Are US Politicians Too Old? | Global News Podcast

July 14, 2026 | The death of the longtime Repblican senator Lindsey Graham at the age of 71, and the hospitalisation of his 84-year-old colleague Mitch McConnell, have raised new questions about the advanced age of America's political leaders.

President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday last month - becoming just the second octogenarian president after Joe Biden. Several lawmakers are even older, including 84-year-old Bernie Sanders, 86-year-old Nancy Pelosi, and 92-year-old Chuck Grassley.

And while the likes of Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are still in their 40s, the age in the Senate is around 65 - a time of life when most Americans have retired.

We ask the BBC's Washington correspondent Daniel Bush about the benefits and drawbacks of an elder political class, why voters choose old age pensioners to represent them, and who may lead the US into the future, as some of its most powerful politicians near the ends of their careers.


Are American politicians too old? What a silly question! Of course they are too old! Most of them are geriatrics! In fact, America is a gerontocracy! An oligarchic, corrupt, gerontocracy! The super-corrupt Geriatric-in-Chief is the Orange Mussolini! Not only is he old and corrupt, he suffers from brain-rot too! — © Mark Alexander

The Revival of Spain's Dictator Franco? | DW Documentary

July 14, 2026 | Ninety years ago, a coup against the Spanish Republic led to Francisco Franco's dictatorship. Today, many people of all ages in Spain are romanticizing that regime, a trend fuelled by the far-right political party Vox.

After Franco's death in 1975, Spain's democracy was established based on the Amnesty Law of 1977, which shielded Franco-era agents and officials from prosecution. But victims are still demanding justice and compensation.

Today, there are two opposing narratives: One is based on a duty to tell the truth, while the other uses nostalgia to revive a former authoritarian system of government.

Between the ruling left-wing coalition, right wing parties and the far right, there appears to be no path forward to reconcile conflicting views of Franco's legacy. Against the backdrop of this political divide, even some young people long for the old order under Franco.

Right-wing populists are exploiting this trend to once again call democracy into question — especially the far-right party Vox, whose influence is growing among voters.


WIKIPEDIA: Francisco Franco »

Democracy Now! Top US & World Headlines

July 14, 2026

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Britain’s Inequality Problem...And How To Solve It | How To Get Filthy Rich | Channel 4 Docs

Jul 12, 2026 | Ex-trader, economist and social media sensation Gary Stevenson says the growing wealth gap is the root of many of the UK’s problems. And he knows what to do about it: tax the filthy rich.

WARNING: This documentary contains strong language.

Democracy Now! Top US & World Headlines

July 13, 2026

Democracy Now! can be supported here.

US Iran Talks Face Persistent Impasse

July 11, 2026 | Bloomberg Economics analysts Becca Wasser and Dina Esfandiary say the US and Iran remain far apart on key issues, with intermittent strikes and negotiations likely to define the conflict for the foreseeable future. They say technical talks on Iran's nuclear program are a constructive step, but disputes over the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions and implementation of the memorandum of understanding continue to hinder progress.

The Trillionaire Is Here: What Happens Next?

Jul 11, 2026 | Elon Musk has become the world’s first trillionaire following SpaceX’s record-breaking IPO, creating a fortune unlike anything seen in modern history.

Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman and Yale economist Natasha Sarin argue the milestone is about far more than one entrepreneur’s wealth—it reflects how today’s economy rewards ownership of rapidly-appreciating assets, and exposes the limits of a tax system designed more than a century ago.

Bloomberg wealth reporter Ben Steverman notes that while America has seen fortunes of comparable economic influence before, the concentration of wealth in today’s technology sector has reignited debates over taxation, political influence, inequality, and whether capitalism can continue rewarding innovation without widening the gap between the very richest Americans and everyone else.

Americans Are NOT Wealthy: The Truth about the US Economy

Juyl 11, 2026 | Many western economists and media outlets claim that Americans are wealthier than Europeans, but this is not true; it's based on a misunderstanding of the difference between average wealth and median wealth.

Ben Norton explains how the extreme inequality in the US make its average wealth misleadingly look high, and why GDP per capita is not a good measurement. He debunks the myth of "Europoors", which is often spread by Donald Trump supporters.

Rob Groves: Farage's Runaway Gravy Train Derails

July 11, 2026 | Nigel Farage built his entire brand on being the one honest man taking on a corrupt establishment.

This week, the facts underneath Reform UK's accounts tell a very different story: an undisclosed £5m gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, a convicted fraudster acting as the party's unofficial treasurer, money routed through a renamed company and an Australian currency exchange nobody can trace, deputy leader Richard Tice's murky Dubai property deal, and Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick under active Metropolitan Police investigation over an allegedly illegal foreign donation.

Meanwhile Farage has triggered a pointless by-election in Clacton, running unopposed against novelty candidate Count Binface, in a transparent bid to dodge the scrutiny closing in from the parliamentary standards commissioner, the Met, the National Crime Agency and his own furious donors.

Gavin Newsom: We Need a National Tax on Billionaires. Here's Why

June 26, 2026 | It's time for a national billionaires tax and a new social contract.

10% of Americans own two-thirds of the wealth.

Wages have stagnated. The cost of living has skyrocketed. The system is fundamentally broken.

The federal tax code, a corporate code, and an inheritance code were written for a different set of Americans.

It’s time for an economic reset.


Earlier generations would have had a revolution by now. Have they gone out of fashion? Or will they come back into fashion?

By the way, fort hat “trickle-down economics” Gavin Newsom spoke of, we can thank the Old Gipper and Maggie for selling that crap to the public. — © Mark Alexander

Vendepatrias: These Leaders Are Selling Out Their Countries for Money

Ben Norton gives us the low down on these traitors.

Cadbury Changed Their Recipe for Australia. Here's What They're Still Putting in Yours

Cadbury removed palm oil from Dairy Milk for Australian consumers after public complaints forced a recipe reversal. Your bar still contains it.

Here's why that happened — and what it's costing you. The same company. The same bar. Different ingredients depending on where you live — and different standards depending on how much consumers push back.

In this video I break down: — What palm oil replaced in Dairy Milk and why it changes the product — Why Cadbury reversed the decision in Australia but kept it in the UK recipe — The margin mechanics behind the substitution — and what you're actually paying for — How UK food labelling rules allow this to happen legally

This isn't about one chocolate bar. It's about the same pattern repeated across the UK food supply — quiet ingredient changes, same packaging, same price, smaller product for you and larger margin for them.

I'm Ben. I'm a working farmer, a primary producer. I don't supply supermarkets. That gives me a very clear view of where quality is lost in the food chain. It's rarely at the farm. It's in the decisions made in corporate boardrooms by people who have never grown, raised, or processed the food they're selling you.


I stopped buying Cadbury’s chocolate a long time ago. I noticed a change in the taste, though I didn’t know why. I always buy real chocolate: Swiss chocolate. Or Belgian chocolate. British chocolate isn’t real chocolate at all. And most foods that come from America is of poor quality anyway. — © Mark Alexander

Trump's Iran War Is 'an Absolutely Stupid Adventure' | Patrick Sigler-Lathrop

July 9, 2026 | Patrick Sigler-Lathrop joins Amy Kellogg to discuss Trump's renewed Iran conflict, the future of NATO and whether Europe can rely on the U.S. anymore. They also examine Trump's $2.2 billion windfall, accusations of "gross corruption," why he continues to resonate with voters, and what the 2026 midterms could mean for the rest of his presidency.

Trump wouldn't sell anything to me, I can assure this gentleman. I find Trump a complete and utter turn-off! — © Mark Alexander

Carol Thatcher: The Tories Stabbed My Mother in the Back; It Stayed with Her | The Daily T

Oct 17, 2025 | This week marks 100 years since the birth of former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - one of the most influential figures in modern British politics.

In this exclusive interview for The Daily T podcast, Camilla and Tim sit down with her daughter, Carol Thatcher, to explore what it was like growing up with Britain’s first female Prime Minister.

Carol offers a rare, personal insight into life inside Number 10 Downing Street, sharing intimate stories of her mother’s work ethic, her approach to power, and the personal side of a political icon. She reflects on how Thatcher’s leadership continues to inspire female politicians, the political fallout after the Tories ousted her, and why her mother still holds a near-mythic status within the Conservative Party.

‘We Are Ready to Defend Every Inch…’: Denmark PM Dares Trump over Greenland at NATO

July 8, 2026 | Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addresses renewed questions over Greenland at the NATO Summit, reaffirming sovereignty, invoking NATO’s collective defense pledge, and outlining Europe’s security priorities on Ukraine and rearmament. Her remarks come amid fresh scrutiny of Donald Trump’s stance on Greenland and underscore the alliance’s commitment to territorial integrity.

Groenland : Trump mécontent de l’Otan, le Danemark réaffirme que son territoire « n’est pas à vendre »

LE FIGARO : La première ministre danoise Mette Frederiksen a réaffirmé que le Groenland « n’est pas à vendre », en réponse au président américain qui estime que ce territoire autonome danois devrait être placé sous le contrôle des États-Unis.

« Le Groenland n'est bien évidemment pas à vendre », a réaffirmé mercredi la première ministre danoise Mette Frederiksen au sommet de l'Otan à Ankara, en réponse à de nouvelles déclarations de Donald Trump. « J'ai entendu le président américain hier, et je pense que la position des États-Unis est malheureusement très claire sur ce sujet, et notre position est tout aussi claire depuis le début: le Groenland n'est bien évidemment pas à vendre », a-t-elle dit devant la presse à son arrivée. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 8 juillet 2026

Trump Orders US to Cut All Trade with Spain

Screenshot taken from this Telegraph article. | Donald Trump said the US would cut off all trade with Spain Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images
THE TELEGRAPH: Donald Trump has ordered the US to cut off all trade with Spain, calling it a “terrible partner” in Nato.

The US president said he had told Scott Bessent, his treasury secretary, to cease trade with the country, accusing it of failing to contribute enough to the alliance.

Speaking alongside Mark Rutte, Nato’s general secretary, at a press conference in Turkey, Mr Trump said on Wednesday: “Spain is a terrible partner in Nato. They don’t participate. They don’t pay. I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits.

“Don’t even talk to them. They’re hopeless, bad people.” » | Chris Price | Markets Editor | Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Nanny: Give the child its rattle and dummy — be quick! © Mark Alexander

Gary Stevenson Says Britain Is FINISHED Unless We Fix This Problem

July 6, 2026

What Drives Donald Trump’s Delusion that He Rules the World | 60 Minutes Australia

July 5, 2026 | Think you know what Donald Trump is really like? Think again. Insiders reveal extraordinary details of what goes on in the Oval Office.

Zum 250. Unabhängigkeitstag der USA haben viele wenig Lust zu feiern, so Sandra Navidi | ntv

July 5, 2026 | Zum 250. Unabhängigkeitstag der Vereinigten Staaten haben viele im Land wenig Lust zu feiern, konstatiert Sandra Navidi. Donald Trumps rigoros-nationalistische Politik vertieft die politischen Gräben immer mehr, so die USA- und Finanzexpertin.

Donald Trump ist der dümmste Präsident der USA, den es je gegeben hat. Der dümmste, der gierigste und der unehrlichste. Und die Einfältigen saugen das alles begierig auf. — © Mark Alexander