American Friction - podcast cover

American Friction

Does what’s going on in American politics scare and bemuse you? Want to know what Trump is up to, without pulling your hair out? Then you need American Friction, the UK podcast about US politics – from the makers of Oh God, What Now? and The Bunker. Every Friday and Monday, we unpack the big issues, speak to leading experts and talk with blockbuster commentators from the United States to explain the latest news and the big issues with hosts Jacob Jarvis (ex-Newsweek), Chris Jones (Podmasters) and Nikki McCann Ramirez (Politics Reporter at Rolling Stone). Support us on Patreon, to get ad free and bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction

Episodes

Trump and RFK Jr. are destroying America’s health

From cuts to Medicaid to trying to remove fluoride from water – Trump’s administration is making America's health worse off. Dr Celine Gounder is the Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF Health News and a leading voice on American healthcare – she joins Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones to get into how dangerous Trump's view on health is becoming and how it could be risking another global health crisis. Follow us on social media: Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free e...

May 27, 202533 minSeason 1Ep. 79

A big Trump bill and a big Biden conspiracy theory!

Trump’s “big beautiful bill” made it through the House, so we discuss why this caused so many issues for the president and what it means for everyone else. Plus, Biden’s cancer diagnosis has got MAGA going crazy. Nikki, Chris and Jarv wade through the latest US news chaos. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod Follow us on socia...

May 23, 20251 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 78

What does it take to fight back against Trump?

Protests are on the rise across the US against Trump and his policies. What impact will they have? What sorts are the most effective? And how do people get involved? Chris and Jarv discuss with Ami Fields-Meyer, senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and former senior policy advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube...

May 19, 202542 minSeason 1Ep. 77

Trump: The most corrupt president ever goes on tour!

Trump wants a new plane and why shouldn’t he be given one by a foreign state his family also does lots of business with? Oh yeah, there’s that thing called corruption. Chris, Jarv and Nikki unpack the latest dodgy dealings from Trump and the gang. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod Follow us on social media: BlueSky: https://...

May 16, 20251 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 76

How to handle Trump being a "blathering moron" – with Jamelle Bouie of The New York Times

It’s obvious to us all that Trump is terrible – but some people seem to struggle to say that. Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times never pulls his punches, though. He joins Jarv and Nikki to discuss the latest Trump madness, the broader context, how he keeps tabs of it all and more. (Ps. We’ve wanted him on the show for ages – so hope you love it!) Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now...

May 12, 202548 minSeason 1Ep. 75

Inside Trump's latest plan to destroy America

Trump’s budget looks like a disaster, as he pledges to cut more spending on anything he doesn’t care about. This week he’s taking on greedy children with too many dolls, as he tells everyone else to spend less money so he can enjoy his gold-plated office in peace. Nikki, Chris and Jacob Dylan Jarvis aka Jarv pick apart the latest. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: http...

May 09, 202559 minSeason 1Ep. 74

RFK Jr. is totally wrong about autism. Here's why

RFK Jr. won’t stop talking about autism – and his comments are anti-science, wrong and generally offensive. So, we wanted to speak about just how bizarre and incorrect his stances are. Chris and Jarv are joined by Eric Garcia, The Independent’s DC bureau chief and author of We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation. Read Eric’s piece “RFK Jr calls autism an ‘epidemic’ and a tragedy. As an autistic journalist, I have some comments” Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Ge...

May 06, 202542 minSeason 1Ep. 73

Trump’s horrid 100 days – The worst bits you might have missed!

Trump’s first 100 days have been so awful that you’d be forgiven for forgetting some of the worst bits. Nikki, Chris and Jarv recap the horrible moments, and pick out their ‘highlights’, if you can call it that. Plus, it’s our first birthday – so we celebrate that and answer a load of your questions. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFr...

May 02, 20251 hr 11 minSeason 1Ep. 72

Trump’s chaotic economy – An idiot’s guide!

Donald Trump’s economic chaos is hard to keep track of – even if you’re an expert. Well, we’re not experts – so we got one in to help us out. Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics, sits down with Chris and Jarv to talk through the madness and to try and make sense of it all. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod Follo...

Apr 28, 202539 minSeason 1Ep. 71

Trump vs. America, JD Vance vs. the Pope and Hegseth vs. himself

It’s tough to do this show every week and make sense of what’s happening! And this week is one of the wildest yet so we figured we’d just let it rip… Nikki, Chris and Jarv get into everything from the Pope and JD Vance, Trump toppling the economy and his poll ratings, Hegseth calling things he’s admitted to the media hoaxes and RFK Jr. being the worst guy in the world! Oh, and Musk’s having a rubbish time too, poor bloke. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes...

Apr 25, 20251 hr 20 minSeason 1Ep. 70

Donald Trump vs. human rights

Donald Trump made it abundantly clear he doesn’t care about human rights this week, if it were ever in doubt. Nikki, Chris and Jarv unpack another horrifying week – and put into context just how unbelievably messed up what’s happening is. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod Follow us on social media: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/...

Apr 17, 20251 hr 7 minSeason 1Ep. 69

Trump and Bukele – Inside the president's disturbing fascination with El Salvador

Trump’s draconian move of deporting people to El Salvador with no due process disgusted onlookers – but unfortunately there could be worse to come. Nikki recently wrote a piece headlined The ‘Judicial Black Hole’ of El Salvador’s Prisons Is a Warning for American. Her and Jarv are joined by Noah Bullock, executive director of Cristosal, a human rights organization that has represented victims and the families of those displaced and disappeared in Central America for more than 20 years to discuss...

Apr 14, 202539 minSeason 1Ep. 68

Trump’s tariff u-turn — Why is he like this?!

Donald Trump’s U-turn on global tariffs was his genius strategy all along, according to his most loyal minions. But anyone conscious can see that blatantly isn’t true. So what caused Trump to place this 90-day pause on tariffs (apart from China)? And what has been the reaction to it? Chris and Nikki get into all of that and loads more! Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Twitter Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Chris Jones and Nikki Mc...

Apr 11, 202555 minSeason 1Ep. 67

Trump third term – Why we need to take his threats seriously

Trump has said there are ways he could run for a third term. But, are there any which are legal and not insane? Jarv and Chris are joined by Casey Burgat, host of the Mastering the Room podcast to discuss the weird prospect of him sticking around for another few years beyond his current stay… Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/americanfriction Follow us on Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.s...

Apr 07, 202536 minSeason 1Ep. 66

Are Trump's tariffs breaking the world?

Trump’s tariffs speech was as weird and confusing as you’d imagine – and has ended up causing more frustration than liberation. What’s going on and is it good for anyone? Nikki, Chris and Jarv discuss all that and more from the weird world of US politics. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/americanfriction Follow us on Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social We’re now on Youtube: https://ww...

Apr 04, 20251 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 65

"Democrats need to grow a f*cking spine!” – Kat Abughazaleh on her run for Congress

Democrat incumbents are bracing for a raft of primary challengers in upcoming elections. Among those vying for a seat is Kat Abughazaleh, who’s appeared on the show in her role as an expert on right-wing disinfo. Now, she’s running for Congress and joined Jarv and Nikki to discuss what she’d want to do differently, what Democrats should be doing differently – and who among them should probably just step aside. For more info on Kat’s campaign visit: https://www.katforillinois.com/ Back us on Patr...

Mar 31, 202540 minSeason 1Ep. 64

Signal sh*tshow gives the Dems some ammunition!

The Pete Hegseth Signal chat disaster has finally put MAGA on the backfoot and given the Dems some ammunition. Nikki, Chris and Jarv discuss the fallout and ask where we go from here. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod Follow us on social media: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram TikTok Writt...

Mar 28, 20251 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 63

Pete Hegseth vs. the US Military

Trump’s Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is at the centre of a scandal – so how bad things could things get under his watch? After a journalist was accidentally added to a group chat discussing war plans, all focus is on the former Fox News host we discuss if he’ll get fired – or if he’ll stick around making things worse. Ben Makuch is a freelance national security reporter who writes for the Guardian among other outlets and joins us for this bonus edition. Back us on Patreon – we need your hel...

Mar 26, 202544 minSeason 1Ep. 62

Trump and Musk vs. America’s safety net

Trump and Musk are taking an axe to chunks of America’s social security infrastructure – so just how badly will this hurt ordinary citizens? Justin Glawe, independent journalist and founder of American Doom, joins Jarv and Nikki to discuss. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod Follow us on social media: BlueSky: https://bsky.ap...

Mar 24, 202539 minSeason 1Ep. 61

The Trump dictatorship begins

Donald Trump has been on a power grabbing spree – is he firmly behaving like a dictator? Nikki, Chris and Jarv discuss the latest US political fallout and answer listener questions. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod Follow us on social media: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram TikTok Written...

Mar 21, 20251 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 60

Everything Trump is getting wrong about immigration

Donald Trump takes being anti-immigration to a new extreme as president. On a human level, it’s clear for many to see why his policies are abhorrent. But, on a practical level, are they also just stupid? Alex Nowrasteh, an immigration policy expert and vice president for economic and social policy studies at the Cato Institute, joins Chris and Jarv to discuss just how damaging his policies could be for the United States. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes,...

Mar 17, 202543 minSeason 1Ep. 59

Trump tanks the economy and becomes a Tesla salesman!

Donald Trump is tanking the US economy – what’s going to go wrong next? And how’s his job as a Tesla salesman going? We unpack all the latest American political mayhem. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod Follow us on social media: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram TikTok Written and presente...

Mar 14, 20251 hr 18 minSeason 1Ep. 58

Do Native Americans have a voice in the United States?

For centuries, Native Americans, Alaskans, and Hawaiians have faced hardship at the hands of the US federal government. Because of that, participation within the federal system is extremely low, with only 0.07 of elected officials being from indigenous heritage. Will that ever change? And what’s it like being Native in America today? Carrie Lowry Schuettpelz spent seven years in the Obama administration as a policy advisor focusing on homelessness and Native policy. She’s also an enrolled member...

Mar 10, 202537 minSeason 1Ep. 57

Why did Trump say that?! – His first major speech unpacked

Trump’s first major speech as president was about as gross as you’d expect. What substance was there – and how much was just dishing out punishment to Democrats? Nikki, Chris and Jarv unpack everything you need to know and answer listener questions. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/americanfriction Follow us on Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social We’re now on Youtube: https://www.yout...

Mar 07, 20251 hr 13 minSeason 1Ep. 56

Trump and Zelenskyy’s Oval Office clash – what happens now?

Trump and Zelenskyy’s fallout in the Oval Office, egged on by Vice President JD Vance, shocked onlookers and has left the world reeling. So, what comes next? Jarv and Nikki are joined by Matt Duss, executive director of the center for international policy and co-host of the The Un-Diplomatic Podcast, to discuss the fallout and what it means. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/americanfriction Follow us on Blue...

Mar 03, 202537 minSeason 1Ep. 55

Is the tide turning on Elon Musk?

Elon Musk seems to be p*ssing off everyone – including members of the Trump cabinet. But, the president is still backing him and he’s still ploughing on with his DOGE plans. Nikki, Chris and Jarv unpack the latest mishaps and discuss how long Musk will last. Plus, we round up other news and answer listener questions! Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: patreon.com/americanfriction Follow us on Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/americ...

Feb 28, 20251 hr 13 minSeason 1Ep. 54

How to fight the Trump-Musk power grab – with former Alabama senator Doug Jones

Former Democratic Alabama senator Doug Jones joins us to discuss the latest chaos and how Democrats should push against it. What would he advise legally? How should they communicate? And what makes him hopeful? Back us on Patreon, we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/americanfriction Follow us on Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod Follow us o...

Feb 24, 202537 minSeason 1Ep. 53

Donald Trump’s first month review!

Well, what a month it’s been. Trump was sworn in a month ago and we figured we’d rate his time in office so far. Plus, we discuss the latest Elon Musk weirdness after his and president’s love-in on Fox News. All that and more in a bumper panel episode – and we’ll be back with our interview episode on Monday! Back us on Patreon, we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/americanfriction Follow us on Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/amer...

Feb 21, 20251 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 52

Can Trump really ignore the courts? – plus, Your guide to being hopeful as MAGA ruins everything

Trump’s allies, including JD Vance and Elon Musk, think he should just ignore the courts that try to stop his actions. Can he? What would happen if he did? Plus, while the MAGA movement destroys everything, it’s hard to stay hopeful. Reverend Professor Keith Magee joins us to discuss how to bridge political divisions and stay, somewhat, positive in the new Trump era. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits, merch and access our chat community: patre...

Feb 14, 20251 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 51

Why is Trump letting Musk stage a coup? – Plus, the history of the new American empire

Elon Musk is taking over and shutting down chunks of government with help from his merry band of young mega nerds. What’s going on? And why is nobody stopping him? And Trump is talking about yet more expansion for the United States, now turning his focus to Gaza. Why’s he pushing for a new frontier? Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: patreon.com/americanfriction This week Chris and Jarv are joined once again by Casey Burgat, author o...

Feb 07, 20251 hr 15 minSeason 1Ep. 50
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast