After Trump

The Trump administration achieved a series of major changes, some of which seem likely to persist - in foreign policy, how America's economy functions, the membership of the country's highest court and, in this first episode, American politics. But it also left America divided more than ever before - often along lines which existed long before Donald Trump entered politics. President Biden has said that he wants to bring people together, but can he, and what will it take to salve his nation's wounds?

Speaking to key figures in the orbits of both Presidents, James will explore the implications of a consequential presidency, which reconstructed the country's political coalitions, gave voice to many who had felt ignored and overlooked, and dramatically reshaped what being president means and how one should behave. Understanding the forces which propelled Donald Trump to the White House will be key to the success of the Biden presidency, but Biden faces other pressures too. Will it be possible just to turn the clock back, or is a very new model of presidential leadership now required?

Producers: Giles Edwards and Jonathan Brunert.

James Naughtie examines what President Trump changed and asks what comes next.

In a new series, James Naughtie examines the legacy inherited by President Biden, and what might come next.

The Trump administration achieved a series of major changes, some of which seem likely to persist - in foreign policy, how America's economy functions, the membership of the country's highest court and, in this first episode, American politics. But it also left America divided more than ever before - often along lines which existed long before Donald Trump entered politics. President Biden has said that he wants to bring people together, but can he, and what will it take to salve his nation's wounds?

Speaking to key figures in the orbits of both Presidents, James will explore the implications of a consequential presidency, which reconstructed the country's political coalitions, gave voice to many who had felt ignored and overlooked, and dramatically reshaped what being president means and how one should behave. Understanding the forces which propelled Donald Trump to the White House will be key to the success of the Biden presidency, but Biden faces other pressures too. Will it be possible just to turn the clock back, or is a very new model of presidential leadership now required?

Producers: Giles Edwards and Jonathan Brunert.

James Naughtie examines what President Trump changed and asks what comes next.

In this second episode in this series, James examines foreign policy. Donald Trump had a unique style and approach. Joe Biden has painted himself as more traditional, and it is already clear that Biden's style will be very different, and his approach far more consensual. But on the substance of policy - whether that is China or the Middle East, how different will his policies really be? Speaking to senior officials close to both men, as well as senior leaders from around the world, James asks what will change After Trump.

Producers: Giles Edwards and Jonathan Brunert.

James Naughtie examines what President Trump changed and asks what comes next.

James Naughtie looks at how Joe Biden will change how America deals with the world.

In this second episode in this series, James examines foreign policy. Donald Trump had a unique style and approach. Joe Biden has painted himself as more traditional, and it is already clear that Biden's style will be very different, and his approach far more consensual. But on the substance of policy - whether that is China or the Middle East, how different will his policies really be? Speaking to senior officials close to both men, as well as senior leaders from around the world, James asks what will change After Trump.

Producers: Giles Edwards and Jonathan Brunert.

James Naughtie examines what President Trump changed and asks what comes next.

In this third part of his series examining the Trump presidency and how Joe Biden will chart a different course, James turns his attention to the US economy: for so long the engine of the world economy. He finds some stark differences - where Donald Trump saw deregulation as the path to economic growth, Joe Biden will take the opposite approach, with a focus on tackling climate change a key part of his economic message. But away from the environment, on their approaches to tax cuts and economic stimulus, as well as how they approach international trade, the differences are far less stark. James finds that in some of these areas, President Trump's change of course is unlikely to be reversed.

Producers: Giles Edwards and Jonathan Brunert.

James Naughtie examines what President Trump changed and asks what comes next.

James Naughtie looks at how Joe Biden will deal with Donald Trump's economic legacy.

In this third part of his series examining the Trump presidency and how Joe Biden will chart a different course, James turns his attention to the US economy: for so long the engine of the world economy. He finds some stark differences - where Donald Trump saw deregulation as the path to economic growth, Joe Biden will take the opposite approach, with a focus on tackling climate change a key part of his economic message. But away from the environment, on their approaches to tax cuts and economic stimulus, as well as how they approach international trade, the differences are far less stark. James finds that in some of these areas, President Trump's change of course is unlikely to be reversed.

Producers: Giles Edwards and Jonathan Brunert.

James Naughtie examines what President Trump changed and asks what comes next.

In recent decades many political issues have been resolved not by the election of a President, or in Congress, but in the Supreme Court. Donald Trump appointed more judges, at every level, than any recent President, but it is on the Supreme Court - where his three appointments tipped the balance decisively in favour of conservatives - where the impact will be felt most sharply.

James examines how American politics came to revolve around the Courts, and how serious a threat this new conservative majority will present for Joe Biden - whose own political history is intertwined with the politics of the Court.

Producers: Giles Edwards and Jonathan Brunert.

James Naughtie examines why Donald Trump's judges may be his greatest achievement.

James Naughtie examines what President Trump changed and asks what comes next.

In the final part of his series on the Trump legacy for President Biden, James Naughtie examines why the judges appointed by Donald Trump may be his most lasting achievement.

In recent decades many political issues have been resolved not by the election of a President, or in Congress, but in the Supreme Court. Donald Trump appointed more judges, at every level, than any recent President, but it is on the Supreme Court - where his three appointments tipped the balance decisively in favour of conservatives - where the impact will be felt most sharply.

James examines how American politics came to revolve around the Courts, and how serious a threat this new conservative majority will present for Joe Biden - whose own political history is intertwined with the politics of the Court.

Producers: Giles Edwards and Jonathan Brunert.

James Naughtie examines why Donald Trump's judges may be his greatest achievement.

James Naughtie examines what President Trump changed and asks what comes next.