The Mishal Husain Show

Few journalists have watched Donald Trump as closely or for as long as Maggie Haberman. The New York Times reporter first encountered him as a tabloid fixture in the 1990s and has since chronicled his ascent to the White House, the period between his presidencies and the transformation of the office itself. Her book, Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump , written with Jonathan Swan, examines the Republican’s second term through the first weeks of the US-Israel war with Iran. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Haberman looks ahead to the US midterm elections. She discusses Trump’s “unreality bubble,” his attitude to the war, his complex relationship with Vice President JD Vance and why she sees a “black hole” ahead. Read Mishal’s notes and reflections on this conversation https://www.bloomberg.com/mishal Listen to Mishal’s interview with Tucker Carlson Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Jon Ronson has spent years focusing on the unusual people and societal undercurrents of our changing world. He has written a series of bestselling books featuring extremists, conspiracy theorists and psychopaths. The Men Who Stare at Goats was made into a film starring George Clooney, and his popular culture war podcast, Things Fell Apart, is returning next year for its third season. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Ronson discusses his latest book, The Castle , which features men struggling to find purpose amid economic, social and political upheaval. He also shares his own experience with male vulnerability and reflects on artificial intelligence and the shifting nature of the media. Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese artificial intelligence companies are rapidly closing the gap with their American rivals despite years of US restrictions on advanced chips. But the race between the world’s two AI superpowers is part of a much bigger transformation, says China AI pioneer and investor Kai-Fu Lee: one that’s upending companies, jobs and even how people think about work. Few have watched this historic moment unfold from as many vantage points as Lee, who has worked at Apple and led Microsoft and Google teams in China. In this interview with Mishal Husain, he talks about what the future might look like and how he uses AI everyday. Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The writer Colm Tóibín knows something about leaving home. As a young man living in Spain, he discovered a freedom he hadn’t known growing up in Ireland. Later, he would settle in America. Tóibín’s latest books revisit these journeys. The Bridge is set in the remote regions of Spain that first captivated him, while The News From Dublin includes a short story about an undocumented Irish immigrant preparing to leave the US as Donald Trump is re-elected. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Tóibín talks about the places that have shaped him, the unusual process behind his writing and what might eventually make him leave America. Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the US-led invasion of Afghanistan that brought Hamid Karzai, then a little-known tribal leader, to power. Two decades later, Karzai witnessed the chaotic withdrawal of American forces as the Taliban swept back into Kabul in 2021. While many people left Afghanistan, he chose to stay. Today, Karzai lives under virtual house arrest and rarely gives interviews. He says his eldest daughter, like all girls over the age of 12, is no longer able to go to school. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, he explains why he won’t send his daughters to be educated overseas, and why he remains hopeful for the future of his country. Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grammy award winning musician, tech CEO and college professor will.i.am says he believes in the power of artificial intelligence to assist human creativity. He tells Mishal Husain why his attitude toward technology is different from that of many other creatives. The founding member of Black Eyed Peas also discusses why there should be different ways for platforms to recognize music created solely by humans, and a system that protects identity and likeness. Ultimately, will.i.am says human performance will always survive. They also talk about the song “Where Is The Love?”and what it means to him, and how the song has helped him teach students at Arizona State University. Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Illustration: Uli Knörzer for Bloomberg; Source Photo: Sterling Hampton IV See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Bridgerton” has been a global television phenomenon for more than six years, thanks in part to British actor Adjoa Andoh. She has described her role playing Lady Danbury in the Shondaland creation as “life changing.” The character is best known for stealing scenes with her sharp wit and no-nonsense wisdom. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Andoh takes us behind the scenes of the hit show and shares how she has shaped Lady Danbury over the years, from her backstory to jewelry and even her hats. Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Illustration: Uli Knörzer for Bloomberg; Source Photo: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uncertainty about the US-Israel war with Iran and its endgame continues to cast a long shadow over global trade, while Ukraine’s increasingly sophisticated counterattacks are imposing mounting costs on Russia. What are the combined implications of these two wars? In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Oxford University historian Peter Frankopan argues we are entering an era of consolidation and new alliances, especially between middle powers, and that predictions of US decline are wrong. Read Mishal’s notes on this conversation www.bloomberg.com/mishal Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last few years, artificial intelligence tools have revolutionized the way many people work and learn. But industry critic Karen Hao, author of Empire of AI , argues the choices AI companies make about scale, power and profit deserve far more scrutiny. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Hao explains her “empire” analogy and why she hopes the industry adopts higher standards as more initial public offerings draw near. Related episodes you may enjoy: Mustafa Suleyman Isn’t Like Everyone Else in Silicon Valley AI Wants Your Life: Tech Boss Meredith Whittaker Says No Fei-Fei Li Helped Create AI, Now She Feels the Responsibility Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tucker Carlson was one of Donald Trump’s most prominent allies when he campaigned for re-election and through his first year back in the White House. The US-Israel war with Iran, however, marked a decisive split between the two men. Carlson, a right-wing media personality, now argues that Trump has abandoned his “America First” agenda and allowed Israel to drive US foreign policy. In this conversation, Carlson tells Mishal Husain about how he advised against starting the war with Iran. He also talks about his faith in Vice President JD Vance and his belief that feminism has exploited women in the workplace. Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Burnham appears set to walk into 10 Downing Street and take power as the UK’s latest prime minister. Behind the mid-term departure of Keir Starmer has been, at least in part, the rise of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Farage himself has dominated the headlines this week, amid an investigation and his decision to re-contest his parliamentary seat. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, longtime UK political commentator Steve Richards examines Burnham’s record and looks at what he stands for. They also discuss how the new Labour leader might deal with his own party and the popularity of Farage. Only Bloomberg subscribers can see Mishal’s reflections on this conversation, along with what she has been reading bloomberg.com/mishal Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For America’s 250th anniversary, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jill Lepore joins Mishal Husain to take her through her book on the US Constitution. We The People explores how the Constitution came about and, crucially, how there was an expectation that it would likely change over time. This is not, however, an episode entirely set in the past, because Jill Lepore is acutely alive to the pressures of the moment and of the contested sense of what America is or should be. Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In November, California will choose a new governor to replace Gavin Newsom, pitting Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra, a former US Secretary of Health and Human Services, US Congressman and state attorney general, against an unlikely Republican rival: Steve Hilton. Hilton was born in the UK and became a US citizen only five years ago. He had a career in center-right British politics, working as an adviser for former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron. In 2012, Hilton moved to California, where he worked as a tech entrepreneur and as a host on right-leaning Fox News. Hilton, who wants to be the state’s first Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger, tells Mishal Husain how he joined the party, discusses the US-Israel war with Iran, his attitude to big tech and what he misses about life in Britain. He also discusses what having Donald Trump’s endorsement means for him and his campaign. Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s 10 years since the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. It was an enormous decision, one that has contributed to the churn of British prime ministers since, a phenomenon that has continued this week with the resignation of Keir Starmer. What effect has Brexit had on UK politics and the British economy over the last decade? This bonus episode of The Mishal Husain Show is an opportunity to reflect and look ahead. Earlier this month, Alastair Campbell, Co-Host of The Rest Is Politics podcast, and Jacob Rees-Mogg, a presenter on GB News, joined Mishal Husain in front of an audience of Bloomberg subscribers to mark the anniversary. Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meredith Whittaker has spent years arguing that privacy is a prerequisite for a free society. As the president of the nonprofit foundation behind the encrypted messaging app Signal, she now finds herself defending that principle in the face of mounting pressure from governments and tech companies alike. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Whittaker says she believes business models that rely on data collection, the rise of artificial intelligence assistants and even well-meaning efforts to protect children online risk undermining private communication. She also explains why Signal would rather leave a market than weaken the product’s encryption. If you enjoyed this episode, listen to Mishal’s conversation with Mustafa Suleyman from Microsoft AI: Mustafa Suleyman Isn’t Like Everyone Else in Silicon Valley Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, Gary Lineker anchored live sporting events for the BBC. Now he’s a podcaster and media boss. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, he talks about his new Netflix show and hopes for an England World Cup win. Lineker co-founded Goalhanger Productions, the UK’s fastest growing private company. Throughout the World Cup, his podcast “The Rest Is Football” will be streamed on Netflix. He talks about the politics around the tournament and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino’s relationship with US President Donald Trump. They also discuss Lineker’s departure from the BBC, which he describes as a “long marriage.” Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Piot first encountered the Ebola virus in a laboratory in Antwerp in 1976. At the time, the pathogen was largely unknown. Now, almost 50 years later, a new outbreak is spreading through parts of Central Africa, triggering travel restrictions and quarantines across the globe. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Piot, one of the world's leading authorities on the disease, discusses why Ebola, while deadly, is not easily spread. The Belgian scientist also explains the challenge of controlling outbreaks in conflict zones and lessons the world still hasn’t learned from Covid-19. 06:44 - "No future in infectious diseases" 10:50 - How contagious is Ebola? 12:05 - “I'm not concerned that this will become a pandemic” 13:23 - Are travel restrictions necessary? 18:00 - “Ebola is not their only problem” 19:07 - How far are we from a vaccine for this Ebola strain? 22:14 - Tackling Ebola in 1976 23:48 - Tracking the virus 32:25 - Vaccine disinformation 33:18 - “Long Covid really exists” 34:18 - “I was scared to die” Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ada Ferrer won the Pulitzer Prize in 2022 for her acclaimed book, Cuba: An American History , which examined the island’s relationship with the US. Her latest work, Keeper of My Kin , tells her family story: a mother who fled the island nation carrying an infant daughter, while leaving a brother behind. Now, as Donald Trump increases pressure on Cubans and their leaders, cutting off oil while obtaining an indictment of Raul Castro for the 1996 shootdown of a small plane, Ferrer tells Mishal Husain about the human cost of Cuba’s long crisis. 03:26 - Writing “Keeper of my Kin” 04:09 - A love-hate relationship with Cuba 05:40 - The Cuba of Castro 07:11 - Leaving Cuba in 1963 08:13 - Leaving her brother Poly behind 12:08 - Letters from Poly 15:48 - Cuba’s history of migration 17:58 - Helping family in Cuba 22:50 - People in Cuba are “suffering” 24:01 - A threat to US national security? 26:51 - A shared experience with Rubio 32:19 - Cuban-Americans and Trump 34:04 Obama’s visit to Cuba 37:52 - Calling myself an American 39:52 - The books is a “testament of love” Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Dimbleby was for decades the face of election programs on the BBC. He anchored coverage of 10 UK general elections, as well as the 1975 and 2016 referendums on European membership, the funeral of Princess Diana and a host of other royal and state occasions. He’s seen prime ministers come and go, from Margaret Thatcher to Tony Blair and many more since. With Prime Minister Keir Starmer facing a potential leadership challenge, Dimbleby is uniquely placed to understand the characters and conflicts shaping Britain’s volatile politics today. In this conversation with Mishal Husain he gives his take on Starmer, Andy Burnham and Nigel Farage. 0:03:15 Why so many prime ministers? 0:09:14 Keir Starmer is a “dud” 0:09:55 “I don’t know what (Burnham) stands for” 0:11:31 Would Burnham be a different PM? 0:13:37 The UK is in a “dire state” 0:16:16 “I am worried about the future” 0:16:49 Nigel Farage as prime minister 0:21:35 Ten years on from Brexit 0:24:31 The UK rejoining the EU 0:31:52 King Charles' state visit to the US 0:37:15 “I'm not in any way a republican” Read this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend: www.bloomberg.com/latest/weekend-interview Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond this week’s talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, there’s an epic tale that has been unfolding for decades. It’s a battle to be the world’s number one power and a much bigger story than the latest meeting of these two men. Kishore Mahbubani is a former Singaporean diplomat who served as president of the United Nations Security Council. For two decades, he has argued that the West fundamentally misunderstands the rise of China and its challenge to American supremacy. Mahbubani. who eventually turned to academia, now specializes in governance and public policy. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, he traces the story behind the Xi-Trump talks, the handshakes and the social media posts–and what may lie ahead. Mahbubani also reveals how his own successes were made possible by Singapore’s remarkable growth. Read this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend: www.bloomberg.com/ Mishal 03:34 - “The most important contest of our time” 5:50 - “It's not about personalities” 6:26 - “China can no longer be stopped” 07:28 - US versus China: It’s a “zero-sum” game 08:40 - Bill Clinton’s first meeting with Jiang Zemin 12:35 - Cold War Comparisons 18:30 - Growing up in Singapore in the 1950s 19:53 - "My mother never cracked” 26:25 - “China has become a tiger” 30:24 - US war is a “gift” to China Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.