Americast
Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC. Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now. The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher. As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from the BBC’s Undercover Voters, our award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media. The team is also joined by special guests each week, like CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, Emmy Award-winning TV host, Rachel Maddow, and Succession actress, J Smith-Cameron. Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as being a podcast, we are also available every Friday on the World Service. Oh, and by the way, 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. Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from special guests, including Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department for Homeland Security during the Trump presidency before becoming a whistleblower. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at Americast@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.
Episodes
There was a gender divide in the US in 2024 and one of the criticisms of the failed Democrat presidential campaign was that they appealed to women and largely ignored men.
So, with the midterms coming up, and the 2028 battle lines being drawn, how much is are political conversations going to centre around who can attract the male vote?
Justin’s been talking to a man who’s been thinking about that very question.
HOSTS: • Justin Webb...
What is President Trump’s plan for the future of Cuba? His oil blockade has crippled the island’s economy and could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. He has indicted former President Raul Castro for murder and put sanctions on Cuba’s military leaders, but what might be his next steps? Is he thinking about using the Venezuela playbook and snatching the 94 year old leader?
In this episode, Sarah and Anthony discuss what Trump’s opti...
US tax authorities will be barred from pursuing claims against Donald Trump, some members of his family and the Trump organisation. This pledge is part of an extraordinary new settlement, announced yesterday, between the US president and the US Department of Justice. In this episode, Sarah and Anthony look at the implications of the deal, which includes the creation of a fund worth almost £1.8 billion for victims of alleged “lawf...
NYC’s new mayor says his new budget will save the city billions without having to cut key services. In a social media post, Zohran Mamdani told New Yorkers his administration “uncovered a $12 billion budget deficit. Today, I’m proud to say we brought it down to zero. We didn’t close the gap on the backs of working people.”But beyond the headlines, how accurate is this, and what do New Yorkers say about it?
In this episode, Justin, A...
It’s the world’s fourth largest economy, with over 40 million people and home to some of the world’s most powerful tech companies. So why aren’t the Democratic party’s biggest names queuing up for a chance to run California?
Voting has started in a primary to decide who will run to replace Governor Gavin Newsom. Democrats have been scrambling after its frontrunner, Rep Eric Swalwell dropped out following allegations of sexual miscon...
It’s Donald Trump vs President Xi, as the US president is on his first China visit in nearly a decade. A fragile truce exists after both countries came close to a fully blown trade war last year, and now the U.S may need China to help end the war in Iran.
As ever, Donald Trump is hoping a positive personal relationship with Chinese president Xi Jinping will help broker a number of trade deals, and has brought with him a fleet of tec...
A viral video of Marco Rubio has sparked speculation over who might take over the Republican party in 2028. Whilst president Trump muses over his successor, reportedly asking his advisors whether they prefer “JD or Marco”, Anthony and Justin weigh up how both potential candidates might perform in a 2028 presidential run. Could Trump anoint a successor? And is it the Vice President, JD Vance’s to lose? Vance has the greater name r...
The US president is going after his fellow Republicans in Kentucky and Indiana. Donald Trump is getting involved in key state primaries - often in cases where US presidents don’t intervene - urging voters to stay away and not vote for candidates who Trump regards as his political enemies. From Indiana to Kentucky, Louisiana and beyond, Anthony and Justin look at how Trump’s MAGA Republican party is targeting fellow Republicans a...
What is really going on beyond the rhetoric? We unpick the mixed messages from the Trump administration with the war on Iran. It started with the president unveiling “Project Freedom”, a US operation to help vessels trapped in the Gulf to safely escape through the Strait of Hormuz. But less than 48 hours later, that plan was put on hold, with President Trump threatening “higher intensity” bombing if Tehran doesn’t comply with his ...
Sarah’s recent phone call with Donald Trump told us more about the president’s thoughts on the war with Iran, as well as his relationship with the UK and NATO allies, but what’s he like when he’s away from TV cameras?
In this special live edition of Americanswers recorded at Maida Vale Studios in London as part of Castfest, the entire Americast team assemble on stage to answer your questions. As well as Sarah’s phone call with the p...
Controversy continues to surround the build-up to the 2026 World Cup after reports emerged that Trump officials had asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the tournament, and that some fans would have to pay more than $100 for a 30-minute journey to games in New Jersey.
The pushback from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is in response to what she described as a $48 million safety bill for fans and that she will not “stick New Je...
Why aren’t Democrats more popular, given the president’s low approval ratings in significant areas such as the economy? And what do Americans really think of Donald Trump? In this special episode of Americast, recorded live at Maida Vale studios in London for Castfest (celebrating some of the BBC’s best loved news podcasts) we look at recent polling for both Donald Trump, and the Democrats. Why has the president lost support, and...
The fallout continues from the shooting at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner with Donald Trump using the incident to argue the case for his new White House ballroom, and to apply pressure on Disney to take action against late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
The comedian made a joke days before the shooting incident on his show in which he said Melania Trump had “a glow like an expectant widow”. But in the aftermath of the event and c...
Conspiracy theories are swirling, and in this episode we answer your questions about the shooting - targeting the president and top figures from his administration - at the White House correspondents dinner in Washington DC.
Justin and Anthony join Matt Chorley from 5 Live, where we also discuss questions around whether the US Secret Service should have evacuated President Trump more quickly, and why the Vice President JD Vance was ...
The US president says the gunman who stormed a security perimeter at the White House correspondents’ dinner had written a “manifesto”. Investigators are continuing to examine a possible motive for the attack which appeared to be aimed at the president and his top aides. In this episode, Justin and Sarah talk to the BBC‘s state department correspondent Tom Bateman who was at the dinner and was in the room as it all happened.
HOS...
What happened when Americast’s Sarah Smith cold called the US president? In this episode, Sarah and Anthony thoroughly unpack her phone call with Donald Trump, how she planned the interview…and also, she tells us what happened when the US president unexpectedly called her back.
Listen to what Donald Trump told Sarah about next week’s state visit from King Charles and Queen Camilla, and how he thinks it could help repair relations ...
A small election in Virginia looks set to have a major impact on Donald Trump’s power, and the capacity to derail the rest of the president’s second term in office.
Overnight, voters in Virginia approved a measure to redraw the state’s political map in favour of the Democrats, who now stand to gain as many as four additional seats in November’s midterms. Given Trump’s thin majority in the House of Representatives, that shift could b...
BBC News investigates claims that traders have been betting millions of dollars just before president Trump makes major announcements over Iran. Some of the biggest movements have been in oil trades. Sarah, Justin, Anthony and Marianna join Matt Chorley on 5Live to answer your questions on what this means for the Trump administration and whether the US president is likely to investigate the claims?
We also discuss the FBI Directo...
Why has an oyster fisherman from Maine - criticised for having a Nazi tattoo - become a frontrunner for the Democrats, and one of their best hopes to help take back the US Senate in this year’s midterm elections?
The north eastern state of Maine has become integral for Democrats as they look to unseat Republican senator Susan Collins, and elect their first Democrat senator in decades. But it also tells a bigger story, about how the...
Donald Trump is losing public support over the war in Iran, but how much does the president care? He said in a recent interview with Fox News that gas prices may be “a little bit higher” but has downplayed fears that high prices could cost Republicans at the midterm elections. With the U.S naval blockade in full swing - and Iran threatening to stop shipping in the Gulf in retaliation - the president’s latest assertion that the war ...
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.