice-presidential candidate, JD Vance has come far since his hardscrabble roots in Ohio to shape the Trump doctrine for the millennial generation. He’s also gained notoriety for upping the temperature of America’s heated political discourse. But there’s also a…
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The Trump thump: Has Harris sealed the deal?
The sparks flew in the first U.S. presidential debate Tuesday night between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. How will the encounter shape the final stretch of the campaign to the Nov. 5 election — and what does it mean for the rest of the world? Host Anne McElvoy talks to POLITICO’s Global...
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Starmer's wasted opportunity to influence Netanyahu on Gaza
Ehud Olmert, the prime minister of Israel between 2006 and 2009, believes Britain’s suspension of some of its arms exports is a “mistake” that won’t affect the country’s military campaign in Gaza and may prove a wasted opportunity for PM Keir Starmer to influence events in Gaza. Talking to host...
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Trump v Harris: How to win a TV election debate
With the U.S. presidential debate now confirmed, our guests explain the tips and tricks that could help Donald Trump or Kamala Harris win their first head-to-head encounter on Sept. 10 — and why there has been a pre-debate row over format and mics. Host Anne McElvoy is joined by Brett O’Donnell…
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Live at the DNC: Kamala Harris' big moment
Kamala Harris wound up the Democratic National Convention in Chicago by staking her claim to be the next president of the United States. Does the Democrat have the momentum to beat Donald Trump? Moments after the Harris finale at the DNC, host Anne McElvoy sat down with John Harris, POLITICO's...
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Live at the DNC: Tammy Duckworth takes aim at Republicans for military slurs
Live on stage at the CNN-POLITICO Grill in Chicago, host Anne McElvoy talks to U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. The Illinois senator — a decorated war veteran — has fiercely defended the military record of Tim Walz, the running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, against...
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Queen of Europe: The surprising side to Ursula von der Leyen
She’s the “queen of Europe” and her reign is set for another five years. Ursula von der Leyen’s reelection as president of the European Commission comes amid the war in Ukraine and a rise of the far right. She is a figure who seeks to bring calm to political storms. But could the outcome of the...
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Kamala Harris takes aim at Trump: Is history on her side?
Kamala Harris' sudden elevation to likely Democrat nominee has transformed the race for the White House. As President Biden passed the baton, can she beat a resurgent Donald Trump? Host Anne McElvoy talks to the doyen of American constitutional experts, Philip Bobbitt, about the significance of…
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Live at the RNC: Insiders decode the Trump and Vance show
It's been an eventful few days at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Donald Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, are preparing to take the stage for their set-piece speeches. How will they set the tone for the election campaign? Inside the convention center, host Anne…
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Live at the RNC: Trump insider on the survivor and a new VP
Reince Priebus is one the Republican Party's veteran power brokers. He served Donald Trump as his first White House chief of staff and chairs the host committee at this year's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. As Republican delegates gather in the aftermath of a dramatic couple of…
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Starmer at NATO summit: departing general issues sobering advice
Fresh from his landslide victory, Britain’s new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has flown to Washington to join other leaders of NATO countries as they meet for the alliance’s 75th anniversary summit. As the war in Ukraine takes another ugly turn following a week of heavy Russian bombardment, can...
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Keir’s here: Starmer wants to change Britain and its standing in the world
It's all change in the U.K. Labour's historic landslide election victory beckons a different kind of leadership for Britain on the world stage after 14 years of Conservative rule. Keir Starmer, who stepped into his new job as PM, will have little time to define his approach to the wars in…
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Never say never: Sanna Marin's warning to Europe on tech, populism and her career ambitions
The recent shift to the right in the European Parliament election doesn't bode well for the continent's dwindling band of social democratic leaders, one of the most prominent of whom, former Finnish PM Sanna Marin, was shown the door by voters last year. Finland is a country of renewed prominence...
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Shut up and listen: The election 'fixer' has some advice for Biden, Macron and Sunak
Election fever is gripping both sides of the North Atlantic. As Britain heads into the final weeks of a long election campaign, French voters face a snap parliamentary election. The Biden-Trump race for the White House draws ever closer. One man who knows about how to run a campaign is Jim…
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About this show
Power Play is POLITICO's new weekly transatlantic podcast hosted by renowned British journalist Anne McElvoy. It takes listeners inside the minds of those who wield power to better understand the choices they face. The show features guests at the top of their fields in government, business, civil society and more — accompanied by the expert analysis of journalists across POLITICO's newsrooms globally, giving listeners the inside take on the most significant issues raised by the guest, as well as the implications. Read our show notes here: https://www.politico.eu/power-play-podcast/
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