Swamp Notes
Swamp Notes is the weekly US politics podcast from The Financial Times. Every Friday, host Marc Filippino talks to reporters in Washington as well as the FT's veteran US political commentators and a cast of expert guests to explain what the latest moves in the Capitol mean for the economy, business and for people in America — and beyond. Subscribe and listen for incisive analysis, on-the-ground insights and a uniquely global perspective.Each week, Swamp Notes answers one listener question. If you have a question about US politics and the global economy, send an email to marc.filippino@ft.com. If yo...
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The Bethlehem Project: America's affordability squeeze
<p>An affordability crisis is sweeping through the US. High prices of food, rents and healthcare are forcing Americans to cut back on necessities. This comes as President Donald Trump’s administration is curbing government support. Sonja Hutson visits Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding Lehigh Valley, and learns how residents are trying to make ends meet.</p><br><p>Mentioned in this podcast:</p><p>‘Scraping for crumbs’: Americans squeezed by affordability crisis</p><p>Inside Trump’s America</p><br><p>Swamp Notes: The Bethlehem Project is produced by Sonja Hutson and Henry Larson, and edited by Marc Filippino. The show...
Trump’s bid to remake the world order
<p>Before his trip to Davos this week, Donald Trump threatened tariffs, and even hinted at using military force, to take over Greenland. The US president’s fixation ripped open a diplomatic wound that has been growing steadily over the past year. The Council on Foreign Relations' Benn Steil and the FT’s US foreign affairs correspondent Abigail Hauslohner explain how this week may have reshaped the western world permanently. </p><br><p>Mentioned in this podcast:</p><p>‘Waiting for the king’: how Trump dominated Davos </p><p>Broad mandate of Trump’s Board of Peace sets it up for rivalry...
Can states stop Trump's immigration raids?
<p>State governments and many activists are pushing back on the federal government’s mass immigration raids. In response, US President Donald Trump threatened to use the Insurrection Act to quell protests in Minneapolis. The FT’s US national correspondent Guy Chazan and US legal correspondent Stefania Palma describe how this tension is changing the relationship between local leaders and the Trump administration.</p><br><p>Mentioned in this podcast:</p><p>‘Anger, grief and tear gas:’ outrage in Minnesota after ICE shooting</p><p>Donald Trump threatens to deploy military to Minnesota after ICE shooting</p><br><p>Sign up for t...
Why Trump wants to ‘run’ other countries
<p>After a military operation to capture Venezuela's leader, the Trump administration is seeking influence over other regions across the western hemisphere. The FT’s national editor Edward Luce and US-Europe foreign affairs correspondent Amy Mackinnon share their insights on how Trump and his cabinet have come to embrace the idea of foreign intervention.</p><br><p>Mentioned in this podcast:</p><p>Trump really wants Greenland</p><p>US says using military is among ‘options’ to acquire Greenland</p><p>How the US’s audacious operation to capture Nicolás Maduro unfolded</p><br><p>Sign up for the FT’s Swam...
The biggest predictions in politics next year
<p>The FT’s Lauren Fedor and Derek Brower look back on the moments that stood out in 2025 and offer their predictions for what’s to come in the new year.</p><br><p>Mentioned in this podcast:</p><p>Forecasting the world in 2026</p><br><p>Email Marc with your questions (Marc.Filippino@FT.com)</p><p>Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here</p><br><p>Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. The FT’s acting co head of audio is Topher...
Political Fix: Quizmas special
<p>This is an episode of Political Fix, the FT weekly podcast that takes you into the corridors of Westminster to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular panel of FT correspondents.</p><br><p>Can you name all the Labour frontbenchers who resigned or were sacked during the past year? Why was Peter Mandelson delayed from returning to the UK after being sacked as US ambassador? And who will be crowned Political Fix’s Wonk-in-Chief? Find out as host George Parker puts the entire podcast panel - Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard and Anna Gr...
Congress’ healthcare fight carries big consequences
<p>Four Republican members of the US House of Representatives broke ranks and supported Democrats this week to force a vote on healthcare spending. The FT’s US national correspondent Guy Chazan and deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor explain the ticking clock Congress is facing down on health insurance, and what will happen to Americans if prices increase dramatically.</p><br><p>Mentioned in this podcast:</p><p>‘A full-blown crisis’: Americans brace for a surge in healthcare costs</p><p>US healthcare costs set to leap as senators fail to reach deal</p><br><p>Email Marc with your q...
The Bethlehem Project: Being young in Trump’s America
<p>High school is a time of massive change in any teenager’s life. But students today are going through this transition period at a time when the US is more polarized, there's a lot of economic anxiety and teens are far more plugged into social media than ever before. Host Sonja Hutson and FT data reporter Ian Hodgson went to a high school in Bethlehem to get a sense of what it's like growing up in Donald Trump's America. </p><br><p>Mentioned in this podcast:</p><p>Anxious and disillusioned: being young in Trump’s America</p><p>Insid...
US uses private data to track immigrants
<p>A new FT investigation maps out the web of data brokers, private companies and government agencies that federal agents are using to help with their mass deportations. The FT’s Peter Andringa and Stefania Palma explain how corporate entities have created a surveillance network that can track immigrants across the country. </p><br><p>Mentioned in this podcast:</p><p>Trump’s immigration data dragnet</p><p>US criminal immigration cases overtake drug and fraud prosecutions</p><br><p>Email Marc with your questions (Marc.Filippino@FT.com)</p><p>Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here</p...
Trump’s plan to give babies money
<p>When Congress passed Trump’s tax and spending bill this year, it included a provision that would create investment accounts for recently born children. Now, at least two billionaires want to chip in to the programme as well. The FT’s Brooke Masters and Alex Rogers detail how this plan works, and why some Republicans are going all in on a government entitlement programme. </p><br><p>Correction: This podcast was updated from its original version. The original podcast mischaracterized Australia's superannuation programme. We said individual participation is mandatory and the government puts money into accounts. In fact, employers are r...
