Americast
Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC. Join us for the latest insights and analysis on what's happening inside Donald Trump's White House. Listen on BBC Sounds. Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now. The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher. As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from the BBC’s Undercover Voters, our award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media. The team is also joined by special guests each week, like CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, Emmy Award-winning TV host, Rachel Maddow, and Succession actress, J Smith-Cameron. Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as being a podcast, we are also available every Friday night on BBC Radio 4 and every weekend on the BBC News YouTube Channel and also BBC News TV Channel. Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from special guests, including Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department for Homeland Security during the Trump presidency before becoming a whistleblower. That programme is broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live too. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at Americast@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. By the way, you can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say ‘”Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers. See ya’ll later...
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Episodes
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Americanswers... on 5 Live! Did Trump ambush Zelensky?
Monday, 3 March 2025
Presidents Trump and Zelensky clashed on Friday night in a furious exchange at the White House, during which Trump accused the Ukrainian president of “gambling with World War III.”The future of the world now seems more uncertain, and people naturally have a lot of questions.The team try to provide them as they join Matt Chorley for a special edition of their weekly Q&A.Was the conflict manufactured by a Trump-friendly reporter? How has Congress reacted? Has the incident hurt Trump in the polls? All will be answered in today's edition of AmericanswersHOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Edito...
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Who’s Running America… Trump’s Health Secretary (RFK Jr)
Sunday, 2 March 2025
Our latest mini series is here and this time we're profiling some of the key players in Donald Trump's presidency, who are now running America. We’re ending the series with Robert F Kennedy Jr., the new Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has been tasked with making America healthy again - an appointment which came as a surprise to some, given that he’s been accused of supporting the anti-vaccination movement and spreading misinformation. Spurning a democratic dynasty and risking a family rift to embrace Trump’s administration, his aim now is to end the ‘chronic disease epidemi...
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Ukrainecast: Trump and Zelensky clash in the Oval Office
Friday, 28 February 2025
There were unprecedented scenes in the White House this afternoon when President Trump, Vice President JD Vance and President Zelensky clashed in an extraordinary shouting match in front of stunned reporters.Lyse Doucet and Vitaly Shevchenko from Ukrainecast are joined by former UK national security adviser Lord Ricketts to get immediate reaction, and what this all means for the future of Ukraine.
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Did Starmer win over Trump at the White House?
Friday, 28 February 2025
How successful was Sir Keir Starmer’s meeting with President Trump at the White House on Thursday? Trump praised the Prime Minister as a “tough negotiator”, but did Sir Keir get the key concessions needed over the war in Ukraine and trade? Justin, Sarah and Marianna analyse what was said - and not said - between the two leaders, and how Sir Keir Starmer played the ultimate royal card with Donald Trump. HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://...
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Why is Trump sharing an AI video of Gaza?
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Donald Trump sparked a social media frenzy on Wednesday when he posted a video of Gaza generated by artificial intelligence on his site Truth Social. Marianna's been analysing Trump's social media strategy and how he attempts to influence what we see on our online feeds.Meanwhile, the fallout from Elon Musk's email to federal workers over the weekend continues. Musk asked all federal workers to list their accomplishments to him an email, and defended his actions at the first meeting of Trump's new cabinet earlier today.Justin and Marianna assess the two stories and what risks could lie ahea...
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Americanswers... on 5 Live! What's Elon Musk's latest threat to federal workers?
Monday, 24 February 2025
French president Emmanuel Macron is in Washington DC for talks with Donald Trump as he - and later in the week Keir Starmer - attempt to stop a deal on the Ukraine war that favours Russia. How do you get through to the president?And, the price of eggs keeps rising in the US due to cases of bird flu. Will it cost the president politically?Justin, Anthony and Marianna joined Matt Chorley on 5 Live to answer your questions...HOSTS: • Matt Chorley, 5 Live Presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent • Justin Webb, Radio 4 ...
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Who’s Running America… Trump’s Policy Chief (Stephen Miller)
Sunday, 23 February 2025
Our latest mini series is here and this time we're profiling some of the key players in Donald Trump's presidency, who are now running America. Stephen Miller is one of the most powerful people in government who many have never heard of. He’s the new White House deputy chief of staff for policy. Previously - and unusually - he also served as a senior advisor in President Trump’s first term. He is the architect behind many of the most controversial Trump policies, and is often seen next to the president in the Oval Office. So who is he and how has he survived so long?Anthony is joined by Jon...
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How far away is a Ukraine peace deal?
Friday, 21 February 2025
The past week has seen international diplomacy turned upside down as the US began talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. The decision to exclude Ukraine - and Europe - from these talks led to an emergency summit in which European countries sought to establish some influence over the process.But with the US and Ukrainian presidents embroiled in a dispute that led to Trump calling Zelensky a “dictator”, is their relationship beyond repair? And will Ukraine have any say over the terms of a peace deal? Newscast, Americast and Ukrainecast gathered in the studio for a special collaboration ...
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Trump and Zelensky’s war of words
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
As the Trump administration begins peace talks with Russian officials to end the war in Ukraine, President Trump himself seems to be blaming Ukraine for it beginning at all. We ask, whose side is he on?Justin, Marianna and Anthony also look at what Zelensky means when he says Trump is “living in a disinformation space”.HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations 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...
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Americanswers... on 5 Live! Will the US leave NATO?
Monday, 17 February 2025
American and Russian leaders will meet in Saudi Arabia this week to begin negotiations about a peace deal for Ukraine. Trump said on Sunday he could be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin "very soon".Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Zelensky has said he has not been involved in the talks yet, and European leaders have also been left out. After Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Ukraine should not join NATO, should other member states be worried?Marianna and Sarah join Matt Chorley to talk about the changing relationship between the US and NATO under the new Trump administration.We also ...
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Who's Running America... Trump's Defence Chief (Pete Hegseth)
Sunday, 16 February 2025
Our latest mini series is here and this time we're profiling some of the key players in Donald Trump's presidency, who are now running America. Over the next few weeks, new profiles will drop every Sunday.Pete Hegseth is the new Secretary of Defence, overseeing America’s military and defence strategy. A former national guardsman and Fox News host, Hegseth’s confirmation has been controversial. Dogged with allegations of womanizing, binge-drinking and sexual assault (which he denies), several senators opposed his nomination while some argued he did not have the necessary experience to run th...
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Could Donald Trump stretch the power of the presidency?
Friday, 14 February 2025
In the first weeks of his second term, President Donald Trump has wasted no time in using Executive Orders to suspend all new asylum claims, freeze government hiring and spending, strip back agencies established by Congress, and offer a buyout deal for thousands of federal workers. So far, the courts have been the only substantive roadblocks to Trump’s agenda, but is the President ready to defy the courts? The White House has accused the media of "fear mongering the American people". As Trump pushes the limits of presidential power - and with legal challenges from Democrats, unions and le...
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Our predictions for the year... The 2025 Time Capsule!
Friday, 14 February 2025
Americast makes its predictions for 2025 as Donald Trump continues to create headlines with his first 100 days as president. Justin, Sarah, Anthony and Marianna make an audio time capsule of predictions, with plenty of suggestions from Americasters. It’s something we promised to do after the election, but with a packed news schedule, we’re belatedly bringing it to you now! How many stars will be on the US flag by the end of the year? Who will be the winner of the tech world? How will the Trump presidency end? Only the time capsule well tell…HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sar...
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Elon Musk's 'Take Your Kid to Work' Day
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Elon Musk is already in uncharted territory with his role in Donald Trump's administration, but in a surprise appearance inside the Oval Office yesterday, he brought his son along to an impromptu press conference alongside the president. The tech billionaire denied he was launching a hostile takeover of the federal government and said he was simply delivering the reform that Americans voted for.HOSTS: • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https:...
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We Speak to Lord Mandelson (New UK Ambassador to US)
Tuesday, 11 February 2025
On his first day in the role, Lord Mandelson talks to Americast about how the UK will handle Donald Trump. In his conversation with Sarah, Britain’s new U.S. Ambassador explains why the UK needs to respect Trump’s “strong and clear mandate for change”. Given President Trump’s fast moving and radical agenda, what kind of approach should the UK be taking, and will the ‘special relationship’ continue? HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor GUEST: Lord Peter Mandelson, British Ambassador to the United States GET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qS...
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Americanswers... on 5 Live! Why was Taylor Swift booed at the Super Bowl?
Monday, 10 February 2025
One day on from a big US Super Bowl weekend, what happened with Taylor Swift, and what was her reaction? We also hear Donald Trump defending Elon Musk in his traditional pre-game interview, telling Americans to expect further cuts to the federal government, particularly in education. Marianna, Anthony and Sarah join Matt Chorley to talk about the potential fallout from those cuts, plus allegations of political censorship at TikTok, tariffs on aluminium, and who is really behind Trump’s policies.HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Ma...
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Who's Running America... Trump's Tech Bro (Elon Musk)
Sunday, 9 February 2025
Our latest mini series is here and this time we're profiling some of the key players in Donald Trump's presidency, who are now running America. Over the next few weeks, new profiles will drop every Sunday. Elon Musk is one of the most influential people inside Trump's White House, as head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is making huge and sweeping cuts to federal government. He's also the richest person in the world, and controls key companies in the United States including Space X and Tesla. We hear from two guests who know Elon Musk well - Jim Cant...
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Elon Musk vs The U.S. Government
Friday, 7 February 2025
In the three weeks since Donald Trump returned to the White House, Elon Musk has taken a wrecking ball to the federal government in what he has called "a revolution of the people".That revolution has included offers to buyout millions of federal employees, accessing sensitive data of millions of Americans and sweeping efforts to shut down federal agencies like USAID.What, if anything, can get in Musk's way? And has there ever been so much power wielded in America by an unelected individual?HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social...
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Trump on Gaza..."We'll own it"
Wednesday, 5 February 2025
In an extraordinary press conference alongside Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump suggested the US could “own” the Gaza Strip and turn it into "the Riviera of the Middle East".His comments have sparked condemnation from countries across the Middle East and the Palestinian Authority says its people will not be resettled.The Americast team give their analysis and ask whether Trump’s words should be taken at face value. HOSTS: * Sarah Smith, North America Editor * Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent * Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET ...
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Americanswers... on 5 Live! What is the impact of Trump's tariffs?
Monday, 3 February 2025
After announcing he would place tariffs on Canada and Mexico during his campaign, the president nearly followed through. After sending the world economy into a frenzy, Trump then postponed the trade war with his North American neighbours on hold after securing concessions from both of them over border security.But he still has China and the EU in his sights. Is the UK next on the list for the trade war? And how do tariffs work anyway?Sarah and Justin join Matt Chorley to try and make sense of it all. They also discuss whether Trump’s staff might withhold information from him after his react...
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Who's Running America... Trump's Top Diplomat (Marco Rubio)
Sunday, 2 February 2025
Our latest mini series is here and this time we're profiling some of the key players in Donald Trump's presidency, who are now running America. Over the next few weeks, new profiles will drop every Sunday. We start with Marco Rubio, the one-time presidential hopeful in 2016 who famously fell out with Trump when vying for the Republican nomination. The pair have since patched things up, but how did the man once coined as the Republican Party's equivalent to Barack Obama end up as America's top diplomat, and how has his background as the son of Cuban immigrants shaped his politics today?...
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Is Trump’s ‘flood the media’ strategy working?
Friday, 31 January 2025
With daily announcements, executive orders and press conferences from Trump’s presidency in its first fortnight, how should we be navigating the daily torrent of news? Americast examines the deliberate strategy by the White House (also used in Trump’s first presidency) to “flood the zone” with news. Justin, Anthony and Marianna discuss whether Democrats and the media should be properly scrutinising each news story, what to ignore, and whether the strategy is successfully working for President Trump?HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America Correspondent...
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The Washington DC Plane Crash
Thursday, 30 January 2025
An air collision involving a commercial jet and a military helicopter is believed to have killed 67 people in Washington DC. The recovery operation continues with the cause of the disaster still unknown.Anthony speaks to Sarah, who's been on the banks of the Potomac River where the rescue operation is taking place.HOSTS: * Sarah Smith, North America Editor * 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.co.uk * Or use #AmericastThis ...
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Why does Trump want government workers to quit?
Wednesday, 29 January 2025
Donald Trump's plans to reshape the federal government have gathered pace after almost all federal employees received an email on Tuesday offering the option to resign and receive pay for eight months. How many workers will take up the offer and what happens to those that don't?And, Karoline Leavitt has made history as the youngest White House press secretary at the age of 27. Sarah was at her first briefing in which she announced changes to how the briefing room will operate and sparred with reporters on a number of issues.HOSTS: * Sarah Smith, North America Editor * Marianna Spring, Socia...
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Americanswers... on 5 Live! What does Donald Trump think of Keir Starmer?
Monday, 27 January 2025
It’s been a week since President Trump took the oath of office for the second time, and his administration have wasted no time in issuing executive orders and setting the tone for the next four years. Sarah, Justin and Marianna join Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live once again to answer your questions on coins, Greenland, Columbia, and what the Democrats have been up to.And, our own Anthony Zurcher asked Trump a question over the weekend about his thoughts on Keir Starmer. HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigatio...
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Americanswers! Did Elon Musk make a Nazi salute?
Thursday, 23 January 2025
After he declared that "America's sovereignty is under attack” in an executive order, reports suggest that Donald Trump could send thousands of troops to install barriers at the US border with Mexico. Are barriers the answer to stop illegal crossings? President Trump has given his first broadcast interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News. In the interview he described the attacks on January 6 as “very minor incidents” and suggested Joe Biden should have pardoned himself before leaving office. But why has Trump issued a pardon to the founder of an illegal online drug marketplace?And, Elon Musk...
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Trump gets to work… and releases Jan 6th prisoners
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
On the first full day of his presidency, Donald Trump defended his decision to release high-profile prisoners jailed over the Capitol riots and to pardon nearly 1,600 people in connection with Jan 6th. Marianna, Sarah and Anthony are together in DC as they discuss who has been released, what the reaction has been, and how Trump is changing the narrative over who was responsible for the riots. Also, Trump’s former advisor Bryan Lanza joins the pod with an inside view on why the immigration raids are more about PR than deportation. HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Justin Webb, ...
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The return of President Trump
Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Donald Trump is back in the White House.The 45th and now 47th president of the United States is wasting no time putting his plans into action. We look at his speech, and what those actions are.Justin, Sarah, Marianna and Anthony are together in Washington as all the news breaks.This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the sub...
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Trump promises "historic" first day in power
Monday, 20 January 2025
At a raucous rally in Washington DC, Donald Trump has promised "historic speed and strength" as he prepares for his inauguration on Monday.Thousands of his supporters are brazing freezing temperatures to watch him be sworn in to office as he told his supporters to expect a blitz of executive orders on day one of his presidency.The Americast team are in Washington DC to assess what is meant by an executive order and how much he might be able to achieve at the beginning of his second term as president.HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Co...
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Goodbye, Joe: Biden’s Legacy (Part 2)
Saturday, 18 January 2025
Joe Biden has given his final address setting out the list of achievements that he would like to define his four years in the White House. Sarah and Anthony unpack at the 46th president’s domestic successes and failures. They’re joined by his former senior advisor, and friend, Anita Dunn. She tells us what the president is really like behind closed doors, how he’ll be remembered, and whether he was just too old for the job.This episode was made by George Dabby, with Rufus Gray, Claire Betzer and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pa...
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