Episodes
A message to Americasters from the Zurch.
Biden imposes sanctions on Russia over “beginning of invasion”…
Former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul joins Emily, Jon and Anthony to discuss whether President Biden could have done anything differently.
And… former homeland security aide to Donald Trump, Miles Taylor explains why he isn’t surprised classified information was found at the former president's home in Mar-a-Lago. He also addresses the claims that Trump clogged up the White House toilets with flushed paper…
Americast is made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall. The studio director...
Prince Andrew has settled the civil sex assault case brought against him in the US by Virginia Giuffre. He’s agreed to make a substantial donation to her charity in support of victims’ rights.Randy Zelin, a New York attorney, joins Emily, Jon and Anthony to discuss what we know and what we will probably never know about the deal. Americast was made by Alison Gee and Phil Marzouk. The technical director is Emma Crowe and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
The American media’s been full of stories about Boris Johnson – so why is the US fascinated with the British prime minister? Mark Landler from the New York Times says there are plenty of similarities with Donald Trump, but also some significant differences. Mike Pence has made it very clear he disagrees with his former boss: “President Trump is wrong,” he said. “I had no right to overturn the election.” Olivia Troye, who was the vice-president’s homeland security adviser, thinks he’s paving the way to run for president in 2024. With thanks to Opinion Video at The New York Times for permis...
As Canadian truckers protest over vaccine regulations, Emily, Jon and Anthony take a look at what it means for the US and whether demonstrations could spread there too. Also, CNN journalists Marshall Cohen and Zachary Cohen talk us through their investigation into the “fake electors” scheme that tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election result. The January 6 committee has now subpoenaed 14 people in connection with it. And now that Supreme Court Judge Stephen Breyer has announced he’s retiring, President Biden is expected to nominate the first black woman to the court. The Americast...
As the Ukraine crisis escalates, we hear why Kyiv is so important to Moscow.Retired Lt Col Alexander Vindman, who testified before Congress about the Trump-Ukraine scandal, explains why he thinks Biden has a much better understanding of Putin than Trump ever had. Also, the hot mic moment that caught Biden off guard, Anthony tries to take over the podcast with a filibuster, and we answer an A-level student’s question about Mike Pence and a steaming pile of horse poo. Americast is made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The assistant editor is Alison Gee and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
Joe Biden defends his first year of presidency in a rare press conference, but his comment about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine is what gets Emily and Jon scratching their heads. They speak to Elaine Kamarck, a former staffer to Vice-President Al Gore and President Bill Clinton, now with the Brookings Institution. She thinks Biden said more than he should have. Meanwhile, Anthony is travelling with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to Ukraine, as the US makes a last ditch attempt at finding a diplomatic solution. He explains why there is no way there is going to be a shooting war ...
A New York judge has ruled the civil sex assault case against the Duke of York can go ahead. Emily, Jon and Anthony explain why Prince Andrew’s lawyers argued it should be dismissed and why the court disagreed.The team also listen back to key moments from Emily’s interview with the prince in 2019.And Randy Zelin – a professor and attorney in New York - explains why there’s no good option left for the prince. Americast is made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The assistant editor is Alison Gee and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
A year after the Capitol riot, the people who were there tell us it’s still dividing America today. US Democratic Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett calls it “an attempted coup” and says the country is “in an ideological civil war”.Fiona Hill – a former advisor to Donald Trump – says the way many Republicans have responded reminds her of Soviet disinformation campaigns.And Gabriel Montalvo, from the New York Young Republican Club, explains most people who went to the rally in Washington that day were peaceful. Americast is made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The assistant editor is Alison Ge...
The committee investigating the assault on the Capitol have seen text messages urging White House staff to get the president to stop the riot. Donald Trump Jr and Fox News hosts were among those who messaged Mark Meadows, Trump’s then chief of staff. Emily, Jon and Anthony pick over who said what, and when. Governor Gavin Newsom says he plans to copy Texas’s tactics on abortion laws to stop the sale and manufacturing of assault weapons in his state of California. But can his plan actually work? Professor of law Khiara Bridges tells us why she believes his proposal is more than just a PR st...
“Don’t do it.” The parents of the suspect in a school shooting in Michigan have been charged with involuntary manslaughter. Former NRA lobbyist Richard Feldman tells us why he thinks the Democrats should ditch the anti-gun rhetoric if they genuinely want gun reform. As Republican Congressman Devin Nunes resigns to become CEO of Trump’s new social media firm, journalist Dan Alexander explains why he feels that same company is a frightening proposition for many investors. Will Biden succeed in implementing his federal vaccine mandate? Professor Roger Field tells us whether the president has t...
The case that could radically change abortion laws in the US
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. Americast is produced by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The studio director is Emma Crowe, the ass...
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 Trump’s former strategist – and a bottle of wine. Americast is made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzo...
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 is Emma Crowe, the assistant editor is Alison Gee and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
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 Crowe. The assistant editor was Alison Gee and the editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.
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
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/voteThis episode was made by our wonderful producers, Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena. It was mixed beautifully by Emma Crowe. The Editor is Dino Sofos.
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 Crowe
Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
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...Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
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 Director: Nick Jones
Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan, Daniel Wittenberg and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
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 insider Anita Kumar about how Trump plans to stay relevant and why he’s always the elephant in the room...
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 George Floyd Justice in Policing Act with Lynda Williams, the country’s most senior black police execu...
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 its producers and America’s most fanatical Eurovision lover.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producer...
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: Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
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 Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
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
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
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
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 Ktena
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos