Corporate consolidation and media consequences

In this episode, Justin and Anthony look at other news stories happening in the United States, away from the US-Israel war with Iran.

Anthony is in Dallas, Texas, for the first big primary elections of this year’s midterms, where Democrats have now chosen rising star James Talarico to be their candidate. It’s been over thirty years since a Democrat in Texas has won a US senate seat, so what does Talarico’s victory tell us about how Democrats might push back against Trump and Republicans more widely in 2026?

We also listen to newly released video of the Clintons testifying about links to the disgraced child sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. They were giving evidence behind closed doors as part of a Congressional investigation into Epstein. The team discuss what we learnt (if anything) and who could be next to face questions about their links to the convicted sex offender?

Plus, new worries over the future of CNN because of an imminent change in ownership, to the media giant Paramount Skydance, which scooped up CBS last year, and has close links to the Trump administration.

And why has video of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem being grilled by both Democrats and Republicans over the actions of ICE agents, and the killing of American citizens, gone viral?

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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