Episodes
Joe Biden and Donald Trump will face off next week in the first presidential debate of the 2024 U.S. election season. Questions are swirling about how prepared both candidates are before they meet each other at the podium once again. Sarah and Justin sit down with Mike Murphy, a veteran Republican strategist who has prepared many Republican candidates for debate, to break down what we can expect from the rematch. Can Biden calm concerns about the economy? Can Trump swat away attacks about his criminal conviction? What should Americasters be watching out for?The showdown could be the most mo...
Justin gets grilled by the Americasters on why he didn’t correct an interviewee who referred to Donald Trump as “President”... And why he refers to the world wide HQ of Americast as being in “London, England”. He and Sarah also tackle precinct issues like how Trump and Keir Starmer would interact if elected this year, and whether he could run for a third term, and how a President builds his cabinet. We also hear from a caller who wants to know what happened to the political centre ground in the United States.HOSTS:
Sarah Smith, North America editor
Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenterGET IN TOUC...
Hunter Biden has been found guilty on all three charges in his federal gun trial, becoming the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be criminally convicted. Prosecutors said Biden lied about his drug use when he bought a handgun in 2018. Sarah Smith - who has just returned from Delaware where the trial took place - and Justin Webb unpack the evidence and the consequences for President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. Also, Justin and Sarah speak to Jill Biden’s former Press Secretary, Michael LaRosa on how the case will be affecting Joe Biden’s inner circle. Could the U.S. pres...
Sarah Smith is reunited with the Zurch! She’s back from her holiday, and returns to a very full inbox of Ameriquestions to answer.They include queries on whether the U.S. would ever elect a President who isn’t a Christian, and why politicians “approve this message” at their end of their campaign adverts? And we speak to Americaster Joanna, who wants to know whether Americans harbour desires for their own monarchy. HOSTS: - Sarah Smith, North America editor
- Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
• Send us a mes...
Donald Trump has been speaking out after being convicted last week on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. His team say they will continue to appeal, but on what grounds, and how likely are they to overturn the verdicts? Justin and Anthony hear directly from the Trump campaign, and also put forward questions from Americast listeners. Sentencing takes place on July 11th. Also, what happened in Hunter Biden’s criminal trial which got underway in Delaware this week?
It is the first trial for the son of a sitting US president. He is accused of lying about his drug use on a form w...
Black Americans could be the deciding vote this election year. Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are making their case to court black voters, but are their messages breaking through? Justin sits down with Charlamagne Tha God, one of the most influential radio broadcasters in the US whose show has become a campaign stop for presidential candidates. As the author of the new title ‘Get Honest or Die Lying,’ Charlamagne gets straight to the point on how both Biden and Trump are losing support.
Also, Biden has unveiled new executive actions aimed at curbing the number of migrants seeking asylu...
Former President Donald Trump is now the first former US president to be criminally convicted. The historic verdict has drawn Americasters from all over the world to send in their burning questions: Could the fallout trigger civil unrest? Is Trump’s status causing Republicans to think twice about supporting him?Marianna and Anthony tackle all these questions and more in this special edition of Americanswers!HOSTS:
* Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent
* Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:
* Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqN...
The Libertarian Party is known for being unconventional in US politics. But could it have an outsized influence in who wins the Oval Office this election year? Americast sits down with Chase Oliver, the man who beat both Trump and RFK Jr for his party’s 2024 nomination. But what does he and his party believe in? Could he make it all the way to the top? And will he give the BBC his first interview if he’s elected president.HOSTS:
* Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
* Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGUEST:
* Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief Presenter
* Chase Oliver, 2024 Libertarian presid...
Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his historic criminal trial in New York. He called the verdict a “disgrace” and maintained his innocence - the sentencing happens on 11 July. HOST:
* Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGUESTS:
* Kayla Epstein, BBC reporter covering the trial in New York
* Madeline Halpert, BBC reporter covering the trial in New York
* Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland SecurityGET IN TOUCH:
* Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
* Send us a message or voice note via W...
Arguments are taking place inside (and outside) the courtroom.Former US President Donald Trump’s trial in New York is in its sixth week, where he’s accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.After hearing closing arguments from the prosecutors and defence, jurors in Donald Trump's historic criminal trial will begin their deliberations. The 12 New Yorkers must reach a unanimous verdict.As always, there’s been drama outside the courtroom. The actor Robert De Niro has been speaking out against Donald Trump, much to the chagrin of the former President’s followe...
Last week, Donald and Melania Trump attended Barron Trump's high school graduation ceremony in West Palm Beach, Florida. Melania has been largely absent so far from the campaign trail. Is that likely to change in the coming months?Americasters have also been in touch about candidates who could run in the 2028 presidential election. Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez likely to be one of them?Plus, we answer your request for travel recommendations during the presidential election…HOSTS:
* Sarah Smith, North America Editor
* Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent GET IN TOUCH:
* Join our onlin...
Former US President Donald Trump’s trial in New York is in its sixth week, where he’s accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. He’s pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and also denies having a sexual encounter with Daniels.This week, there was a moment of chaos when Justice Merchan ordered the jury out of the courtroom to admonish defence witness Bob Costello for his conduct on the stand.Sarah and Anthony, alongside the BBC’s US reporter, Kayla Epstein, take a look at Costello’s evidence, and when we could expect a verdict on t...
With both candidates gearing up for the first presidential debate and national party conventions, the Americast team takes a step back to look at where the race stands now. Justin Webb and Sarah Smith give their analysis on recent polling and ask whether the Biden camp should be worried, and how polls could influence the next six months. Also, the Trump campaign reposted a video this week which referenced a “unified reich.” Marianna Spring looks into where this video came from and why it matters that staffers are posting videos that they did not make themselves.HOSTS:
* Sarah Smith, North...
The team regroup to make more predictions about possible candidates for the Democrats and Republicans in 2028. We also take stock of foreign influence operations ahead of the upcoming US election. What has the US learnt since the last election? Plus, Ivanka Trump played an influential role in her father’s first administration, but she’s since disappeared from the public eye. Could she reappear in Trump’s next White House?HOSTS:
• Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGUEST:
• Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Departm...
Donald Trump’s former lawyer takes the stand. Former US President Donald Trump’s trial in New York is in its fourth week, where he’s accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.He’s pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and also denies having a sexual encounter with Daniels.This week, the man at the centre of those allegations - Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and right hand man - took the stand. Anthony Zurcher, alongside the BBC’s US reporters, Kayla Epstein and Madeline Halpert, take a detailed look at Cohen’s evidence, and ...
Donald Trump and Joe Biden have made plans for two televised election debates. But who benefits? And, crucially, who has more to lose? Justin Webb, Anthony Zurcher and Marianna Spring look into the drama behind the announcement, and the strategy of holding the first debate in just six weeks’ time. Also, should independent candidate RFK Jr - Robert F Kennedy - also be allowed to take part? And, speaking of presidential nominees, we speak to one! Jill Stein, the candidate for the Green Party, joins us on the podcast. She’s been criticised in the past for taking votes away from Democrats and f...
Americanswers is back and this week we take a look at presidential term limits. Joe Biden once said he wanted to be viewed as a “bridge” to the next generation in 2020. But did he ever commit to one term in office? Meanwhile, Donald Trump once praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for getting rid of their two-term limits. The team assesses whether Trump would have the ability to follow suit.And, social media algorithms are powerful. How do you leave your own echo chamber in an election year?HOSTS:
• Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North Americ...
The former U.S. President Donald Trump’s trial in New York is in its third week, where he’s accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.He’s pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and also denies having a sexual encounter with Daniels.Sarah and Anthony are joined by the BBC’s US reporter, Kayla Epstein - who’s been in court every day - to hear what happened when Ms Daniels herself took the stand, and court artist Jane Rosenberg reveals how she creates those incredibly candid sketches from the trial.HOSTS:
* Sarah Smith, North America...
JFK’s nephew is taking on Biden and Trump as an independent. He’s a big outsider but his high polling numbers are worrying the main parties, who fear that his bi-partisan policies could steal votes.Sarah, Anthony and Marianna talk about who RFK Jr is, why he’s running, and if he lives up to his reputation as one of America’s most famous conspiracy theorists. And they get to the bottom of how he came to have a dead worm in his brain.HOSTS:
• Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET IN TO...
Americanswers is back and we take a deep dive into Joe Biden’s TikTok account and the type of content his campaign is prioritising to win over young voters.A vice presidential hopeful has revealed she killed her dog due to behavioural issues. Will the admission end her chances of being Donald Trump’s running mate?And, Kamala Harris has been given a new nickname by a daytime television host. Who is the White House hoping she can win over on the campaign trail?HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online...
Former US President Donald Trump’s trial in New York is in its second week, where he’s accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.He’s pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and also denies having a sexual encounter with Daniels.
Americast is launching a new mini series to break down what’s happening in the courtroom over the six-week criminal trial.Sarah and Anthony are joined by the BBC’s US reporter, Kayla Epstein - who’s been in court every day - to hear what happened when an unexpected witness took the stand, what Trump said abo...
Response to student protests across the US have escalated to violence this week, with students clashing, and arrests now exceeding 1,000. We hear from students and BBC colleagues from across the States.And the Americast team speaks to Niall Ferguson, historian and senior fellow at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, about how universities are responding to protests.
HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent GUEST:
• Niall Ferguson, historian and senior fellow at the Hoover Institute...
Following the start of Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York, we answer your questions on how Joe Biden could handle his main challenger’s legal woes.And, Democrats are worried about the threat posed by Robert F Kennedy's Jr's run for office. But could Kennedy's campaign also be a threat to Donald Trump? We assess his chances and take look at another less conventional third-party candidate.HOST:
• Sarah Smith, North America editorGUEST:
• Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland SecurityGET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB
• S...
Former US President Donald Trump’s trial in New York began this week, where he’s accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.He’s pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and also denies having a sexual encounter with Daniels.Americast is launching a new mini series to break down what’s happening in the courtroom over the six-week criminal trial.Sarah and Anthony are joined by the BBC’s US reporter, Kayla Epstein - who’s been in court every day - to take a look at the key players, reveal the main takeaways from this week and discuss wha...
Hundreds of students have been arrested across the United States as they protest against Israel's military campaign in Gaza.Sarah is at Columbia University in New York City, one of many colleges where students are protesting, but where some Jewish students say they feel threatened by the actions of demonstrators.And Marianna takes a look at how social media, and TikTok in particular, are shaping how a new generation of voters are engaging with politics through the lens of the war in the Middle East.HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Marianna Spri...
In the latest edition of Americanswers, we get down to basics at the start of Donald Trump’s first criminal trial. Who are the jurors selected to decide Trump’s fate? Who protects them? And how are they being targeted online?Today’s opening statements mark the first criminal trial against a president in US history, as Trump stands accused of trying to cover up hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before he won the 2016 election.HOSTS:
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
• Anthony Zu...
The president has urged Benjamin Netenyahu to “take the win” after thwarting an attack from Iran. The question now is how Israel responds, and if Joe Biden has any influence over it. Christiane Amanpour, the British/Iranian chief international anchor for CNN, joins Americast to assess what could happen next.In Congress there’s a vote on a pivotal deal that would provide billions of dollars for Ukraine and Israel, and introduce more sanctions for Iran. It could change the course of the conflicts but it could also cost Speaker Mike Johnson his job. We’re asking whether he can survive yet anot...
Donald Trump is no stranger to Megyn Kelly. The pair had a very public fallout in 2015 after the former Fox anchor questioned his temperament in a Republican Party debate.These days the pair are back on speaking terms, with Trump often choosing to do longer interviews with one of America’s most recognisable broadcasters.And on the day he became the first ever president to face a criminal trial, Megyn Kelly joins us to give her thoughts on how much the trial could affect the outcome of November’s election, the Democrat’s strategy to beat him, and whether we might see a televised debate betwe...
In a heavily-trailed announcement on Monday, Donald Trump released a video on his Truth Social platform to announce his position on abortion. Having been considered one of the most anti-abortion presidents in history, he has now said it is a matter for states to decide and later confirmed he would not sign a federal abortion ban.His stance has led to a backlash from senior Republicans, including his former vice president, Mike Pence. Could the backlash extend to the ballot box in November?HOSTS:
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 present...
Orenthal James Simpson, known to the world as OJ, lived many lives. First as one of the greatest ever running backs in the history of the NFL, then as a Hollywood movie star. His fame skyrocketed, however, when he was arrested as a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. The ensuing ‘trial of the century’ gripped and divided the nation.As the news broke, the team interrupted their normal recording to relive the shocking events of his life, trial, and acquittal. Anthony, who was then living in LA, recalls the backdrop of racial tension that underpinned t...