Americast Podcast
Weekly insight and analysis on what's happening inside President Trump's White House.
Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the ѿý.
Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the ѿý, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now.
The podcast is hosted by trusted ѿý journalists including the ѿý’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, ѿý Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the ѿý’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and ѿý North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher.
As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from the ѿý’s Undercover Voters, our award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media.
The team is also joined by special guests each week, like CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, Emmy Award-winning TV host, Rachel Maddow, and Succession actress, J Smith-Cameron.
Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as being a podcast, we are also available every Friday on the World Service. Oh, and by the way, you can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say ‘”Ask ѿý Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.
Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from special guests, including Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department for ѿýland Security during the Trump presidency before becoming a whistleblower. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at Americast@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.
Episodes to download
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Inside Mamdani’s campaign to be mayor of New York City
Friday
Can Zohran Mamdani deliver on his promises, and handle Trump?
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Does Trump really want to invade Venezuela?
Wednesday
The US president threatens land strikes and blows up more “drug boats”.
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Americanswers… on 5 Live! How will Donald Trump respond to the ‘No Kings’ protests?
Last Monday
And what really happened in the latest meeting between Trump and Zelensky?
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Can Trump silence the press?
Fri 17 Oct 2025
Journalists walk out of the Pentagon after refusing to sign new restrictions
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The battle for the soul of the Democratic Party
Wed 15 Oct 2025
Democrats believe they can win two key elections in November
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Americanswers… on 5 Live! Has Donald Trump delivered a “historic dawn of a new Middle East”?
Mon 13 Oct 2025
Could Trump’s plan secure lasting peace for Israel and Gaza?
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Trump's new plan for America's top universities
Fri 10 Oct 2025
The White House says it's tackling elitism and racism, but is academic freedom at risk?
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Can Trump turn a Gaza ceasefire into a lasting peace deal?
Thu 9 Oct 2025
Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace deal
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Americanswers… on 5 Live! Is Chicago really a ‘war zone’?
Wed 8 Oct 2025
Donald Trump has sent the National Guard to Illinois
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Why is Trump blowing up Venezuelan "drug boats"?
Mon 6 Oct 2025
The administration has been accused of breaking international law.
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Will the Democrats’ shutdown gamble pay off?
Fri 3 Oct 2025
Have Democrats picked the right moment to challenge Donald Trump?
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Americanswers… on 5 Live! What next after US government shutdown?
Wed 1 Oct 2025
And what’s behind Trump’s Gaza peace plan?
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Is America's health secretary RFK Jr a danger to public health?
Fri 26 Sep 2025
We get an inside view on new claims by Trump linking autism, paracetamol and pregnancy
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Americanswers… on 5 Live! Can we trust what Donald Trump says about Ukraine?
Wed 24 Sep 2025
The president now believes Kyiv can win back all of Ukraine
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MAGA’s “righteous fury” at Charlie Kirk’s memorial
Mon 22 Sep 2025
And Trump’s response to Erika Kirk forgiving her husband’s killer.
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Has Trump cancelled Jimmy Kimmel over Charlie Kirk?
Fri 19 Sep 2025
And we get an inside view of Trump's UK state visit with the president's chief of staff
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What does Donald Trump want from his UK state visit?
Wed 17 Sep 2025
And the row over free speech after Charlie Kirk’s assassination
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Americanswers…on 5 Live! Who is Tyler Robinson, Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer?
Mon 15 Sep 2025
Plus, behind the scenes of Trump’s last state visit and what might happen this week?
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Charlie Kirk's killing: A dangerous moment for America?
Fri 12 Sep 2025
Why the right wing influencer was shot and what next for the US?
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How could a young Ukrainian's killing change the U.S?
Wed 10 Sep 2025
Iryna Zarutska's death has sparked debate over crime in American cities
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Americanswers…on 5 Live! “Chipocalypse Now”… has Trump declared war on Chicago?
Mon 8 Sep 2025
And the story behind the largest deportation raid of Trump’s second term.
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Will Epstein's victims force Trump to release more files?
Fri 5 Sep 2025
Survivors say they’re compiling their own list of Epstein associates
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Why is Trump targeting America's most powerful bank?
Tue 2 Sep 2025
Can he take control of the Federal Reserve?
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Americanswers…on 5 Live! Why did the internet think Trump was dead?
Mon 1 Sep 2025
And why is RFK Jr reshaping America’s top health agency?
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Will the Democrats go "dark woke" to take on Trump?
Fri 29 Aug 2025
California's governor has been imitating the president online.
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Americanswers! Is Donald Trump behaving like a 'dictator'?
Wed 27 Aug 2025
And has he changed his mind on Taylor Swift?
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Americanswers! Has Donald Trump really stopped six (or seven) wars?
Wed 20 Aug 2025
And can the US president get rid of postal voting across America?
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What did Trump offer Zelensky after their Oval Office meeting?
Mon 18 Aug 2025
And can Trump convince Putin to meet Zelensky?