Tue 18 Nov 2025 09.00
The White House/Flickr
By negotiating an end to the government shutdown without getting anything much in return, some Democrats have gone back to their old trick of resisting the President by giving him exactly what he needs.
On this episode of After America, Crikey’s Charlie Lewis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Congress’ failure to extend life-saving health insurance tax credits, Trump’s inability to make the Epstein files go away, and whether there is evidence of US involvement in the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.
This discussion was recorded on Friday 14 November.
Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is available now via Australia Institute Press.
Guest: Charlie Lewis, Reporter-at-large, Crikey // @theshufflediary
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
Shorter America: Opposing Trump, trouble in paradise, the American elite by Emma Shortis, The Point (November 2025)
The Democrats were winning the shutdown. So naturally, they caved by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025)
Did the CIA overthrow the Whitlam government? by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025)
What Washington really thought of Whitlam before the dismissal by James Curran, Australia Financial Review (November 2025)
Photo: The White House/Flickr (U.S. Government work)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.
The Democrats have been criticised for “caving” to Donald Trump to end the longest government shutdown in US history, but political pundits believe the move may be part of a deliberate long-game strategy.
As China shapes the world, who are the people shaping China?
Soaring costs of living and the nation’s longest government shutdown have fueled fierce voter backlash against US President Donald Trump with the Democrats being handed sweeping victories in multiple state elections.
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.
