Americast

In the latest edition of Americanswers, we get down to basics at the start of Donald Trump?s first criminal trial.

Who are the jurors selected to decide Trump?s fate? Who protects them? And how are they being targeted online?

Today?s opening statements mark the first criminal trial against a president in US history, as Trump stands accused of trying to cover up hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before he won the 2016 election.

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

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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 Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. 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

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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.

Donald Trump is no stranger to Megyn Kelly. The pair had a very public fallout in 2015 after the former Fox anchor questioned his temperament in a Republican Party debate.

These days the pair are back on speaking terms, with Trump often choosing to do longer interviews with one of America?s most recognisable broadcasters.

And on the day he became the first ever president to face a criminal trial, Megyn Kelly joins us to give her thoughts on how much the trial could affect the outcome of November?s election, the Democrat?s strategy to beat him, and whether we might see a televised debate between the candidates.

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

GUEST: ? Megyn Kelly, journalist and host of the Megyn Kelly Show podcast

GET IN TOUCH: ? Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB ? Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 ? Email [email protected] ? Or use #Americast

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 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.

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

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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.

Orenthal James Simpson, known to the world as OJ, lived many lives. First as one of the greatest ever running backs in the history of the NFL, then as a Hollywood movie star.

His fame skyrocketed, however, when he was arrested as a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. The ensuing ?trial of the century? gripped and divided the nation.

As the news broke, the team interrupted their normal recording to relive the shocking events of his life, trial, and acquittal. Anthony, who was then living in LA, recalls the backdrop of racial tension that underpinned the murder case that gripped the US.

HOSTS: * Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent * Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter * 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 [email protected] * 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 Emma Crowe. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Americanswers is back!

In the latest edition of Americanswers, Miles Taylor and Katie Hill join us once more to answer your questions.

This week we look at some challenges from listeners about the evidence of social media?s polarising effect in the US, and whether we do enough to hear from Donald Trump?s supporters.

We also look at the foreign policy record of the former president as we assess whether the US was safer under his watch.

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

GUESTS: ? Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland Security ? Katie Hill, former Democratic 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 [email protected] ? 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 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 [email protected] ? 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.

The Americast team have left the safety of the podcast studio for an old fashioned radio phone-in! 5 Live listeners were given the opportunity on Wednesday to quiz all of our hosts on the issues that matter going into the 2024 presidential election. Nothing was off the table as we discussed issues ranging from voter attitudes towards Trump and Biden, whether 2024 will be America?s first ?AI election?, or how the candidates could approach a stacked foreign policy inbox. 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 [email protected] Or use #Americast US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony?s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

As the election comes closer into view, potential candidates are lining up to be on the ticket with Donald Trump in 2024.

After former Veep Mike Pence rules himself out, Americast assembles to answer FAQs about who makes the shortlist and why. Plus, what makes a good VP anyway? And what do they actually do?

Find out in the latest Americast.

HOSTS: ? Sarah Smith, North America editor ? Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter ? 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 [email protected] ? 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, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The city of Baltimore has woken up in shock this morning after a major bridge in the US city of Baltimore snapped and plunged into the Patapsco River.

The city?s mayor has called the event an ?unspeakable tragedy? and confirmed that construction workers were on the bridge when it collapsed.

A state of emergency has been declared in Maryland while a huge search operation is under way for at least seven people.

HOSTS: ? Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

GUESTS: ? Dr Stergios Aristoteles, Head of Structures at the University of Birmingham ? Justin Fenton, an investigative reporter at The Baltimore Banner ? Tom Bateman, BBC State Department Correspondent

GET IN TOUCH: ? Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB ? Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 ? Email [email protected] ? Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Keiligh Baker with Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Americast is now publishing two episodes a week!

We?re joined once again by special guest hosts Miles Taylor, Trump staffer turned whistleblower, and Katie Hill, former Democratic Congresswoman.

They sit down with Sarah and Marianna to go through some of the most commonly asked questions we get on Americast.

This episode contains a reference to drug overdose which some listeners may find upsetting.

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

GUESTS: ? Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland Security ? Katie Hill, former Democratic 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 [email protected] ? 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 Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. 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 [email protected] ? 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.

Americast is now publishing two episodes a week!

We?re joined once again by Special Guest Hosts Miles Taylor, Trump staffer turned whistleblower, and Katie Hill, former Democratic Congresswoman.

They sit down with Sarah and Anthony to go through some of the most commonly asked questions we get on Americast.

This episode contains a reference to suicide which some listeners may find upsetting.

HOSTS: ? Sarah Smith, North America editor ? Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUESTS: ? Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland Security ? Katie Hill, former Democratic 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 [email protected] ? 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 Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Fentanyl is a pharmaceutical drug that can be prescribed by a doctor to treat severe pain. But like its predecessors, that drug has been illegally manufactured and sold by criminal gangs.

The president has called the crisis an ?American tragedy? but many angles to the epidemic lie elsewhere in China and Mexico.

Ben Westhoff was the first journalist to enter a Chinese fentanyl lab posing as a buyer. He spoke with us about the origins of the epidemic, the scale of the problem for US towns and cities and the hope that exists for solutions to the crisis.

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast, please visit BBC Action Line to find information on organisations that can help. You can find it here: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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

GUESTS: ? Ben Westhoff, author of Fentanyl, Inc.

GET IN TOUCH: ? Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB ? Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 ? Email [email protected] ? Or use #Americast

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.

We answer the biggest questions in the race for the White House...

Americast is now publishing two episodes a week!

In the first Monday edition of Americast, we?re joined by Special Guest Hosts Miles Taylor, Trump staffer turned whistleblower, and Katie Hill, former Democratic Congresswoman.

They sit down with Sarah and Justin to go through some of the most commonly asked questions we get on Americast.

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

GUEST HOSTS: ? Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland Security in Trump administration ? Katie Hill, former Democratic 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 [email protected] ? Or use #Americast

Sign up for Anthony?s new BBC newsletter all about the US election: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

This episode was made by George Dabby with 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.

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 [email protected] ? 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.

Fifteen states voted on super Tuesday to decide who the nominees for the Democratic and Republican parties will be. Donald Trump didn?t quite get the clean sweep he hoped for, but will Nikki Haley?s Vermont win be enough to keep her in the race?

The Americast team discuss the issues that mattered most to voters on Tuesday, namely immigration and the economy, and how the race has become a battle of the incumbents.

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 [email protected] ? 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 Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

This afternoon the Supreme Court overturned a Colorado ruling that declared Donald Trump ineligible to run for President in the state.

Justin and Marianna have been in the US to look at how despite legal, financial and polling challenges, he's on course for an epic election rematch with Joe Biden in November. Marianna?s also uncovered evidence of Trump supporters using AI to attract votes from African Americans.

You can watch Panorama, Trump: The Sequel? here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001x0yl

HOSTS: ? Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter ? 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 [email protected] ? 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 Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

US Supreme Court justices are considering two cases from Florida and Texas which could fundamentally alter the future of online free speech.

Meanwhile, in Alabama, the state?s top court ruling on IVF has cast doubt on the future of the treatment, as the debate over reproductive rights enters new territory.

We unpack what?s going on, how the cases could affect the lives of Americans, and how they could influence the upcoming election.

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

GUEST: Mary Zeigler, legal historian, professor of law, and expert on the history, and politics of reproduction.

GET IN TOUCH: ? Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB ? Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 ? Email [email protected] ? Or use #Americast

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, Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. 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 [email protected] ? 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.

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 [email protected] ? 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.

Our colleagues on The Global Story made this episode on a subject we know is close to many Americaster's hearts. So we thought we'd put it in your feeds.

It's presented by Europe editor Katya Adler. To look at Taylor Swift's potential political sway, she's joined by North America business correspondent Erin Delmore.

Subscribe to The Global Story by searching for The Global Story on BBC Sounds.

GET IN TOUCH: ? Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB ? Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 ? Email [email protected] ? Or use #Americast

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

This podcast was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Richard Moran and Emilia Jansson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and 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 [email protected] ? 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.

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 [email protected] ? 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 [email protected] ? 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.

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 [email protected] 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 2024 presidential election is officially underway.

Americast hits the road for a record breaking caucus. Destination? Des Moines, Iowa.

It?s not only the coldest caucus ever seen in Iowa, but it?s also the biggest landslide for a Republican nominee. The question is whether it?s enough to bury his main rivals Ron Desantis and Nikki Haley for good, or whether the runners up are still even in the running at all.

The gang chew through the numbers with the famed pollster Frank Luntz, and Sarah gets a peek into the Trump family business by speaking to the former President?s son, Eric.

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

GUEST:

? Eric Trump, Son of President Donald Trump ? Frank Luntz, Political strategist and pollster

GET IN TOUCH: ? Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB ? Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 ? Email [email protected] ? Or use #Americast Find out more about our award-winning ?undercover voters? here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Darren Wardrobe. 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 [email protected] ? 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.

High-profile associates of Jeffrey Epstein named in US court papers.

Former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump are among the people named in US court papers detailing connections of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The team assesses what we know so far, what?s to come, and how the story has played out on social media.

And after weeks of controversy, Claudine Gay has stepped down as president of Harvard University following her comments on anti-Semitism.

We speak to the reporter who got the scoop on the plagiarism story about why he thinks she had no choice but to step down.

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

GUEST: ? Aaron Sibarium, Reporter at The Washington Free Beacon

GET IN TOUCH: ? Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB ? Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 ? Email [email protected] ? Or use #Americast

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. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Americast reimagines the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, to understand the changing landscape of American politics.

They are joined by Heather Cox Richardson, historian and author of the hugely popular newsletter "Letters from an American", who helps guide them through the past, the present and the future of the United States on this special Christmas edition.

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

GUEST: ? Heather Cox Richardson, 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 [email protected] ? 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. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. 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 [email protected] ? 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.

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 [email protected] ? 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 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 [email protected] ? 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.

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 [email protected] ? 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.

Happy Thanksgiving Americasters! OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman is returning as boss just days after he was fired by the board. The team talk about the whole story: who he is, and who?s winning the AI arms race, with New York Times tech journalist Mike Isaac. And ? the lives of two turkeys, ?Liberty and ?Bell?, have been saved after they received a pardoning from Joe Biden in time for Thanksgiving. A former White House chef reveals the favourite foods of past presidents. HOSTS: ? Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter ? Sarah Smith, North America editor ? Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent ? Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent GUESTS: ? Mike Isaac, New York Times tech journalist ? John Moeller, former White House chef GET IN TOUCH: ? Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB ? Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 ? Email [email protected] ? Or use #Americast Find out more about our award-winning ?undercover voters? here: bbc.in/3lFddSF. This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Alix Pickles, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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 [email protected] ? 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.

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 [email protected] 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.

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 [email protected] ? 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.

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 [email protected] ? 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.

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 [email protected] ? 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.

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

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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.

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 [email protected] ? 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.

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 [email protected] ? 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?

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 [email protected] ? 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?

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 [email protected] ? 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

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 [email protected] ? 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?

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 [email protected] ? 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

While his challengers clashed in Milwaukee, Donald Trump skipped the first Republican debate of the campaign for the relative comfort of an interview with ex-Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson.

Did any of the other presidential candidates surprise? It?s an Americast Wisconsin special as the team try cheese curds and sip beer at a bar near the venue and link up with Sarah, who?s in Atlanta waiting for Trump?s latest arrest, to break down the showdown and the no-show.

And Marianna chats to local voters about how the politics has been playing out on their social media feeds.

HOSTS: ? 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 [email protected] ? 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 Emma Crowe. The series producer is Daniel Wittenberg and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 00:00 ? Trump?s Debate No-Show 04:07 ? Debate Winners and Losers 18:36 ? US Voters Social Media Panel 33:31 ? Cheese Curd Wisconsinbly

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 [email protected] ? 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

Donald Trump has been criminally charged for the fourth time in a frenzied five months. Now he?s accused of trying to interfere with the result of the 2020 election in Georgia.

The Americast team stays up late into the Atlanta and Washington nights (while Justin mans the Radio 4 studio) to talk through what?s in the indictment ? and why this one could be the most challenging yet for Trump.

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

GUEST: ? Josh McKoon, Georgia Republican Party chairman

GET IN TOUCH: ? Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB ? Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 ? Email [email protected] ? Or use #Americast

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

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg. The technical producer was Philip Bull and the editor was Sam Bonham.

BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 02:45 ? Instant reaction 15:19 - Sarah interviews Josh McKoon 24:06 ? Listener question