Americast (BBC News)

As Donald Trump and Joe Biden field voter questions at the same time on different TV networks, Emily, Jon and Anthony compare their performances. And we "Americanswer" why swing states are so swingy.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalies Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

With record early voter turnout, Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss whether the candidates’ calm and focused performances will make a difference at the ballot. Also, one Texan tells us whether the night’s events have made him question his early vote. And how former President Barack Obama is trying to get inside Trump’s head.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos

As the candidates roll out the red carpet, Emily, Jon and Anthony explain how Lil Wayne, Bruce Springsteen and Nigel Farage are attempting to bring out the votes. Campaign insiders Guy Cecil and Jenna Ellis make their final pitches for their candidate to be President. And the team bring you Americast’s ultimate guide to election night.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

As Trump confirms he will leave the White House, Emily Jon and Anthony compare his testy press conference with the Bidens’ Thanksgiving message. Also, rumoured cabinet pick Heidi Heitkamp discusses Democrats and the rural vote. And we Americ-answer – is Trump going to pardon himself?

Studio Director: Michael Regaard Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

As Biden asks people to ‘mask’ for his first 100 days, Emily, Jon and Anthony look at his policies and whether he will be a reassuring or radical President. Also, why is Anthony Fauci apologising to the UK?

Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena and Frankie Tobi Lead Producer: Harriet Noble Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

As covid cases continue to rise, Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss how Biden will fight the pandemic. Also, how Texas is making a bid to overturn Biden’s win. And why is Trump carrying out federal executions in the dying days of his Presidency?

Studio Direction: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close

Posting for the first time since his Twitter account was suspended for 12 hours, President Trump criticised the violent protests that saw five people lose their lives, and called for an ‘orderly transition of power’. But, what’s behind this change in rhetoric? Emily, Jon and Anthony talk through this and all the fallout from Wednesday’s dramatic events.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi and Ben Weisz Editor: Dino Sofos

Is the House GOP leader back to backing Trump? Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss why Kevin McCarthy took a trip to Mar-a-Lago to visit the former president. Meanwhile, the Republican party divide deepens as Congressman Matt Gaetz rallies against his GOP colleague in Wyoming. And we bring you a bumper Americanswer with an A-Level politics class takeover.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Trump may have quit the Screen Actors Guild, but his presence in the GOP looms large as ally Marjorie Taylor Greene gets party support. Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss the Congresswoman, conspiracy theories and what we can make of her apology to Congress.

Also, Republican Representative Robert Aderholt explains why he voted not to certify President Biden’s victory.

And we bring you the Americast half-time show, a performance to rival this weekend’s Super Bowl!

Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena, Frankie Tobi Editor: Dino Sofos

The impeachment trial heats up.

The Democrats have finished laying out their arguments against Donald Trump in the impeachment trial by looking at the insurrectionists themselves. So did Trump’s language incite them to violence? We speak to the man who warned against the former President’s use of threats following the election: Gabriel Sterling. The Georgia elections official speaks to Emily and Jon about his now viral intervention. And while the TV cameras have focused on the impeachment trial, President Biden has been addressing the pandemic, working up the country’s vaccination programme.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

While Texas battles devastating winter weather, Ted Cruz’s badly timed trip to Mexico leaves him at the centre of a political storm – Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss the power blackouts and the political fallout. Also, Americast’s favourite Texan Ryan returns to tell us how the sub-freezing temperatures have affected locals like him. And State House Representative Tony Tinderholt on what needs to be done to safeguard Texas in future.

Studio Director: Michael Regaard Producers: Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

After claiming the 2012 shooting in Sandy Hook was a hoax, it’s a moment of reckoning for America’s conspiracy-theorist-in-chief Alex Jones as he is ordered to pay nearly $1bn in damages to the victim’s family members.

Americast explores the huge cultural and social stories that define the increasingly polarised political debate. The team report on a changing country with on-the-ground insights from right across America.

Today presenter Justin Webb and North America editor Sarah Smith join North America correspondent Anthony ‘The Zurch’ Zurcher. Each week on Americast, BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring will investigate the content that is recommended to US voters on social media.

The Americast team look at the threat that election deniers could pose to democracy if they are elected to office in the upcoming US midterms.

The team chat to Alabama Secretary of State and Republican John Merrill and the BBC’s Disinformation and Social Media correspondent Marianna Spring examines whether election deniers are reaching voters through their social media accounts.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today presenter Justin Webb and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our Americast ‘undercover voters’ here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-62742687

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to +44 330 1239480

This episode is made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director is Emma Crowe. The assistant editor is Louisa Lewis. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

There are less than two weeks to go to the midterms. The Americast team look at why Republicans have seized upon the issue of crime and what the Democrats are trying to do to counter that.

Professor of Criminology Charis Kubrin, talks the team through the perceived and real threat of crime in the US and the BBC’s Disinformation and Social Media Correspondent Marianna Spring, looks at how our ‘undercover voters’ are being targeted ahead of election day.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today presenter Justin Webb and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our ‘undercover voters’ here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-62742687

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to +443301239480

This episode is made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director is Emma Crowe. The assistant editor is Louisa Lewis. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall

President Biden says there is no place for "political violence in America". His warning follows an attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, last week. Within hours of that attack a series of unsubstantiated claims began circulating on social media contradicting official accounts of what had happened. Those misleading claims then went viral after being amplified by new Twitter chief Elon Musk.

The Americast team look at how the attack has led to the sharing of disinformation on social media and Justin and Sarah speak to author Josh Zeitz about the history of political violence in the US.

Donald Trump Jr. tweets about our 'undercover voters' and Marianna Spring, the BBC's Social Media and Disinformation correspondent responds. And Anthony returns from Virginia to look at Biden’s record ahead of the midterms. Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today presenter Justin Webb, North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher and Marianna Spring.

Find out more about our ‘undercover voters’ here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-62742687

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to +443301239480

This episode is made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director is Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Louisa Lewis. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

As the midterm results continue to come in, the Americast team are back together in Washington DC taking a closer look at the rivalry between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump.

And long-time Republican donor for the Trump campaign Dan K Eberhart tells the team why he thinks the party should move in a different direction following the midterms.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today presenter Justin Webb, the BBC's Social Media and Disinformation Correspondent Marianna Spring and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our ‘undercover voters’ here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-62742687

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to +443301239480

This episode is made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director is Emma Crowe. The assistant editor is Louisa Lewis. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

As more states legalise marijuana, the team explore how America's relationship with the drug has changed. They interview a drug historian and a former adviser to Clinton, Bush Jnr and Obama on drug policy.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's Social Media and Disinformation Correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to 03301239480.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk, Alix Pickles, Cordelia Hemming and Paige Neal-Holder. The studio director was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham. The senior news editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.

Americast speaks to the doctor who has served seven US presidents about the US coronavirus response, clashes with Donald Trump and his family being targeted by trolls.

And the team discusses the president's troubled, son Hunter Biden. Just what is on THAT laptop?

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's Social Media and Disinformation Correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to 03301239480.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham. The senior news editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.

The online discussion continues...

Since Americast spoke to Dr Anthony Fauci, he has been the subject of Elon Musk tweets. And that’s not all Musk has been up to! The team speaks to a former member of Twitter’s now disbanded Trust and Safety Council about what Musk is doing to online safety.

And, as basketball star Brittney Griner is exchanged for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, a former White House insider takes us through the growing phenomenon of "hostage diplomacy".

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's Social Media and Disinformation Correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to 03301239480.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham. The senior news editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.

Credit: Basketball commentary provided by ESPN Productions Inc.

A special counsel has been appointed to investigate President Joe Biden after aides found classified documents at his private office and home. The Americast team explains what we know so far, why this spells trouble for the president, and the comparisons between this story and the discovery of hundreds of classified documents at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort.

President Biden has also been trying to get his immigration policy in order as his administration's approach faces criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Cecilia Muñoz, a former political adviser to President Obama on immigration, helps the team get into the complexities of America's border politics.

And we investigate the self-styled true crime ‘investigators’ of TikTok, who are gripped by the case of four students murdered in Idaho. We speak to one of them about the dangers of the public getting involved in criminal cases.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's social media and disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to 03301239480. Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor was Simon Watts. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

As America approaches 50 years since the Supreme Court made abortion access a constitutional right, the Americast team investigates how the country has changed since that ruling was overturned last June.

As many states make abortion illegal, other “sanctuary states” are encouraging women to cross state-lines for abortions. Dr Anne Udall, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood in Oregon, tells us how her state and organisation are doing that.

From one anniversary to another as America celebrated the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr this week; but alongside the usual commemorations, the unveiling of a new memorial has divided opinion.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's social media and disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to 03301239480. Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor was Simon Watts. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham

Lies, lies and more lies.

We chat to Republican and newspaper publisher Grant Lally who's known George Santos for years. Why were the concerns he raised about the freshman congressman ignored?

And what's behind America’s long-term weight issues? Public health policy advocate, Rhea Farberman, talks obesity.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's social media and disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to 03301239480. Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Jonny Hall. The assistant editor was Simon Watts. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

After shocking video footage was released of the 29-year-old African-American being beaten to death by five black police officers in Memphis, we ask what might stop police brutality in the US.

Sarah and her BBC colleague Chelsea Bailey share insights from their reporting trips to Memphis. And we also ask retired African-American LAPD Sergeant Cheryl Dorsey what should be done differently.

With Donald Trump revving up his presidential campaign in South Carolina, the Americast team discusses the two other Republicans who are set to challenge him: Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's social media and disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to 03301239480. Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk and Rufus Gray. The studio director was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Simon Watts. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

What clues were there in President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech that suggest he's considering a run for a second presidential term? The Americast team take a look at what was in it and how his performance has gone down.

The US president is already back on the road, but not all Democrats are keen for him to run again. The activist Norman Solomon explains why some on the left of the party would rather Biden stepped aside.

And ahead of Super Bowl Sunday we find out what it takes to put together one of the iconic halftime shows with choreographer Fatima Robinson.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's social media and disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to +44 3301239480.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk, Alix Pickles and Khadra Salad. The studio director was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Louisa Lewis. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

As a growing number of flying objects are shot down in US airspace, the Biden administration is still trying to explain just what’s going on...and even fielding the odd question about aliens. Why are Americans so obsessed with extra-terrestrials?

Meanwhile, on ground level, many are asking why national media took so long to start covering a major train derailment in Ohio that released hazardous chemicals into the air of a nearby village.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has been talking up his move to ban an advanced high school African-American studies course, possibly laying the framework for his presidential bid. Americast talks to Harvard professor, Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, who helped devise the course.

And in South Carolina, Anthony has been at the launch of Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign. But does she really stand a chance of winning?

Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to +44 3301239480.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk and Cat Farnsworth. The studio director was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Simon Watts. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

A busy week for President Biden! On the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, he made a surprise trip to Kyiv to meet President Zelensky, pledging to support Ukraine for "as long as it takes". Biden then gave a speech in Poland to reaffirm America's commitment to Nato. Sarah was on the trip and shares her impressions, and the Americast team also talk to Assistant US Secretary of State Karen Donfried.

In Kentucky, a Christian university campus went viral on TikTok after one of its church services turned into a continuous worship session lasting two weeks. We speak to a student about the so-called "Asbury Revival".

And former President Jimmy Carter, 98, has been moved to hospice care. Carter served just one term between 1976 and 1980, but what will his legacy be?

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's social media and disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to +44 3301239480.

This episode was made by Phil Marzouk, Cat Farnsworth and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Simon Watts. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

America's conservative cable TV channel is being sued for airing false 2020 election fraud claims. And court documents suggest that Fox News anchors reported allegations that the vote was “stolen” from Donald Trump even though they knew they were false. The Washington Post’s media critic Erik Wemple joins the team to talk through what's been happening in the case and a bombshell deposition from Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch.

When Coronavirus first spread around the world, everyone wanted to know where it came from. Did it jump from animals to humans in a wet market in the Chinese city of Wuhan? Or was it leaked from a virology lab? No one is entirely sure. But this week not one, but two US intelligence agencies said their best assessment was a lab leak. Stephen Morrison, host of the Coronavirus Crisis Update podcast, gives Americast the latest and explains the political context in Washington.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's social media and disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our award winning "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to +44 3301239480.

This episode was made by Cat Farnsworth and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Simon Watts. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

Twitter insiders have told the BBC that the company is now much less able to protect users from trolling, state-co-ordinated disinformation and child sexual exploitation. Marianna takes the rest of the Americast team though her BBC Panorama investigation into how one of the world’s most influential social media platforms is being transformed by Elon Musk. And she describes how the Twitter CEO has responded to her online.

Tech journalist and host of the ON podcast, Kara Swisher, also joins Americast to talk about how social media companies could be regulated in the future.

And in the week of International Women’s Day, one of America’s best-known feminist lawyers, Gloria Allred, discusses how far she thinks women’s rights in the US have come in the decades that she has been practicing law.

Americast is presented by North America editor Sarah Smith, Today host Justin Webb, the BBC's social media and disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our award winning "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to +44 3301239480.

This episode was made by Rufus Gray and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Simon Watts. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

Sarah is on holiday so the BBC's US Special Correspondent Katty Kay steps into her breach on Americast, equipped with stories of Dr Anthony Fauci saving a guest at the prestigious Gridiron dinner.

The team speak to Marianne Williamson, who found fame as Oprah Winfrey's 'spiritual advisor', and who now wants to usurp Joe Biden to become the Democratic nominee for President, despite newly-emerged allegations of bullying her staffers.

There are other challenges for Biden this week, though - Marianna Spring talks us through how the president's controversial plans to approve oil drilling in Alaska are being received online.

And a former economist at the United States Department of the Treasury, Brad Setser, explains how damaging the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank is for the US.

Americast is presented by the BBC’s US Special Correspondent Katty Kay, Today host Justin Webb, social media and disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring, and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Find out more about our award winning "undercover voters" here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63530374.

Email Americast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments and send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, to +44 3301239480.

This episode was made by Rufus Gray and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Simon Watts. The senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

Donald Trump becomes the first ex-president to be charged with a crime. It comes after an investigation into hush money payments to a porn star.

What did he do? What could this mean for US politics? And how are Americans reacting to the breaking news?

The Americast team fire up their phones for an emergency episode as Trump shakes up politics – again.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Katty Kay, US special correspondent • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Alix Pickles and Natasha Fernandes. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

President Biden has been travelling up and down the island of Ireland, where he’s promised to “keep the peace” but has also cracked some jokes down the pub with his distant cousins. Sarah’s been following him and trying to find out why he’s actually there.

And a ruling from a Texas judge seeking to ban an abortion pill across America is being batted between various courts. Joyce Vance, who was a US attorney under Barack Obama, explains what can happen when the legal system gets personal and why it could go as far as the Supreme Court.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Katty Kay, US special correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Joyce Vance, former US attorney

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Alix Pickles and Natasha Fernandes. The technical producer was Daffyd Evans. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Scrolling through the biggest stories in America right now. With Fox News forced to defend its editorial standards, Donald Trump attacking “pudding fingers” Ron DeSantis and a conservative beer boycott spilling over, the Americast team take a few of this week’s most talked about topics and explain the context behind the clickbait.

What’s been happening? Why does it matter? And why are we seeing so much of it all on social media?

We also talk about the spate of shootings of people for tragically turning up in the wrong place and the effect of “stand your ground” laws on how gun owners view self-defence.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Alix Pickles, Ivana Davidovic and Isobel Gough. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Joe Biden is officially running again! The 80-year-old president has posted a video promising “freedom” for Americans and to “finish the job”.

Jim Messina, who masterminded Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, tells the Americast team that Democrats should be praying every night for Donald Trump to be their opponent, why he thinks it makes sense for Kamala Harris to stay on as vice president, and how Biden’s team can make sure his age isn’t the elephant in the room.

Sarah visits a college baseball park in North Carolina to see which way voters are swinging. And Marianna checks in with our Undercover Voters, but some of them are actually distracted by the shock exit of influential anchor Tucker Carlson from Fox News.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

GUEST: • Jim Messina, Barack Obama’s re-election campaign manager

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Alix Pickles, Natasha Fernandes and Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Crime is a growing worry in many American cities and has divided Democrats. New Orleans had the unenviable title of the US murder capital in 2022 – what went wrong in a city better known for its smooth music than the sound of gunfire?

The Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, tells us what she's doing to address the poverty and lack of opportunity which have plagued her city, and why she thinks she's being unfairly targeted over her track record.

And after Prince Harry and Meghan's "near catastrophic" New York car chase, the Americast team asks how that could really happen in midtown Manhattan.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Katty Kay, US special correspondent • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUESTS: • LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans • Anna Adams, BBC reporter in New Orleans

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Natasha Fernandes, Alix Pickles and Ivana Davidovic. The studio manager was Emma Crowe and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

It’s Elon Musk’s latest launch… not a rocket this time, but Ron DeSantis’ campaign for president, live on Twitter! But after some technical hiccups, is it a failed lift-off? The Americast team reviews how it went and tries to answer whether Florida's governor can win the White House.

And after dining with Sarah and Anthony in DC, J Smith-Cameron, who plays Gerri in Succession, meets Marianna in London ahead of the show’s finale, and turns the tables by asking her what reporters can learn from how the show portrays the media.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • J. Smith-Cameron, ‘Succession’ actress

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Ivana Davidovic, Alix Pickles and Natasha Fernandes. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Journalists and podcast hosts Jon Ronson and Gabriel Gatehouse join Marianna for a special episode of Americast delving deep down the rabbit hole of conspiracies.

The trio talk about why America is a breeding ground for conspiracies, how to spot them, and what happens if they’re true.

We also look at whether conspiracies and misinformation might affect the outcome of the 2024 presidential election and what role artificial intelligence could play in their spread.

HOST: • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

GUESTS: • Jon Ronson, host of 'Things Fell Apart' • Gabriel Gatehouse, host of 'The Coming Storm'

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Alix Pickles, Natasha Fernandes and Alex Collins. The technical producer was Ben Andrews and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

The Republican race for the White House is getting crowded. With eight candidates all gathering in Iowa to campaign, eat roast pork and ride motorbikes, the Americast team looks at who came out on top and whether any of them could beat Donald Trump, who is facing fresh criminal charges over his handling of classified documents.

Harvard professor Steven Pinker, who sees himself as a liberal, tells us why he thinks academic freedom is under threat on US college campuses.

And first, Sarah wanders through the White House with the BBC’s political editor, Chris Mason, who has flown with the prime minister to Washington.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Steven Pinker, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Alix Pickles, Natasha Fernandes and Alex Collins. The technical producer was Gareth Jones and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

On the eve of his 77th birthday, Donald Trump has appeared in court to face charges of mishandling classified documents. He even found time to stop by a bakery – though not for a cake to celebrate.

Sarah has made it through the media scrum in a humid Miami and the Americast team has assembled early this week to talk through another day of firsts in US political history.

We also hear from Miles Taylor, former chief of staff of the United States Department of Homeland Security under President Trump, about why he believes that the man he once served now poses a threat to the nation’s safety.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at the US Department of Homeland Security

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Rufus Gray, Alix Pickles and Stephanie Mitcalf. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Hunter Biden will plead guilty to tax and gun offences to avoid prison. The Americast team looks at whether the sins of his son could knock Joe Biden’s re-election hopes.

Talking of being in trouble with the law, has Donald Trump implicated himself in a recent interview with Fox News?

And it’s a tale of two Anthonys, as our very own host travels with the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on a historic trip to China and then the UK, and reports back on how he was received by President Xi.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Alix Pickles, Rufus Gray and Natasha Fernandes. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Rainbow flags symbolising LGBT freedoms are being flown in many parts of the world this Pride month, but in some parts of America they are being lowered due to state bans. Why have these kinds of issues become so political?

Bobby Berk, star of hit makeover show Queer Eye, joins the Americast team, along with a Republican activist, to tell us how LGBT people are feeling across the US political divide.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUESTS: • Bobby Berk, ‘Queer Eye’ host • Jerri Ann Henry, Republican LGBT rights activist

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Alix Pickles, Natasha Fernandes and Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Mike Regaard and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Could global warming make some states uninhabitable? With parts of the US sweltering in record-breaking heatwaves, the Americast team wonders whether cities like Phoenix in Arizona can continue to survive by the end of the century.

Meanwhile, Sarah enjoys cooler temperatures in Colorado and catches up with the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly at the Aspen Security Forum.

And Hollywood strikes have held up the Barbie film's press tour, but could politicians learn a thing or two from its internet-breaking marketing campaign?

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • James Cleverly, UK Foreign Secretary

GET IN TOUCH: • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Rufus Gray, Natasha Fernandes and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Viral memes and alien themes: the Americast News Feed returns as we scroll through the biggest stories trending on social media.

Twitter X and Threads fight for online attention while Congress hears unworldly claims about the existence of UFOs.

Hunter Biden’s legal troubles continue, and 81-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell freezes during a press conference.

These topics and much more are unpacked on Americast’s podcast equivalent of a social network.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Catherine Fusillo, Natasha Fernandes and Hayley Clarke. The technical producer was Gareth Jones and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor was Tim Walklate.

As Donald Trump pleads not guilty over the Capitol riot, will his third criminal indictment impact his election chances?

Is the ex-president allowed to use campaign money to fund his legal battles? Could he really be president from jail? And is there no-one in the Democratic Party who will challenge Joe Biden?

We’re back (and Justin has woken up!) to answer questions from Americasters with the help of political correspondent Liz Landers, who's standing in for Anthony (but doesn’t have his pink suit).

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

GUEST: • Liz Landers, political 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Hayley Clarke. The technical producer was Philip Bull and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

As Donald Trump prepares for a possible fourth indictment, Americast wonders if the word “unprecedented” has lost all meaning. To find out, we gather together four BBC Washington reporters past and present to talk about how US politics has changed since their tenures, swap stories of presidential interviews, and share American memories through the medium of show and tell.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

GUESTS: • Matt Frei, Channel 4 News presenter • Nick Bryant, ex-BBC New York 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Rufus Gray with Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The series producer is Daniel Wittenberg and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 2:35 – The Presidents & The Unprecedented 16:57 – Show & Tell 27:18 – The 2024 Election

As the last Republican presidential hopefuls try to qualify for the opening debate of the primary in Milwaukee next week, Donald Trump is deciding whether to turn up or to surrender to a court in Georgia. Jake Tapper, who has moderated election debates for CNN, joins the Americast team to explain what they are like behind the scenes and how this one could play out.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Jake Tapper, CNN anchor and author

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Alix Pickles and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Gareth Jones and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 0:04 – Republican debate bingo 3:18 – Will Trump turn up? 12:17 – Jake Tapper

Charting music's part in US politics, from 1970s disco to 'Rich Men North of Richmond', which has become a surprise No.1 hit. What does this country song, claimed by conservatives, tell us about American society? The Americast team talk to the BBC's 'Professor of Pop', Paul Gambaccini, about protest music in the States.

And what happens when musicians refuse to be used by politicians? Karen Willis, manager of The Village People and the wife of its lead singer, tells us about the YMCA group's cease and desist letter against Donald Trump.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUESTS: • Karen Willis, manager of 'The Village People' • Paul Gambaccini, Radio 2 presenter

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Rufus Gray and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Daffyd Evans and the editor was Damon Rose.

BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 19:16 – Karen Willis 28:18 – Paul Gambaccini

How do we cover a headline-grabbing former president who falsely claims he never lost the election?

Two of our bosses step into the worldwide HQ of Americast for the kind of conversation we normally have in our morning meetings: what past mistakes can we learn from and what’s the BBC’s strategy for reporting on Donald Trump’s campaign and his court cases?

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

GUESTS: • Paul Danahar, BBC News Foreign Editor • Adam Levy, BBC News Channel Executive Producer

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Hayley Clarke. The technical producer was Emma Crowe and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 7:14 – Is Trump a special case? 21:59 – Does the BBC have a liberal bias? 28:33 – Should we show Trump's speeches live? 33:58 – How will the BBC cover the 2024 election?

Is Joe Biden too old to win another go in the White House? And could his son derail his campaign? The Americast team talks through the challenges the president is facing in the run-up to the next election.

Barack Obama's former spokesperson and podcaster Tommy Vietor gives us his thoughts on Biden's achievements and viral moments, as well as his 2024 chances, with some critics obsessed by his age and sceptical about Vice President Kamala Harris.

And the gang tries to guess the Republican presidential candidate from the songs that supposedly "stir their souls".

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

GUEST: • Tommy Vietor, host of 'Pod Save America' and 'Pod Save the World'

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Hayley Clarke. The technical producer was Daffyd Evans. The series producer is Daniel Wittenberg and the senior editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 03:10 – Joe Biden's age 15:50 – Tommy Vietor interview 35:00 – Republican soul songs

Some US politicians are growing impatient over supporting the war effort – and a lot could change if Donald Trump wins back the White House.

Our very own Anthony was in the Oval Office to see President Zelensky meet its current occupant, Joe Biden, while Sarah watched them address the UN. We talk about how Washington views America’s role in the conflict.

And Marianna chats to award-winning true crime podcasters, Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire, about the harmful effects of social media’s obsession with crime cases and whether that could extend to US politics.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUESTS: • Suruthi Bala, 'RedHanded' podcast host • Hannah Maguire, 'RedHanded' podcast host

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Rufus Gray and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 2:27 – Will the US election decide the war in Ukraine? 21:10 – TikTok frenzies and true crime in America 38:28 – Rep. Lauren Boebert “reaching across the aisle”

Why did Donald Trump skip another Republican debate? Sarah is sent to Michigan instead of California as Trump and Joe Biden race to show their solidarity with striking car factory workers.

Marc Lotter, who ran the comms on Trump's last campaign and was press secretary for Vice-President Mike Pence, tells the Americast team about the ex-president's re-election strategy.

He gives his take on why Trump doesn't need to debate his Republican rivals, which vice-presidential pick could help put him back into the Oval Office, and the only thing that could stop Trump from winning the Republican nomination.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Katty Kay, US special correspondent • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Marc Lotter, Donald Trump's 2020 campaign communications director

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Hayley Clarke. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The series producer is Daniel Wittenberg.

CLIP CREDITS: • CBS Sports Network • Fox Business

BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 0:05 – Taylor Swift at the NFL 6:55 – Trump skips another Republican debate 13:14 – Marc Lotter interview 32:40 – Is a government shutdown looming?

For the first time in US history, a speaker has been kicked out. A group of Trump-supporting Republicans carried out a coup to remove him from the chair of the House of Representatives.

How did it come about? What does it say about the Republican Party? Put simply, what the hell happens now? Americast is called to order to shed light on the situation in Congress.

And on the theme of political division, Naomi Klein explains her theory behind what’s making America hard to govern and why not everyone on the left wants to get behind Joe Biden.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Katty Kay, US special correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

GUESTS: • Naomi Klein, liberal writer and activist • Victoria Spartz, Ukrainian-born Republican congresswoman

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Rufus Gray and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Ben Andrews and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

President Biden has promised to support Israel with whatever it needs and forcefully condemned the attacks by Hamas on civilians. But what do Americans think about the unfolding conflict in the Middle East?

The Americast team also hears from 2020 presidential candidate and co-founder of the Forward Party, Andrew Yang, on why third parties are important to US politics and what it’s like running for the Oval Office.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Andrew Yang, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Rufus Gray with Claire Betzer and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Philip Bull and the sound designer was David Crackles. The series producer is Daniel Wittenberg. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

President Biden wanted to show America’s global strength during his flying visit to Israel this week, but does the United States still call the shots internationally? The Americast team reviews Biden’s high-stakes 30 hours in the region, talks about the misinformation swirling around the internet, and weighs in on America’s place in the world.

Back in DC, House Republicans are still struggling to elect a Speaker after two rounds of voting. Anthony gavels the gang in for a crash course on the latest congressional chaos.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Rufus Gray, with Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Daniel Wittenberg and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

The aide to Donald Trump’s White House Chief of Staff opens up to Americast about her mistakes and why she believes that the former president should never be allowed near the Oval Office again.

Cassidy Hutchinson explains why she wrote her candid memoir, which Trump’s team tells us “either belongs in the discount bin of the fiction section of a bookstore or should be repurposed as toilet paper.”

There’s finally a new Speaker of the House of Representatives. But who is Mike Johnson?

And Arnold Schwarzenegger tells Justin why he thinks Trump’s re-election hopes have terminated.

Please note there is a brief suicide reference between 8:35 and 9:15.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Cassidy Hutchinson, White House aide under President 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Join us for our live episode, marking one year to go to the US election, on our Discord server at 18:00 GMT on Thursday, 2 November: https://discord.com/invite/64ZfGct4A3?event=1168526948046225498

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Twelve months until the US election, Americasters join us on the recording to ask some of the big questions about an era-defining presidential poll and help the team put some predictions in the Americast time capsule.

Will it be Biden v Trump again? What issues will define the race? Could we see a first female president sooner than it seems? And will Justin have a change of heart about Americast's Discord community? Listen back to our live episode.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

As votes from Election Day 2023 were tallied up this week, wins for Democrats may have given a preview into next year’s presidential election. But new polls seem to point towards a rocky road to re-election for President Joe Biden.

It’s not all good news for Trump, though. He and his children took the stand in New York, giving evidence in the civil fraud case brought against him.

How might these problems play out as the 2024 presidential elections near? Expert pollster and political analyst Amy Walter joins the team to make sense of it all.

HOSTS: Sarah Smith, North America editor Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST(S): Amy Walter, Editor-in-Chief of The Cook Political Report

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The series producer is Daniel Wittenberg. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Sarah didn’t quite make it to dinner with Xi Jinping at the APEC Summit, but we spoke to someone who did, an old friend he met in 1985 at a potluck in Muscatine, Iowa.

Back in the present, the Chinese president has held talks with Joe Biden for the first time in over a year. What came from the meeting and where has it landed US/China relations? And, Gen Z and Millennials will make up half of the electorate when it comes to the 2024 presidential election. The Americast team looks at the political power of social media with Gen Z TikTok influencers Harry Sisson and Isabel Brown. HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent GUESTS: • Harry Sisson, TikTok influencer • Isabel Brown, TikTok influencer • Sarah Lande, Iowa resident and friend of Xi Jinping 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF. This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The series producer is George Dabby. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has died at the age of 100.

The team take a world tour of the polarising statesman’s legacy with his biographer.

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow talks about Trump, misinformation and charting the rise of fascism in the US in her new book.

And, what does New York Congressman George Santos have to say about efforts to expel him from the US House of Representatives?

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUESTS: • Rachel Maddow, broadcaster and author • Thomas Schwartz, US historian

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles, Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Maia Davies. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The shadow looming over the fourth Republican debate was the party’s most recent president, Donald Trump.

But while the other candidates traded blows at one another, Trump was conspicuously absent, instead taking part in a town hall event on Tuesday evening.

He raised eyebrows when saying he would only be a dictator on ‘day one’ if elected president.

The Americast team chew over Trump’s comments – and the Republican debate – before speaking to GOP candidate Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas who’s still in the race for the White House.

And, a clip of American university leaders has gone viral after they failed to say explicitly to Congress that calling for the genocide of Jewish people violated their schools code of conduct. The team assesses how we’ve reached this point.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Asa Hutchinson, Republican presidential candidate

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles, Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Maia Davies. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

In a week dominated by legal cases, the team takes you into the virtual Americast courtroom to dissect the various trials involving Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani.

Sarah’s back from her trip to the US/Mexico border and tells us how it relates to a funding deadlock in Congress for support to Ukraine.

One person who lives on that border is former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke. He dials in to chat about how the deadlock can be broken and enters his own predictions into the Americast time capsule…

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Beto O’Rourke, Former Democrat presidential candidate

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that Trump cannot run for president in the state.

The Trump team has called the decision “completely flawed” and will appeal to the US Supreme Court.

But will this lead other states to follow suit?

The Americast team brings in a constitutional expert – Kermit Roosevelt III – to dive into the 14th amendment and what could happen next.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Kermit Roosevelt III, author and constitutional scholar

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by George Dabby with Catherine Fusillo, Rufus Gray, Claire Betzer and Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Matthew Dean. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

With the Iowa caucus just days away, Chris Christie drops out of the 2024 presidential race. Can anyone stop Donald Trump? The team takes a look at why Iowa dominates the political conversation every four years.

Anthony Blinken is once again in the Middle East to broker peace in the region amid a barrage of attacks by Houthi rebels against Red Sea shipping.

And on Saturday Taiwan heads to the polls for its presidential elections in a vote that could shape the future of relations between the US and China.

With the help of Ivo Daalder, former US Ambassador to NATO, the team takes you inside the Americast Situation Room to monitor the biggest challenges the US faces around the world.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

GUEST: • Ivo Daalder, Former United States Permanent Representative to NATO

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Hot on the heels of the Iowa caucus, Republican candidates Donald Trump, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis prepare for the next primary showdown in New Hampshire.

Sarah and Justin unpack if it could prove to be a tougher test for Trump and a way back into the race for the other candidates.

And, why are the Democrats infighting after Biden’s idea to bump the state from its prized primary calendar slot?

HOSTS: Sarah Smith, North America editor Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk Or use #Americast. Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by George Dabby with Catherine Fusillo, Madeleine Drury, Maia Davies and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The Americast team pore over the New Hampshire results after an evening in which Donald Trump looks to have the Republican nomination all but sewn up. Nikki Haley says she's a fighter and that the race "is far from over" but is there really a route back from here?

Earlier in the evening, Sarah caught up with former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who told us why he thought Trump’s various indictments have helped him in the polls so far.

And, Ron DeSantis officially suspended his campaign before the New Hampshire primary. What next for him? We answer your questions about the Florida governor.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Sean Spicer, Former White House Press Secretary under 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast. Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by George Dabby with Catherine Fusillo, Madeleine Drury and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The world waits to see how the United States will retaliate to a drone strike that killed three American troops in Jordan, after an Iran-backed militia group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Christiane Amanpour, the Iranian-British Chief International Anchor for CNN, is our star guest this week. We hear why Joe Biden now walks a tightrope between avoiding escalation in the Middle East, and projecting strength at home - all while Donald Trump looks on from the campaign trail.

Also on the podcast, Marianna tells us about her new BBC Radio 4 podcast series called 'Why Do You Hate Me?'

She’s been speaking to a survivor of the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in American history, who ended up believing online conspiracy theories that the entire event was a government plot.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Anchor for CNN

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

Listen to 'Why Do You Hate Me?' on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0h46gmn

This episode was made by George Dabby with Catherine Fusillo, Rufus Gray, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

A bombshell report from Special Counsel Robert Hur has raised serious questions about President Joe Biden's memory, which the White House has been quick to rebuff.

The report criticised the president for retaining classified information but rejected prosecution, arguing that Biden would likely present himself at trial as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory".

Americast dissects the details of this breaking story with Sarah Baxter, Director of the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting and a former US correspondent.

And as Tucker Carlson becomes the first Western journalist to sit down one-on-one with Vladimir Putin since the invasion of Ukraine, Justin and Anthony give their instant reaction to the interview as it drops.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Sarah Baxter, Director of Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting in New York

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by George Dabby, Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Love is in the air…or is it? Vladimir Putin expressed his preference for the next American president on Valentine’s Day - but critics suspect there might be more to his endorsement than meets the eye. His comments come in the wake of Donald Trump’s disparaging declaration against NATO and that Russia should “do whatever the hell they want” to countries that don't pay up.

And after our emergency episode on Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents, we respond to your questions about how, if at all, President Biden could be removed from office.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Back on earth, Donald Trump’s legal troubles are mounting and the Republican presidential hopeful now faces debts of over half a billion dollars.

We assess how the former president will try to pay off these debts and what effect it might have on his run for the White House.

And on the evening that the US returned to the moon, Neil deGrasse Tyson - one of America’s most famous astrophysicists - talks to us about why commercial space ventures are in fashion and why people are struggling to know where to get their facts.

HOSTS:

• Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Under the close gaze of his critics - and millions of American voters - Joe Biden delivered arguably the most significant State of the Union address in recent times.

The president chose to focus on his economic record, his plans to to fix America's immigration system and repeatedly took aim against Donald Trump.

The Americast team chew over the president's speech with the help of Joe Biden's former speechwriter, Jeff Nussbaum, who told us what it's like to work with him and how you judge the success of a speech like the one Biden just delivered.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Sarah Smith, North America editor

GUEST: Jeff Nussbaum, former speechwriter for Joe Biden

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

In an interview that ranged from content moderation on X to its chairman’s use of ketamine, Don Lemon sat down for an hour-long interview with one of the world’s most prominent entrepreneurs.

The interview was meant to be the first in a series in collaboration with the platform, but the company posted that “after careful consideration, X decided not to enter into a commercial partnership with the show.”

Justin and Marianna spoke with Don to get his thoughts on why the Tesla boss cut ties with him and the grapple for power between traditional and new media.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

GUEST: Don Lemon, Host of the Don Lemon Show

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Joe Biden and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Thursday for the first time since the killing of seven aid workers in Gaza this week. Netanyahu has called the incident an “unintended strike”, but the White House has said it’s ‘outraged’.

Back home, US policy toward the Gaza war is causing problems for the president. A growing campaign of voters are using their ballot to protest Biden’s handling of the crisis.

Jeremy Bowen joins us from Jerusalem to assess whether the US/Israel relationship has ever been this strained and we assess how Joe Biden can deal with the domestic ramifications of the war ahead of the 2024 election.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent • Katty Kay US Special Correspondent

GUEST: • Jeremy Bowen, International Editor

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Lisa Lerer, political correspondent for The New York Times

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray, Natasha Mayo, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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 another MAGA rebellion.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent

GUEST: • Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Anchor for CNN

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Catherine Fusillo, Rufus Gray and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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 Spring, Disinformation & Social Media 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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 at Stanford University

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray and Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Hannah Montgommery. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Hannah Montgommery. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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 for her views on US foreign policy. She speaks to us in a year where third party candidates could play a crucial role in the outcome of the election.

HOSTS: • Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

GUEST: • Jill Stein, Green Party presidential candidate

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Purvee Pattni with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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 America Editor * Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter * Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk * Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Purvee Pattni with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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 momentous debate of both men’s political careers.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor

GUEST: • Mike Murphy, Republican strategist & Co-Host of ‘Hacks on Tap’

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Purvee Pattni with Rufus Gray and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The RNC has been waiting all week to hear Donald Trump speak for the first time since his attempted assassination.

In a record-length speech, he described in detail the moment he was shot before paying tribute to the Pennsylvania fire chief who was killed at the rally.

Sarah and Anthony were in the room to witness the speech, and reflect on the key themes with Justin Webb. They discuss the key messages in the speech, and what a second Trump term in the White House might look like. Also, what did delegates make of Melania Trump's reappearance?

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Purvee Pattni and George Dabby with Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Antonio Fernandes. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

In the days after Kamala Harris announced her presidential bid, the Democrats raised more than $100 million. Now, Donald Trump's team have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, challenging whether she can take over Joe Biden's campaign funds.

Where does all this money come from? And what's it used for? This week we're joined by Sarah Bryner from OpenSecrets, an organisation dedicated to tracking the money in US politics to find out why presidential candidates are spending more than ever before on their campaigns, and what motivates people to donate to their cause.

HOSTS: * Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter * Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent * Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

GUEST: Sarah Bryner, Director of Research & Strategy at OpenSecrets

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk * Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Fred Trump III, Donald Trump’s nephew, is on Americast. He speaks to Anthony about growing up with uncle Donald, their strained relationship, and why he’s backing Kamala Harris over a member of his own family.

Plus we hear what it’s been like at rallies with Harris and Walz.

HOSTS: • Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

GUEST: • Fred Trump III

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

There is new and significant polling from the swing states which is energising the Democratic campaign. But beyond the headline numbers, what do the polls tell us about how long Kamala Harris’s boost in popularity might last?

This week Justin and Sarah look at what voters in swing states think about both candidates, and how they decide to who to vote for.

Ruth Igielnik, Polling Editor for the New York Times, gives us a behind the scenes insight into the accuracy of polls.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor

GUEST: Ruth Igielnik, polling editor for the New York Times

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Purvee Pattni with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. 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.

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Kamala Harris closed the DNC with a speech that she hopes will sway voters to the Democrats.

The day began with speculation over whether she might be joined on stage by Taylor Swift or Beyoncé.

In the end, Harris took to the stage alone and focused on her upbringing and a pitch to America’s middle class.

The team assemble on the final night of the convention to analyse whether she did enough to win over the undecided.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by George Dabby and Claire Betzer in Chicago, with Hatty Nash in London. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

In 2020 Joe Biden won this key swing state by fewer than 81,000 votes. In 2024, the path to the White House may be impossible for the Democrats unless they win over the people of Pennsylvania.

And the Republican know it. Vance and Trump are both visiting this week.

In this episode of Americast we investigate what makes Pennsylvania so important, and what makes its voters tick.

Sarah and Sumi are joined by two people with their fingers on the pulse; a morning radio host and a political strategist on different sides of the aisle.

HOSTS:

- Sarah Smith, North America Editor - Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief Presenter

GUESTS:

- Mike Mikus local Democrat political advisor - RJ Harris WHP 580 radio morning presenter

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk * Or use #Americast

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Craig Langran. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

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.

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

This week is all about predictions, polling and risk taking - what do current polls tell us about who might win the 2024 presidential race? We get a behind the scenes look at how statisticians make their predictions, and how accurate they are. Our guest Nate Silver developed a forecasting system which correctly predicted the outcome of the presidential election in 49 out of 50 states in 2008, and all 50 states in 2012. He also talks to Marianna and Sarah about his new book on risk - On the Edge - and his journey from professional poker playing to politics.

HOSTS: Sarah Smith, BBC North America Editor Marianna Spring, BBC Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent

GUEST: Nate Silver, U.S. election forecaster and stastician. Founder of FiveThirtyEight and the Silver bulletin, and author of On The Edge.

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Keiligh Baker with Purvee Pattni, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer . 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

After a second assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, Americast hears from a former Secret Service agent on what goes into protecting a secret service agent, particularly on a golf course. Sarah, Justin and Marianna are joined by Bill Gage, who helped protect President George W. Bush and President Obama. They discuss what went wrong, what secret service agents hide in their golf bags, and he also picks out out some of his most memorable experiences on the job.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Disinformation & social media correspondent

GUEST: • Bill Gage, former Secret Service agent

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Purvee Pattni with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Latinos are the second-largest group of eligible voters in the US, making their influence in the presidential election potentially pivotal.

Sarah is investigating their sway in Arizona - a state that could help decide the outcome of the race. Which party benefits the most from winning The Grand Canyon State? And is Donald Trump or Kamala Harris making more in-roads with Latino voters?

Americast brings in Mike Madrid, a veteran Latino pollster and strategist. What are demographic trends telling us about how Latinos will vote, and do Democrats need to shift their messaging to connect with this key voting bloc?

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

GUEST: • Mike Madrid, Latino Republican pollster & author of ‘The Latino Century’

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Purvee Pattni and George Dabby with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

How important is the United States when it comes to resolving conflict in the Middle East, and how much power does the U.S. president really have in the region? With the election just weeks away, Justin and Sarah look at how the conflict might affect voters, and what it means for both Donald Trump’s and Kamala Harris’s presidential campaigns. CNN’s Chief International Anchor, Christiane Amanpour joins Justin and Sarah, sharing her insights and contacts from the region.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor

GUEST: • Christiane Amanpour, CNN Chief International Anchor

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Purvee Pattni with Rufus Gray, Alix Pickles, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

James Carville, the influential Democrat strategist, and man behind Bill Clinton’s successful ’92 presidential campaign, is on Americast.

His message, ‘It’s the economy, stupid!’ is credited with some of that success.

He tells Justin what he thinks Kamala Harris’s message should be in 2024, and why he thinks her party’s campaign needs to be more aggressive.

And he talks about being the subject of a new documentary, Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid.

HOST * Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk * Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Many voters will be picking the candidate that aligns with their views on abortion access this year, and in some states, the issue is literally on the ballot.

One of them is Arizona, where people are voting on the law around access, and Sarah's been speaking to voters about the debate.

We discuss why it’s the debate that Democrats hope this election comes down to, and what Trump's changing view on it is.

CHOSTS:

* Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter * Sarah Smith, North America Editor * Marianna Spring, Disinformation and Social Media Correspondent * Anthony Zurcher, North America 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk * Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with George Dabby, Catherine Fusillo and Rufus Gray. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

The involvement of Donald Trump’s close-knit family defined his first term in the White House.

Eight years later, his circle of advisers appears to have expanded, welcoming a cadre of media personalities and influencers.

Who’s in Trump’s orbit now? Which of his family members are raising their profiles, and who is taking a step out of the spotlight?

Sarah and Marianna examine who has the president-elect’s ear with Trump biographer Marc Fisher.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent

GUEST: • Marc Fisher, Associate editor at The Washington Post and co-author of ‘Trump Revealed’

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Daniel Ehrlich. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Key figures in Donald Trump’s transition team have suggested changing which journalists have access to the White House press briefing room, and who is allowed to put questions to Trump’s new administration. The influence of ‘new media’ platforms - streamers and podcasters - helped win the election for Trump, so could content-creators such as Joe Rogan be included?

Also, how will Trump deal with the media in his second term? And how will the media deal with him this time? Sarah and Marianna are joined by Peter Hamby, Host of ‘Good Luck America’ on Snapchat, to discuss the future of the news media in America.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent

GUEST: • Peter Hamby, Host of ‘Good Luck America’ on Snapchat and Founding Partner at Puck News

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Catherine Fusillo, Rufus Gray, Claire Betzer and Purvee Pattni. The technical producers were Michael Regaard and 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania on Monday after a days-long, multi-state manhunt following the suspected murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, Brian Thompson.

It’s led to a debate about the health system in America and also prompted anonymous donors to chip in thousands of dollars towards Mangione's defence through online fundraisers.

Sarah, Anthony and Marianna assess the reaction to the case, and why the case is dividing the public.

This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Catherine Fusillo, Rufus Gray and Claire Betzer. The technical producers were Michael Regaard and Hannah Montgomery. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Social media giant Meta says it will abandon independent fact-checking practices on Facebook and Instagram. Is the new policy an attempt to improve relations with Donald Trump before he takes office later this month? And what does the switch-up mean for the spread of misinformation on Meta’s platforms?

Meanwhile, Los Angeles is grappling with the most destructive fires in the city’s history - and the response has already transformed into a political lightning rod.

Also, Justin and Sarah are joined by Anthony, fresh from Jimmy Carter’s funeral, who tells us all about what it was like inside the cathedral with presidents past, present, and future.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Rufus Gray, with Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Joe Biden has given his final address setting out the list of achievements that he would like to define his four years in the White House.

Sarah and Anthony unpack at the 46th president’s domestic successes and failures. They’re joined by his former senior advisor, and friend, Anita Dunn. She tells us what the president is really like behind closed doors, how he’ll be remembered, and whether he was just too old for the job.

This episode was made by George Dabby, with Rufus Gray, Claire Betzer and Catherine Fusillo. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

With daily announcements, executive orders and press conferences from Trump’s presidency in its first fortnight, how should we be navigating the daily torrent of news? Americast examines the deliberate strategy by the White House (also used in Trump’s first presidency) to “flood the zone” with news. Justin, Anthony and Marianna discuss whether Democrats and the media should be properly scrutinising each news story, what to ignore, and whether the strategy is successfully working for President Trump?

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America Correspondent • 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Purvee Pattni, Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and George Dabby. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

In the three weeks since Donald Trump returned to the White House, Elon Musk has taken a wrecking ball to the federal government in what he has called "a revolution of the people".

That revolution has included offers to buyout millions of federal employees, accessing sensitive data of millions of Americans and sweeping efforts to shut down federal agencies like USAID.

What, if anything, can get in Musk's way? And has there ever been so much power wielded in America by an unelected individual?

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

In the first weeks of his second term, President Donald Trump has wasted no time in using Executive Orders to suspend all new asylum claims, freeze government hiring and spending, strip back agencies established by Congress, and offer a buyout deal for thousands of federal workers. So far, the courts have been the only substantive roadblocks to Trump’s agenda, but is the President ready to defy the courts? The White House has accused the media of "fear mongering the American people".

As Trump pushes the limits of presidential power - and with legal challenges from Democrats, unions and legal groups, is the U.S. heading for a constitutional crisis? If Donald Trump is willing to break the law, experts are asking who will stand up for the democratic system of government set up nearly 250 years ago?

HOSTS:

- Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter - Sarah Smith, North America Editor - Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

GUEST:

- Elie Honig, CNN Senior Legal Analyst

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk - Or use #Americast

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray and Catherine Fusillo. 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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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. The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

The past week has seen international diplomacy turned upside down as the US began talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. The decision to exclude Ukraine - and Europe - from these talks led to an emergency summit in which European countries sought to establish some influence over the process.

But with the US and Ukrainian presidents embroiled in a dispute that led to Trump calling Zelensky a “dictator”, is their relationship beyond repair? And will Ukraine have any say over the terms of a peace deal?

Newscast, Americast and Ukrainecast gathered in the studio for a special collaboration to unpack the enormous shift in international politics that’s unfolding.

HOSTS:

Adam Fleming, Newscast Presenter Alex Forsyth, Political Correspondent Justin Webb, Radio 4 Presenter Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent Vitaly Shevchenko, Russia Editor at BBC Monitoring

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 Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

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-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm