The Rest Is Politics – Episode 482: A Trumpian Year, the Politics of Hope, and Highlights of 2025

Release Date: December 25, 2025
Hosts: Alastair Campbell & Rory Stewart

Overview

In this Christmas Day special, Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart look back on a turbulent 2025, trading reflections on global affairs and personal highlights with their trademark blend of sharp analysis and gentle banter. The episode balances a sombre review of Donald Trump’s impact in his second term as US President with lighter discussions—ranging from Campbell’s love of bagpipes and trees to favourite books, movies, and campaigners of the year. This annual round-up encapsulates the podcast’s ethos: disagreeing agreeably, dissecting politics with both seriousness and heart, and sharing personal and cultural recommendations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Assessing Trump’s Second Presidency

Timestamp: 02:46 – 05:17

• Campbell’s Reaction:
  • “Even though I knew that it was going to be awful, is just how awful the first year of the Trump presidency has been... Far better organized than the first time, far more extreme, far more truly terrible things going on that you almost can't keep up with them.” (Alastair Campbell, 02:46)
  • Specifics: undermining the rule of law, harmful ICE budget shifts, contradictory Ukraine policies, and unpredictable engagement with world leaders.
• Stewart’s Analysis:
  • Observes Trump’s unpredictability (“Trump is surprising. I mean, in a horrible way.” 03:22), noting India and Israel’s dashed expectations for US policy continuity.
  • The reality TV show dynamic: "He just has to go, I hate him. I love him. I hate him. I love him. In order to keep the narrative going." (Rory Stewart, 04:49)
  • Observes how even “titans of American finance… are consistently wrong in their predictions about Trump.” (Rory Stewart, 04:07)

2. Personal Highlights of the Year

Timestamp: 05:23 – 09:23

• Campbell’s Top Moments:
  • Being named captain in a Sarajevo youth sports match, with Luka Modric on his team.
  • Playing bagpipes to his favourite tree for the Woodland Trust’s exhibition—“the most beautiful day… in the Scottish Highlands.” (Alastair Campbell, 06:58)
• Stewart’s Favourite Memory:
  • Morning walks with his children for croissants and coffee: “Just a really lovely time… very precious.” (Rory Stewart, 09:14)

3. Books of the Year

Timestamp: 09:23 – 13:22

• Campbell’s Picks:
  • If Russia Wins by Carlo Masala—“It just sets out this amazing story and it really is gripping and it feels very, very, very realistic.” (Alastair Campbell, 09:28)
  • A self-published novel by Robin Coupland about an AI companion—“It’s absolutely brilliant... an AI companion just becomes ever more important in his life.” (10:01)
  • Bagpipes: A Cultural History by Richard McLaughlin.
• Stewart’s Recommendations:
  • Gives a nod to his own book, Middleland, “positive, optimistic stories of the British countryside.” (Rory Stewart, 11:13)
  • Carla's Choice and Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway (John le Carré’s son)—noted for exploring the sense of cultural time freezing.
  • Empire of AI by Karen Howe—exploring the egos and histories behind AI.
  • Spiritual podcasts and books by Rowan Williams and Father Zacharias.
  • Notebook of a Wandering Monk by Matthieu Ricard—“This is really his diary and it’s astonishing…” (Rory Stewart, 13:26)

4. Film & TV of the Year

Timestamp: 14:34 – 17:18

• Film:
  • Campbell: The Ballad of Wallace Island—“Very funny… It’s rich. It's got beautiful music, beautiful scenery, and I loved it.” (Alastair Campbell, 15:20)
  • Stewart: Nuremberg — “If you really want to understand evil and charisma, Russell Crowe as Hermann Goering.” (Rory Stewart, 16:17)
• TV:
  • Campbell: Slow Horses (winner), with Blue Lights as runner-up—a nuanced police thriller set in Northern Ireland.
  • Stewart: The Diplomat—noting its prescience about current geopolitics.

5. Favourite New Place Visited

Timestamp: 19:06 – 20:49

• Campbell:
  • The bathing pools at La Valette, Guernsey—“The pool itself was absolutely beautiful… amazing views out from the sauna.” (Alastair Campbell, 19:55)
• Stewart:
  • The “Rainbow River” in central Colombia—“Literally the river is this kind of insane rainbow color… magical Colombia.” (Rory Stewart, 20:49)

6. Cultural Events of the Year

Timestamp: 20:56 – 24:45

• Campbell:
  • Refurbished Notre Dame in Paris: “An amazing transformation.”
  • Hockney exhibition in Paris—“One of the best art exhibitions I’ve ever been to.”
  • National Theatre’s filmed play The Fifth Step: “Absolutely amazing… beautifully filmed… you can actually see the actors’ faces, you get a lot of what they do.” (Alastair Campbell, 22:31)
• Stewart:
  • Marie Antoinette exhibition at the V&A—“A heart-wrenching experience… makes you think of so many celebrities who are kind of built up and then smashed down by public opinion…” (Rory Stewart, 22:52)
  • Craft exhibitions by Turquoise Mountain supporting artisans from Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria—“Craftspeople from conflict zones… beauty, pride, production.”

7. Campaigner of the Year

Timestamp: 24:52 – 26:23

• Campbell:
  • Zoran Mamdani, newly prominent New York politician: “He's literally gone from zero to being a global figure… He's done it through being a brilliant campaigner.” (Alastair Campbell, 25:00)
• Stewart:
  • UK’s anonymous campaigners for prostate cancer testing—citing David Cameron’s diagnosis and the life-saving public awareness impact: “Let’s drive through these tests. It will make a huge difference… and it will save a lot of lives.” (Rory Stewart, 25:40)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Trump’s unpredictability:
  “They really think they know him well. And every four weeks he does something which they absolutely assure me that he won’t do.” (Rory Stewart, 04:07)
• On reality TV politics:
  “The only way of explaining why… is that he’s running the equivalent of a reality TV show.” (Rory Stewart, 04:49)
• On cultural memory:
  “The 1940s feel much more different to 1980 than 1980 does to today… fashion, music, food, culture and British productivity.” (Rory Stewart, 12:55)
• On art and beauty during adversity:
  “Palestinians in unbelievable difficult situations creating glorious glassware, jewelry, cups. And it’s a sign of economic development working conflict zones, but also just beauty pride production.” (Rory Stewart, 24:25)
• On public health campaigning:
  “Let’s drive through these tests… it will save a lot of lives.” (Rory Stewart, 26:15)

Structured Breakdown with Timestamps

| Segment | Main Highlights | Timestamps | |---------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------| | Assessing Trump’s 2nd Year | Global unpredictability, | 02:46 – 05:17 | | | implications for diplomacy | | | Personal Year Highlights | Football, trees, family | 05:23 – 09:23 | | Books of the Year | Politics, AI, bagpipes, | 09:23 – 13:22 | | | literature and spirituality | | | Films & TV | Political drama, comedy, | 14:34 – 17:18 | | | British police thriller | | | Best New Place Visited | Guernsey, Colombia’s rivers | 19:06 – 20:49 | | Cultural Events | Notre Dame, Hockney, | 20:56 – 24:45 | | | Marie Antoinette, crafts | | | Campaigners of the Year | Zoran Mamdani, prostate | 24:52 – 26:23 | | | cancer awareness | |

Episode Tone & Style

• The hosts maintain a warm, conversational, often humorous tone, even when dealing with serious subjects.
• Sharp, sometimes dry wit (“Why don’t you listen and I’ll tell you,” Campbell to Stewart, 15:18).
• Willingness to show personal vulnerability—Stewart’s family vignettes, Campbell’s tree-hugging and bagpiping passions.
• Banter and affectionate teasing are frequent, balanced by mutual respect.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Day episode perfectly typifies what devoted listeners love about The Rest is Politics: insightful political dissection, globe-trotting personal stories, and a celebration of culture, all delivered in a style that’s both erudite and welcoming. The show continues to champion the importance of disagreement without rancor—an increasingly rare commodity in both politics and media.

Happy Christmas—and see you in the new year!