Trump chaos and controversy in US politics and beyond

In this week's episode of New Politics, we analyse the attempted assassination of US presidential candidate Donald Trump. This surreal event, with a lone shooter on a rooftop at a Trump rally, has sparked a whirlwind of conspiracy theories and highlighted significant lapses in Secret Service protocols. We discuss the political fallout, including Trump's dramatic appearance at the Republican Convention with a conspicuous bandage, and draw comparisons to historical events like the Reichstag fire of 1933.

We also explore reactions from global leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and the broader implications for American democracy. We examine how Trump's frequent public lies since 2015 have eroded trust, leading many to question the authenticity of this assassination attempt. Is it also time to reassess the US–Australia alliance and how the alliance affects Australian politics?

We then focus on the declining respect for political processes in Australia, as highlighted by a recent Essential poll. With dissatisfaction levels reaching nearly 50 per cent, we discuss the persistent problems within the political system, the lack of incentive for change, and potential solutions such mixed-member and proportional representation.

There are allegations corruption within the CMFEU, and we explore the media's portrayal of these issues, and the political ramifications for the Labor Party. We also analyse the latest Resolve Poll, which presents a challenging outlook for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor government. With a significant drop in primary votes and Peter Dutton emerging as the preferred prime minister, we discuss the electorate's shifting priorities and the impact of recent political events.

Finally, we look at the upcoming royal visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla and speculate on the potential discussions about Australia moving towards becoming a republic and the broader significance of their visit.

Song listing:

1. “Connected”, Stereo MC’s.

2. “Dead Already”, Thomas Newman.

3. “Catcher and The Rye”, Cabins.

4. “Wild”, Spoon.

5. “Praise You”, Fat Boy Slim.