Sarah didnt quite make it to dinner with Xi Jinping at the APEC Summit, but we spoke to someone who did, an old friend he met in 1985 at a potluck in Muscatine, Iowa. Back in the present, the Chinese president has held talks with Joe Biden for the first time in over a year. What came from the meeting and where has it landed US/China relations? And, Gen Z and Millennials will make up half of the electorate when it comes to the 2024 presidential election. The Americast team looks at the political ...
Nov 17, 2023•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast As votes from Election Day 2023 were tallied up this week, wins for Democrats may have given a preview into next years presidential election. But new polls seem to point towards a rocky road to re-election for President Joe Biden. Its not all good news for Trump, though. He and his children took the stand in New York, giving evidence in the civil fraud case brought against him. How might these problems play out as the 2024 presidential elections near? Expert pollster and political analyst Amy Wa...
Nov 10, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Twelve months until the US election, Americasters join us on the recording to ask some of the big questions about an era-defining presidential poll and help the team put some predictions in the Americast time capsule. Will it be Biden v Trump again? What issues will define the race? Could we see a first female president sooner than it seems? And will Justin have a change of heart about Americast's Discord community? Listen back to our live episode. HOSTS: Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter Sarah Smi...
Nov 03, 2023•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast The aide to Donald Trumps White House Chief of Staff opens up to Americast about her mistakes and why she believes that the former president should never be allowed near the Oval Office again. Cassidy Hutchinson explains why she wrote her candid memoir, which Trumps team tells us either belongs in the discount bin of the fiction section of a bookstore or should be repurposed as toilet paper. Theres finally a new Speaker of the House of Representatives. But who is Mike Johnson? And Arnold Schwarz...
Oct 26, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Biden wanted to show Americas global strength during his flying visit to Israel this week, but does the United States still call the shots internationally? The Americast team reviews Bidens high-stakes 30 hours in the region, talks about the misinformation swirling around the internet, and weighs in on Americas place in the world. Back in DC, House Republicans are still struggling to elect a Speaker after two rounds of voting. Anthony gavels the gang in for a crash course on the latest...
Oct 19, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Biden has promised to support Israel with whatever it needs and forcefully condemned the attacks by Hamas on civilians. But what do Americans think about the unfolding conflict in the Middle East? The Americast team also hears from 2020 presidential candidate and co-founder of the Forward Party, Andrew Yang, on why third parties are important to US politics and what its like running for the Oval Office. HOSTS: Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter Sarah Smith, North America editor Marianna Sp...
Oct 12, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast For the first time in US history, a speaker has been kicked out. A group of Trump-supporting Republicans carried out a coup to remove him from the chair of the House of Representatives. How did it come about? What does it say about the Republican Party? Put simply, what the hell happens now? Americast is called to order to shed light on the situation in Congress. And on the theme of political division, Naomi Klein explains her theory behind whats making America hard to govern and why not everyon...
Oct 05, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Why did Donald Trump skip another Republican debate? Sarah is sent to Michigan instead of California as Trump and Joe Biden race to show their solidarity with striking car factory workers. Marc Lotter, who ran the comms on Trump's last campaign and was press secretary for Vice-President Mike Pence, tells the Americast team about the ex-president's re-election strategy. He gives his take on why Trump doesn't need to debate his Republican rivals, which vice-presidential pick could help put him bac...
Sep 28, 2023•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Some US politicians are growing impatient over supporting the war effort and a lot could change if Donald Trump wins back the White House. Our very own Anthony was in the Oval Office to see President Zelensky meet its current occupant, Joe Biden, while Sarah watched them address the UN. We talk about how Washington views Americas role in the conflict. And Marianna chats to award-winning true crime podcasters, Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire, about the harmful effects of social medias obsession w...
Sep 21, 2023•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Is Joe Biden too old to win another go in the White House? And could his son derail his campaign? The Americast team talks through the challenges the president is facing in the run-up to the next election. Barack Obama's former spokesperson and podcaster Tommy Vietor gives us his thoughts on Biden's achievements and viral moments, as well as his 2024 chances, with some critics obsessed by his age and sceptical about Vice President Kamala Harris. And the gang tries to guess the Republican preside...
Sep 14, 2023•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast How do we cover a headline-grabbing former president who falsely claims he never lost the election? Two of our bosses step into the worldwide HQ of Americast for the kind of conversation we normally have in our morning meetings: what past mistakes can we learn from and whats the BBCs strategy for reporting on Donald Trumps campaign and his court cases? HOSTS: Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter Sarah Smith, North America editor Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent GUESTS: Pa...
Sep 07, 2023•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Charting music's part in US politics, from 1970s disco to 'Rich Men North of Richmond', which has become a surprise No.1 hit. What does this country song, claimed by conservatives, tell us about American society? The Americast team talk to the BBC's 'Professor of Pop', Paul Gambaccini, about protest music in the States. And what happens when musicians refuse to be used by politicians? Karen Willis, manager of The Village People and the wife of its lead singer, tells us about the YMCA group's cea...
Aug 31, 2023•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast While his challengers clashed in Milwaukee, Donald Trump skipped the first Republican debate of the campaign for the relative comfort of an interview with ex-Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson. Did any of the other presidential candidates surprise? Its an Americast Wisconsin special as the team try cheese curds and sip beer at a bar near the venue and link up with Sarah, whos in Atlanta waiting for Trumps latest arrest, to break down the showdown and the no-show. And Marianna chats to local voters a...
Aug 24, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast As the last Republican presidential hopefuls try to qualify for the opening debate of the primary in Milwaukee next week, Donald Trump is deciding whether to turn up or to surrender to a court in Georgia. Jake Tapper, who has moderated election debates for CNN, joins the Americast team to explain what they are like behind the scenes and how this one could play out. HOSTS: Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter Sarah Smith, North America editor Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media corresponde...
Aug 17, 2023•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump has been criminally charged for the fourth time in a frenzied five months. Now hes accused of trying to interfere with the result of the 2020 election in Georgia. The Americast team stays up late into the Atlanta and Washington nights (while Justin mans the Radio 4 studio) to talk through whats in the indictment and why this one could be the most challenging yet for Trump. HOSTS: Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter Sarah Smith, North America editor Anthony Zurcher, North America correspo...
Aug 15, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast As Donald Trump prepares for a possible fourth indictment, Americast wonders if the word unprecedented has lost all meaning. To find out, we gather together four BBC Washington reporters past and present to talk about how US politics has changed since their tenures, swap stories of presidential interviews, and share American memories through the medium of show and tell. HOSTS: Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter Sarah Smith, North America editor Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media corres...
Aug 10, 2023•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast As Donald Trump pleads not guilty over the Capitol riot, will his third criminal indictment impact his election chances? Is the ex-president allowed to use campaign money to fund his legal battles? Could he really be president from jail? And is there no-one in the Democratic Party who will challenge Joe Biden? Were back (and Justin has woken up!) to answer questions from Americasters with the help of political correspondent Liz Landers, who's standing in for Anthony (but doesnt have his pink sui...
Aug 03, 2023•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump has been charged with a third set of crimes. This time he's accused of plotting to overturn his election defeat after an inquiry into the storming of the Capitol two years ago on January 6th. Former FBI director James Comey, who was fired by Trump, joins this emergency Americast, as we look at what happens next and what it could mean for the ex-president's attempt to return to the White House. HOSTS: Sarah Smith, North America editor Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media ...
Aug 02, 2023•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Viral memes and alien themes: the Americast News Feed returns as we scroll through the biggest stories trending on social media. Twitter X and Threads fight for online attention while Congress hears unworldly claims about the existence of UFOs. Hunter Bidens legal troubles continue, and 81-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell freezes during a press conference. These topics and much more are unpacked on Americasts podcast equivalent of a social network. HOSTS: Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter Sarah Smi...
Jul 27, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Could global warming make some states uninhabitable? With parts of the US sweltering in record-breaking heatwaves, the Americast team wonders whether cities like Phoenix in Arizona can continue to survive by the end of the century. Meanwhile, Sarah enjoys cooler temperatures in Colorado and catches up with the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly at the Aspen Security Forum. And Hollywood strikes have held up the Barbie film's press tour, but could politicians learn a thing or two from its intern...
Jul 19, 2023•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Joe sets his sights on Nato but is being criticised at home. The Americast team reconvene early from their holidays to react to Joe Bidens brief visit to the UK. Justin is joined by Katty Kay and Anthony is pulled out of bed in Washington DC at 4:30am to join the new Americast Breakfast Club. BBC political editor Chris Mason is on hand too. And theres one more question to answer: is the Commander in Chief actually a nice guy? Hes faced criticism for not publicly acknowledging his granddaughter. ...
Jul 11, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rainbow flags symbolising LGBT freedoms are being flown in many parts of the world this Pride month, but in some parts of America they are being lowered due to state bans. Why have these kinds of issues become so political? Bobby Berk, star of hit makeover show Queer Eye, joins the Americast team, along with a Republican activist, to tell us how LGBT people are feeling across the US political divide. HOSTS: Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter Sarah Smith, North America editor Marianna Spring, disinfo...
Jun 29, 2023•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hunter Biden will plead guilty to tax and gun offences to avoid prison. The Americast team looks at whether the sins of his son could knock Joe Bidens re-election hopes. Talking of being in trouble with the law, has Donald Trump implicated himself in a recent interview with Fox News? And its a tale of two Anthonys, as our very own host travels with the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on a historic trip to China and then the UK, and reports back on how he was received by President Xi. HOSTS...
Jun 21, 2023•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the eve of his 77th birthday, Donald Trump has appeared in court to face charges of mishandling classified documents. He even found time to stop by a bakery though not for a cake to celebrate. Sarah has made it through the media scrum in a humid Miami and the Americast team has assembled early this week to talk through another day of firsts in US political history. We also hear from Miles Taylor, former chief of staff of the United States Department of Homeland Security under President Trump,...
Jun 14, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Republican race for the White House is getting crowded. With eight candidates all gathering in Iowa to campaign, eat roast pork and ride motorbikes, the Americast team looks at who came out on top and whether any of them could beat Donald Trump, who is facing fresh criminal charges over his handling of classified documents. Harvard professor Steven Pinker, who sees himself as a liberal, tells us why he thinks academic freedom is under threat on US college campuses. And first, Sarah wanders t...
Jun 08, 2023•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Journalists and podcast hosts Jon Ronson and Gabriel Gatehouse join Marianna for a special episode of Americast delving deep down the rabbit hole of conspiracies. The trio talk about why America is a breeding ground for conspiracies, how to spot them, and what happens if theyre true. We also look at whether conspiracies and misinformation might affect the outcome of the 2024 presidential election and what role artificial intelligence could play in their spread. HOST: Marianna Spring, disinformat...
Jun 01, 2023•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Its Elon Musks latest launch not a rocket this time, but Ron DeSantis campaign for president, live on Twitter! But after some technical hiccups, is it a failed lift-off? The Americast team reviews how it went and tries to answer whether Florida's governor can win the White House. And after dining with Sarah and Anthony in DC, J Smith-Cameron, who plays Gerri in Succession, meets Marianna in London ahead of the shows finale, and turns the tables by asking her what reporters can learn from how the...
May 25, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Crime is a growing worry in many American cities and has divided Democrats. New Orleans had the unenviable title of the US murder capital in 2022 what went wrong in a city better known for its smooth music than the sound of gunfire? The Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, tells us what she's doing to address the poverty and lack of opportunity which have plagued her city, and why she thinks she's being unfairly targeted over her track record. And after Prince Harry and Meghan's "near catastro...
May 18, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Has Donald Trumps sexual assault verdict damaged his reputation? The Americast team explains why a top Texas Republican thinks hes toast, even though Trump is fighting the ruling. Sarah is on the US border with Mexico in El Paso, where a controversial Trump immigration policy known as Title 42 is about to expire and a state of emergency has been declared. A Texas Congressman and Democrat, Joaquin Castro, tells us why he blames President Biden as well as Trump. And Santos Watch is back after the ...
May 10, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis has escalated his feud with Disney, launching a lawsuit against one of the countrys biggest companies. The Americast team updates us with the latest details from the battle and how it might impact his presidential campaign. And Americast's own reporting royalty/fairy queen, Katty Kay, rejoins the team from outside Westminster Abbey, where the finishing touches are being made ahead of King Charles' coronation. She analyses America's obsession with the British monar...
May 04, 2023•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
