On today's In the Making, I'm joined by Emma Long from UEA to discuss Vance's new baby, soaring gas prices, and the arrest of Andrew & Tristan Tate.

Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/in-the-making-will-the-tate-brothers-finally-face-justice/id1690975615?i=1000777957366

The Democratic hopeful in Texas is doing nothing to dampen the optimism of his party, with a powerful speech that wouldn't feel out of place in a Presidential campaign.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZN8J86YMU/

What stories caught your eye this week?

What memes made you chuckle?

Who got you gossiping?

Tell me in the comments!

(Keep it American 🇺🇸)

On today's A History, I'm joined by Andrew O'Shaunessy from the University of Virginia, to discuss former President Thomas Jefferson's grand vision for a University that led to the construction of UVA itself.

Listen here: https://pod.fo/e/450ce4

President Trump is vowing retaliation for the recent deaths of US military soliders. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx25wg2x26do

BBC NewsUS launches fresh strikes on Iran, as Trump warns of retaliation for deaths of soldiersIran says it has hit two ships in the Strait of Hormuz as well as targets in Bahrain and Jordan.

According to AP News: Justice Department officials announced the new review Monday, saying Harvard’s foreign funding disclosures “raised concerns” about possible discrimination against U.S. students....

The investigation is aimed at Harvard’s “China-based financial aid programs,” the Justice Department said. The agency said Chinese donors have given money to Harvard to support financial aid programs limited to students from certain countries. That restriction could amount to illegal discrimination based on country of origin, the department said.

Why does Trump hate Harvard so much? 🤣

https://apnews.com/article/trump-harvard-china-scholarship-475fd560a0d93ad8326edfec78bc8bc7

AP NewsTrump administration opens investigation into Harvard's financial aid for international studentsThe Justice Department is investigating whether Harvard University is allowing Chinese donors to create scholarships that exclude American students.

Trump calls the UK a 'poverty-stricken disaster' but praises new Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plans to drill in the North Sea.

Thoughts?

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/20/uk-prime-minister-burnham-trump-poverty-stricken-disaster.html

ICYMI - Stewart's piece on Lindsey Graham. Hilarious, as you'd expect from The Daily Show, but also raises an important point on the risks of old age in government.

Hello all - as the SOTUS community grows, I want to trial a new feature for the end of our weekly news episode. Stars & Gripes are your questions and comments, which we'll read out and respond to on the show.

Nothing's off limits. Reply in the comments. DM me if you want anonymity.

Current polling updates, taken from USpollingdata.com, showing a slim advantage to the Democrats in the midterms, as it stands: https://uspollingdata.com/swing-states-2026/

USPollingData.com2026 Swing States: PA, GA, MI, AZ, WI, NV, NC — Live Polls & Battleground Map | USPollingData.com7 swing states decide every election. Live polling for Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Nevada, and North Carolina in 2026.

If you're due to appear on the SOTUS podcast, here is everything you need to know ahead of recording...

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How to join:

All recordings take place in our virtual studio, and guests can join simply by clicking this link: https://riverside.com/studio/america-a-history?t=15e29a4492f431189f50

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Episode Plans:

You will be messaged directly by Liam on this platform with a link to the episode plan / running order a few days before your scheduled recording.

Please read and check you're happy with the broad outline for the discussion. If you have any questions or suggestions, we'd love to hear them, so just drop us a direct message.

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Before the recording:

Please send across a bio and photo of yourself, if possible. This helps us prep the artwork and episode plans!

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Technical pointers to get the best possible recording:

• 1. Please use headphones or earbuds if possible, as it prevents an echo

• 2. If you have a separate microphone, great, but built-in mics usually suffice

• 3. Please try and find a quiet spot where sporadic noisy interruptions are less likely.

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• 5. I prefer to have cameras on for our own benefit, but the published podcast is audio only.

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Any other questions?

Send Liam a message :)

Did anyone see Trump refusing to leave the stage as Spain celebrated their World Cup win. Classic Trump.

An interesting analysis published in The Guardian (Richard Luscombe) about Trump's expensive renaming of the airport after himself: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/19/trump-palm-beach-airport-renamed

the GuardianTrump’s rebranding of Palm Beach airport hasn’t taken off as he plannedChanges inside the Florida international airport are hardly evident as state and county hold back funds for full remodel

An interesting article from Tariq Ashikhy (Bournemouth University) on how the World Cup has been an exercise in soft disempowerment for the US:https://theconversation.com/has-the-world-cup-been-a-soft-power-failure-for-the-us-287027

The ConversationHas the World Cup been a soft power failure for the US?A string of controversies look set to turn the tournament into a lesson in how soft power can fail.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn8nynv8ze8o

BBC NewsTwo US troops killed and one missing after Iranian attack in JordanIran and the US have traded strikes as hostilities re-escalated this week, with Tehran targeting US military facilities across the Gulf region.

In stark contrast to a fluffy Channel 5 travel doc is Netflix's new documentary series exec produced by Obama. I'm not sure how to process this show, because it feels almost promotional, but the calibre of the production and the contributors is second only to SOTUS.

https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81930567

Who else has watched it? Would love to hear your thoughts.

For those in the UK, I've been watching this three part travel series on Channel 5. It's nothing revelatory, but it's a pretty easy way to pass three hours.

https://www.channel5.com/show/alexander-armstrong-in-america

On Thursday's episode of In the Making, I'm joined by Tim Galsworthy from Lincoln Bishop Uni to discuss the death of Lindsey Graham, more ICE shootings, the ongoing War in Iran... and the World Cup.

It's a bleak one 🤷‍♀ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/in-the-making-war-what-is-it-good-for/id1690975615?i=1000776992929

Over the past three years, SOTUS has built an esteemed network of the world's greatest minds, and you're one of them.

That's why I love making the podcast, because I get to talk to incredible people every week about the stuff you know most about.

But I'm sure you've had enough of my voice, which is why I'm bringing our global community together in a safe, respectful space where we can share ideas, discuss, disagree, laugh and cry together.

This community is made by you.

So join it now and make it yours.

We're launching a new SOTUS community, where we can discuss, chat, share funny gifs... whatever you want, so long as it's legal and about the USA.

But running a global community is not a one person job, and that's why I'm on the lookout a small team of editors who want to help me build SOTUS into something huge!

This is a great opportunity for those in academic environments - staff or students - who want to build a portfolio and demonstrate real-world transferrable skills (editing, moderating, content creation etc) without committing loads of time (1-2 hours weekly).

Remuneration will be through a revenue share scheme.

So if you have a couple of hours a week to spare, a passion for America / American studies / politics / news, and you'd like to shape the future of Team SOTUS, please message me privately or email [email protected]