Americast cover art
Podcast · 207 episodes

Americast, page 3

by BBC News · English

Insight and analysis on what's happening inside Donald Trump's White House. Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC. 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 social media investigation 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 on BBC Radio 4 and every Saturday on the BBC World Service. Oh, and 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. Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from our friends, including BBC Radio 5 Live's Matt Chorley. 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.

All episodes, page 3

The Democrats fight back Trump-style in Maine… but have they messed up?Democrats’ high-stakes Senate gamble in Maine: whether nominating Graham Plattner (an oyster fisherman with no political experience) will let them beat long-serving Republican Sen.11 Jun 2026 · 40 min · 19 chapters
Americanswers… on 5 Live! Why did Trump walk out of his TV interview with Meet The Press?The episode of AmeriCanswers/ AmeriCast discusses: (1) why Donald Trump walked out of an NBC “Meet the Press” interview in Wisconsin, after being pressed on unfounded 2020 election fraud claims and…8 Jun 2026 · 29 min · 13 chapters
The most expensive World Cup ever? (With Football Daily, part 3)The 2026 World Cup’s finances and fan costs—ticket prices, FIFA’s revenue model, dynamic pricing, resale, transport markups, legal scrutiny, and whether the spectacle/vibe will match past tournaments.5 Jun 2026 · 32 min · 16 chapters
Will War Overshadow the World Cup? (With Football Daily, part 2)How war and diplomacy could affect the 2026 World Cup, focusing on US-Iran tensions, visa/entry rules, and security fears involving ICE, plus broader implications for hosting in Mexico and US soccer…5 Jun 2026 · 25 min · 11 chapters
Will this be the Donald Trump World Cup? (With Football Daily, part 1)The episode asks how the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico came to be, and whether Donald Trump’s politics will dominate the tournament.5 Jun 2026 · 30 min · 16 chapters
Why Democrats think they can win back Iowa from TrumpAmeriCast discusses whether Democrats can win Iowa back from Donald Trump, focusing on recent Iowa primaries for governor and the Senate, and what they imply for Democrats’ midterm and potential…3 Jun 2026 · 32 min · 17 chapters
Americanswers... on 5 Live! Is the Trump administration checking tourists' social media?The episode of AmeriCanswers (BBC News) discusses the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations in Washington, D.C., and how they’ve become entangled with Donald Trump.1 Jun 2026 · 25 min · 8 chapters
Does the US need new laws to protect elections?Whether the US needs new laws to protect elections by criminalizing “material lies” by politicians that knowingly damage democracy, especially claims that the 2020 election was stolen and calls to…29 May 2026 · 32 min · 16 chapters
Are the Democrats ready to win in Texas?The episode discusses whether Donald Trump’s endorsement in Texas could make the state’s November Senate race competitive for Democrats.27 May 2026 · 26 min · 13 chapters
The political fight for American menA BBC AmeriCast episode arguing that American politics—especially support for Trump—has been driven by young men’s alienation, and that both the far right and far left mishandle “masculinity.” It…25 May 2026 · 38 min · 15 chapters
Will Trump invade Cuba?The episode debates whether Donald Trump is moving toward invading Cuba or pursuing “regime change” short of invasion. It centers on the U.S.22 May 2026 · 40 min · 16 chapters
Trump gets “forever” immunity on his past tax affairsThe episode argues that Donald Trump secured unprecedented legal and political advantages: an IRS settlement creating a nearly $1.8 billion “weaponized lawfare” compensation fund and a separate…20 May 2026 · 31 min · 15 chapters
Americanswers... on 5 Live! Has Zohran Mamdani achieved a miracle in New York?America Answers on BBC Five Live discusses (1) whether New York mayor Zohran Mamdani truly “closed” a $12 billion budget gap without cuts or billionaire exits, (2) a court ruling blocking Donald…18 May 2026 · 28 min · 15 chapters
Why Democrats are panicking about losing CaliforniaThe BBC AmeriCast episode examines why Democrats fear losing California’s governor’s race, focusing on the state’s “jungle primary” (top-two runoff) and voter dissatisfaction over cost of living,…15 May 2026 · 40 min · 14 chapters
Does Trump need China to end the war in Iran?A BBC AmeriCast analysis of whether President Donald Trump will rely on China to help end the Iran war during his first Beijing trip since returning to office, alongside broader U.S.-China tensions…13 May 2026 · 30 min · 15 chapters
Americanswers! Vance vs Rubio… who will take over from Trump in 2028?Republican succession after Trump (2028) and how redistricting could decide control of the US House, amid major Virginia and US Supreme Court rulings.11 May 2026 · 38 min · 13 chapters
Trump takes his revenge on disloyal RepublicansDonald Trump’s efforts to punish Republican “disloyalty” by funding primary challengers against GOP incumbents, focusing on spring primaries (Indiana state Senate races) and the Kentucky House…8 May 2026 · 36 min · 10 chapters
Is Donald Trump close to finishing his war with Iran?Whether Donald Trump is close to ending the Iran conflict he branded “Operation Epic Fury,” amid shifting U.S.6 May 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters
Americanswers… LIVE at Castfest! Who could lead the Democrats into 2028?Live AmeriCast Q&A at Castfest on US politics—how Trump’s media/social-media style is reshaping political culture, what happens if Democrats regain Congress, and who could lead Democrats into 2028.4 May 2026 · 42 min · 22 chapters
Will ICE agents stay away from the 2026 World Cup?The 2026 World Cup’s political and security controversies in the US—especially whether ICE will conduct immigration enforcement near matches—alongside cost blowback, ticket pricing, and host-city…3 May 2026 · 27 min · 20 chapters
LIVE at Castfest! How popular is Donald Trump?Donald Trump’s declining popularity and what it could mean for midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race, focusing on issue shifts (immigration, trade/inflation, Iran war), intra-party…30 Apr 2026 · 29 min · 7 chapters
Why is Donald Trump calling for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired... again?Fallout from an attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and the renewed Trump–Jimmy Kimmel feud, plus discussion of misinformation/conspiracy reactions and the political push for…29 Apr 2026 · 32 min · 15 chapters
Americanswers… on 5 Live! Could Trump have been evacuated from the shooting more quickly?The episode of “America Answers” (BBC 5 Live) discusses the attempted assassination at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner where Donald Trump was present but did not give his speech due to shots…27 Apr 2026 · 30 min · 13 chapters
Who is Trump’s “would-be assassin”… were there security failings at DC shooting?The episode discusses the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting attempt in Washington, DC, and whether security failures enabled it.26 Apr 2026 · 34 min · 13 chapters