"I call it the madman theory, Bob”

These words, supposedly uttered by Richard Nixon, and recounted by his chief-of-staff Bob Haldeman, have perhaps never been as relevant as they are today. 

And they go to the question: Can a powerful leader who we think is a bit crazy, actually make the world a better place? As Nixon thought he might be able to achieve?

Enter Donald Trump. 

The current president of the United States is set to put to the test what’s dubbed the ‘madman theory’ like never before.

Today, foreign affairs correspondent Matthew Knott on whether Trump’s volatile approach to geopolitics will produce vital victories, or whether his perceived crazy is just a little too…mad.

For more:

• 'Trump’s happy to play the ‘madman’ to restore global order. But will it work?'

Audio credit:

• 'The truth about the "madman theory'', Richard Nixon Foundation

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We bring you this episode of Inside Politics on Valentines Day, but right now the trade relationship between Australia and our closest ally is at a delicate juncture.

This week President Donald Trump declared his intention to impose tariffs on aluminium and steel imports from all countries, no exceptions. And the pressure was on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to negotiate a way out.

Albanese had a long, and reportedly warm conversation with Trump about the tariff issue, with Trump saying he would consider an exemption for Australian steel and aluminium.

But no promises were made, and in the volatile landscape of Trump 2.0, nothing is certain except we will have more uncertainty.

This week, Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley is joined by chief political correspondent David Crowe, and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.

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Gone are the days of the simple sunscreen where the choices were between, say, SPF 15, or 30 or 50. Now, at least according to the marketing, you protect your skin from the sun, and also moisturise it, hydrate it, illuminate it and anti-age-it.

The Australian Tax Office now has all these fancy sunscreens in its sights, looking at whether the companies that are pumping out these products need to pay more tax.

Today, consumer affairs reporter Madeleine Heffernan on what happened to the humble sunscreen and whether luxury creams protect your skin just as well.

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Camping, fishing, hunting and four-wheel driving are just some of the ways Aussies experience the bush everyday - but they’re activities that are now, according to some, under threat. 

New land management proposals by state governments to protect the environment have been met with fierce backlash from bush-users, who claim the government is ‘locking up the bush’.

Today, environment and climate reporter Bianca Hall on whether a balance of both environmental protection and our recreation is achievable. 

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Over the weekend, Labor took a thumping in a Victorian by-election.

This, in a state that has for so long leaned to the centre-left, that former prime minister John Howard dubbed it “the Massachusetts of Australia”.

Today state political editor, Chip Le Grand, on why so many voters are abandoning Labor in Victoria. And if this signals doom for the party at the federal election.

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There’s been a bit going on in the world of media in Australia.

Just last week, a court case began over the ABC’s sacking of high-profile presenter Antoinette Lattouf, while in another case, cricket commentator Peter Lalor was told to back his bags by a commercial radio station.

And the drama is all over what they had posted on social media about the war in Gaza.

But what do these cases mean for everyone else? Can your employer sack you if you post something about the war? 

Today, employment lawyer Cilla Robinson answers this vexed question, but first, media writer Calum Jaspan brings us up to speed with ABC versus  Antoinette Latouff.

Audio credit/For more:

• Inside Antoinette Lattouf’s case against the ABC, ABC In-depth : https://youtu.be/f9knkGDXE3w?si=KTXTmfRLSTnzVnhs

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This year promises to be a big one: we have a federal election coming up, we have a continuing cost of living crisis, and we have the urgent challenge of responding to the increasing volatility of our closest ally, the United States. These are all all big themes. 

Why, then, has parliament spent the week talking about long lunches for small business? Is the debate over lunches just a bit of sparring before more substantive issues are discussed? How have both parties used the summer break to sharpen up their attacks on each other?

Plus, we will look at the hate speech legislation before parliament, likely to pass soon with bipartisan support. And we will probe the PM’s response to President Trump’s plans to have the US annex Gaza.  

Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss is chief political correspondent David Crowe and national security correspondent and foreign affairs correspondent Matthew Knott.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.

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The other day, the world suddenly saw Matildas Captain Sam Kerr in a new light. In police body-cam footage that has made global headlines, Kerr could be seen swearing at a police constable, and calling him names, while seemingly seething with disdain.

But how is the footage, which was aired in a London courtroom - where Kerr is on trial for racial harassment - being viewed here, where she’s long been seen as a hero?

Today, Europe correspondent Rob Harris, and sports reporter Vince Rugari, on whether Sam Kerr might serve jail time. And how her behaviour is dividing opinions in our sporting community.

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It’s hard to keep your kids off screens, right? Especially when you’ve got so many demands on your time. But what impact does screentime have on really young kids? Especially those who are five and under?

Today, technology editor David Swan, on where to draw the line, so we can keep our kids safe. And why the impact on young kids has been, perhaps, left out of the national conversation.

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It’s official. American president Donald Trump has launched a new era of trade wars, with the sweeping tariffs he has imposed on Canada, Mexico and China primed to come into effect today.

There is serious tit-for-tat energy, here. With Canada vowing to retaliate by imposing tax on Florida Orange Juice, Tennessee whiskey, and Kentucky peanut butter. 

But how do tariffs actually work? Who pays for them? And just how much can they raise consumers’ bills, and damage - or help - any of these countries’ economies?   

Today, Senior Economics correspondent Shane Wright, and North American correspondent Michael Koziol, on whether this is, as one newspaper has dubbed it, “the dumbest trade war in history.”

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