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.
As covid cases continue to rise, Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss how Biden will fight the pandemic. Also, how Texas is making a bid to overturn Biden’s win. And why is Trump carrying out federal executions in the dying days of his Presidency? Studio Direction: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close
As Biden asks people to ‘mask’ for his first 100 days, Emily, Jon and Anthony look at his policies and whether he will be a reassuring or radical President. Also, why is Anthony Fauci apologising to the UK? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena and Frankie Tobi Lead Producer: Harriet Noble Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
As Trump confirms he will leave the White House, Emily Jon and Anthony compare his testy press conference with the Bidens’ Thanksgiving message. Also, rumoured cabinet pick Heidi Heitkamp discusses Democrats and the rural vote. And we Americ-answer – is Trump going to pardon himself? Studio Director: Michael Regaard Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
With the transition now formally underway, Jon, Emily and Anthony discuss whether a Trump tweet is the closest we will get to a concession speech. Also, why Biden’s diverse cabinet picks look like an Obama third term. And, could Trump reveal classified information post-presidency? Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos
As Biden gets on with the business of transition, Jon, Emily and Anthony discuss the Trump campaign’s latest outlandish press conference – and how Rudy Giuliani’s hair-dye stole the scene. Also, how is the White House press pack reacting to the White House’s war on the media? And is Fox News abandoning President Trump? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos
Fresh from his surprise cameo in The Crown, Jon joins Emily and Anthony to discuss all the latest on the transition in limbo. Also, historian David Olusoga joins us to discuss Barack Obama's book and his exclusive UK interview with the 44th president. And how Trump’s election message could be an own goal in the battleground Georgia senate race. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena and Sej Asar Editor: Dino Sofos
As Biden increases his electoral college tally, Emily, Jon and Anthony go behind-the-scenes in the Trump camp with New York Magazine correspondent Olivia Nuzzi. Also, is Trump frightened of prison? And we speak to former US Ambassador to the EU, Anthony Gardner, about whether Biden and Boris will be good for the UK-US relationship. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Natalie Ktena and Harriet Noble Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
It's our election post-mortem. As Biden’s transition team steps up, Emily, Jon and Anthony are joined by red and blue strategists for a forensic look at the election. Also, is Trump’s firing of his Defence Secretary an act of revenge? And we Americ-answer who can be considered for President-Elect Biden’s cabinet. A big shoutout to BBC Builders Merchants Ltd in Dewsbury for being good sports. Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos
Joe Biden has won the race to become the next US president. And Donald Trump is on his way back from the golf course. Maitlis, Sopes and The Zurch discuss an extraordinary 24 hours in Washington. Studio Director: Nick Jones Producer: Morgan Gisholt Minard Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
As the counting continues, Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss how a fresh Biden lead may have broken the Presidential stalemate. Reporter Julia Terruso takes us inside the Pennsylvania vote centre. And could there be a dark endgame for Trump’s legal suits? Also we Americanswer – if Trump loses, can he run again in 2024? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena and Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
Things are moving so quickly, but it looks like the presidency is slipping away from Donald Trump. We'll be recording a proper episode with the whole gang later. Until then, here's a quick update from Sopes. It's a bit like Letter from America, but recorded on an iPhone in his flat, after very little sleep. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos
As Donald Trump prematurely declares victory, Emily, Jon, Anthony and Ron Christie discuss which paths to the White House are still in play. Also, will the swing states be decided in the Supreme Court? And our Texan Trump supporter Ryan returns to the podcast. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena, Morgan Gisholt Minard, Caitlin Hanrahan Editor: Dino Sofos
What a night! Emily, Jon, Anthony and Nick Bryant get together to bring you the story of election night so far. We don’t have a winner, and it could be a long time until we do. We recorded this at midnight EST / 5am GMT. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Morgan Gisholt Minard, Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
As the candidates roll out the red carpet, Emily, Jon and Anthony explain how Lil Wayne, Bruce Springsteen and Nigel Farage are attempting to bring out the votes. Campaign insiders Guy Cecil and Jenna Ellis make their final pitches for their candidate to be President. And the team bring you Americast’s ultimate guide to election night. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
With less than a week until election day, Jon, Emily and Anthony consider the candidates’ final pitches to the American people. BBC News at Ten's Clive Myrie joins us from Arizona where he’s been reporting on coronavirus and race. And remember Heather, our undecided voter who we heard from after the first debate? She’s back, and she’s no longer undecided… Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard Editor: Dino Sofos
With record early voter turnout, Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss whether the candidates’ calm and focused performances will make a difference at the ballot. Also, one Texan tells us whether the night’s events have made him question his early vote. And how former President Barack Obama is trying to get inside Trump’s head. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos
Donald Trump thinks the media should be talking about the content of Joe Biden’s son Hunter’s old laptop; we explain why they’re not. Plus with polls favouring Joe Biden, Emily, Jon and Anthony look at how Trump could beat the odds to a second term in the White House. And as the Democrats try to flip the Senate, we find out how sexting and the price of soybeans could shape the race. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos
As Donald Trump and Joe Biden field voter questions at the same time on different TV networks, Emily, Jon and Anthony compare their performances. And we "Americanswer" why swing states are so swingy. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalies Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
Just over a week after leaving hospital, President Trump returned to the campaign trail with a big rally in Florida. It's a crucial state, and in this episode we explain why it might decide the election, and hear from the voters who could swing it. Studio director: Wayne Moses Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
Jon, Emily and Anthony talk us through the flies, the highs and lows of the VP debate in Utah. And two undecided voters tell us if the candidates' sparring on race helped them make their pick. Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
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
