This week: The DNC has been a lot. We give our instant reaction to Kamala Harris’ speech, then discuss wider themes and keynotes from Tim Walz, to Barack and Michelle Obama, through Oprah. Plus, we look at what policy was spoken about – and what was absent. Then, we pick apart Trump’s meltdown as he fails to handle people being mean, nasty, bullies about him. And, if that weren’t enough, Zoe Clark of Michigan Public joins us to discuss how the state will be key in November’s vote. Nikki McCann R...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump is desperate for relevance so he’s tried chatting to Musk and pushing AI theories about crowds at Harris rallies. Plus, Project 2025 is pushing more crazy policies for the next conservative US president. Andy Kroll, from ProPublica, obtained 14 hours of videos from the group – he explains what they mean and the ties to Trump they reveal. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the ...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate – and everyone’s gone crazy about him. The Dems are crazy in love, the Republicans, just straight up crazy. Is he so great – is there a bad thing we can say about him? Plus, Project 2025 has been a buzzword in attacks on Trump – how linked to him is it, how scary are its proposals, and should we take it seriously? Philip Bump, author of The Aftermat...
Aug 09, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump and JD Vance have been really angry at being called weird – which is a totally not weird reaction. We discuss Kamala Harris’s latest tactic. Plus, we discuss more Trump drama after that disastrous interview, where he questioned Harris’s race. And, in a deep dive explainer, we discuss not only how but where the election will be won. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Kamala Harris is all set to replace Biden in 2024 – how’re things going so far? We unpack the ‘Brat’ meme tidal wave, her fundraising triumphs and everything else you need to know. Very, very special guest Molly Jong-Fast, Vanity Fair correspondent and host of Fast Politics, joins us to give her take on Biden dropping out and what will come next. Then Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones disc...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast No Campaign For Old Men: Joe Biden rocks the 2024 Presidential race by pulling out and endorsing Kamala Harris. Is he bowing to the inevitable, taking one for Team Democracy, or taking a terrifying gamble? Can a new candidate stop the rot in the Dems’ polling? Will the Democrats go with Harris and if so, who will run with her? On an unprecedented weekend, Nikki, Chris and Jarv look at an utterly changed electoral reality – Harris’s special strengths – and how this seasoned prosecutor would fare ...
Jul 21, 2024•47 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump returns to the limelight at the RNC. Is the GOP totally his now? And who the f*ck is JD Vance and what is his problem? We discuss the VP pick. Plus, Gary Gerstle, Paul Mellon Professor of American history at the University of Cambridge, joins us to discuss shifts in American politics, MAGAnomics and more. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics. Fol...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump has left America shaken, more fractured than it already was, and confused. In the aftermath of the shooting of the former president, at a rally in Pennsylvania, the world’s focus has been dragged to the USA. We discuss what we know, what we don’t, how to talk about something this momentous, and where we go from here. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis, from Paper Cuts and O...
Jul 14, 2024•1 hr•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast George Clooney (aka the worst Batman) wants President Biden out. This week: The pressure for Biden to step down from running for office intensifies within his own party and donors. Who’s got his back and who simply wants to see the back of him? Plus, can the Supreme Court be fixed? Chris and Nikki speak to Michigan University law professor and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, Leah Litman. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US ...
Jul 12, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: The US Supreme Court has voted to give the president partial immunity from criminal prosecution. That is music to Donald Trump’s ears who’s facing more charges in the coming months. What does this change, and does it mean a president can now assassinate an opponent and get away with it? Plus, former advisor and speech writer for George W. Bush, Peter Wehner, joins the panel to discuss why he could never vote for the GOP whi...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast Did you see that ludicrous display last night? This week: President Biden came out bruised after a brutal debate with Trump. How badly will his performance damage his election hopes? Plus, Nikki and Chris are joined by Politico’s senior foreign affairs correspondent, Nahal Toosi, to find out how the War in Gaza, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the threat from China is impacting how people might choose to vote come November. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones d...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump is taking aim at Biden’s cognitive abilities – while showing his own shortcomings in the process. Who’s winning the battle of the brains? Plus, as weird clips of each candidate spread across the internet, media reporter Justin Baragona joins us to discuss the ‘cheap fake’ trend. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics. Follow us on social media: Twi...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast 
