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).
As Donald Trump boasts about his newly renovated marble bathroom and its chandelier over the toilet, Australians are growing increasingly concerned and confused about the nation’s $386 billion investment into the AUKUS nuclear-submarine deal.
Australia is one of twelve countries that will participate, and the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme – which experts say puts participants at risk of modern slavery – is a key part of the agenda.
New research has revealed that just 8% of Australians strongly agree that Australia “shares values” with Donald Trump’s United States.
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.
