James O'Brien Daily
How to make sense of Donald Trump
Following days of tariff turmoil, US stocks rally, while European and Asian markets also stabilise. China, so far, is refusing to withdraw its retaliatory tariffs, saying it will “fight to the end”. Trump has threatened to hit Beijing with an additional 50% tariff if they don’t withdraw their levy by the end of today. How do you make sense of what Trump is doing? Are we wasting our time trying to analyse him using the normal methods? What comes next? This episode was recorded on the 8th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
8 4月 2025 - 56 min 11 sec
Why is there still support for the Israeli government’s bombardment of Gaza?
The head of the Muslim World League says young British Muslims are growing more disillusioned because of the war in Gaza, while the shocking video of Israeli forces opening fire on the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, before killing 15 medics, contradicts the IDF’s initial explanation for the killings. How much damage has Benjamin Netanyahu’s government done to the Israeli cause? Also, health workers will be sent into the community door-to-door, under drastic new NHS plans to tackle sickness rates across England. Will the scheme work? And, James speaks to Dmitry Grozoubinski, founder of Explain Trade and author of “Why Politicians Lie About Trade: ... and What You Need to Know About It”, about the fabled US-UK trade deal. This episode was recorded on the 7th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
7 4月 2025 - 01 ore 03 min 44 sec
Trump tariffs - should Keir Starmer retaliate or negotiate?
In the wake of Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, should Keir Starmer retaliate or negotiate? James also tackles another possibility - how long could it take for this all to blow up in Trump’s face? And, James speaks with Neil Henderson, the father of Jim Henderson, an aid worker and former Royal Marine that was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza last April. Neil shares his son’s story and legacy. This episode was recorded on the 4th April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
4 4月 2025 - 01 ore 03 min 46 sec
Will the UK enter the trade wars?
Stock markets across the world dropped today after Donald Trump's sweeping tariff announcements. Sir Keir Starmer has said this will "clearly" have an economic impact on Brits, but that the UK will keep a "clear head", while also considering retaliatory measures. What should Starmer do? James is also joined by Ta-Nehisi Coates, an American journalist and author, for a brilliant conversation about the dramatic reaction to his latest book, “The Message”, which explores destructive nationalist myths and describes the segregation he witnessed first hand in Israel and the West Bank. This episode was recorded on the 3rd April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
3 4月 2025 - 58 min 22 sec
Will Starmer stand up to Trump's tariffs?
Donald Trump is set to announce his global tariffs at 9pm tonight. Can Keir Starmer, who’s being urged to fight back with retaliatory tariffs, stand up to Trump? James also analyses some of the New Jersey Senator Cory Booker’s record breaking anti-Trump speech from yesterday. Also, Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch has said she opposes protest-free buffer zones around abortion clinics and thinks they undermine free speech in the UK. Why are certain powerful individuals so against abortion and are the buffer zones actually an assault on free speech? And, James speaks with Nebal Farsakh, Spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society, about the killing of several Palestinian medics by Israeli forces last week in Gaza. This episode was recorded on the 2nd April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
2 4月 2025 - 01 ore 01 min 56 sec
How will Trump’s tariffs affect the UK?
Sir Keir Starmer has admitted that the UK is likely to be hit by Donald Trump’s global trade tariffs, as the US refuses to sign an economic deal with Britain. James gets into the nitty gritty: What's the reason for tariffs? When did they originate? How will these tariffs affect us? The Prime Minister has described Netflix’s hugely influential series Adolescence as something that the entire nation is talking about. Yet today on LBC the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch revealed that she hasn’t watched it. James and his listeners break this down. This episode was recorded on the 1st April. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
1 4月 2025 - 51 min 39 sec
Do boys need male role models?
The number of men becoming secondary school teachers has plummeted to a record low, while conversations about the effects of online misogyny and healthy role models are being had more than ever. Do boys need male role models specifically, and if so, why? NHS bosses have decided to shut the maternity unit at a major London hospital in response to a dramatic fall in the birthrate in its area in recent years. If you’re child free - why? And how do people react when you tell them? This episode was recorded on the 31st March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
31 3月 2025 - 01 ore 01 min 14 sec
Did Just Stop Oil succeed?
Labour has come under fire from its welfare cuts, with affected families forecasted to lose £1,720 on average a year. James and his listeners look to identify exactly who Labour is trying to appeal to right now. Also, mid show, Keir Starmer’s director of communications quit - after just 9 months in the job. LBC’s Political Correspondent Aggie Chambre shares the details. And, Just Stop Oil is to cease its campaign of civil resistance after 3 years of climate action. The group stated that its initial demand to end new oil and gas is now Government policy. Did it succeed in its mission? This episode was recorded on the 28th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
28 3月 2025 - 58 min 54 sec
What do women think of Netflix’s Adolescence?
More than 3 million UK households will lose out as a result of the government’s cuts to welfare, according to official analysis, with an extra 250,000 people forecasted to fall into relative poverty by the end of the decade. How will this impact you? And, the Netflix drama Adolescence has brought much needed attention to toxic masculinity and dangerous online influences such as Andrew Tate. James speaks to women about their thoughts on the show and the conversations it's opened up. This episode was recorded on the 27th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
27 3月 2025 - 52 min 07 sec
Does the Trump administration hate Europe?
As well as plans to bomb Yemen's Houthis being leaked in the US security breach yesterday, messages also revealed a contempt toward America's European allies. One of US Vice President JD Vance’s messages stood out: "I just hate bailing Europe out again". Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth replied: "I fully share your loathing of European freeloading. It's PATHETIC". Why does JD Vance have this attitude towards Europe? James also speaks with Phillips O'Brien, Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews, who explains why yesterday’s US-negotiated "Black Sea Ceasefire" is a betrayal of Ukraine. This episode was recorded on the 26th March. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.
26 3月 2025 - 58 min 37 sec