Another violent attack on Trump brings a short-lived truce in his battle with the media

Another violent attack on Trump brings a short-lived truce in his battle with the media

Author: The Irish Times April 27, 2026 Duration: 36:49

Hugh is joined by Irish Times Washington correspondent Keith Duggan to talk about the dramatic events at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, where an intrusion by a gunman interrupted what was supposed to be president Donald Trump's first appearance at the annual event where the worlds of politics, media and celebrity socialise. 


They then talk about Trump's complicated and contradictory relationship with the media: his contempt for mainstream outlets, his hunger for their approval and his administration's pivot to podcasters and social media influencers during the 2024 campaign.


In part two they look at the evolution of conservative media figure Tucker Carlson and his recent public break with Trump over the Iran conflict. 

Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each week, Irish Times Inside Politics cuts through the noise to bring clarity to the forces shaping Ireland. Guided by host Hugh Linehan, the conversations here go beyond the headlines, offering a deeper, more considered understanding of the political landscape. You’ll hear from the newspaper’s own journalists, who provide grounded insight from the front lines, alongside a range of independent political thinkers and analysts. Occasionally, politicians themselves join the discussion, offering their perspective directly. The result is a nuanced and thoughtful examination of power, policy, and public life that values context over quick reactions. This isn't about partisan soundbites; it's about unpacking the how and why behind the day's debates and long-term shifts. For anyone looking to move past surface-level reporting and grasp the real stories unfolding in Leinster House and beyond, this podcast serves as an essential weekly briefing. The Irish Times brings its tradition of thorough journalism to the audio format, creating a space for analysis that is both accessible and substantive. Tune in for a consistently informed and engaging take on the issues that define the nation's future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Irish Times Inside Politics
Podcast Episodes
What's wrong with Ireland? Sinead O'Sullivan has an answer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:06
Economist and author Sinead O'Sullivan ruffled some feathers recently with her analysis of Ireland’s deficits in infrastructure and services. Her critiques of the State’s failure to deliver things that are taken for gran…
Keir Starmer finds himself in office without power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:09
Jack Horgan-Jones and Mark Paul join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· The findings of the Irish Times and TG4 by Ipsos B&A poll throws up some interesting permutations for the Dublin Central byelection…
Two-way race for Sinn Féin and Soc Dems in Dublin Central byelection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:54
The Irish Times and TG4 by Ipsos B&A poll shows Sinn Féin’s Janice Boylan leads the byelection race in Dublin Central with first preference votes at 21 per cent, Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats is in second place on…
Who will win Dublin Central? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:05
With just over a week until two by elections, host Hugh Linehan unpicks the race for Dublin Central in today’s Inside Politics.Political Correspondents Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn reflect on then race so far, an…
How Fianna Fáil was formed - with Ronan McGreevy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:59
In the week of Fianna Fail’s centenary Hugh and Pat are joined by reporter and historian Ronan McGreevy to trace the party’s origins and assess its legacy. Ronan explains how in 1926, with frustration growing at Sinn Féi…
Polls suggest three-way shootout in Galway West byelection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:13
Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· The findings of the Irish Times/TG4 opinion poll on first preference votes, carried out by Ipsos B&A, suggests three leading candid…
Byelection candidates are confirmed as campaigns ramp up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:59
Ellen Coyne and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· There are now 14 candidates confirmed as running in Dublin Central and 17 candidates in Galway West in the upcoming byelections on May 22…
Fintan O'Toole: 100 years on, Fianna Fáil is flailing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:15
Fintan O’Toole talks to Hugh Linehan about Fianna Fáil as the party’s 100th birthday draws near. Fintan credits the party with helping create a vibrant Irish middle class - if only by accident. But in recent decades the…