It isn’t always easy to keep up with what’s happening in the US. ‘Shorter America” is a weekly column where Dr Emma Shortis loops you in on what’s going on in America and shares news and analysis that you can trust.
Mon 10 Nov 2025 11.00
Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coco
Last week marked the first anniversary of Trump’s election to the American presidency – for the second time. It also marked the first big electoral test for the second Trump administration. In New York City, California, New Jersey and Virginia, American voters sent Trump and Republicans a clear message.
This week:
So many takes! The best ones will take a while to come out (let’s be honest, we’re all just waiting for Fintan O’Toole to work his magic).
In the meantime, I found this analysis by Stephen Fowler on NPR really interesting for two reasons: first, it outlines some significant results in much smaller scale elections that don’t get national attention – things like city council seats. And they’re telling quite the story.
I read that alongside this Mother Jones piece by Ari Berman, which argues (I think rightly) that voters are rejecting the Trump administration’s attacks on American democracy. Lots of takes are arguing that this is all an “It’s the economy, stupid!” election result, which is true, but I think voters make more complicated decisions than that.
The second reason I found that NPR piece arresting is summed up in this quote:
“Polling shows the Democratic Party is historically unpopular, but at polling places this year voters have helped the party overperform in elections against the backdrop of President Trump’s even less popular policies.”
Yikes.
The MAGA-verse is, unsurprisingly, losing its mind over a self-declared “democratic socialist” with a name like “Zohran Mamdani” winning an election. It has already been in-fighting over Tucker Carlson (who had, as the Guardian described it, a “Hitler fan” on his podcast), and these election results have sent them into a bit of a tailspin. If you’ve got the stomach for it, this Mother Jones piece by Kiera Butler does a great job of outlining the reaction. Tl;dr: it’s a horrible swamp of racism and misogyny.
The Trump administration is now overseeing the longest federal government shutdown in American history. That’s having widespread, rolling effects – to take just one example, 40 million people are not receiving their full SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. That’s money that helps vulnerable people buy food. BUT don’t worry – Trump’s making Ozempic, a weight loss drug, cheaper! I thought Kate Manne’s take on this was excellent (and highly recommend subscribing to Manne’s newsletter).
In the years since the 2020 introduction Hong Kong’s National Security Law, press freedom has slowly been limited. Lai’s conviction symbolises its end.
It isn’t always easy to keep up with what’s happening in the US. ‘Shorter America' is a series where Dr Emma Shortis loops you in on what’s going on in America and shares news and analysis that you can trust.
Australia’s allegiance to the US is being tested as the Trump administration faces accusations of illegal military action and escalating national security recklessness.
It does suggest that there’s something odd happening when the BBC’s fabled Goon Show provides the script for the AUSMIN talks just concluded in Washington.
