The Rest Is Politics: US

Podbit · The Rest Is Politics: US

198. Trump's War On Europe: No Way Back?

Explore episode Jun 22, 2026

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Episode Preview: Starmer, Meloni, NATO, and Iran

At 5:55 · chapter starts 4:25

Katty Kay lays out what amounts to a state-of-emergency briefing on transatlantic relations. Trump has gone after leaders of at least five countries. The most dramatic development: Keir Starmer, who tried to charm Trump with an unprecedented second state visit offer, is stepping down. Giorgia Meloni — once seen as Trump's closest European ally — has turned on him and been rewarded with rapturous praise at home. Pete Hegseth has accused NATO members of free riding and called them shameful. And in Switzerland, Trump threatened to take over Iran if the Strait of Hormuz wasn't reopened, before Vance left the talks claiming great progress. Kay flags that she and Scarborough have already been discussing all of this on Morning Joe since 6am — they are, in effect, continuing the conversation live.

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