In the Making: Putting the ‘odd’ in Todd Blanche

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This week, we take a closer look at the imminent approval of Todd Blanche as the US' new Attorney General. Who is Trump's former personal lawyer, and what does his appointment mean for the US?

Plus, the UFC have confirmed losses of $30 for hosting the White House event on Trump's birthday, while the federal appeals court has reversed climate program cuts, restoring billions of dollars in funding.

Joining me this week is Sian Round, a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at Swansee University.

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01:42 - Climate funding restored

04:46 - US economic growth

10:18 - UFC White House Costs

16:45 - Todd Blanche: Attorney General

36:58 - Lifeguard Hero

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News Sources:

• Federal appeals court throw out Trump’s climate cuts:https://apnews.com/article/epa-grants-climate-united-trump-36ad8c6684939a1788dd49979e0f3ad9 

• UFC loses $30 million on White House event: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/ckgdky8d94eo 

• US economy grows by 1.5%: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/30/us-economy-growth-inflation-second-quarter 

• Todd Blanche nomination moves to full Senate vote: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2026/08/04/senate-judiciary-committee-approves-todd-blanche-as-ag-after-initial-delay/ 

• 16 year old lifeguard saves 10 year old’s life: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/16-yo-rookie-lifeguard-leads-heroic-ocean-rescue-with-viral-video-of-harrowing-effort/

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America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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