The Political Scene | The New Yorker · The New Yorker

Trump’s New Brand of Imperialism

January 12, 2026·31 min·3 clips
Trump openly admits the Venezuela invasion is about oil, breaking decades of diplomatic silence on imperial motives.
Historian Daniel Imervar analyzes Trump's unprecedented imperial rhetoric and actions, from the Venezuela invasion to threats against Greenland. He explains how Trump openly admits motives like oil acquisition, breaking with decades of diplomatic norms, and discusses the risks of eroding international law and destabilizing global order.
Listen to the show on