The Trawl

• Trump's Transgender Mice, Canadian Wrath, WW3 and Greenland

  Sometimes, Jemma and Marina feel like they're having a fever dream. First they're agreeing with Dan Hodges from The Mail, then Trump is confusing transgenic mice with transgender mice. Furthermore, upon being told his error, rather than burying himself under a duvet so he can hide due to abject mortification, he's doubling down. Still, it's not like this person is in charge of the US or anything. Oh.......The latest Trump week from hell has been a biggie, he's making another bid for Greenland, apropos of just...wanting it. He's really getting on Canada's nerves and more worryingly, he's causing Russia to get away with accusing the UK of being the 'main instigator' of global conflict, including the Second World War. This seems interesting to Marina and Jemma who had thought we were all agreed that that was started by the bloke who invaded Poland. Decision after heinous Trump decision makes it a pretty surreal Trawl. For instance, wanting to send Ukrainian refugees back when you've just made their country even more dangerous feels pretty low. Jemma can't handle it and needs to inject some levity with her new favourite clip. Marina's vaguely amused, but only vaguely. Still, with so much going on, it feels important to reserve some sympathy for the presenter of Pointless, Alexander Armstrong, who has been moaning to The Telegraph about VAT on private school fees while wearing a cravat.Pudding is by the genius Randy RainbowThank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcastPatreonhttps://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcastYoutubehttps://www.youtube.com/@TheTrawlTwitterhttps://twitter.com/TheTrawlPodcastBlueSkyhttps://bsky.app/profile/thetrawl.bsky.socialCreated and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina PurkissEdited by Max Carrey

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  54:40
• Labour's Cruel Benefit Cuts and Reform Implode

  The sun has had it's hat on, in the UK. Marina is not in the UK. She's still on holiday, where it's cloudy. What are the chances? Somehow, Jemma has managed to find a Cilla clip that draws a comparison to the situation. Marina takes it well and, Trawl trooper that she is, she's packed her mic so she and Jemma can trawl through what on earth is going on at Reform UK.Despite being able to count the number of MP's they have on one hand, there's serious trouble at mill and a very public spat has ensued, seemingly triggered by Rupert Lowe thinking he should be leader post his endorsement from Musk. Watching them eat themselves, it occurs to the Trawl ladies, that maybe, just maybe the UK media gives them all far too much credence. After that Jemma and Marina discuss Labour's latest announcements concerning benefits, including disability benefits and PIP specifically. The fact they're going after the most vulnerable in society feels disgusting to them and the way they're going about it is pure Tory. Starmer promised no more austerity, there 'could' be a wealth tax, but no, it feels like the people who have the least are expected to suffer. Not good. As for the party line the MP's are spouting as they do the rounds, well, it's depressingly Tory too.After that topic it feels only fair to finish with a farewell to Darren Grimes who has left GB News. A very emotional Darren cited not being able to say exactly what he wanted to as the reason for leaving. Jemma and Marina wonder what on earth he wants to say that you can't say at the 'home of free speech.'It's bon voyage to him and hello to some under rated tweets and a brilliant pudding served by Stewart Lee. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcastPatreonhttps://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcastYoutubehttps://www.youtube.com/@TheTrawlTwitterhttps://twitter.com/TheTrawlPodcastBlueSkyhttps://bsky.app/profile/thetrawl.bsky.socialCreated and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina PurkissEdited by Max Carrey

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• Ukraine, UK, U OK USA?

  The Trawl ladies begin by paying tribute to Hollywood legend, Gene Hackman who has passed away. Morgan Freeman spoke powerfully about him at The Oscar's and then Jemma and Marina select their other highlight from The Academy Awards which was the emotional moment when No Other Land won Best Documentary Feature. The film which you can see on Channel 4 is about life under occupation in the West Bank and was made by an Israeli and Palestine collective. Hearing from a Palestinian man and then an Israeli who are united in their sense of injustice is a powerful moment. The rest of the episode focuses on the fallout from Zelensky's Oval Office experience. Trump is withdrawing aid from Ukraine and to all intents and purposes sounding more like a Russian asset by the minute. The Republicans are still right behind them, though Europe are not and Starmer is taking the lead on bringing leaders together to find a way forward. His warm greeting and display of affection for the Ukranian leader, coupled with Zelensky's visit to the King, is a masterclass in pass agg diplomacy. Marina tries to make sense of Trump withdrawing Russian Cyber security protections, while Jemma just tries to make sense, due to having been at a big event the night before. That said, the Trawl ladies are both very clear on what they think about Vance's insulting comments about our military. Meanwhile, the US economy is tanking and the price of eggs remains high. Nice one Trump, it's going terribly and people have had un oeuf (enough) Pudding is from the Jimmy Kimmel showEnjoy! Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcastPatreonhttps://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcastYoutubehttps://www.youtube.com/@TheTrawlTwitterhttps://twitter.com/TheTrawlPodcastBlueSkyhttps://bsky.app/profile/thetrawl.bsky.socialCreated and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina PurkissEdited by Max Carrey

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  41:42
• Starmer Steps Up. The White House Punches Down

  What a time to be alive. The news cycle is insane. Even people who normally don't talk about politics, are talking about politics - cue Susannah Constantine. In this episode Jemma and Marina revisit the various scenes from The Oval Office starting, of course, with Starmer's audience with the giant human wotsit that is Trump. Marina and Jemma both agreed that whilst it was faintly nauseating to watch the PM handing over a letter from the King, it was also a diplomatic coup and very cleverly played. It's fair to say Starmer's stock is up. Comedian, Michael Spicer, has a view too and provides commentary. Sadly, things didn't go as smoothly when Zelensky paid his visit and JD Vance was particularly grotesque. Marina and Jemma unpack the bullying and share the best takes they've found. Unlike Vance, they won't force you to thank them. The fallout, suit-gate and Marco Rubio's unease, it's all in this Trawl as are your underrated tweets of the week. Pudding is sung for you by The Marsh Family Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcastPatreonhttps://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcastYoutubehttps://www.youtube.com/@TheTrawlTwitterhttps://twitter.com/TheTrawlPodcastBlueSkyhttps://bsky.app/profile/thetrawl.bsky.socialCreated and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina PurkissEdited by Max Carrey

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  41:11
• The Trawl Meets: Ashley James

  Jemma and Marina have both followed Ashley on Instagram (where she has a gigantic following) for a while now so were delighted to discover that she listens to The Trawl regularly. Ashley is the political commentator on This Morning, a vocal feminist and passionate about sharing just as much 'reality' on Insta as she does glamour. With all that in mind, Marina and Jemma were fascinated to talk about her stint at GB News, the time she interviewed porn star Bonnie Blue and to find out why she cites Ann Widdecombe as an influence. Body parts, politics and sex, nothing is off limits. It's a juicy episode as the three ladies speak their minds and find out more about Ashley. Enjoy!Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcastFind Ashley here: https://www.instagram.com/ashleylouisejamesPatreonhttps://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcastYoutubehttps://www.youtube.com/@TheTrawlTwitterhttps://twitter.com/TheTrawlPodcastBlueSkyhttps://bsky.app/profile/thetrawl.bsky.socialCreated and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

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  45:03

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