Jul 29, 2024 | Sebastian Gorka served as Deputy Assistant for Strategy under the Trump administration.
The avid supporter of Donald Trump claims the former president was subverted and sabotaged after becoming president.
Gorka aligns with Trump’s perspective on pardoning those who participated in the January 6 Capitol riots and believes in a mass deportation of undocumented migrants.
His criticism is directed towards the Biden administration and what he refers to as the ‘deep state’, referencing establishments such as the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigations as groups that, he believes, sought to undermine Trump.
Gorka tells Four Corners he has had conversations with the presidential candidate about working in his administration again. When questioned what role he would like to take the radio host repeats ‘personnel’ and emphasises the importance of vetting people to support the new Trump administration.
Jul 22, 2024 | It was immigration that Donald Trump was talking about on stage during the assassination attempt that left him bloodied and defiant – and it’s one of the fundamental issues currently dividing the United States, alongside the economy, abortion, and race.
Ahead of the presidential election in November, reporter Mark Willacy continues his journey across the country for a Four Corners special.
Already, the election campaign has seen some stunning turns, with President Joe Biden bowing out of the presidential race. In Part 2, Four Corners explores the key issues in the battleground states, travelling to the frontline of the immigration crisis in Arizona’s wild southern desert where Trump wants to “stop the invasion” of migrants at the border with Mexico, as well as an abortion clinic which sees protestors gather almost daily.
Willacy visits Georgia, where political fractures have opened up in Black communities that were once a largely united voice, and he goes inside the Trump juggernaut — attending one of the former president’s rallies with fans who are steadfast in their belief that he will make America great again.
This episode was originally broadcast as Four Corners: ‘Retribution Part 2’, on 22 July 2024 on ABC TV and ABC iview. Four Corners is Australia’s premier investigations documentary series.
WARNING: This video contains strong language. Many viewers will find it offensive. It is unsuitable for children. – Mark
Jul 15, 2024 | There has never been a US president like Donald Trump — and now he’s back, this time with a detailed plan for his second coming.
Nearly four years after he was cast out by voters and accused of encouraging the American people to assault their own democracy with the attack on the US Capitol, the now convicted criminal wants to rebuild the country in his own image.
Ahead of the US election in November, Four Corners reporter Mark Willacy travels to Washington for the first of a special two-part series. He sits down with White House insiders who witnessed the chaos of Trump’s first term — some who continue to support his vision, and others Trump now considers “traitors”.
Trump wants to reshape the pillars of American democracy and give himself more power.
Willacy goes inside “Project 2025”, the blueprint for a second Trump term and the army of recruits ready to carry out his orders. Meanwhile strategy, security and defence experts warn of the impact another Trump presidency could have on America’s institutions, its democracy, and the rest of the world.
BEWARE! This video contains some very strong language. – Mark
Oct 12, 2020 Tinder has been downloaded more than 100 million times worldwide. It’s reinvented the way we meet people.
Billed as 'the largest, hottest community of singles in the world', Tinder urges users, 'when in doubt, give a Swipe Right. Trust us, the more options you have, the better-looking life becomes.'
The app generates enormous revenue for its parent company Match Group, but there's alarming evidence that Tinder is putting users at great risk.
In a joint investigation, Four Corners and triple j Hack reveal that the dating app has become a playground for sex offenders.
This documentary is definitely NOT suitable for children. – Mark
Jun 28, 2022 | Vaping was hailed as a new way to quit smoking. But now there are serious concerns it’s hooking a new generation on nicotine. An investigation by Four Corners has found there is a thriving black market, fueled by rising demand among young people and a failure to police the rules. We delve into the fierce battle about the harms of vaping, in what’s become a multi-billion-dollar global industry. Vaping advocates claim any harms caused by e-cigarettes pale in comparison to the dangers of smoking - and that vaping can be an effective quit tool. But public health experts say there’s limited evidence they help to quit smoking, and warn that vaping poses a significant long-term public health risk.
What a surprise! Vaping has become a problem in Australia, especially for young people. Well I never!
Politicians of every stripe, but particularly left-wing politicians, are engaged in social engineering; they are trying to change people’s preferences and habits, and in so doing are causing distortions in the marketplace and are engaging in social engineering. Sometimes things are better left alone. the vowel of your choice—leave things alone?
First of all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a conventional cigarette as long as one’s smoking is kept within limits and it is done in moderation. I have smoked for most of my adult life; though I have given up now. (With ease, I hasten to add.) Smoking is not an addiction; rather, it is a habit.
They try and say that nicotine is “the most addictive substance known to man”. TOSH! POPPYCOCK! NONSENSE! Nicotine is hardly addictive at all! It is only addictive if you let it be so. I smoked twenty cigarettes a day for most of my adult life and when I gave up, I suffered no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. Not one! Nor have I had any cravings since giving up. (It will be three months on July 10th since giving up.)
Smoking has become the bête noire of our day; but it is actually a very pleasurable habit. The secret is not letting it control you. Many things can become addictive if you allow them to become so: chocolate, alcohol, sugary foods, gambling, and many other things besides. Self-control and self-discipline are called for.
Governments have been pushing vaping as an alternative to smoking for several years. I find this totally and utterly irresponsible, because we do not know the long-term effects of the habit. Fact is, too, they are very appealing to young people, because they are often high-tech, and because they can be purchased in all sorts of weird and wonderful flavours. So these young people are becoming dependent on them and they are convincing themselves that they are addicted to nicotine. Young people are young are often impressionable, weak-willed, and lacking in discipline.
What needs to be done is for governments to put pressure on the cigarette manufacturers to take the crap out of real cigarettes. Make them take out all those nasty chemicals, make them manufacture safer real cigarettes; and governments should bring the price of real cigarettes right down by taking all that excessive tax off them.
Don’t get me wrong. I am all for bringing down the incidence of smoking; but it should be done by education and gentle persuasion. Social engineering is not only wrong; it is also very dangerous. Because people will get their kicks in life, one way or another. Take one pleasure away from them and they will find another pleasure to replace the one taken away. Moreover, that pleasure denied to people may well turn out in the long-run to be far less injurious to health than the new-fangled habit used to replace it.
Apr 25, 2022 • You may not have heard of them, but JBS is the biggest meat company in the world. It controls a lot of the food you buy in the supermarket including beef, pork, lamb and salmon.
You'll even find their meat between your burger buns at McDonald's.
But despite its size and reach, JBS is a company built on corruption and bribery; tainted by charges and accusations of malpractice and environmental crimes.
While some foreign governments are holding the company to account, Australian politicians have given JBS the green light to grow
Feb 15, 2021 • Vladimir Putin has made it clear that he wants Russia to reclaim its former glory.
In doing so, he expects the support of Russians across the globe, wherever they may live.
Our investigation has uncovered the activities of a cluster of dedicated pro-Russian nationalist groups in Australia.
Some are explicit about their mission — to wage a propaganda war to help further the Kremlin’s global agenda — prompting analysts to warn Australia that it should be paying close attention.
We’ve also uncovered new information linking an alleged Russian money laundering scheme in Australia to a powerful figure in the Putin government, and reveal new details about how a Russian billionaire with an investment here tried to co-opt the Australian government to help lift punitive financial sanctions placed on his company by the United States.
At a time when our federal government is focused on foreign interference, this investigation shines some light on an area some experts describe as a potential emerging threat.
Jul 27, 2019 • When Julian Assange arrived in Sweden in August 2010 he was greeted like a conquering hero.
But within weeks there was a warrant out for his arrest and he was being investigated for rape and sexual molestation.
Until recently he was taking sanctuary in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, arguing he won't receive justice if he's taken to Sweden and that US authorities are building a case for his extradition.
In this program from 2012, Four Corners reporter Andrew Fowler examines in detail what happened in those crucial weeks while Julian Assange was in Sweden. What was the nature of his relationship with the two women who claim he assaulted them? And what did they tell police that led the authorities to seek his arrest?
Both Assange and his supporters believe the attempt by authorities to force his return to Sweden is simply the first step in a plan to see him extradited to the United States.
Four Corners looks at claims the United States is working hard to unearth evidence that would lead to a charge of "conspiracy to commit espionage" being made against Assange - which in turn would be used in his extradition from Sweden.
The program also documents the harassment experienced by Assange's supporters across the globe - including his Australian lawyer - and the FBI's attempts to convince some to give evidence against him.
Feb 4, 2019 • Many Saudi women are wealthy, well-educated and told they have everything, but when they disobey their male guardians, life can be more like a Handmaid’s Tale dystopia.
Oct 25, 2021 • A joint investigation between Four Corners, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald reveals alarming surgical practices at some of Australia’s most popular cosmetic surgery clinics.
Those clinics are owned by dermatologist-turned-cosmetic surgeon, Dr Daniel Lanzer. With millions of followers on social media, he is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeons in the world.
But some patients say that behind the hype, there’s a very different story to be told: one of physical and mental scarring after surgery at Lanzer clinics.
The investigation also reveals how the regulatory system in Australia is failing to protect patients from the devastating consequences of cosmetic surgery gone wrong – all while the industry continues to flourish.
Viewer discretion is strongly advised. This very disturbing report is not suitable for children or for the squeamish. – Mark
Sep 13, 2021 • Former Jehovah's Witnesses are fighting back against a religion that failed them. They know they'll lose their loved ones for doing so.
Few know the extreme nature of the beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses, a religious group which boasts eight million followers in multiple nations.
They take a strict interpretation of the Bible and predicted the world would meet its ‘wicked end’ in 1914, 1925 and 1975.
A US-based Governing Body of eight men sits at the pinnacle of the Jehovah’s Witnesses organisation. Witnesses believe these men are anointed as the voice of God on Earth.
Former members reveal the secretive practices used to instil fear and maintain discipline among followers.
With strict rules governing every aspect of their lives, these former Witnesses say the organisation is controlling and dangerous.
They say it's time to hold the Jehovah's Witnesses to account.
