Americast cover art
Podcast · 207 episodes

Americast, page 5

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 5

Trump's Iran Gamble... What is the US president up to?BBC AmeriCast episode analyzing Donald Trump’s newly launched US-led military operation against Iran (“Operation Epic Fury”), why it was ordered now, how it’s being run, early results, and political…1 Mar 2026 · 34 min · 23 chapters
The battle for Texas: Can Democrats win it back from Trump?Texas politics and the Democratic effort to win back statewide power, focusing on the upcoming November Senate race and the June primaries.27 Feb 2026 · 32 min · 16 chapters
Trump's big, long, State of the Union speechBBC AmeriCast and Global Story analysis of Donald Trump’s long State of the Union, focusing on what it signals for U.S.25 Feb 2026 · 31 min · 16 chapters
Americanswers... on 5Live! Why haven't more Americans faced charges over Epstein?AmeriCast on 5Live answers listener questions about US politics and foreign affairs, focusing on Kash Patel’s Olympics controversy, US-Iran nuclear talks and possible strikes, tariff legality and…23 Feb 2026 · 30 min · 17 chapters
Trump's Tariffs... Trump attacks the Supreme Court over tariff banThe Supreme Court blocks Donald Trump’s tariff approach, Trump lashes out at justices, and the episode weighs what happens next for presidential power, Congress, and the economy.20 Feb 2026 · 22 min · 11 chapters
Who is Tucker Carlson and what does he tell us about the future of MAGA?The episode examines who Tucker Carlson is and what his rise suggests about the future of MAGA and conservative media.20 Feb 2026 · 38 min · 18 chapters
Everything you need to know about Donald Trump’s Board of PeaceThe episode explains Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” its inaugural Washington meeting, and what it could mean for Gaza and beyond.18 Feb 2026 · 32 min · 14 chapters
Americanswers... on 5Live! Why did Pam Bondi, US Attorney General, lose her temper during Epstein Files questioning?The episode is a political roundup focused mainly on the newly released Epstein files and the contentious congressional questioning of US Attorney General Pam Bondi.17 Feb 2026 · 32 min · 15 chapters
Will the US Supreme Court stand up to Trump?Whether the US Supreme Court will curb Donald Trump’s expanding executive power in his second term, amid a conservative 6-3 majority and pending rulings.13 Feb 2026 · 31 min · 16 chapters
Has Jeff Bezos brought down the Washington Post?Whether Jeff Bezos’s ownership has weakened the Washington Post, after major layoffs and a shift in editorial stance.11 Feb 2026 · 28 min · 11 chapters
Americanswers! Why is Trump so annoyed about Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl?Bad Bunny’s Spanish Super Bowl halftime show, Trump’s hostile reaction, and related US politics; plus ICE, racist Obama posts, and the Epstein files.9 Feb 2026 · 39 min · 16 chapters
Is Donald Trump going to cancel the midterm elections?The episode debates whether Donald Trump could try to derail the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, and what that would mean for trust in results.6 Feb 2026 · 32 min · 18 chapters
Why are Bill and Hillary Clinton testifying over Epstein?The episode discusses the BBC’s coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein case as revealed in newly released “Epstein files,” focusing on why Bill and Hillary Clinton will testify to a congressional committee…4 Feb 2026 · 30 min · 16 chapters
Americanswers… On 5 Live! Do the new Epstein files "absolve" Trump?The episode is a Q&A on America Answers about the newly released “Epstein files” and whether they “absolve” Donald Trump, plus related US political/cultural fallout.2 Feb 2026 · 32 min · 12 chapters
Can Trump really save the midterms for the Republicans?Whether Donald Trump can “save” the 2026 midterms for Republicans, and what could derail or boost GOP chances (House/Senate control, campaign strategy, economy, immigration enforcement, and fears…30 Jan 2026 · 35 min · 20 chapters
Will Trump “de-escalate” Minneapolis tensions after Alex Pretti killing?The episode discusses whether President Trump will “de-escalate” Minneapolis tensions after the killing of US citizen Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, and what that means for Trump’s…28 Jan 2026 · 34 min · 13 chapters
Americanswers… On 5 Live! Another US citizen shot dead by ICE. What happens next?A BBC AmeriCast episode answering what is known and what to expect after ICE agents shot dead 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti during a Minneapolis protest; it also covers political…26 Jan 2026 · 41 min · 16 chapters
Are ICE immigration agents acting outside the law?Whether ICE immigration agents are acting outside the law, amid claims of expanded mass deportations, aggressive street raids, and reduced training/accountability under Donald Trump.23 Jan 2026 · 30 min · 16 chapters
Have Trump and Europe reached a deal on Greenland?Whether Donald Trump and Europe/NATO have reached a deal on Greenland, after Trump threatened tariffs and earlier demanded U.S. ownership of the Danish territory.22 Jan 2026 · 30 min · 20 chapters
Americanswers… On 5 Live! Can Donald Trump be talked down over Greenland?The episode (America Answers on BBC Five Live) focuses on whether Donald Trump can be “talked down” over Greenland, plus related tariff threats and broader Trump-era developments.19 Jan 2026 · 33 min · 13 chapters
Introducing The Global Story... what's really behind Trump's foreign policy?How Trump’s foreign policy is rooted in “sphere of influence” thinking and a shift from democracy/human-rights idealism to power, economics, and ideology; it compares current moves (Venezuela,…18 Jan 2026 · 31 min · 11 chapters
The Jan 6th Capitol riots five years on… Why America is still dividedFive years after the Jan 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol attack, the episode examines why Washington still disputes the “narrative” of what happened, with competing claims from Republicans, Democrats, and the…16 Jan 2026 · 26 min · 11 chapters
Can Denmark convince Trump not to “conquer” Greenland?Two US-focused stories: (1) Jerome Powell’s public clash with Donald Trump over a DOJ criminal investigation tied to Federal Reserve building renovations; (2) Denmark and Greenland’s meeting in…15 Jan 2026 · 32 min · 13 chapters
Americanswers... On 5 Live! What do Americans really think of Donald Trump?Americans’ views of Donald Trump in early 2025, discussed through three flashpoints: Trump’s Iran threats, the Minnesota killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, and Trump’s viral “happy Trump”…12 Jan 2026 · 33 min · 12 chapters