How Trump’s using the government shutdown to remake America

How Trump’s using the government shutdown to remake America

Author: The Times October 9, 2025 Duration: 28:02

The US government has been shut down for more than a week, and Democrats and Republicans are locked in a political blame game. Shutdowns are nothing new in US politics, but this time President Trump has made an unusual threat: to permanently cut hundreds of thousands of jobs and shutter entire government agencies. Is this just a new bargaining tactic to put pressure on Democrats or part of a bigger project to remake the American government? 


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Guest: Lara Spirit, Washington Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson and Olivia Case.

Read more: Trump warns Democrats the ‘grim reaper is coming’

The revenge shutdown: Trump vows to inflict maximum pain on Democrats

Clips: CBS, ProPublica, Democracy Now!, @realDonaldTrump / TruthSocial, ABC, MSNBC, NBC News.

Music: (Don't Fear) The Reaper / Blue Oyster Cult / Columbia.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


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


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
P Diddy on trial [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:57
The trial of Sean Combs - the hip-hop producer and rapper otherwise known as P Diddy, Puff Daddy, Love, and a plethora of other aliases - will begin next week, with the jury selected on Monday. As he pleads not guilty to…
Farage’s hopes for a Reform storm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:09
Nigel Farage is throwing the kitchen sink at Labour and he’s not being subtle about it. As Reform UK ramps up its local election efforts, Farage is fielding candidates in councils up and down the country. But the real sh…
The future of de-extinction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:33
An American Biosciences company claims to have ‘de-extincted’ prehistoric dire wolves. Next they plan to bring back the woolly mammoth and the dodo. But even if they could, should they?This podcast was brought to you tha…
Harvard v Trump [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:46
Harvard has sued the Trump administration over multibillion-dollar funding cuts in the biggest escalation yet in the battle between the government and higher education. What does the showdown mean for the ideological fre…
The Sunday Edition: The AI that could block kids from social media [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:17
This episode was originally published last December.Australia is the first country to block under-16s from social media -- and age-verification AI could be a crucial tool in the ban. We spoke to our journalist who has be…
What is the Gen Z gold rush? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:52
In this episode, Lucy and Holly ask why a new generation of investors is turning to one of the world’s oldest assets: gold. Joined by Brian Byrnes from Moneybox, together they unpack gold’s historical role in the economy…
The four moments that made The Beatles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:40
The Beatles will be the subject of four interconnected films - one for each member - planned for release close together in April 2028. We asked the author of a recent book on The Beatles to tell us how he’d make the film…
Trans ruling: the fall out [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:04
What are the practical implications for trans women after the Supreme Court ruled that under equality law, sex means biological sex? And how is the Labour government grappling with the ruling? Last week we heard from one…
Why I carried a knife [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:39
The Times’ crime correspondent David Woode sits down with a 19-year-old man who was recently imprisoned for carrying a knife. We get a rare insight into what someyoung people are really facing in London, and why he felt…
Conclave: Electing Pope Francis's successor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:27
Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, cardinals from across the world will now descend on Vatican City in Rome to choose the next Pope. The Oscar-nominated film Conclave dramatised the political machinati…