Americast cover art
Podcast · 207 episodes

Americast, page 6

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 6

Can the US really rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry?Whether the US can rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry after a Trump-era move to take control of Venezuelan crude, sell 30–50 million barrels at market rates, and use revenue to benefit “the Venezuelan…10 Jan 2026 · 26 min · 15 chapters
The fatal Minneapolis ICE shootingThe fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting of 37-year-old Renée Goode, the competing narratives about what happened, and the political consequences for Trump-era immigration enforcement and protests.8 Jan 2026 · 29 min · 14 chapters
How far will Trump go to seize Greenland?Whether Donald Trump and his aides are serious about acquiring Greenland, and how far they might go—ranging from pressure and buying to potential military seizure—amid heightened U.S.7 Jan 2026 · 26 min · 16 chapters
Americanswers... On 5 Live! Could Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro be found not guilty in a US court?The episode debates the US capture and prosecution of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (and his wife) in a New York court, and what “the US will run Venezuela” means—policy oversight vs hands-on…5 Jan 2026 · 30 min · 14 chapters
Trump’s Venezuela takeover... everything you need to knowA BBC “AmeriCast” emergency episode explaining a reported US special-forces raid that captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (and his wife) and brings him to detention in Brooklyn, plus what…4 Jan 2026 · 32 min · 18 chapters
How did a YouTuber stop federal funding to Minnesota?The episode discusses two linked stories: (1) a Minnesota fraud scandal involving Somali-run welfare-funded organizations, and (2) New York City mayor Zoran Mamdani’s early agenda and political…2 Jan 2026 · 29 min · 13 chapters
What will be the biggest US stories of 2026?AmeriCast (BBC News) records predictions for major US stories in 2026, then “seals” them in a time capsule to revisit in a year.31 Dec 2025 · 28 min · 15 chapters
Americanswers! What’s happening in Trump’s battle with universities?The Trump administration’s efforts to pressure U.S. universities—especially elite schools—over alleged anti-Semitism and broader “left-leaning” campus politics, and the implications for academic…29 Dec 2025 · 29 min · 12 chapters
Were our 2025 predictions right?AmeriCast “time capsule” episode revisiting 2025 predictions about US politics and culture, plus “Under the Radar” stories that were expected to matter.24 Dec 2025 · 35 min · 14 chapters
Americanswers! What did we learn from the latest Epstein files?AmeriCast answers listener questions about (1) Trump’s Venezuela “blockade” and whether it needs congressional approval, (2) how quickly Trump-era building renamings/holiday changes could be…22 Dec 2025 · 35 min · 12 chapters
Can Trump convince voters on the US economy?The episode discusses Donald Trump’s rare prime-time presidential address about the US economy and whether it will persuade voters ahead of next year’s midterm elections.19 Dec 2025 · 25 min · 13 chapters
Has Trump’s chief of staff revealed White House secrets?A BBC AmeriCast discussion of Vanity Fair’s interviews with Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles, focusing on whether she revealed White House secrets and what her comments imply about divisions in…17 Dec 2025 · 30 min · 11 chapters
The Americast Awards 2025… on 5 Live!BBC AmeriCast “Americast Awards 2025” (Five Live) where the hosts nominate and award categories about US politics and media in 2025, plus listener-submitted “biggest moments.”15 Dec 2025 · 35 min · 15 chapters
How far will Trump go in his 'war' with Venezuela?Whether the US under Donald Trump will escalate from seizing a Venezuelan oil tanker to broader military action/regime change against President Nicolás Maduro.11 Dec 2025 · 37 min · 15 chapters
Does Trump have a plan to reform healthcare in America?The episode examines Donald Trump’s Politico interview and a White House national security paper, focusing on (1) whether Trump has a healthcare reform plan and what happens if Obamacare subsidies…10 Dec 2025 · 31 min · 17 chapters
Americanswers... On 5 Live! Has Trump just made the US/Europe breakup official?The episode discusses: (1) Donald Trump receiving a “Peace Prize” from FIFA, (2) Trump’s new national security strategy and its sharp criticism of Europe, (3) the legality of US strikes on alleged…8 Dec 2025 · 34 min · 9 chapters
Is Trump giving the FIFA World Cup a MAGA makeover?Whether Donald Trump is trying to “MAGA-ify” the 2026 FIFA World Cup, politicizing FIFA’s neutrality and using the event for spotlight, nationalism, and leverage over host cities and immigration/visa…5 Dec 2025 · 29 min · 21 chapters
Did Donald Trump fall asleep at a cabinet meeting?A BBC AmeriCast discussion of Donald Trump’s televised cabinet meeting, focusing on (1) allegations about a second U.S.3 Dec 2025 · 35 min · 14 chapters
Americanswers… On 5 Live! Why has the US been accused of war crimes off the Venezuelan coast?Post-Thanksgiving Q&A on US politics and foreign policy, focusing on Venezuela: US strikes on boats off Venezuela accused of war crimes; Trump’s threats about Venezuelan airspace; and related…1 Dec 2025 · 31 min · 14 chapters
The Donald Trump v Zohran Mamdani ShowWhy Donald Trump and newly elected New York mayor Zohran Mamdani looked friendly after weeks of insults, and what that “bromance” means for New York governance, affordability, taxes, crime, and…28 Nov 2025 · 33 min · 12 chapters
Has Trump's retribution campaign been derailed (for now)?Whether Donald Trump’s “retribution” campaign against political adversaries has been derailed, at least temporarily, after a judge dismissed two federal cases.26 Nov 2025 · 28 min · 14 chapters
Americanswers… on 5 Live! What’s really going on with Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine?America Answers on 5 Live discusses Trump’s controversial 28-point Ukraine “peace plan,” reactions from European leaders, and whether Trump’s motives are genuine or self-interested.24 Nov 2025 · 31 min · 16 chapters
Marjorie Taylor Greene v Donald TrumpA BBC AmeriCast episode about the public feud between Republican Rep.21 Nov 2025 · 36 min · 14 chapters
Will Trump delay releasing the Epstein Files?A BBC AmeriCast episode about whether President Trump will delay signing a bill that forces the U.S.19 Nov 2025 · 31 min · 17 chapters