The Two Matts

The Matts watch the Trump inauguration in real time and give their snap verdict at the beginning of four years of the new world order under President Donald Trump. Is there anything to suggest things won’t be the catastrophe they have feared? Tune in, find out. They also discuss reaction to Peter Hyman’s brilliant essay in The New European on a way forward for progressives versus populists. In the battleground for ideas, the Matts face into some cold, hard home truths. Enjoy.

Further Reading: Dave Chapelle on SNL this weekend

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The Two Matts dive into Biden's farewell address on the new tech oligarchy, compare Trump's Greenland ambition to Russia's Ukraine situation, and tackle left vs. right arguments on the culture wars. They also contemplate the implications of modern monetary theory (MMT), AI's black box nature, and who holds more power between Musk and Trump. And there's just time for the Matts to give their verdict on the BAFTA nominations. Enjoy!

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God willing, the catastrophe that began with Hamas atrocities on October 7 and led to the destruction of Gaza and more than 40,000 dead is at an end. The Matts consider what comes next for the region, and what could motivate Trump’s America to ensuring a lasting peace. Also - as fires continue to rage in Los Angeles - is it time populist leaders like Nigel Farage and Donald Trump acknowledged that the climate crisis is anything but a hoax? The world faces enormous changes in the coming generations and the consequences will be felt by every citizen of the planet. The Matts suggest why some are so resistant to this scientific reality. Enjoy!

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Keir Starmer threw his lot in with a computing revolution today - is his confidence in Artificial Intelligence’s ability to transform the UK economy grounded in reality? The Matts have questions. Meanwhile, and not unrelated to today’s announcement, the economy (you may have noticed this) is proving stubbornly resistant to Starmer’s enthusiasm. As his beleaguered Chancellor defends her recent trip to China, the Matts ask if, and when, it’s the right time for the PM to consider Rachel Reeve’s position. Enjoy!

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Mark Zuckerberg has picked up the baton from Elon Musk as this week’s most depressing social media titan. His announcement to kick out fact-checking and let the community police itself is a significant moment in the rules (or lack of) governing how most of the world gets its news and opinions. The Matts discuss the potential damage, why this has happened now, and what a if anything - can citizens and governments do to resist the erosion of factual information in our times. Enjoy!

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What can we expect in 2025? The Matts take a view on the key issues facing the world in the next twelve months … plus: how to deal with a bully like Elon Musk. What can Keir Starmer do in the face of lies and slander spread across the sewer of X? And how low will Kemi Badenoch sink in her efforts to trump the populism of Nigel Farage’s Reform?

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More milestone moments from the Matts prompted by some whistful listener questions concerning the idea of voting tests, those we lost in 2024 and what they're looking forward to in 2025, including Liverpool's potential league win. We'll be back on Jan 6th. Until then - have a merry Christmas, and enjoy the last podcast of the season.

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The Matts reflect on the momentous year that is drawing to a close. Who made them cheer? Who made them boo? Who made them fall about laughing? It’s all here. Some of the names won’t come as a shock .. but there are a plenty of surprises. How does the Matts list of heroes, villains and clowns compare to yours? Only one way to find out … enjoy!

Content warning: references to rape

Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

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If one had any remaining shred of doubt that Prince Andrew is the biggest idiot in the realm, it was dispelled this week. Not content with being the close chum of a sex-ring monster, Andrew has also tainted the monarchy by becoming besties with a Chinese spy. The Matts discuss the fall out and wonder who the biggest fool is; Andrew, or the spy who imagined he’d have anything worth revealing. Meanwhile, no contenders for the biggest liar contest. Step forward Boris Johnson with his bizarre rallying call in the Mail to get Brexit done. He accuses Starmer of leading a “surrender squad” to derail Brexit. If only that were true, say the Matts. Enjoy.

Subscribe to The New European and get Alistair Campbell's 2024 Diaries: https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/2matts/

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