Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss who Brandon is and why Americans are chanting his name. Also, three white men have been found guilty of murdering a black jogger, Ahmaud Arbery, in Georgia. We hear testimony from the trial and reaction from his family. And after another high-profile trial, politicians have been offering internships to Kyle Rittenhouse - the young man acquitted of murdering two white men during a protest in 2020. For some, he’s become an icon for the right to armed self-defence. Am...
Nov 24, 2021•45 min
A judge’s “God Bless the USA” ringtone raised eyebrows when it went off in the Rittenhouse murder trial. And as the jury deliberates its verdict, Washington Post reporter Kim Bellware describes how this court case is the most acrimonious she has ever covered. Also, as a defiant Steve Bannon surrenders himself to the FBI, former Republican Congressman Doug Collins tells us why he thinks the Department of Justice has become Biden’s political arm. And Emily shares her memories of an evening with Tr...
Nov 17, 2021•41 min
Big Bird’s been tweeting about his Covid jab but Senator Cruz isn’t impressed, calling the post “government propaganda for your 5-year-old”. Also, it’s officially infrastructure week… again. Congressman Andy Levin tells us why he changed his mind and voted for the bill on Friday. And journalist Dan Alexander joins us for a SPAC-tacular explanation of how Donald Trump plans to finance his new social media platform. Today’s Americast was made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The studio director ...
Nov 10, 2021•40 min
As Virginia elects a new governor, Emily, Jon and Anthony get back together to ask why things went so wrong for the Democrats and so right for the Republicans. They’re joined by J. Miles Coleman of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, and former Republican congresswoman for Virginia, Barbara Comstock. There are anecdotes from President Biden’s European trip and candy from Air Force One too. Today’s Americast was made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The studio director was Emma Crow...
Nov 03, 2021•40 min
Maitlis and Sopes return for an emergency episode to mark the end of America's decades long 'forever war'. We talk to US Airforce veteran Veronica Hoyer to ask if it was all for nothing? And the former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, P. Michael McKinley tells us he is being contacted by former friends and colleagues appealing for rescue as Taliban forces enter Kabul. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos...
Aug 17, 2021•42 min
We're signing off for a while, Americasters. Thanks for your company and your support. We'll be back next year to bring you all the build up to the midterm elections. So here's our last episode for now. As someone once said, "Have a good life. We will see you soon". While you're here, please could you vote for Americast at the British Podcast Awards! www.britishpodcastawards.com/vote This episode was made by our wonderful producers, Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena. It was mixed beautifully by...
Jul 02, 2021•52 min
The truth is out there... or at least it's about to be. Former Blink 182 frontman and UFO hunter Tom DeLonge speaks to Emily, Jon and Anthony ahead of the highly anticipated unclassified Pentagon report on UFOs. And with the Democrats' Voting Rights bill blocked, we discuss how the fight is far from over for Biden. Also, Slate Editor and Americast favourite Dahlia Lithwick tells us everything we need to know about Supreme Court Season and that conservative supermajority. Studio Director: Emma Cr...
Jun 23, 2021•46 min
We're behind the scenes at the Swiss Chateau where Biden and Putin meet for their first talks – but did they see eye to eye? Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss if the US-Russia relationship can go from rock bottom to recovery. Also, following a testing week for Vice President Harris, we ask her former Communications Director Gil Duran whether we're witnessing a President in the making. And he doesn’t want to go on about it but Sopes had to give up his seat at the pub for a VERY special guest... Stud...
Jun 16, 2021•39 min
As Joe Biden touches down in the UK for his first foreign trip, the G7 summit of world leaders in Carbis Bay, Jon speaks exclusively to the president’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, about how the US will protect the Good Friday agreement and its interests around the world, as well as its rivalry with China and Russia. Back in Washington DC, we hear how one Democratic senator from West Virginia, Joe Manchin, is causing a political impasse that’s paralysing his own party. Studio Direct...
Jun 09, 2021•44 min
Ben Rhodes, the ex-White House deputy national security adviser and confidante to President Obama, comes on to talk about the global rise of authoritarianism and how American foreign policy helped shape what he calls the “the 9/11 generation.” And there’s a sensational comeback for one of the most influential men in Washington. Not Jon Sopel, another beauty (he’s still in London.) But Donald Trump, is preparing to hold the first post-presidential rally. We hear from POLITICO’s White House inside...
Jun 02, 2021•43 min
It’s been a year since the world watched as the life of a black man was extinguished under the knee of a white police officer, sparking months of protests nationally and internationally. It was a moment that demanded change. So has law enforcement learned any lessons? Nick Bryant rejoins Emily and Anthony from Minneapolis as we ask former White House special advisor and Americast regular, Ron Christie, whether issues of race are uniting or dividing the United States. And we talk through the Geor...
May 25, 2021•42 min
The BBC’s legendary New York correspondent Nick Bryant swaps in for Sopes. He comes carrying a cocktail of stories, including how some states are using boozy incentives to boost their vaccination campaign. And as the President hardens his position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, we ask veteran pollster John Zogby why it puts Biden in a bind with his party. And hold on to your sequins! The Eurovision Song Contest is coming to the United States… and it’s going to get Political. We talk to one of...
May 19, 2021•43 min
Following a long and bitter public spat, House Republicans have voted to remove their number three, Liz Cheney, from leadership - Emily, Jon and Anthony reflect on the massive moment. We go inside the room where it happened with Congressman Chris Stewart who explains why he decided to vote to remove Cheney. And, while the GOP is taking aim at itself, President Biden met with leaders of the House and Senate to discuss his trillion dollar legislative agenda. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: ...
May 13, 2021•45 min
Facebook's Trump ban is upheld for six more months. Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss the decision and what Nick Clegg has to do with it. And it's war for the Republicans as establishment figures face off against loyal Trump supporters in a battle for who controls the party - former Republican congressman Denver Riggleman joins us to discuss why Trump adversaries like him, Liz Cheney and Mitt Romney are being turned on by their own. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan and Natali...
May 05, 2021•27 min
What has President Biden achieved in 100 days? Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss President Biden’s first 100 days in office and historic first address in Congress. Jim Messina who was Deputy Chief of Staff to Obama joins the team to mull over what the President has achieved, whether he’s bitten off more than he can chew and whether the Biden he knows will be running for re-election. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos...
Apr 29, 2021•45 min
After just ten hours of deliberation, a jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty of the murder of George Floyd. Emily and Jon reflect on what this huge moment means. Correspondent Larry Madowo joins us from the crowded street where George Floyd was murdered and Ron Christie replaces his political hat with his legal hat to tackle your emergency Americanswers. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos
Apr 21, 2021•32 min
As the Chauvin trial enters its third week in Minneapolis, the city’s streets saw the tragic death of Daunte Wright at the hands of the police. Jon speaks to BBC correspondent Larry Madowo for the latest from the city the world is watching. And we go into the Americast archives and take you back to the week which changed America - when George Floyd lost his life and protests broke out around the world. Studio Manager: Russell Newlove Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos
Apr 14, 2021•38 min
Trump finally breaks his silence over the alleged sex crimes of Congressman Gaetz. Emily, Jon and Anthony get the inside track on Gaetz-Gate from one of the journalists who broke the story, New York Times correspondent Nicholas Fandos. Coca Cola and other companies have taken a stand against Georgia's new voting law and North America correspondent Larry Madowo explains how the so-called blue wall of silence is breaking at the George Floyd trial. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Natalie Kten...
Apr 07, 2021•46 min
Biden builds bridges and Trump crashes weddings. As the trial of Derek Chauvin is finally underway, Americast regular, Ron Christie, shares his thoughts on what the outcome could mean for the future of America. Congressman Garamendi joins us from his Californian ranch to explain why Biden’s big bill on infrastructure matters. America puts aside partisanship for March Madness - Englishman in New York Roger Bennett explains why the sporting tournament is like the World Cup meets Eurovision. And ev...
Mar 31, 2021•41 min
Two familiar issues are already threatening to cause a major political headache for President Biden’s administration: gun laws and the southern border. We speak to gun control lobbyist Robyn Thomas from the Gifford Law Centre, and Florence Chamberlin, an El Paso based immigration attorney with the Kids in Need of Defense programme. And Joe Biden holds his first press conference as President, so how did he do? Jon, Emily and Anthony look at how the new President differed tonally from his predeces...
Mar 26, 2021•49 min
Happy St Patrick’s Day! We Americanswer just how much of an influence the Irish have on American politics. And as Biden embarks on his stimulus victory tour, the team are joined by Obama’s National Economic Council director Larry Summers to discuss why the American Rescue Plan may have gone too far. Also, the Cuomo crisis continues and the Governor’s former employee Stephanie Stark shares her research on how voters respond to allegations of sexual assault at the polls. And why are Trump supporte...
Mar 17, 2021•52 min
The U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, has landed in London – and makes a podcast pitstop to Americanswer your questions. And as the George Floyd murder trial begins, Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss America’s reckoning with race. Joined by Black Votes Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown and Editor-at-large of The 19th, Errin Haines, they discuss how the Meghan and Harry interview proves the monarchy is not immune from that reckoning and why the black vote is being targeted by a ...
Mar 11, 2021•41 min
Trump’s back – but did his CPAC appearance hit the right notes? Emily, Jon and Anthony talk to Ron Christie about whether the former president’s speech shows he is on his way to 2024 candidacy. Also, we go inside the Orlando convention to hear from Trump’s most conservative supporters. And finally, has Biden been tough enough on Saudi Arabia for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi? Studio Director: Michael Regaard Producers: Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos
Mar 01, 2021•43 min
Political big beast Andrew Cuomo has landed himself in hot water with a nursing home scandal. As the NY Governor faces calls for his impeachment, Emily, Jon and Anthony speak to New York Assemblyman Ron Kim who alleges Cuomo threatened him for publicly criticising him. And as the US reaches a sobering pandemic milestone, how is President Biden faring in his aim to become the healer-in-chief? And remember former President Trump? He is finally ordered to hand over those long-awaited tax returns......
Feb 24, 2021•39 min
While Texas battles devastating winter weather, Ted Cruz’s badly timed trip to Mexico leaves him at the centre of a political storm – Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss the power blackouts and the political fallout. Also, Americast’s favourite Texan Ryan returns to tell us how the sub-freezing temperatures have affected locals like him. And State House Representative Tony Tinderholt on what needs to be done to safeguard Texas in future. Studio Director: Michael Regaard Producers: Frankie Tobi and Na...
Feb 19, 2021•40 min
The Senate acquits Trump... again. Emily, Jon and Anthony love nothing more than spending a cold Saturday night recording an Emergency Americast about the end of the Donald Trump impeachment trial. The 57-43 tally falls short of the two-thirds vote needed to convict the former President on a charge of inciting the Capitol riot. But will this be the last time Trump is put on trial? Studio Director: Holly Palmer Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Feb 14, 2021•31 min
The impeachment trial heats up. The Democrats have finished laying out their arguments against Donald Trump in the impeachment trial by looking at the insurrectionists themselves. So did Trump’s language incite them to violence? We speak to the man who warned against the former President’s use of threats following the election: Gabriel Sterling. The Georgia elections official speaks to Emily and Jon about his now viral intervention. And while the TV cameras have focused on the impeachment trial,...
Feb 12, 2021•42 min
From the viral court-zoom cat, to day two of Trump’s impeachment trial – it’s been a day of high legal drama in the USA. Emily, Jon and Anthony talk us through the biggest moments in the Senate so far – including never-before-seen footage of the Capitol riots. Why is Donald Trump angry at his own legal team? And can Republicans be convinced to convict the former president? Producers: Frankie Tobi, Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
Feb 11, 2021•34 min
Trump may have quit the Screen Actors Guild, but his presence in the GOP looms large as ally Marjorie Taylor Greene gets party support. Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss the Congresswoman, conspiracy theories and what we can make of her apology to Congress. Also, Republican Representative Robert Aderholt explains why he voted not to certify President Biden’s victory. And we bring you the Americast half-time show, a performance to rival this weekend’s Super Bowl! Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer...
Feb 05, 2021•53 min
Is the House GOP leader back to backing Trump? Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss why Kevin McCarthy took a trip to Mar-a-Lago to visit the former president. Meanwhile, the Republican party divide deepens as Congressman Matt Gaetz rallies against his GOP colleague in Wyoming. And we bring you a bumper Americanswer with an A-Level politics class takeover. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos
Jan 29, 2021•38 min
