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 *

The Gun Lobby Responsible for Trump: Journey Through Time

Alastair is joined by historian and co-host of Goalhanger’s Journey Through Time, Sarah Churchwell, to discuss their new series on the History of The National Rifle Association.  How did ... Continue

11 August 2025

147. I Thought It Was a Prank – Then I Was Chancellor: Jeremy Hunt (Part 2)

What was it like to be handed the reins to the economy following the Liz Truss mini-budget collapse? How did Jeremy Hunt feel fighting an election that he knew the Conservatives would lose? H... Continue

11 August 2025

435. Question Time: The Migrant Return Plan, Colombia’s Drug Cartels, and Will Rory Join Corbyn’s New Party?

Can Starmer’s deal with Macron really fix the Channel crisis? Is Colombia’s fragile peace falling apart amid a booming drug trade? And, could AI replace mental health support lines?  Jo... Continue

7 August 2025

434. Why the West is Finally Recognising Palestine

Why are the UK, France and Canada finally recognising a Palestinian state? Why is Trump punishing Brazil, India, and Switzerland with tariffs? Should Starmer’s Labour be less cautious and m... Continue

6 August 2025

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Trump isn’t World King, he’s a narcissist

The president's trip to Scotland proves there's a real harm in not holding his actions to account... Continue

4 August 2025

Article

Posted by

146. The Rise and Fall of The Conservative Party: Jeremy Hunt (Part 1)

How did Jeremy Hunt lose the Conservative leadership race to Boris Johnson? What does the longest serving Health Minister think will fix the NHS? What does Jeremy Hunt really think of Kemi ... Continue

4 August 2025

433. Question Time: Epstein’s Inner Circle, Ukraine’s Zelensky Backlash, and Destroying the Addiction Economy

Can Zelensky survive a war abroad while fighting enemies at home? What does Epstein’s circle reveal about power, secrets and how justice really works? And, is addiction a personal failure o... Continue

31 July 2025

432. Trump, Starmer, and Gaza: Is The Tide Turning Against Israel?

Will the West turn the tide on Gaza or is it too little, too late? What are the pictures Netanyahu doesn't want Trump to see? Are Israel's aid drops purely performative? Join Rory and Alasta... Continue

30 July 2025