The Rest Is Politics – Episode 463
Question Time: How Truth Became Optional In Trump’s America
Hosts: Alastair Campbell & Rory Stewart
Date: October 30, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of The Rest Is Politics dives deep into the contemporary crisis of truth in politics, focusing extensively on Donald Trump’s America and the erosion of constitutional norms and civic trust in the U.S. The discussion moves from the implications of Trump's ongoing influence, both domestically and internationally, to reflections on British politics, mental health, and rural communities. Alastair and Rory probe the complex dynamics of power, democracy, media, and optimism in the current political landscape, offering both incisive critique and hopeful stories.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump, Truth, and American Democracy
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The ‘Demolition of the East Wing’ & Erosion of Norms
- Trump’s disregard for American traditions (e.g., architecturally altering the White House) is seen as symbolic of his “do whatever the hell he wants” approach ([02:14], Alastair).
- The lack of consequence after the January 6th Capitol attack is highlighted as a troubling signal about American democracy ([02:59], Alastair).
“...the way that they're talking up the troubles that they expect around the midterms, more National Guards going to more cities...the fact that it [January 6th] isn’t [career-ending] means that we should be very, very worried about some of these other things...”
— Alastair Campbell [02:14] -
Republican Party's Alignment with Trump
- Most senior Republicans have signed onto “the big lie,” and those complicit still dominate party leadership ([03:33], Rory).
- Trump’s politics (and that of his deputy, Stephen Miller, and Vance) are increasingly defined by “power, force and violence, not laws and process” ([04:50], Rory).
“...what matters is power, force and violence, not laws and process. And that’s the kind of big overall theme that we see again and again.”
— Rory Stewart [04:50] -
Weaponization of the Department of Justice
- The DOJ, once prized for its independence, is now a “weaponized instrument of Trump’s state,” with direct interference in corruption cases and targeting of enemies ([05:16], Rory).
- Norms are being shattered, unlike the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service, which remains independent.
2. Media, Murdoch, and Political Influence
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Rupert Murdoch & Fox News
- Discussion of a new Rest Is Politics Plus series on Murdoch, with the thesis that without Murdoch there would be no Fox News, and without Fox News, no Trump ([11:33], Alastair).
- Trump’s ability to co-opt Fox News for his own influence, despite Murdoch’s personal disdain for him, is explored ([11:33], Alastair).
“...without Murdoch, there is no Fox News and without Fox News, there is no Trump.”
— Alastair Campbell, quoting Michael Wolff [11:33] -
Social Media & Political Instability
- The rise of anti-establishment figures like Zora Mamdani in New York is credited in part to social media, which has enabled outsiders to circumvent party structures and traditional media ([14:28], Rory).
3. International Perspective & the Illusion of Stability
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Elites' Failure to Fight Back
- Rory suggests that American institutions have not shown the resilience many expected in standing up to Trump ([08:18], Rory).
“...these American elites are much less self-confident...than people thought. The universities haven’t really stood up. The media hasn’t really stood up. The financial community hasn’t really stood up...”
— Rory Stewart [08:18] -
Polling Surprises and ‘Independent’ Surges
- Unexpected election results (Argentina’s Milei and New York’s Mamdani) serve as reminders of expert fallibility ([14:28], Rory).
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Happiness as Political Predictor
- Recent research cited shows that voter happiness is a stronger predictor for voting behaviour than any demographic or economic variable ([14:28], Rory).
4. British Politics, Rural Life & Rory’s New Book
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Dispatches from The Borders (“Middleland”)
- Rory’s new book collects years of dispatches reflecting on rural Cumbria and broader questions about the “good life” in modern Britain, offering a counterweight to the high drama of national and global politics ([20:11], Alastair; [24:54], Rory).
- Discussion covers rural identity, the disconnect of metropolitan policymakers, landscape, and rootedness.
“...I suppose it’s about, as an mp, what a relief it is to have an area of the country where you can really have a feeling that people are rooted somewhere, that the landscape matters.”
— Rory Stewart [24:54] -
Challenges Facing Rural Communities
- Labour’s lack of understanding of rural communities is highlighted ([26:45], Bobby Bowers’ question; [26:52], Rory).
- The impact of Brexit, trade deals, and policy (especially on small farm viability and inheritance taxes) is discussed ([30:00], Rory).
“...in the end, these small family farms...what really is wrecking them and taking them down now is Brexit took away the single farm payment...Australian trade deal...Labour government...inheritance tax...”
— Rory Stewart [30:00] -
Land Ownership Changes
- Large-scale buying up of farms by wealthy individuals and charities for rewilding and carbon credits is reshaping rural England ([32:22], Rory).
5. Mental Health, Inspiration & Optimism
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Marcus Skeet’s Story
- The hosts share the remarkable mental health journey of Marcus Skeet, a teenager who overcame serious adversity and has become a leading fundraiser for the charity Mind ([33:29], Rahima Figueiredo’s question; [34:49], Alastair).
“If anything bad happens, try to get something good out of it. I think that’s what fuels a lot of people who work for charities. And I try to do that in my own life.”
— Alastair Campbell [36:24] -
Stigma, Treatment, and Stories of Hope
- Alastair bravely shares his own experience with depression and alcoholism, underscoring the power of therapy, openness, and the need for active, continuous recovery ([36:24], Alastair).
- Both hosts advocate for greater government ambition on mental health policy ([36:24], Alastair).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Trump and Constitutional Norms:
“He feels he can do whatever the hell he wants in whichever way he wants.”
— Alastair Campbell [02:14] -
On the Elites’ Failure:
“Almost nobody from finance to or certainly Congress seems to be fighting back.”
— Rory Stewart [08:18] -
On Fox News and Trump:
“He became the bigger voice within Fox, and according to Michael, Murdoch, despises Trump, thinks that he’s basically stupid, thinks that he’s very dangerous, but the Fox became so important to his business empire that he had to go along with it.”
— Alastair Campbell [11:33] -
On Social Media and Instability:
“It’s a very unstable world.”
— Rory Stewart [14:28] -
On Mental Health Recovery:
“Admission of ‘I can’t do this on my own’ was the first step.”
— Alastair Campbell [36:24] -
On Happiness and Voting Behaviour:
“If you are somebody who says that you are more unhappy than happy with your life, it’s the most reliable predictor that you will vote for Trump...”
— Rory Stewart [14:28] -
On Rural Life and Belonging:
“I found in Cumbria it was a place where it was possible to sort of define what the good life might be like...”
— Rory Stewart [24:54]
Important Timestamps
- [01:45] — Start of substantive episode: Question Time begins
- [02:14] — Alastair on Trump’s psychology & January 6th
- [03:33] — Rory on Republican support & erosion of constitutional norms
- [05:16] — Weaponization of the Department of Justice
- [08:18] — Christine Doyle’s question: “Is America headed for civil war?”
- [09:17] — Protests and New York’s Zora Mamdani discussed
- [11:33] — Discussion on Murdoch, Fox News, and their relationship to Trump
- [14:28] — Surprising elections, social media’s destabilizing effect, and happiness as voting predictor
- [20:11] — Rory’s new book “Dispatches from the Borders” (“Middleland”) introduced
- [26:45] — Rural issues: Labour’s understanding and the plight of family farms
- [33:29] — Uplifting mental health story of Marcus Skeet and broader discussion on mental health policy
- [36:24] — Alastair’s personal reflection on mental health and strategies for recovery
- [39:38] — Concluding tone: optimism and historical anecdotes about Cumbria
Episode Tone and Style
The discussion balances critical, sometimes urgent analysis (especially on Trump and threats to democracy) with their characteristic wit, personal storytelling, and a consistent commitment to hope and pragmatic optimism—most notably through the rural and mental health sections.
Conclusion
This episode provides a rich, multidimensional analysis of how “truth became optional” in modern politics, using Trump’s America as a focal point but consistently drawing illuminating parallels and lessons for the UK. The interplay between violent politics and the resilience (or lack thereof) of democratic institutions is offset by grounded stories from British rural life, the media’s complex role in shaping democracy, and the power of hope in the face of personal and collective adversity. For listeners in search of both insight and optimism, The Rest Is Politics delivers a thought-provoking, engaged conversation.