Americast Podcast
Insight and analysis on what's happening inside President Trump's White House. Episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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 to download
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Americanswers… Why has JD Vance changed his mind about Trump's intelligence?
Monday
And Trump’s reflecting pool algae disaster
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Elon Musk the trillionaire... does the global economy need him to succeed?
Friday
The US economy backs Elon Musk’s vision for AI and sending people into space
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Jill Biden reveals how she really felt about Joe Biden’s health whilst he was president
Last Wednesday
And Trump wants to give America’s top legal job to his former personal lawyer
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Americanswers… on 5 Live! Is Trump still fit for the job on his 80th birthday?
Mon 15 Jun 2026
Donald Trump is now the second oldest president in US history
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The battle in rural America against AI data centres
Fri 12 Jun 2026
Utah approves the world’s largest data centre (62sq miles) but opposition is growing
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The Democrats fight back Trump-style in Maine… but have they messed up?
Thu 11 Jun 2026
New scandals and allegations emerge against Democrat Graham Platner in Maine
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Americanswers… on 5 Live! Why did Trump walk out of his TV interview with Meet The Press?
Mon 8 Jun 2026
And why is JD Vance posting about Henry Nowak?
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The most expensive World Cup ever? (With Football Daily, part 3)
Fri 5 Jun 2026
With rows over ticket and travel prices, are stadiums going to be full?
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Will War Overshadow the World Cup? (With Football Daily, part 2)
Fri 5 Jun 2026
Talks over an end to the US-Iran war are ongoing. What does it mean for the Iranian team?
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Will this be the Donald Trump World Cup? (With Football Daily, part 1)
Fri 5 Jun 2026
And what’s going on with the Infantino bromance?
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Why Democrats think they can win back Iowa from Trump
Fri 5 Jun 2026
And president Trump’s winning streak ends after backing the losing Republican candidate
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Americanswers... on 5 Live! Is the Trump administration checking tourists' social media?
Mon 1 Jun 2026
And why are artists pulling out of America’s big 250th birthday celebrations?
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Does the US need new laws to protect elections?
Fri 29 May 2026
And, why does Donald Trump want to “nationalise” elections?
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Are the Democrats ready to win in Texas?
Wed 27 May 2026
The Senate race in Texas could determine which party controls Congress.
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The political fight for American men
Mon 25 May 2026
An interview with author and professor, Scott Galloway
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Will Trump invade Cuba?
Fri 22 May 2026
The US charges Cuba’s 94-year-old former president Raul Castro with murder.
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Trump gets “forever” immunity on his past tax affairs
Wed 20 May 2026
The US president's extraordinary new deal for himself and members of his family
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Americanswers... on 5 Live! Has Zohran Mamdani achieved a miracle in New York?
Mon 18 May 2026
The new mayor says he’s rescued NYC from its budget crisis
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Why Democrats are panicking about losing California
Fri 15 May 2026
Has America’s largest state become ungovernable?
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Does Trump need China to end the war in Iran?
Wed 13 May 2026
What you need to know about Donald Trump vs President Xi
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Americanswers! Vance vs Rubio… who will take over from Trump in 2028?
Mon 11 May 2026
And Democrats suffer a major blow ahead of the midterms
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Trump takes his revenge on disloyal Republicans
Fri 8 May 2026
The US president targets his political enemies in Kentucky and Indiana
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Is Donald Trump close to finishing his war with Iran?
Wed 6 May 2026
Or has the US president lost control?
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Americanswers… LIVE at Castfest! Who could lead the Democrats into 2028?
Mon 4 May 2026
The Americast team answer your questions live on stage!
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Will ICE agents stay away from the 2026 World Cup?
Sun 3 May 2026
And will Iran stay in the tournament?
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LIVE at Castfest! How popular is Donald Trump?
Fri 1 May 2026
And why isn't there more support for Democrats?
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Why is Donald Trump calling for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired... again?
Wed 29 Apr 2026
Melania Trump called for ABC to “take a stand” against Jimmy Kimmel
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Americanswers… on 5 Live! Could Trump have been evacuated from the shooting more quickly?
Mon 27 Apr 2026
We answer your questions every week on Americast.
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Who is Trump’s “would-be assassin”… were there security failings at DC shooting?
Sun 26 Apr 2026
The US president was evacuated from the White House Correspondents Dinner
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Democrats fight back against Trump in Virginia… and win
Fri 24 Apr 2026
Has Trump’s plan to redraw America’s political map backfired?



