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Simon Marks Reporting

April 1, 2026 - Trump says he is considering withrawal from NATO, and it's not an April Fool's joke

·19 min·1 clip
Trump's entire life has been typified by expecting other people to clear up his mess, from business to geopolitics.
The episode begins with James O'Brien briefly discussing a royal state dinner controversy before transitioning to U.S. politics with guest Simon Marks. Marks reports that President Trump has signaled his intention to withdraw the United States from NATO and will give a primetime address about Iran. They analyze Trump's claim that the U.S. will leave Iran in 'two to three weeks,' comparing it to his history of missed deadlines. The discussion turns to Trump's comments about the Strait of Hormuz, where he said clearing the strategic waterway is 'not for us' but should be handled by France, the UK, or other countries that use it. Marks and O'Brien examine how this reflects Trump's lifelong pattern of expecting others to clean up his messes. They discuss the Iran conflict's outcomes, noting it failed to achieve regime change while creating a global economic crisis. The conversation shifts to NATO, with analysis of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's comments about re-examining the alliance's value. They explore whether Trump can legally withdraw from NATO without congressional approval and the potential geopolitical consequences if he succeeds. Marks suggests NATO Secretary General Mark Rutter's sycophantic behavior toward Trump might stem from recognizing this threat. The episode concludes with consideration of whether Trump's actions align with Project 2025 and his administration's policy to undermine European governments.

As heard by us

A sceptical Trump-era foreign-policy segment focused on blame, damage, and the fallout from Iran.

This episode treats Trump as a figure who leaves a mess behind and expects someone else to tidy it up. James O'Brien keeps coming back to the space between the talk of regime change and the harder reality in Iran, where the damage, the economic risk, and the diplomatic fallout…

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Why you'd press play

If a dry, sceptical commute through Trump, Britain, and Iran sounds useful, press play.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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