Friday Focus: Trump can’t shake Epstein and Carney faces another trade test
Friday Focus: Trump can’t shake Epstein and Carney faces another trade test
Rudyard and Janice open today’s show with the Epstein Files: how Trump’s alleged birthday letter to the convicted pedophile from 2003 – just leaked to the public – has added fuel to the fire of his already enraged base. What is it about the Epstein Files that has his otherwise loyal followers up in arms? and why is it sticking to a Teflon President whose past transgressions have been either forgiven or discounted by MAGA? Trump’s base has thrived on this particular story of conspiracy, and to find out their leader is complicit presents a major political problem to the current US administration. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn their attention to trade negotiations with the US on the heels of Trump’s latest tariff threats. Will Canada project the type of resolve needed to face down a mafioso style of diplomacy with the US? And is it worth riding out a rise in inflation and economic uncertainty to gain leverage against Trump in future negotiations?
Thank you to this week’s Munk Curators and Supporters. Your contribution supports our efforts to bring back civil and substantive dialogue to the public square.
Supporters:
Thea M
Ashley D
Milo L
Everett N
Robert M
Jared S
Cecil F
Ron W
Lucy S
Suzanne L
Pet S
Anne H
Alissa V
Richard S
Rise Van D
Vinay C
You may also like
July 31, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Canada’s two competing priorities and the new U.S. Fed Chair signals compliance with Trump
June 9, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: are we in a recession – or a growth trap?
July 3, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: the American experiment at 250 and Canada’s pipeline gamble
June 23, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Trump loses his bargaining power and has Mark Carney’s “elbows up” promise delivered?
August 14, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: the Canada-US trade deadline looms and Iran calls Trump’s bluff
August 25, 2026
– Listen
Special Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Carney walks away from Trump and turns his Davos speech into action
July 17, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Trump undermines his own party and the crisis of Canadian conservatism
August 21, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: how far is Carney willing to bend for Trump?
August 7, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Carney considers concessions to Trump as U.S. Power wanes abroad
July 10, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: the Iran-U.S. ceasefire unravels and Alberta pulls ahead while Ontario and Quebec fall behind
July 24, 2026