Americast cover art
Podcast · 207 episodes

Americast, page 8

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 8

Americanswers… on 5 Live! Can we trust what Donald Trump says about Ukraine?Discussion of whether Donald Trump’s claims about Ukraine are trustworthy, plus critiques of the UN, US pregnancy drug guidance (Tylenol/paracetamol), free speech after Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, and…24 Sep 2025 · 27 min · 14 chapters
MAGA’s “righteous fury” at Charlie Kirk’s memorialThe episode focuses on the Sunday memorial service for Charlie Kirk (Turning Point USA founder), framed as both a religious revival and a political rally for the conservative movement.22 Sep 2025 · 33 min · 13 chapters
Has Trump cancelled Jimmy Kimmel over Charlie Kirk?The episode discusses two linked stories: Donald Trump’s second UK state visit and a US “free speech” controversy after the death of Charlie Kirk, including Jimmy Kimmel being taken off air.18 Sep 2025 · 29 min · 15 chapters
What does Donald Trump want from his UK state visit?Donald Trump’s first full day of a UK state visit, focused on ceremonial royal access at Windsor Castle, limited trade-tariff expectations, and the looming US debate over free speech/hate speech…17 Sep 2025 · 36 min · 16 chapters
Americanswers…on 5 Live! Who is Tyler Robinson, Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer?The episode of AmeriCast discusses (1) the killing of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah and the arrest of suspected gunman Tyler Robinson, and (2) the political fallout and wider culture…15 Sep 2025 · 44 min · 18 chapters
Charlie Kirk's killing: A dangerous moment for America?The episode (BBC AmeriCast) discusses the killing of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and influencer, shot at Utah Valley University while answering questions about mass shootings.11 Sep 2025 · 34 min · 15 chapters
How could a young Ukrainian's killing change the U.S?The episode centers on the August 22 killing of 22-year-old Ukrainian refugee Irina Zarutska on a Charlotte, North Carolina metro train, captured on video and widely shared in the US.10 Sep 2025 · 26 min · 12 chapters
Americanswers…on 5 Live! “Chipocalypse Now”… has Trump declared war on Chicago?A BBC “AmeriCast” Q&A episode on Donald Trump’s rhetoric and political strategy, focusing on (1) a Truth Social meme alleging “Chipocalypse Now” and Trump “declaring war” on Chicago, (2) Trump’s…8 Sep 2025 · 35 min · 14 chapters
Will Epstein's victims force Trump to release more files?The episode revisits the Jeffrey Epstein scandal amid renewed pressure on Donald Trump to release more Epstein-related files.5 Sep 2025 · 41 min · 19 chapters
Why is Trump targeting America's most powerful bank?The episode examines Donald Trump’s escalating pressure on the U.S.2 Sep 2025 · 30 min · 11 chapters
Americanswers…on 5 Live! Why did the internet think Trump was dead?Social-media conspiracy claims that Donald Trump is dead; how “pizza index” rumors work; hypothetical implications if Trump were replaced; US tariffs on India and geopolitical effects; RFK Jr.’s…1 Sep 2025 · 26 min · 10 chapters
Will the Democrats go "dark woke" to take on Trump?The episode compares two threads in US politics: (1) a Minneapolis church-affiliated school shooting and how online “manifestos” shape motive narratives, and (2) whether California Gov.28 Aug 2025 · 29 min · 11 chapters
Americanswers! Is Donald Trump behaving like a 'dictator'?Listener Q&A on whether Donald Trump is acting like a dictator, plus updates on the Federal Reserve, John Bolton, Ghislaine Maxwell, deportation of Abrego Garcia, and a pop-culture news item (Taylor…27 Aug 2025 · 31 min · 11 chapters
Is Donald Trump losing his Latino base?Whether Donald Trump is losing Latino/Hispanic support after winning record numbers in 2024, amid ICE raids, tariffs, and economic decline; and what Democrats should do to win them back for midterms.22 Aug 2025 · 28 min · 10 chapters
Americanswers! Has Donald Trump really stopped six (or seven) wars?AmeriCast episode discusses (1) whether Donald Trump can end mail-in ballots, (2) Texas redistricting “packing and cracking,” (3) Trump’s claim he’s settled “six or seven” wars, (4) MAGA…20 Aug 2025 · 35 min · 16 chapters
What did Trump offer Zelensky after their Oval Office meeting?The episode covers Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky’s Oval Office meeting and follow-on talks with European leaders, focusing on whether they moved closer to ending the war in Ukraine.18 Aug 2025 · 29 min · 11 chapters
What happened when Trump met Putin in Alaska?The episode covers Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s Alaska meeting at a US military base, focusing on what was said publicly and what did not happen.16 Aug 2025 · 32 min · 23 chapters
Inside Trump’s meeting with Putin… Americast is in Alaska!AmeriCast episode about Donald Trump’s upcoming face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.14 Aug 2025 · 33 min · 19 chapters
What's really behind Trump's crime crackdown?Whether Trump’s “crime crackdown” is real public safety or a political/authoritarian move, focusing on National Guard troops patrolling Washington, D.C., and what it could mean for other Democratic…13 Aug 2025 · 26 min · 11 chapters
Americanswers…on 5 Live! Why is Donald Trump deploying the National Guard to Washington DC?AmeriCouncers on Five Live answers questions about Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” move in Washington DC—federalizing the D.C.11 Aug 2025 · 41 min · 13 chapters
Why are Texan Democrats on the run?Texas Democrats “flee” to other states to block a mid-decade redistricting special session that Texas Republicans (at Trump’s urging) want to use to gain House seats; the episode explains how…8 Aug 2025 · 35 min · 16 chapters
Why has RFK Jr pulled $500m of mRNA vaccine funding?AmeriCast roundup on Trump-era controversies: Epstein-related subpoenas and possible transcript releases; renewed MAGA focus via Russia-election claims and a proposed grand jury; RFK Jr’s…6 Aug 2025 · 25 min · 10 chapters
BONUS EPISODE: Newscast and Americast live from the Edinburgh FringeLive Newscast/AmeriCast bonus episode recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe, mixing Fringe atmosphere with discussion of US politics—especially Donald Trump’s media tactics, diplomacy with UK PM Keir…5 Aug 2025 · 53 min · 22 chapters
Americanswers… on 5 Live! Why has Sydney Sweeney's jeans ad sparked a race debate?AmeriCast (BBC) episode is a live Five Live Q&A covering multiple US controversies: Trump firing Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner Erica McIntyre/McIntartha (discussed via her “no windows”…4 Aug 2025 · 35 min · 12 chapters