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  Americanswers… on 5 Live! Is Donald Trump the only regulation AI needs? 14.09.2026 31Min.

  The president is pushing back against calls from tech bosses to slow down the development of artificial intelligence. After claiming “whoever wins AI, wins” can Trump convince voters that greater regulation isn’t needed?And will Republican senator Mitch McConnell reappear as the senate reconvenes this week? The 84 year old has been absent after months of illness and, as conspiracy theories surrounding his wellbeing grow, he is facing mounting pressure to say whether he will return to his duties or resign.Plus, what’s on the president's hand-picked Air Force One playlist? Justin, Sarah and Sumi join Matt Chorley on 5 Live to answer your questions. HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief PresenterGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #Americast This episode was made by Alix Pickles with Emma Close and Nik Sindle. The technical producer was Jonathan Greer. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app. You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Will Trump’s $5,000 offer convince US voters? 11.09.2026 34Min.

  President Trump made the pledge at the Republicans' first ever midterm convention, promising every adult American a $5,000 payment if his party wins both chambers of Congress in November.Sarah, who was in the arena in Dallas watching Trump’s speech, and Justin look at whether this is a serious policy or a desperate measure. The payment would cost over a trillion dollars, no detail has been given on how it would work, and federal law restricts payments made in connection with how people vote. JD Vance has suggested it could be paid for by revenue raised from trade tariffs.Trump told supporters to pretend he was on the ballot himself, and said he would campaign in every close race. But with his approval ratings at historic lows, an unpopular war with Iran, and some Republicans on the ballot this year choosing to stay away from the convention, is he now more of a hindrance than a help to his own party?And a year on from the killing of Charlie Kirk, Justin and Sarah discuss his legacy on the American right, and ask whether anyone has emerged to take his place.HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, BBC North America Editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenterGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Nik Sindle. The technical producer was Jonny Hall. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.The battle for Charlie Kirk’s legacy - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct8lzbIf you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Is 9/11 still shaping America? 09.09.2026 38Min.

  The journalist Peter Bergen also talks to us about meeting Osama Bin Laden before 9/11, and what happened during that interview. In this episode, Justin, Sumi and Marianna discuss America twenty five years on from 9/11 and to what extent it still shapes the United States, despite millions of Americans today having no lived experience of the attacks.We also look at the politics, as families who lost loved ones in the attacks have petitioned New York mayor Zohran Mamdani not to attend the 25th anniversary ceremony. More than 100,000 people have signed the petition, objecting to specific members of the mayor’s team. Is this the biggest test yet of Mamdani’s standing in New York City? Peter Bergen, a national security analyst for CNN who produced the first television interview with Osama Bin Laden in 1997 joins us to give his reflections, and details how the interview came about. His latest book, All the Presidents' Wars, charts the quarter century of conflict that followed the attacks. He is also donating an archive of 150,000 documents on the rise of al-Qaeda to Georgetown University.He reflects on the legacy of 9/11 and argues that America, not Bin Laden, created the quagmire that came after. And he explains why the alleged mastermind of the attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, is still awaiting trial at Guantanamo Bay, more than 20 years after his arrest.HOSTS: • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent • Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief Presenter • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenterGUEST: • Peter Bergen, CNN National Security AnalystGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Nik Sindle. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Americanswers… on 5 Live! Why is Lindsay Clancy’s mistrial dividing America? 07.09.2026 22Min.

  And will Trump’s attempts to limit mail-in voting at the US Supreme Court succeed? The US president has made an urgent appeal, trying to change the rules over who can and can’t vote by mail before this November’s midterm elections, despite ballot papers being posted out in several states. In this episode, Sarah, Sumi and Marianna are answering your questions with Matt Chorley from 5 Live. We look at why Lindsay Clancy’s mistrial has become over-run with conspiracy theories, and what is likely to happen next. Clancy has admitted killing her three children, in one of America’s biggest murder trials, widely covered on US television and social media platforms. Plus, what credentials does Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner have when it comes to being a peace envoy, after his meetings with Presidents Zelensky and Putin this weekend? And how seriously should we take Trump’s proposals for a new Space Force uniform, with many people comparing the designs to those worn by Nazi SS officers. HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief Presenter • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent 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 [email protected] • Or use #Americast This episode was made by Alix Pickles and Nik Sindle. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app. You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  An insider's account of Trump's White House 04.09.2026 35Min.

  The reporter Jonathan Swan gained unprecedented access to the inner workings of Donald Trump’s White House in the first year of his second administration. Who were the main characters fighting for the president’s attention? How were decisions made in the Oval Office? And how was the decision taken to go to war with Iran?On today’s episode, Sumi sits down with Jonathan to talk about the reporting he did alongside Maggie Haberman for their book ‘Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump’. The president says the book is “mostly made up” but that has not stopped inquiries inside the White House as to how Swan and Haberman were able to gain such close access to operations.From the early days of Trump’s presidency inside Mar-a-Lago to his relationship with Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, we assess the key relationships within Trump’s top team and the differences between senior figures like JD Vance and Marco Rubio. HOSTS: * Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief Presenter * Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America CorrespondentGUEST: * Jonathan Swan, Co-author of “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump”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 [email protected] * Or use #Americast This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app. You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Has Pete Hegseth lost control of the Pentagon? 02.09.2026 30Min.

  Why is the US military losing its senior leaders? In the latest in a series of high-profile departures inside the Pentagon, America’s top civilian official Dan Driscoll has resigned as Army Secretary having been appointed 18 months ago by Donald Trump to help end the Ukraine war and modernise US forces. In this episode, Anthony and Sumi discuss the significance of the resignation and the real reasons behind it. Driscoll’s departure comes after Pete Hegseth has fired or forced out senior officers across nearly every service, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Navy’s top admiral and the Army chief of staff. But six months into the Iran war, the Pentagon is dealing with fewer senior leaders, few munitions and further questions about the way in which Hegseth is running operations.Meanwhile, there are also concerns about morale. USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier with nearly 5,000 personnel aboard, is finally due to dock in Pattaya, Thailand, after a record 250 days at sea without a port stop. There’s been scrutiny of conditions on the carrier after members of Congress raised concerns about conditions on the ship and mental stress among the crew. It’s the largest number of US personnel to visit Pattaya since the fall of Saigon in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War. HOSTS: • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief PresenterGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Americanswers! Could Zohran Mamdani serve in a Democrat White House? 31.08.2026 28Min.

  Americanswers is back for a bank holiday special and this week we're answering the questions you've always wanted to ask on American politics! For example, Zohran Mamdani can't run for president of the United States as he was born in Uganda, but could he take up a cabinet position in a future Democrat administration? Is there a precedent for such a move, and would he even want it?Another Americaster wants to know if we see any similarities between Donald Trump and former president Lyndon B. Johnson. LBJ grew up in Anthony's home state of Texas and, unlike Trump, rose to the presidency after positions in Congress and two years as vice president. Despite the obvious differences, both men were considered outsiders in American politics. Do they share anything else in common?Plus, is money still as important as ever when running for president? The Democratic Party is being outspent by Republicans ahead of the midterm elections but that doesn't mean the candidates themselves are strapped for cash. Has social media changed the game when it comes to political campaigning?HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Marianna Spring, Senior Social Media Investigations CorrespondentGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by Chris Flynn with Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Are polls misleading Americans? 28.08.2026 31Min.

  In several primary elections so far, polling has been wrong. So much so that a candidate in the Wisconsin Democratic primary dropped out because another candidate so high in the polls. The only problem - the ‘clear winner’ lost.Whether polls mislead American voters has been an active question since 2016, when predictions were that Donald Trump would lose the presidential race. But as voters look toward the midterms, we ask when they do and don’t help. Does the media oversell them? And do they play too big of a role in shaping political narratives? Joining Anthony and Sumi to discuss is Stephen Hawkins, the Global Director of Research at More in Common.HOSTS: • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief PresenterGUEST: • Stephen Hawkins, Global Director of Research, More in CommonGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by Chris Flynn, Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Canada tests the limits of Trump’s power 26.08.2026 35Min.

  The trade war between the US and Canada has escalated after Canadian prime minister Mark Carney walked away from negotiations to cut a new trade deal with the US and declared up to 50% retaliatory tariffs on hundreds of American goods. Sumi and Anthony discuss how America’s once closest ally is fighting back, and if it could become a political problem for Trump as the midterms approach. And we mark the passing of musical legend Dolly Parton who has died at the age of 80. With a reputation defined by her quick quips and deep kindness, she had fans from across the political divide, leading an Americaster to ask what would have happened if she’d ever run for president?HOSTS: * Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent * Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief PresenterGET 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 [email protected] * Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Americanswers! Are the US and Canada in an all-out trade war? 24.08.2026 30Min.

  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says "we cannot accept what they've offered, and we will not give what they've asked,” after trade negotiations with the US broke down over the weekend. Donald Trump has announced 50% tariffs on Canadian cars and steel — though not until January 1st, leaving four months of negotiating room and a set of midterm elections in between. Can the two countries work out a deal? And why is this round of tariffs different from the previous round that the Supreme Court struck down? And as US national debt passed $40 trillion, roughly doubled since Trump’s first term, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tried and failed to intervene in the bond market. What realistic options are left for Donald Trump to intervene? Plus Trump's suggestion that "the ultimate intervention is our military," and whether AI-driven growth is a way out or just another thing crowding out government borrowing.Justin, Anthony and Marianna answer your questions and discuss googlies, sticky wickets and what ‘coming out of left field’ really means.HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Marianna Spring, Senior Social Media Investigations Senior CorrespondentGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by Alix Pickles and Beth Ashmead. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  How will Trump’s former personal lawyer run the US justice department? 21.08.2026 28Min.

  Attorney General Todd Blanche won’t pledge to act “independently” from the White House during an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press. Trump’s former personal attorney said no attorney general should ever “pledge” to act independently from the White House, but assured the public that the president would never ask to do “something illegal”.Blanche’s comments have sparked a debate over the extent to which the justice department should be free from White House control. This comes at a time when Blanche was criticised for helping set up an “anti weaponisation fund” to compensate people who Trump claims were unfairly targeted by the previous Biden administration, such as Jan 6th rioters. There are also fears among Epstein survivors that Blanche - who was criticised for interviewing Ghislane Maxwell in prison - could affect their pursuit of justice.And, a major legal case brought by 29 US states against Meta has begun, which could affect the way social media companies operate in the future. The states involved claim that Meta - which owns Facebook and Instagram - violated federal and state privacy laws for children and are seeking billions of dollars in damages as well as changes to user experience.HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Sumi Somaskanda, BBC News Chief Presenter • Marianna Spring, Senior Social Media Investigations Senior CorrespondentGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Who is Trump aide Natalie Harp… and why are Democrats targeting her? 19.08.2026 29Min.

  Will Donald Trump be forever dogged by his war with Iran and could it come to define his legacy?And, who is Donald Trump’s executive assistant Natalie Harp, and why are Democrats suddenly talking about her?A speech by Georgia senator John Ossoff has caught attention after he accused the president of not wanting “to do the job” and instead “travel with Natalie” on Air Force One. It’s thrust Trump’s aide into the spotlight and prompted an angry response from the White House. Why has Ossoff’s comments caused such a strong reaction within the White House, and what does it tell us about the pressure the president is under?Meanwhile, the US president seems unable to shake off the conflict in Iran, and after threatening US allies Oman and South Korea this week, is this part of a wider strategy, or is Trump actually unraveling? The US president famously told the conservative influencer Tucker Carlson before the war started that everything will be OK “because it always is”. But with his popularity ratings at an all time low, and midterm elections approaching, there are real concerns that Iran will continue to consume Donald Trump, and his presidency. In this episode, Sarah and Justin also ask whether there a wider strategy for dealing with the conflict, and how can Donald Trump now extricate America from the war he started. HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America EditorGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #Americast This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app. You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Americanswers! Is Iran really trying to kill Trump, and why is he threatening to bomb Oman? 17.08.2026 27Min.

  Why was Donald Trump smuggled off Air Force One following a NATO summit in Turkey at the end of last week, and how credible is the president’s claim that he is Iran’s “number one target”?On this week’s Americanswers, Justin, Sarah and Marianna look at the ruse which led White House reporters to believe that Donald Trump was aboard Air Force One before discovering that he had been secretly hidden inside a catering truck to be transported to a military aircraft. The story has raised questions about how much danger those on board the plane were exposed to and the right of journalists to know the president’s whereabouts.The story has also raised conspiracy theories - pushed by Iranian officials - that it’s led to the resignation of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who has confirmed she’ll be leaving her role at the end of the month. Leavitt has said she’s leaving in order to spend more time with her two children while the president has called her “one of his most trusted aides”. Who are the contenders to take on the vacancy and is there more to her resignation than first appears?HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Senior Social Media Investigations CorrespondentGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Is AOC ready to run for president? 14.08.2026 35Min.

  Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez laying the groundwork for a run for president in 2028? And would the Democrats really pick her as a nominee?This week AOC has been back making headlines with comments over freezing her eggs, distancing herself from the so-called “woke 1” era of Democratic politics and hinting at a future run for the White House.Speculation of a future presidential run has raised a debate over whether the U.S is ready to vote for a left-wing candidate in the next presidential election and whether the party can shake off previous policies that have been unpopular with voters. Despite the success of the Democratic Socialists of America in recent primary races, the group suffered a setback this week in Wisconsin when its primary candidate, Francesca Hong, lost to centrist candidate David Crowley in the race for state governor. Could AOC be a unifying figure within the party, or will voters be reluctant to let her shrug off comments she’s made in the past?HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #Americast This episode was made by Jack Maclaren with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app. You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Has Trump lost ‘Make America Healthy Again’ voters? 12.08.2026 28Min.

  Why does Donald Trump want to limit childhood vaccines, and does it risk alienating voters in key districts ahead of the midterm elections?On Monday, Donald Trump signed a new executive order from the Oval Office that calls for fewer childhood vaccines and also recommends splitting the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) shots. He criticized vaccines for children that were “the size of a soda bottle” alongside his health secretary, RFK Jr, whose supporters helped Donald Trump win back the White House on the back of the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement.The president has long cast doubt on the safety of MMR vaccines despite the fact multiple studies have found no connection between the shots and autism. Medical experts have criticised the new order and said it could reduce vaccination rates and expose children to harmful diseases. Anthony, Marianna and Sarah look at the reasons why discredited claims on the MMR vaccine have been given new life by parts of the MAHA movement and whether Monday’s executive order is an attempt by the White House to win back voters who have been disappointed by other areas of the president’s healthcare agenda. But with some advisers within Donald Trump’s team concerned that vaccine skepticism could cost them votes in key districts, how much of a risk is Donald Trump taking over childhood vaccines?HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent 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 [email protected] • Or use #Americast This episode was made by George Dabby and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app. You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Americanswers... on 5 Live! Will Trump's new challenge to birthright citizenship work? 10.08.2026 40Min.

  Donald Trump isn’t giving up on his plans to limit birthright citizenship in the US, despite the Supreme Court striking down his previous attempt. He says his administration is making ‘adjustments’, and has issues two new executive orders to combat so-called ‘birth tourism’ and limit the criteria for becoming an American citizen. But what exactly is his new strategy? And a federal appeals court has ordered Trump to stop construction on his $400m White House ballroom, saying he can’t proceed without approval from Congress. Is this the end of the project? The team also unpack the BBC’s interview with Hunter Biden and his comments about his father, former President Joe Biden. Does he think he made a mistake in pardoning him? And what’s the current state of his health? Sarah, Justin and Marianna join Matt Chorley on 5 Live to answer your questions. HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent 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 [email protected] • Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by Jack Maclaren, Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Why the Democrats may never be the same again 07.08.2026 35Min.

  Could Abdul El-Sayed’s left-wing victory in Michigan cause the Democrat party to split? Democrats are contemplating whether its left-wing candidates are capable of beating Trump-backed Republicans in the midterms and beyond. El-Sayed was not backed by many senior figures in the Democratic party, and has already been labelled a communist and the most radical candidate ever by Republicans. What does it also mean for Democrats who want to unify ahead of the midterms but are wary of alienating its base - including working-class and Jewish voters? Particularly as the Democrats remain unpopular in national US polls. despite the need for change after the 2024 presidential election. Plus, Justin and Sarah are joined by Mike Murphy, the prominent Republican strategist who shares his thoughts with us on how the party should respond to the rise of progressive candidates in this year’s election cycle, and the future of the Republican party after Trump.HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America EditorGUEST: • Mike Murphy, Republican political strategist and co-host of the Hacks on Tap podcastGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #Americast This episode was made by George Dabby with Bob Howard and Beth Ashmead. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app. You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  What the Reflecting Pool tells us about Trump’s presidency 05.08.2026 24Min.

  Why has one of Washington DC’s most famous landmarks become symbolic of the Trump presidency?The renovation and subsequent damage to the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC gives an insight into Donald Trump’s second term as president and the team that surrounds him. For months the president has claimed that vandalism was responsible for damage to the monument he wanted restored in time for the country’s 250th birthday celebrations. But at the end of last week, Jeanine Pirro, the federal prosecutor he selected for Washington DC, dropped charges against four people - including US Olympian David Hearn - who were accused of damaging the pool’s lining and blamed “flawed” construction for the damage. Trump accused Pirro of “folding like an umbrella”, but her decision to go against the president’s version of events has raised questions over where Trump is getting his information, and whether his top allies are now less willing to give him the news he wants to hear. Sarah and Anthony discuss the wider significance of the Reflecting Pool story and also what changes can be expected if Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal attorney, is appointed as head of the Justice Department.HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #Americast This episode was made by George Dabby with BethanAshmead. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app. You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Americanswers… on 5 Live! Can Trump save FIFA boss Gianni Infantino? 03.08.2026 35Min.

  Will the US president intervene to help Gianni Infantino who is facing calls to step down as head of FIFA, football’s world governing body? In this episode, Marianna, Anthony and Justin join Matt Chorley on 5 Live to answer your questions. We also discuss why Republicans are targeting Trump’s former Chief Medical Adviser, Anthony Fauci, who was the public face of the US fight against Covid, and how Fauci is responding after being questioned in Congress.Plus, can the Democrats salvage their senate race in Maine with a new candidate, Troy Jackson, after Graham Platner’s campaign imploded following rape allegations? HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent • Matt Chorley, 5 Live PresenterGET 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 [email protected] • Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by Alix Pickles and Beth Ashmead Latham. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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  Introducing Top Comment... The vigilante streamers destroying reputations 02.08.2026 30Min.

  From chasing pickpockets to unmasking predators, vigilantism has become one of the biggest trends on social media. On this episode Matt and Marianna discuss how the age of streaming has added a new layer of risk to content like this, with the potential for devastating consequences including reputational damage and even legal repercussions.Also this week, as national media fangirls over Andy Burnham's TikTok persona, we ask what the new prime minister is doing right online. Is social media now the ultimate test of a politician's authenticity, and could cosying up to influencers set a dangerous precedent in terms of transparency and accountability for those in positions of power.Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The social producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is [email protected] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.