Americast cover art
Podcast · 207 episodes

Americast, page 7

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 7

Americanswers… on 5 Live! Has Donald Trump changed his mind on the Epstein Files?America Answers on 5 Live discusses whether Donald Trump has changed his mind about releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related “Epstein files,” alongside related US politics, online abuse, and a Trump pardon.17 Nov 2025 · 25 min · 9 chapters
Are cracks showing inside Trump’s MAGA movement?Cracks inside Trump’s MAGA coalition, driven by disputes over foreign policy and “America First” spending, plus internal fights over economic messaging, tariffs/affordability, and immigration/H-1B…14 Nov 2025 · 34 min · 15 chapters
Trump vs the BBC…what happens next?Donald Trump’s threatened defamation lawsuit against the BBC over an edited January 6, 2021 speech clip in a BBC Panorama documentary; legal standards for defamation in the U.S.; potential outcomes…12 Nov 2025 · 29 min · 11 chapters
Americanswers on 5 Live! Why is Donald Trump threatening to sue the BBC for $1 billion?AmeriCast episode focuses on whether the American dream is still attainable, then pivots to major US and media stories.10 Nov 2025 · 33 min · 12 chapters
The Democrats are back… but will it last?Democrats’ recent election wins (down-ballot and statewide) and what they imply for the next presidential race; Republicans’ internal turmoil amid a government shutdown; and whether Democrats can…6 Nov 2025 · 46 min · 21 chapters
Zohran Mamdani wins New York mayoral raceZohra(n) Mamdani’s election as New York City mayor and what it signals for Democrats, Republicans, and upcoming races.5 Nov 2025 · 30 min · 15 chapters
Americanswers…on 5 Live! Could Andrew answer Epstein questions before Congress?A Monday Q&A on AmeriCast (BBC News) covering: New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s “democratic socialist” appeal; whether Trumpism has replaced traditional Republican conservatism; the…3 Nov 2025 · 34 min · 13 chapters
Is Donald Trump building a ballroom or a bunker at the White House?The episode discusses Donald Trump’s demolition of the White House East Wing and his plan to replace it with a large ballroom, plus related controversies.31 Oct 2025 · 32 min · 17 chapters
Are the US and China about to end their trade war?The episode links Donald Trump’s Asia trip—especially his upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping—to whether the US and China are nearing an end to the trade war, then pivots to Karine Jean-Pierre’s…29 Oct 2025 · 41 min · 22 chapters
Americanswers…on 5 Live! Will Kamala Harris (and Donald Trump) run for president again?The episode of BBC AmeriCast (Americanswers on 5 Live) debates whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will run again in 2028/2028, and discusses Trump’s White House East Wing demolition for a new…27 Oct 2025 · 33 min · 14 chapters
Inside Mamdani’s campaign to be mayor of New York CityHow Zoran Mamdani, a little-known 33-year-old socialist Democrat, surged from near 0% polling to frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race, and whether his big promises can be delivered given the…23 Oct 2025 · 39 min · 15 chapters
Does Trump really want to invade Venezuela?Whether Donald Trump is moving toward a wider conflict with Venezuela, framed around U.S. attacks in the Caribbean and possible covert CIA activity, and the legal/political rationale behind them.22 Oct 2025 · 27 min · 13 chapters
Americanswers… on 5 Live! How will Donald Trump respond to the ‘No Kings’ protests?(1) “No Kings” protests against expanded presidential power under Donald Trump, with turnout claimed at up to 7 million across major US cities (New York, Chicago, Washington DC).20 Oct 2025 · 34 min · 12 chapters
Can Trump silence the press?The episode discusses whether the Trump administration can “silence the press” by changing Pentagon media rules.17 Oct 2025 · 36 min · 16 chapters
The battle for the soul of the Democratic PartyThe “battle for the soul” of the Democratic Party, using upcoming off-year gubernatorial elections (Nov 4) in Virginia and New Jersey as tests for whether Democrats should pivot toward centrist…15 Oct 2025 · 38 min · 17 chapters
Americanswers… on 5 Live! Has Donald Trump delivered a “historic dawn of a new Middle East”?The episode centers on Donald Trump’s Israel visit and his claims that he helped broker a Gaza ceasefire and the return of the last Hamas hostages, framed as a “historic dawn of a new Middle East.”…13 Oct 2025 · 28 min · 13 chapters
Trump's new plan for America's top universitiesThe Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” a proposed deal conditioning federal research grants and other support on universities changing admissions, tuition,…10 Oct 2025 · 39 min · 16 chapters
Can Trump turn a Gaza ceasefire into a lasting peace deal?AmeriCast discusses whether Donald Trump can turn a Gaza ceasefire into a lasting peace deal, focusing on a “phase one” agreement involving hostage releases, Israeli troop pullbacks, and a future…9 Oct 2025 · 20 min · 9 chapters
Americanswers… on 5 Live! Is Chicago really a ‘war zone’?The episode answers listener questions about Donald Trump’s “Trump 2028” merchandising, the legality and implications of deploying out-of-state National Guard troops to Democratic cities (including…8 Oct 2025 · 29 min · 12 chapters
Why is Trump blowing up Venezuelan "drug boats"?The Trump administration’s claims that US forces are “blowing up” Venezuelan boats allegedly smuggling drugs into the US, and the episode’s legality/justification debate; it also briefly covers…6 Oct 2025 · 32 min · 13 chapters
Will the Democrats’ shutdown gamble pay off?The episode debates whether Democrats’ decision to force a U.S. federal government shutdown will help them politically, then shifts to TikTok’s ownership and algorithm control ahead of the next…2 Oct 2025 · 37 min · 13 chapters
Americanswers… on 5 Live! What next after US government shutdown?Explains the causes and likely effects of a US government shutdown; discusses whether shutdowns can enable mass layoffs and expanded presidential power; assesses Trump’s Gaza “peace plan” and…1 Oct 2025 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Trump vs Comey (and the city of Portland)The episode argues that Donald Trump’s second-term approach is “disruptive/chaotic/aggressive,” focusing on (1) his decision to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect “war…29 Sep 2025 · 34 min · 17 chapters
Is America's health secretary RFK Jr a danger to public health?Whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr., newly leading US HHS/CDC-related policy, is a danger to public health, focusing on vaccine skepticism, “radical transparency,” and shakeups at CDC/ACIP. Guests: Dr.26 Sep 2025 · 31 min · 16 chapters