Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

Q&A: Trump’s dealmaking “mastery”, capitalism vs democracy & do sanctions work?


Published: 4 June 2026 at 17:00 Europe/London

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Episode notes

On this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked whether Donald Trump’s self-styled reputation as a master dealmaker stands up to scrutiny, as US-Iran talks drag on with bold claims but little progress. They also discuss the French navy’s interceptions of Russian oil tankers accused of skirting sanctions, and whether others should follow suit.

They explore the effect that gerrymandering, and the wider capitalist system, has on American democracy, both politically and morally, before analysing claims that Elon Musk interfered in the 2024 election. What can democracies realistically do to protect themselves from the billionaires?

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