The Globalist — Trump’s ‘Unprecedented’ Second State Visit to the UK Begins

Podcast: The Globalist | Host: Monocle (Georgina Godwin)
Date: September 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode examines a day of global headlines, anchored around Donald Trump's "unprecedented" second state visit to the United Kingdom. The show explores the political calculations behind the state visit, its impact on the US-UK "special relationship," and the underlying optics driving both sides. Alongside this, the episode covers major global affairs: Israel's incursion into Gaza, leadership contest in Japan, elections in Malawi, and trends in fashion, travel, and media.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump's Second State Visit to the UK

[00:32–13:03]

Historic Context & Political Motives

• Unprecedented Invitation:
  • Trump is the first US President invited to two UK state visits; the move is described as both "very rare" and highly calculated (Robyn Lustig, [04:01]).
  • The invitation is less about tradition, more about ingratiation from a newly Labour-led UK government towards Trump after his recent re-election and Labour’s own landslide win.
  • "The British government was very anxious to find any way at all that it could ingratiate itself with him." — Robyn Lustig [04:19] • British priorities: to keep the ‘special relationship’ relevant and strong despite political differences. • Trump’s priorities: The pageantry and glamour of royal connections—"He's very keen on gold and glitter and bling. And we’ve got plenty of that, particularly at Windsor Castle." — Robyn Lustig [04:50]

Optics and Agenda Setting

• "It is all about the optics. It is all about the ceremony. This is a made for American breakfast television... a TV story." — Tom Rivers [05:28]
• The White House hints that behind closed doors, matters like Chagos Islands, UK-European recognition of Palestine, free speech, nuclear cooperation, and Ukraine may arise.
• The actual visit is designed more for visuals than substance, with key politics scheduled for a later joint press conference with PM Keir Starmer.

Public and Political Opposition

• Trump faces striking unpopularity in the UK, with 80% reportedly holding an unfavorable view ([07:40]).
• Protests are expected but will be held at bay by security at Windsor Castle and Chequers (PM's country residence).
• Embarrassment looms for both Trump and Starmer at the joint press conference, where questions about their respective associations with Jeffrey Epstein are anticipated to dominate.
  • "Both of these men would rather have anything else in focus rather than that." — Robyn Lustig [08:30]

Stakes for Starmer and UK Government

• Starmer seeks tangible wins—tech investment from Microsoft and Google—against a backdrop of his declining popularity.
• Trump isn’t under domestic political pressure, whereas Starmer “has something that he has to fight for… Will he be around by Christmas time?” — Tom Rivers [09:46]
• Trump holds the "best cards" since Starmer’s political future is uncertain.

Effect on Special Relationship

• The US-UK bond remains resilient regardless of political cycles: "Sometimes Washington and London are on the same page ... Sometimes they're on different pages. But ... the special relationship carries on." — Tom Rivers [12:08]
• Trump is expected to relish the royal visit, while tougher political conversations wait until the press conference and beyond.

2. Israel’s Ground Incursion into Gaza and UN Genocide Accusations

[13:03–20:19]

• The IDF has launched a significant ground assault on Gaza City amidst UN expert claims of genocide.
• Civilian suffering remains acute, with widespread destruction and growing food insecurity.
  • "What the assessment of experts has been that there is starvation going on... the prevention of the amount of food that is needed to sustain the population." — Janet Anderson [16:13]
• The legal bar for genocide is higher than that for war crimes or crimes against humanity, requiring proof of intent, which some experts find in Israeli public statements.
• The UK and other governments avoid labeling events as "genocide" until international courts rule—a process expected to take years.

3. European and Global News Roundup

[22:06–24:32]

The Vanishing Culture of Argument

• The death of Charlie Kirk and its link to a broader decline in civil debate is discussed via Bret Stephens’ New York Times essay.
  • "We've become such a divisive world that it's just about not listening to somebody else's point of view. It's about killing them." — Georgina Godwin [23:28]

Polish Property Migration in Response to War

• Poles are increasingly buying property in Spain and Bulgaria, driven by war fears and conscription avoidance.

Aviation and Travel

• Air Canada expands with long-range narrow-body aircraft, adding comfort for transatlantic flights, signaling changes in travel patterns.

4. Fashion Industry Trends

[31:54–33:27]

• A wave of designers—including Olivier Theyskens and Peter Do—are launching new brands, signaling renewed risk-taking as the luxury market slows and craves innovation.
  • "Now that the luxury market is slowing down and in need of fresh ideas, some creatives are ready to take the leap again." — Natalie Teodosi [32:30]

5. Asia and Africa: Leadership Contests and Elections

Japan’s LDP Leadership Election

[33:27–38:08]

• The ruling Liberal Democratic Party faces crucial leadership elections which will set the course for the next Prime Minister.
• Main contest between Shinjiro Koizumi and Sanae Takaichi, with internal party factions playing a decisive role.
• Likelihood that foreign policy (towards the US, China, and Korea) will shift depends on whether a centrist or hardliner wins.

Malawi’s High-Stakes Election

[38:08–43:03]

• Low voter turnout amid claims of irregularities.
• The public is torn between frustration over current economic hardship and historical corruption scandals of both leading candidates.
• Natural disasters have placed food security front and center in the electoral debate.

6. Brazil’s Next "Go-To" Travel Destination

[44:27–49:49]

• Lensois Maranhenses National Park highlighted as Brazil’s new must-visit site.
• Early hotelier Pierre Biden Mordeva recounts the park’s transition from isolated paradise to increasingly popular destination.
  • "Being in paradise alone was just incredible." — Pierre Biden Mordeva [45:21]
• The region remains magical despite booming tourism, with a focus on sustainable hospitality and unique local character.

7. Television and Media Shifts

[50:15–58:42]

Eurovision’s Political Trouble

• Spain may boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates—a move that would be significant due to Spain’s status as a major contributor.
• The show reflects the way global conflicts are playing out even in cultural spaces.

Sky’s Shift from Broadcasting to Streaming

• Sky announces 600 job cuts in the UK, pivoting further to streaming to compete with global giants.

The Emmys’ Ratings and Netflix’s Early “Streaming” Vision

• The 2025 Emmys saw increased viewership, attributed to the prominence of widely watched series.
• Reed Hastings’ vision for Netflix streaming, once judged “nuts,” has been vindicated as the company’s value soars over $500 billion.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "He’s very keen on gold and glitter and bling. And we’ve got plenty of that, particularly at Windsor Castle." — Robyn Lustig ([04:50])
• "It is all about the optics. It is all about the ceremony. This is a made for American breakfast television, if you will." — Tom Rivers ([05:28])
• "Proven? No. It's not a court of law... But, yes, your question's entirely right. Now, what does anybody do?" — Janet Anderson on allegations of Israeli genocide ([18:46])
• "We've become such a divisive world that it's just about not listening to somebody else's point of view. It's about killing them." — Georgina Godwin ([23:28])
• "Being in paradise alone was just incredible." — Pierre Biden Mordeva on early days at Lensois Maranhenses ([45:21])
• "Ted Sarandos was a little bit dubious... He did accept the job... The company that Reed Hastings said will exist does exist and is now worth more than $500 billion." — Scott Bryan ([57:56])
• "Sometimes Washington and London are on the same page... Sometimes they're on different pages. But... the special relationship carries on." — Tom Rivers ([12:08])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:32–13:03 — Trump’s second UK state visit: context, motives, optics, opposition.
• 13:03–20:19 — Israeli incursion into Gaza and UN accusations of genocide.
• 22:06–24:32 — Free speech, polarized debate, Polish property market, Air Canada expansion.
• 31:54–33:27 — Fashion industry’s new risk-taking wave.
• 33:27–38:08 — Japanese politics: LDP leadership race.
• 38:08–43:03 — Malawi’s pivotal election.
• 44:27–49:49 — Brazil’s emerging tourism hotspot.
• 50:15–58:42 — Eurovision, changes at Sky, Emmy ratings, Netflix’s streaming future.

Overall Tone

The conversation is dynamic, insightful and brisk, mixing geopolitics with culture and business, and reflecting Monocle’s editorial style: global, analytical, conversational, and plugged into both elite and popular currents.

This summary captures the episode’s main themes, discussion points, and memorable soundbites, offering a clear guide through a busy day of world affairs on The Globalist.