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 disinformation and social media 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 the World Service. Oh, and by the way, 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 special guests, including Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department for Homeland Security during the Trump presidency before becoming a whistleblower. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at [email protected] or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.
Emily, Jon and Anthony describe the scene as Donald Trump leaves hospital in a helicopter, takes off his mask and returns to the White House. Studio Director: Matt Howells Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos
The president has been admitted to hospital. But how much confidence can we have in what we’re being told about his condition after evasive comments from President Trump's doctor? Studio Manager: Jack Graysmark Editor: Dino Sofos
The president and his wife have tested positive for Covid. What does this mean for the election? Emily, Jon and Anthony gather for an emergency Americast. Producer: Harriet Noble Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
After a tempestuous night in Cleveland we talk through the biggest moments of the first presidential debate. And we hear from undecided voters about whether the fiery exchanges swayed them at all. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
The death of the US Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is still dominating the conversation in Washington. Jon and Emily look at who could replace her and when. Also on the podcast, Democratic rising star Jamaal Bowman explains how he’ll challenge the status quo in Washington. And Californian Republican candidate Erin Cruz discusses why she won’t dismiss the QAnon conspiracy theorists. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi, Natalie Ktena and Harriet Noble Assistant Editor:...
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, US Supreme Court Justice and icon of liberal America, has died at the age of 87. We sound the emergency klaxon and gather to discuss how she became a cult figure, and what her passing might mean for the election. Studio director: Michael Campbell Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham, Emma Close
With wildfires devastating the West Coast, we look at whether environmental issues will sway voters’ minds. As polls in Florida tighten, we deep dive into the diverse Hispanic vote. And how could the election affect post-Brexit trade negotiations between the US and the UK? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Following allegations that Trump made derogatory comments against the military, Jon, Emily and Anthony discuss what this could mean for the veteran vote. And the BBC’s New York Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury explains how the post-covid economy may affect the election. On AmericAnswer.... what exactly happens if one of the candidates dies? Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
In an exclusive interview for BBC Newsnight, Maitlis speaks with the former UK ambassador to the US, Sir Kim Darroch, about the cables that led to his resignation. The ambassador quit last year after it emerged he described the US President's government as "dysfunctional", "inept" and "divided" in the private letters. Producer: Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
Who do Americans trust to make them feel safer, and what difference could that make to November’s vote? With just over two months to go, Jon, Emily and Anthony discuss how much law and order will be an election issue. And why do so few Americans vote? Studio Director: Michael Regaard Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos
The Republican National Convention this year was set against the backdrop of the Coronavirus pandemic, and protests over the shooting of a black man by a police officer in Wisconsin. So how did Donald Trump make his case for another four more years in office? Emily and Jon are joined by Republican strategist Ron Christie to get stuck into the key moments from the week. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena, Frankie Tobi Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Joe Biden closed the Democratic National Convention calling for unity, telling voters ‘character and decency’ would be on the ballot come November. Jon, Anthony and Producer Morgan talk us through the key moments from the Dems this week - from Kamala Harris’ historic nomination, to Barack Obama’s unprecedented attack on Donald Trump. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi, Harriet Noble Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
Anthony and Jon discuss the unconventional Democratic National Convention with the Reverend Leah Daughtry, CEO of the DNC in 2008 and 2016. And as the US Postal Service boss suspends new policies that were decried as an attempt to sabotage the election, we try to get to the bottom of what is actually going on. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
After months of speculation, Joe Biden has chosen California Senator Kamala Harris as his pick for VP. The Americast team assembles for an emergency episode, and Mayor of San Francisco and friend of Harris, London Breed, tells us why she thinks Biden made the right pick. Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Morgan Gisholt Minard Editor: Dino Sofos
With 90 days to go until the election, how will Americans cast their ballots in the middle of a pandemic? We hear from ProPublica’s Jessica Huseman on why postal-voting is proving to be a controversial topic. And Jon and Anthony speak to Cassie Smedile, Deputy Communications Director for the Republican National Committee, about what message Donald Trump does want to send. Studio Manager: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi, Natalie Ktena, Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos
President Trump is again backing hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug with no proven effectiveness against Covid-19, but with the backing of a quack doctor who believes that women have sex with demons in their dreams. We also discuss why the Senate race is so fascinating this year, and how baseball is a microcosm of America. Studio director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos
Why did the president "wish her well"? President Trump restarted his coronavirus briefings and almost stuck to the script, apart from a rather surprising comment about Ghislaine Maxwell. And why federal agents are on the streets of Portland, and could soon be in Chicago. Also, why does the health of Ruth Bader Ginsburg matter to the election? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos
It’s Joe Biden’s most important decision of the campaign: who will he pick as his potential vice president? We know it’s going to be a woman, we know he’ll announce soon, and we know some of the names in the frame. Emily, Jon and Anthony assess the people who could soon be a heartbeat away from the vice presidency, and talk to former Health Secretary and VP contender Kathleen Sebelius about the arduous vetting process. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos...
Trailing in the polls and with coronavirus cases topping three million, Donald Trump’s chances of re-election don’t look great at the moment. But with four months to go, we're joined by Steve Cortes from America First, a key figure in his re-election campaign. Plus could it be a case of “Yes We Kanye” in 2020? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos
Four months until the election and lots to discuss. Trump’s poll numbers are falling, and coronavirus cases are rising. Americast is back. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos
On the night of the memorial service for George Floyd, Emily, Jon and Anthony are back to discuss the implications for America and the presidential race. Producers: Harriet Noble, Morgan Gisholt Minard, Nathalie Ktena and Seren Jones Assistant Editor: Emma Close Studio Director: Emma Crowe Editor: Dino Sofos
President Trump suggests scientists try researching the efficacy of putting disinfectant into the body to fight the virus. Emily, Jon and Adam are joined by Dr. Carlos Del Rio, an infectious disease expert at Emory University. Producer: Harriet Noble Assistant Editors: Emma Close and Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
The presidency in a pandemic. Emily, Jon and Anthony join the host of The Coronavirus Newscast, Adam Fleming, to discuss how the United States is dealing with the Covid-19 crisis. They're also joined by the longest serving Health Secretary in US history, Congresswoman Donna Shalala. Producers: Nick Rotherham, Frankie Tobi and Alicia Burrell Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
All roads lead to coronavirus… but there is still some politics to talk about before we take break for a while. For more from Emily, Jon and Anthony, tune in to The Coronavirus Newscast on BBC Sounds, where they’ll be popping up. Editor: Dino Sofos
A week after Joe Biden surged into the front-runner position, the former vice-president wins big on Mini Super Tuesday, the day six states held primary contests. Maitlis, Sopes and The Zurch chew over the significance of the result and the impact Coronavirus is having on the presidential race. Editor: Dino Sofos Producer: Emma Close
In an emergency Americast, Maitlis and Sopes get together with Michelle Fleury, the BBC's New York Business Correspondent to talk about the fall in the stock market and what it could mean for the election. Producer: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
In our first emergency Americast, Maitlis, Sopes and The Zurch mull over what Elizabeth Warren dropping out means for the Democratic presidential race. Editor: Dino Sofos
Maitlis, Sopes and The Zurch discuss Biden’s comeback and other highlights of the biggest night of primaries, Super Tuesday. With special guests Amy Dacey, former CEO of the Democratic National Committee, and the man who wrote speeches for George W. Bush, David Frum.
Who is Bernie Sanders? Maitlis, Sopes and The Zurch are joined by Congressman Peter Welch and Lord Wood to discuss the Democrat frontrunner. Plus our first Americast quiz: Who said it, Bernie or Jeremy Corbyn? Producers: Ione Wells, Cristina Criddle and Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
Sopes, Maitlis and The Zurch explain all that election terminology you've heard but probably don’t quite understand. It’s basically Duolingo for American politics. Producer: Emma Close and Ione Wells Editor: Dino Sofos
