Episodes
Elon Musk does not stay on the fence when it comes to politics in the US or the UK. Are his comments regarding riots in England this summer intended to send a message ahead of the presidential election?And, Joe Biden gave an interview to CBS News explaining why he took the decision to withdraw from the election. He name-checked Nancy Pelosi in the interview. Just how powerful is Pelosi within the Democrat Party?HOSTS:* Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent
* Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief PresenterGET IN TOUCH:
* Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
* ...
Fred Trump III, Donald Trump’s nephew, is on Americast. He speaks to Anthony about growing up with uncle Donald, their strained relationship, and why he’s backing Kamala Harris over a member of his own family. Plus we hear what it’s been like at rallies with Harris and Walz.HOSTS:
• Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGUEST:
• Fred Trump IIIGET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #Am...
Tim Walz is not a household name in American politics and until recently wasn't even considered a frontrunner to be Kamala Harris's pick as vice president. But after days of speculation, Harris has chosen Walz as she looks to gain support among working class and progressive voters.What does his selection tell us about the Democrats strategy to retain the White House in November? Justin, Sumi and Marianna analyse Walz's selection with Newscast's Adam Fleming on another big day in the election campaign.HOSTS:* Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
* Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Cor...
Barack Obama has already done his two terms as president of the US. Would he be allowed to then serve as vice president to Kamala Harris?And, Donald Trump made a controversial appearance at the convention for the National Association of Black Journalists last week. Why did he make comments questioning Kamala Harris’s racial identity?HOSTS:* Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent
* Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief PresenterGET IN TOUCH:
* Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
* Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
* Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
* O...
After a breathless couple of weeks in American politics it’s time for the Americast team to take stock. Has there been a more tumultuous time in American politics? And what can history tell us about what’s happening today?This week we’re joined by former BBC correspondent and historian Nick Bryant who tells that Trump is as much product of US history as JFK, Lincoln and Reagan.HOST:
- Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenterGUEST:
- Nick Bryant, former BBC Washington correspondent and authorGET IN TOUCH:- Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
- Send us a message or voice note via W...
It’s been a tricky week for Donald Trump. With his presumed opponent, Kamala Harris, enjoying a wave of momentum after Joe Biden stood down from the 2024 race, Trump has been defending his VP pick - JD Vance - after criticism of his “childless cat lady” comments.Harris meanwhile has been campaigning in Georgia, challenging Donald Trump to a debate and pledging to solve the crisis at the US southern border. Harris has previously been criticised for not doing enough to come up with solutions. Can she convince voters that she now has the answers?HOSTS:
* Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspo...
Donald Trump promised supporters at a rally that he would “fix” things so that they would never have to vote again. Was he referring to the end of democracy in the US?We answer your questions about how to interpret Trump’s messaging, as well as assessing the effect of political memes on the outcome of the election.HOSTS: * Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent
* Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:
* Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
* Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
* Email Americast@bbc.c...
In the days after Kamala Harris announced her presidential bid, the Democrats raised more than $100 million. Now, Donald Trump's team have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, challenging whether she can take over Joe Biden's campaign funds.Where does all this money come from? And what's it used for? This week we're joined by Sarah Bryner from OpenSecrets, an organisation dedicated to tracking the money in US politics to find out why presidential candidates are spending more than ever before on their campaigns, and what motivates people to donate to their cause.HOSTS:
* ...
In a rare televised address from the Oval Office, Biden makes his first public comments on why he dropped out of the presidential race. He said he would level with the American people, and tell the truth, but did he answer the big question?
Justin and Adam discuss what President Biden did, and didn’t say in his historic speech. They also discuss what this means for Biden’s future, and the speculation over whether he can continue as President. HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Adam Fleming, presenter of Newscast GET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrx...
Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured the support of a majority of Democratic delegates to become the party's nominee for president.We answer your questions on how she’s gone from playing a backseat role, to the forefront of the party’s hopes in the election.Plus - how will the Republican campaign respond? What’s George Clooney doing for the Democrats? And did the Secret Service director Kim Cheatle have to resign after the Trump shooting?HOSTS:
* Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
* Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:
* Join our online community: https://discord.gg/q...
In one single day, since Joe Biden announced he was stepping down as the Democrat’s nominee, VP Kamala Harris has raised over $150 million for her presidential campaign. She has also gained the endorsements of a large number of Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi and the Clintons. But how realistic are her chances of winning against Donald Trump and how should the Democrats be shaping her campaign? Steve Israel, a former chair of the Democrat’s Congressional Campaign Committee - who has plenty of experience when it comes to big campaigns - joins Sarah, Anthony and Justin to discuss. Also, w...
And says it's "in the best interest of my party and the country". Americast and Newscast collaborate for another episode. Adam, Justin, Sarah and Marianna come together to talk about what's happened and what it could all mean for the US election. HOSTS:
* Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
* Sarah Smith, North America Editor
* Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
* Adam Fleming, Newscast hostGET IN TOUCH:
* Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
* Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
* Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
* Or us...
Today, Newscast and Americast join forces to answer your questions on the US election. What brought Donald Trump and JD Vance together? If Kamala Harris does run to be President, who would be her VP? And, Is President Michelle Obama a possibility? Adam is joined by Americast’s Justin Webb and Marianna Spring.
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The tech...
The RNC has been waiting all week to hear Donald Trump speak for the first time since his attempted assassination.In a record-length speech, he described in detail the moment he was shot before paying tribute to the Pennsylvania fire chief who was killed at the rally. Sarah and Anthony were in the room to witness the speech, and reflect on the key themes with Justin Webb. They discuss the key messages in the speech, and what a second Trump term in the White House might look like. Also, what did delegates make of Melania Trump's reappearance? HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sar...
On day three of the Republican National Convention, it was the turn of JD Vance to pitch his story to the nation after being chosen as Donald Trump's vice presidential pick.He vowed to fight for forgotten Americans in a primetime speech that charted a difficult childhood in Ohio before joining the US Marines, Yale Law School and ultimately the US Senate.Elsewhere, it was another difficult day for Joe Biden. Before it was confirmed he had tested positive for Covid, the embattled president received another public call to step down, this time from top Democrat Adam Schiff. Sarah and Anthony ta...
Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy back Trump!Sarah and Anthony are at the Republican convention, chatting to delegates and catching up with each other about what's been happening in Milwaukee. HOSTS:
• Sarah Smith, North American Editor
• Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent GET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #Americast US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-6809...
We are live at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.Sarah and Anthony talk through the big announcement of the night. Donald Trump has announced that JD Vance, the senator of Ohio, will be his running mate and vice-president if he returns to the White House. HOSTS:
• Sarah Smith, North American Editor
• Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent GET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #Americast US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new...
We get the inside track on presidential security at the highest levels from an expert who has worked with Donald Trump. Justin is joined by Miles Taylor, a former Chief of Staff at the Department for Homeland Security when Trump was President.
Also, as the Republican Convention gets underway in Milwaukee, Justin and Miles discuss Trump’s call for America to “UNITE”. Can the former President reunite not just the country, but the Republican party? What does this mean for Joe Biden and the Democrats? And - Anthony joins us for some breaking news on one of Donald Trump’s legal cases - an...
What happened at the Pennsylvania rally on Saturday? Justin, Sarah and Marianna get together on Sunday morning to talk through what we know about the assassination attempt. HOSTS:
* Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
* Sarah Smith, North America Editor
* Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:
* Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
* Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
* Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
* Or use #Americast US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world...
The president’s press conference on Thursday was hailed as one of the most important in his political life - make or break for his chances of re-election. After a disastrous debate performance two weeks ago, Democrats have been voicing concerns about Biden’s ability to win against Donald Trump in November. We’ll find out if he managed to hold off the rebels trying to oust him from the White House.Justin and Sarah also spoke to a friend of the President, Steve Israel, former congressman and former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He explains why Jill Biden has suc...
Joe Biden has issued a warning to his critics to challenge him at the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Anthony and Miles answer criticism on whether the BBC focus too much on the president’s cognitive abilities.And with momentum building behind the idea of Kamala Harris taking over from Biden, we answer your questions on why she has been largely absent from the campaign so far.HOST:
Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGUEST:
Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland SecurityGET IN TOUCH:
* Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
* Send u...
One week on from his disastrous presidential debate performance, Joe Biden has given his first interview to the American network ABC, to try and reassure the voices calling for him to stand aside. Justin and Sarah convene for an emergency episode to analyse his performance, in which the president defends his health, and presidential record. They also discuss who might replace Biden if and when he goes. HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America Editor GET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
• Send us a message or voice note v...
In one of its most pivotal decisions of the year, the top US court has ruled that American presidents can have absolute immunity for ‘official’ acts. But what does that mean exactly? How far could the leader of the free world push the definition of a presidential duty? Sarah and Anthony have been combing through the opinion, and call in constitutional law expert Alison LaCroix to help them understand all the details - from the practical to the farcical. Does the ruling impact Donald Trump’s other legal cases? Could Joe Biden order Trump’s assassination and claim immunity?Elsewhere in the wo...
After last week’s presidential debate, Justin and Marianna discuss whether President Biden is likely to step down – or be forced to stand down – as the Democratic nominee. Who might replace him? Or if he stays, what are his chances of winning the election against Donald Trump? Justin and Marianna also answer questions on how the media covered Trump’s performance in the debate, and why many of his false claims were not fact checked.
GUESTS:
Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland Security
HOSTS:
Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
Marianna Spring, Disinformation & So...
Joe Biden and Donald Trump face off in their first presidential debateThe testy showdown was marked by personal attacks and a stumbling Biden performance. The Americast Team reacts to the policies debated as well as each candidate’s performance.Sarah and Anthony join us from the Spin Room after the debate, where they talk about the Democrats’ mood and how the Trump team is reacting.GUESTS:
Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland SecurityHOSTS:
Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
Sarah Smith, North America Editor
Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:
* J...
More questions, more answers: Anthony and Miles disect how Democrats in the deep south lost the working class vote.The team tackle who Trump’s current VP pick might be, and respond to the most asked question in the Americast inbox: whether if it’s too late for Trump or Biden to drop out of the race.We also find out how politics is breaking up American families, and whether Western allies fear the return of Donald Trump.GUESTS:
Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland SecurityHOSTS:
Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:
* Join our online community: h...
Joe Biden and Donald Trump will face off next week in the first presidential debate of the 2024 U.S. election season. Questions are swirling about how prepared both candidates are before they meet each other at the podium once again. Sarah and Justin sit down with Mike Murphy, a veteran Republican strategist who has prepared many Republican candidates for debate, to break down what we can expect from the rematch. Can Biden calm concerns about the economy? Can Trump swat away attacks about his criminal conviction? What should Americasters be watching out for?The showdown could be the most mo...
Justin gets grilled by the Americasters on why he didn’t correct an interviewee who referred to Donald Trump as “President”... And why he refers to the world wide HQ of Americast as being in “London, England”. He and Sarah also tackle precinct issues like how Trump and Keir Starmer would interact if elected this year, and whether he could run for a third term, and how a President builds his cabinet. We also hear from a caller who wants to know what happened to the political centre ground in the United States.HOSTS:
Sarah Smith, North America editor
Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenterGET IN TOUC...
Hunter Biden has been found guilty on all three charges in his federal gun trial, becoming the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be criminally convicted. Prosecutors said Biden lied about his drug use when he bought a handgun in 2018. Sarah Smith - who has just returned from Delaware where the trial took place - and Justin Webb unpack the evidence and the consequences for President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. Also, Justin and Sarah speak to Jill Biden’s former Press Secretary, Michael LaRosa on how the case will be affecting Joe Biden’s inner circle. Could the U.S. pres...
Sarah Smith is reunited with the Zurch! She’s back from her holiday, and returns to a very full inbox of Ameriquestions to answer.They include queries on whether the U.S. would ever elect a President who isn’t a Christian, and why politicians “approve this message” at their end of their campaign adverts? And we speak to Americaster Joanna, who wants to know whether Americans harbour desires for their own monarchy. HOSTS: - Sarah Smith, North America editor
- Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
• Send us a mes...