As Trump takes a sledgehammer to American democracy, Australia’s leader snagged a selfie – and a one-on-one meeting in October. How that will go is anyone’s guess. 

On this episode of After America, Charlie Lewis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the apparent obsession of Anthony Albanese’s opponents with that bilateral meeting, the transformation of the Republican Party under Trump, and how Australia’s political landscape is being influenced by MAGA.  

This episode was recorded on Thursday 25 September. 

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. 

Guest: Charlie Lewis, reporter-at-large, Crikey // @theshufflediary 

Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis 

Show notes: 

Welcome to the new McCarthyism by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (September 2025) 

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. 

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