367. Rory vs JD Vance, recording from Damascus, and Trump’s tariffs

  • Podcast

  • 5 February 2025

  • Posted by Alastair Campbell

  • 2

Why are Rory and Alastair in Damascus? What’s going on with JD Vance? Has there been a twist in the German election?


Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.


The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Fuse are giving away FREE TRIP+ membership for all of 2025 to new sign ups 🎉 TRIP+ gets you ad-free listening, discounts, and early access to episodes and pre-sale tickets for live shows! To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit GetFuse.com/Politics


TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to receive early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, enjoy ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, receive our exclusive newsletter, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and join our members’ chatroom on Discord. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics.


Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @RestIsPolitics

Email: restispolitics@gmail.com


Assistant Producers: Evan Green, India Dunkley

Video Editor: Joshua Smith

Social Producer: Jess Kidson

Producers: Nicole Maslen, Fiona Douglas

Senior Producer: Dom Johnson

Head of Content: Tom Whiter

Exec Producers: Tony Pastor, Jack Davenport

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 responses to “367. Rory vs JD Vance, recording from Damascus, and Trump’s tariffs”

  1. Im Canadian. Canada did pull the trigger too fast to make Trump feel better. We should have let US see who he really is. Trump is slowly destroying US credibility. The people of Canada will never trust him again. Trudeau needs to realize we are done, we want change, and he is failing the grade

  2. Canadian here. As per your discussion of Trump’s tariff threats on Canada & Mexico, Trudeau handled it correctly and it seems even some Trudeau haters were on board with his response. This, in spite of the large bandwagon of Canadians that blames Trudeau for all ills.

    Particularly in the very intertwined auto sector, tariffs would have lead to a fairly immediate loss of jobs.

    Although I had rather hoped Trudeau might have placed a 15 – 20 % excise tax on energy. However why risk an invasion?

    We have a month reprieve but by then Trump will surely be planning a golf resort on the Gaza Riviera.

    I enjoy your podcast, BTW.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

456. Antisemitism, How the Tories Lost Britain, and Gaza

Why is antisemitism on the rise in the UK? Can Trump’s Gaza plan ever provide a just and lasting peace? Why does Rory think the Conservative Party is on a doomed path? Join Rory and Alasta... Continue

8 October 2025

Alastair Campbell’s diary: How to spot the charlatans

Moisés Naím’s new book unpacks how these snake-oil shysters deceive the public... Continue

8 October 2025

Article

Posted by

156. Defence Secretary, John Healey: Is Britain Ready For War?

What tactic did Donald Trump steal from Gordon Brown? What can we learn from when Labour beat UKIP in the 2012 Rotherham by-election when it comes to taking on Farage? As a New Labour alumnus... Continue

6 October 2025

455. Question Time: Is Europe Already At War With Russia?

Is Europe already at war with Russia — without admitting it? Are the Netherlands still a serious player in Europe? And, should national parks be reshaped for the modern age? Join Rory and ... Continue

2 October 2025

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Don’t take Curtis Yarvin seriously

Yarvin believes liberal democracy has failed and that monarchy should replace it. He just has absolutely no idea how to achieve this... Continue

1 October 2025

Article

Posted by

454. Starmer’s Farage Fightback and Trump’s Unworkable Gaza Plan

Is it too late for Starmer to turn things around? Is Labour talking too much about immigration, and not enough about the cost of living? How can Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza lead to a Pales... Continue

30 September 2025

155. Mike Pompeo On Russia, Trump, and China

Why does the former Secretary of State think the US is going too soft on Russia and China? What was it like working closely with President Trump? Why did Putin invade Europe under Obama and B... Continue

29 September 2025

453. Trump’s Far Right Allies in Germany: Is History Repeating Itself?

Just how close is the far right to taking power in Europe and the UK? Why is Germany the perfect starting point for far-right agitators? Is Europe’s lacklustre response to an unfolding geno... Continue

26 September 2025