California is "a beautiful state, and they keep electing these terrible people to run it". Any chance of a change now? We discuss how polarisation drives the decline of character in political leadership. Donald Trump has suffered some political setbacks. His anti-weaponisation fund has been scrapped and his preferred candidate lost out in Iowa. Blips or signs of something more serious for the White House? And..."I don't know how more dishonest you can possibly be" — Gerry's excoriating review of Jill Biden's memoir. 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 Image: @spencerpratt on X Clips: Reuters, Gettym CNN, @spencerpratt on X, @grahamformaine on X Read the best of our journalism: https://www.thetimes.com/ Listen live to Times Radio: https://www.thetimes.com/radio/live Subscribe to The Times and The Sunday Times YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=timesonlinevideo Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timesandsundaytimes/ Find us on X: https://x.com/thetimes Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetimes/