25 Sept 2026
25m

Marina Hyde on Trump, tech bros and Taylor Swift

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Today in Focus

Marina Hyde, a long-standing Guardian columnist, reflects on her 25-year career and her new collection of columns, *What a Time to be Alive*, which documents the political and cultural volatility of the last four years. The discussion centers on the rapid turnover of UK leadership and the rise of global figures like Donald Trump, whom Hyde characterizes as a master of spectacle. She critiques the unchecked power of tech moguls, arguing they have surpassed politicians in influence, and shares her skepticism regarding the current AI boom. Beyond politics, the conversation touches on the "Shakespearean" nature of celebrity narratives, such as the Beckham family's public image. Ultimately, Hyde explains her decision to step away from her column, citing a desire to embrace the uncertainty of new challenges after decades of documenting a world that increasingly defies traditional logic.

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