The authoritative weekly US news and politics podcast from BBC News, Americast investigates the social and cultural issues that define America today.
Is Joe Biden too old to win another go in the White House? What does Donald Trump’s latest criminal charge mean for the Republican campaign? And why have issues such as LGBT rights, global warming and the war effort in Ukraine become so divisive across the US political spectrum? From foreign policy to pop culture, Americast keeps you up to date and in the know about the stories that matter with on-the-ground insights from right across the US.
Americast is hosted by trusted journalists including the BBC’s North America editor Sarah Smith, North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher, presenter Justin Webb, and disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring. Joined by special guests each week such as former chief medical adviser to the president, Dr Anthony Fauci, former FBI director James Comey, CNN anchor and author Jake Tapper, Succession actress J Smith-Cameron, and Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire from podcast RedHanded, they look at America through an international lens, trying to make sense of the increasingly polarised political debate.
Each week on Americast, Marianna Spring also brings listeners the latest update on BBC Undercover Voters, the award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media. Marianna has created undercover voters – multiple social media accounts belonging to different characters who sit across the US political divide. By tracking the content that is pushed at each of them, this investigation will cover a turbulent time for US politics with speculation over a Trump bid for the presidency and Biden facing domestic and international challenges.
GET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast
Find out more about our award-winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.
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 Bidens 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 Bidens 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 campaigns latest outlandish press conference and how Rudy Giulianis hair-dye stole the scene. Also, how is the White House press pack reacting to the White Houses 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 Trumps 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 Bidens transition team steps up, Emily, Jon and Anthony are joined by red and blue strategists for a forensic look at the election. Also, is Trumps firing of his Defence Secretary an act of revenge? And we Americ-answer who can be considered for President-Elect Bidens 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 Trumps 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 dont 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 Americasts 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 hes been reporting on coronavirus and race. And remember Heather, our undecided voter who we heard from after the first debate? Shes back, and shes 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 nights events have made him question his early vote. And how former President Barack Obama is trying to get inside Trumps 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 Bidens son Hunters old laptop; we explain why theyre 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 were 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 hell challenge the status quo in Washington. And Californian Republican candidate Erin Cruz discusses why she wont dismiss the QAnon conspiracy theorists. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi, Natalie Ktena and Harriet Noble Assistant Editor: E...
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 BBCs 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 Novembers 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
