Musk and Trump dance to Putin's tune

It's been confirmed that Elon Musk ordered a slowdown of the Starlink internet that Ukraine relies on to defend itself from Russian attacks. President Trump has said he didn't know who was responsible but is this a Henry II-Thomas Becket situation?

In Moscow, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has called President Putin a humanitarian. Russia has released retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard after four years in prison. But the overall strategy with regard to Russia seems flawed and naïve. It could leave the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, with a dreadful choice: does he want to be like South Korea or like South Vietnam?

Donald Trump once referred to his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, as the "ice maiden". She was accused of arranging a "sanctioned hit" on Katie Zacharia, who ended up leaving her post as White House press secretary after only five days. Now there are rumours that Wiles's job may not be safe. The White House says it's fake news. Could Trump do without her?

With two weeks to go to the midterm elections, some Republicans seem to be resorting to desperate measures. In Ohio, Vivek Ramaswamy recruited the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent Amy Acton. A family tragedy is now playing out in competing attack ads.

Katy has been with Democratic senator Jon Ossoff as he campaigns for re-election in Georgia. Could he be the Democratic 2028 presidential candidate?

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times

Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images

Audio: Reuters

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