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

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Episodes

Does Hunter's conviction hurt Joe Biden's campaign? – plus, why the American media is f*cked

The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Joe Biden’s son Hunter has been found guilty on felony charges – how will the GOP weaponise this? And will it work? Plus, we discuss Trump vs. sharks and electricity and other assorted weirdness. Then Jeff Jarvis, author of The Gutenberg Parenthesis and voice behind the BuzzMachine blog joins to discuss the state of the US media landscape and how this will shape voters’ decisions. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jac...

Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Guilty verdict sends Trump world loco – plus, right-wingers fight themselves

The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump’s guilty verdict sends his supporters totally off the deep end as they call for violence. We discuss the craziness and how more ordinary Americans have reacted too. And, the Freedom Caucus is full of drama – we explain the right-wing Mean Girls. Plus, election denial and why covid conspiracies still matter. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics. F...

Jun 05, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Trump trial verdict: Don found guilty on 34 charges — plus, is abortion 2024’s key election issue?

The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election – and explaining the nightmare to a British audience. This time: Trump becomes a convicted felon – guilty on all 34 charges. What a time to be alive. So, what does it mean for the election? Plus, Laura Kusisto of the Wall Street Journal joins us to talk about how abortion is the biggest issue for voters in 2024. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics. Follow us on s...

May 31, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 6

How to p*ss off Trump, with The Lincoln Project — plus, Nikki Haley loves Don, Biden gets nasty and more court drama

The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election – and explaining the nightmare to a British audience. This time: There’s more court drama, with Trump’s trial and Supreme Court chaos. Plus, Biden on the attack – going harder at Don than we’ve seen so far. And, Nikki Haley is backing Trump now, what a surprise. Plus, Reed Galen – former Republican campaign operative and co-founder of The Lincoln Project joins to discuss how the group takes on the former president and get right inside ...

May 24, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 5

The Trump vs Biden TV debates are GO – Plus “Satire IS the opposition,” says boss of The Onion

The US Presidential Election explained for Brits. This time: The Biden-Trump TV debates are on at last. Will America’s most hotly-anticipated showdown deliver useful argument (fat chance) or a new low in WWE politics? Plus: Trump team tries to paint prosecution witness Michael Cohen as a liar, Steve Bannon might be going to jail (yay) and Farage says the Don has offered him a job (what?). And special guest Ben Collins, CEO of the original satirical news site The Onion, on why comedy is the real ...

May 17, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Trump gets a Stormy ‘spanking’ — and how QAnon continues to warp minds in 2024

A new series counting down to the US Presidential Election – and explaining the nightmare to British audience. This time: How is Trump doing in court? We speak about his alleged but literal spanking, as described by Stormy Daniels. And we ask – what will voters think of it all? Plus, QAnon – how are conspiracy wingnuts shaping the election? Then we dig into the latest polling, look at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s latest failure and much more. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, joins Jacob Jarvi...

May 10, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Alarm before the storm! – The Biden vs. Trump countdown, with guest Molly Jong-Fast

A brand new series counting down to the US Presidential Election – and explaining the whole nightmare for the British audience. This time: With six months to go, how (and where) are Biden and Trump still neck and neck? How is Trump’s trial for paying off Stormy Daniels taking shape? Are the campus Gaza protests and the police crackdown affecting the election? And should shooting a dog rule you out of elected office? Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, joins Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones to di...

May 03, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Trailer

American Friction - the brand new podcast that helps you understand what's really going on in 2024 US Election. Out every Friday, wherever you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 26, 2024•50 sec•Season 1Ep. 1

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