8 September
John and Chas discuss concerns over Pete Hegseth, military leadership and dysfunction in the Department of Defense plus an update on the midterms and Trump asks the Supreme Court to allow sweeping changes for mail-in ballots.
14 September
Donald Trump promises Americans $5000 if Republicans win November’s midterms, but will it be enough to save them? Plus is the president already undermining the elections? We ask election law expert Professor Rick Hasen.
21 September
Trump announces the creation of ‘AI Force’ but continues to call AI apocalypse fears a “hoax”. Plus Trump bans major media outlets from the White House and declares victory in Greenland, but is it just a Danish masterclass?
28 September
As Trump’s approval ratings sink to historic lows, Republicans distance themselves from the president ahead of the midterms. Meanwhile Trump avoids Saudi Arabia’s war with the Houthis and Americans pay the price at the pump.
Chas gave an update on this in the latest episode of PEP: the Friday shows are returning in a “podcast/television show” form from this week (I think). They will be half-hour episodes on both the ABC Listen app and the ABC News Channel (although it doesn’t look like it is currently scheduled this Friday). There will also be two podcasts a week: one on Wednesdays with Melina Wicks which will also be on the Listen app, and the normal Friday episodes with Dr Dave, starting from next week.
Planet America: Fireside Chat
2 October
In the final countdown to the 2026 Midterm Elections, Chas and John are back every weekend to discuss the latest from the campaign in Planet America’s Fireside Chat. (Return)
Planet America: Fireside Chat
Friday 2 October Update
John Barron and Chas Licciardello return for a new season of Planet America: Fireside Chat. This week Trump’s propaganda ads heading into the midterms, and why is Trump making the election all about him at taxpayer’s expense?
Monday 5 October
Is Trump’s Republican party headed for an historic midterm defeat as polls suggest? And can Republicans do anything to turn things around before November? We ask polling expert Rich Baris and Trump loyalist John Fredericks.