US midterm elections: Trump faces his toughest test yet

This week we’re talking about the sense of drift in the major parties. The government is assessing how it can reset over summer, the Coalition hasn’t exactly gone backwards – or forwards – and One Nation’s popularity has plateaued. Also this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jetted overseas for the United Nations’ climate change conference, but not before he announced a set of new regulations to police AI. Meanwhile, our chief political correspondent and co-host Paul Sakkal broke a series of stories with investigative reporter Nick McKenzie that lifted the lid on how One Nation operates internally. The Coalition has  continued to capitalise on the chaos, with leader Angus Taylor trying to prove they are sensible ‘marriage material’ in comparison. Today’s episode is hosted, as usual, by Jacqueline Maley.   Further reading Covert tapes expose One Nation turmoil, Rinehart influence claims Albanese defends Australia as climate leader after being pushed on world stage to do more   Cut through the noise of federal politics with host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal on Inside Politics, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, every Friday.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mood at the United Nations’ annual climate conference is often tense, even accusatory. But this year, the war with Iran is looming over the event, as is the prospect of US President Donald Trump, who has long championed fossil fuels, becoming the world’s accidental climate saviour. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on the hopeful progress we don’t often hear about, and why Australia has copped a serve at the talks.   Further reading: How Donald Trump could become an accidental climate saviour 35-by-35: A catchy slogan, a mammoth negotiation and a plan to save the world   The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your podcasts.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The end was months in the making, but David Jones’ eventual collapse was dramatic. High-end designers fled the store and shelves were stripped bare, while the jobs of thousands of staff suddenly hung in the balance. So does David Jones’ collapse into administration signal the end for the 188-year-old department store? Today, business reporters Colin Kruger and Jessica Yun on David Jones’ downfall and what happens next. Further reading: The billionaire who’s a winner from David Jones’ collapse Behind closed doors: Inside the $5 million meeting that sealed the downfall of David Jones   The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your podcasts.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Nation has gone from being a minor irritant to a major player and third-party force. But with power comes expectation and scrutiny. A joint investigation between our mastheads and 60 Minutes reveals allegations of links between a One Nation candidate and bikie figure, while a whistleblower who was part of the party’s inner sanctum described it as "weirdly incompetent" and "chaotic".Today, investigative journalist Nick McKenzie on who really wields power in this famously secretive party and whether the latest allegations will affect its popularity at the upcoming Victorian state election. Further reading ‘They don’t have a clue’: Covert tapes expose One Nation turmoil, Rinehart influence claims  ‘Really shady place’: Top adviser claims One Nation sacked him when he raised rapist, underworld concerns  The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your podcasts.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 35 years, political scientist Francis Fukuyama has tracked the evolution, vulnerabilities and psychological backlashes within liberal democracies to help us make sense of profound societal shifts. So, who better to help us understand the broader implications of the Democrats sweep to power within the arc of history. And where it might take all of us? Today, Francis Fukuyama, one of the 21st century’s most important thinkers, on the “mortifying” evolution of his country, under Donald Trump. Whether autocratic countries might inevitably become democratic. And the growing threat of nuclear warfare.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the 2026 McKinnon Index was released, and it showed what so many of us feel – that trust in federal politicians has fallen further – from 35.9 per cent of people to just 30.5 per cent, in one year.  The McKinnon Index is an annual survey that tracks public perceptions of Australian democracy, and this year’s is full of juicy insights.  Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss the findings is McKinnon Institute CEO and former South Australia Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close.   Further reading: We can’t accept a political culture that discourages good people from serving their communities Trust in politicians plunges, new polling shows, as education divide splits Australian voters   Cut through the noise of federal politics with host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal on Inside Politics, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, every Friday.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s official – a political blue tsunami has hit the United States, with the Democrats gaining control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This is seismic change, with wins in many states that have upended decades of political loyalty. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, discusses what this means for the US, whether "Trumpism" is dead, and if these results mark a national rebuke to the president, to billionaires, or if it’s something else altogether.    Further reading: Democrats sweep to power at midterms in rejection of Trump, Republicans   The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your podcasts.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry of over 11,000 Australians who’d been diagnosed with depression, researchers from University of Sydney have discovered about one in four participants met the criteria for what they’re calling "circadian depression." Today, lifestyle and health writer Sarah Berry on the sleep habits that may point to this type of depression, and how it can best be treated.   Further reading: New research may change the way many people with depression are treated   The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your podcasts.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank governor is expected to announce, today, the 17th rate rise under the Albanese government, in a bid to lower inflation.Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright on the risk of recession. And when we can likely expect these rises to stop.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Americans head to the polls tomorrow to vote in the pivotal mid-term elections, which many view largely as a referendum on President Donald Trump. Polls suggest voters are shifting away from Republicans amid high fuel prices and a perception the president is not focused on their needs.  But are the MAGA faithful still loyal to Trump?  Today, North America correspondent Michael Koziol shares what he’s gleaned from weeks on the campaign trail talking to voters from all over the country.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.