Trumpery, pageantry and the ‘special relationship’
Political Fix19 Sep 2025

Trumpery, pageantry and the ‘special relationship’

President Donald Trump landed in Windsor this week for his historic second state visit to the UK. What ensued was a celebration of pomp and pageantry fit for a king: a Red Arrows flyby, a lavish banquet in a castle, and a press conference at Chequers – during which the president continually heaped praise on the ‘special relationship’. Was this display of UK soft power just symbolic sycophancy, or has it resulted in some real substance? Host George Parker – fresh from the prime minister’s country residence – is joined by Jim Pickard, David Sheppard, and Robert Shrimsley to discuss the dynamics of the ‘special relationship’, the £150bn tech prosperity deal, and whether the prime minister managed to move the dial on the president’s peace keeping efforts. Plus: the panel looks forward to the Liberal Democrat party conference this weekend.


Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker or Bluesky: @georgewparker.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social; David @oilsheppard.bsky.social; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social


What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com


Want more? Free links:


Donald Trump soaks up glory of his second state visit


What investments did the UK secure during Trump’s state visit?


Trump tells Starmer to use military to stop illegal migration to Britain


Donald Trump’s adventures in Windsorland


Double standards and the problem with bending to Trump


Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer


Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(573)

Theresa's Tory conference challenges and Whitehall's plan for Brexit

Theresa's Tory conference challenges and Whitehall's plan for Brexit

With George Parker, Janan Ganesh, Sarah Gordon and James Blitz of the Financial Times. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Okt 201626min

US election countdown: Apathy in North Carolina and the Florida ground game

US election countdown: Apathy in North Carolina and the Florida ground game

Will apathy for Hillary Clinton among black voters in North Carolina help Donald Trump in the southern state? How are the Republican and Democratic ground games working in Florida to secure turnout on...

29 Sep 201617min

What next for Labour and whither George Osborne?

What next for Labour and whither George Osborne?

With George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Jim Pickard of the FT and John McTernan, political strategist and former Tony Blair aide. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy ...

24 Sep 201629min

US election countdown: Terror and race come to the fore

US election countdown: Terror and race come to the fore

Bombings in New York and New Jersey, and riots in North Carolina have thrust issues of national security, the use of force by police and race into the spotlight. FT reporters discuss how responses fro...

23 Sep 201615min

Green light for Hinkley and political exit for Cameron

Green light for Hinkley and political exit for Cameron

With George Parker, Philip Stephens and Jim Pickard of the Financial Times. Presented by Sebastian Payne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Sep 201621min

US election countdown: Medical watch and a tamed Trump

US election countdown: Medical watch and a tamed Trump

Has Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway successfully tamed the Republican candidate? Will Hillary Clinton's comments on Trump's "deplorable" supporters help or hinder her campaign? And why is the ...

15 Sep 201610min

Tricky Brexit decisions and the return of grammar schools

Tricky Brexit decisions and the return of grammar schools

With George Parker, Chris Giles, Miranda Green and Helen Warrell of the Financial Times. Presented by Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Sep 201626min

US election countdown: A trip to the Mexican border

US election countdown: A trip to the Mexican border

Why has immigration become such a sticking point in the presidential election at a time when fewer and fewer Mexicans are coming to the US? The FT's Demetri Sevastopulo and Courtney Weaver discuss thi...

9 Sep 201612min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
i-retten
forklart
stopp-verden
popradet
fotballpodden-2
det-store-bildet
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-gukild-johaug
bt-dokumentar-2
hanna-de-heldige
aftenbla-bla
nokon-ma-ga
rss-ness
e24-podden
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
frokostshowet-pa-p5
chit-chat-med-helle