
Americast
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The authoritative weekly US news and politics podcast from BBC News, Americast investigates the social and cultural issues that define America today
Americast
4h ago
Our latest mini series is here and this time we're profiling some of the key players in Donald Trump's presidency, who are now running America. Over the next few weeks, new profiles will drop every Sunday.
Elon Musk is one of the most influential people inside Trump's White House, as head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is making huge and sweeping cuts to federal government. He's also the richest person in the world, and controls key companies in the United States including Space X and Tesla. We hear from two guests who know Elon Musk well - Jim Cantrell ..read more
Americast
2d ago
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 ..read more
Americast
4d ago
In an extraordinary press conference alongside Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump suggested the US could “own” the Gaza Strip and turn it into "the Riviera of the Middle East".
His comments have sparked condemnation from countries across the Middle East and the Palestinian Authority says its people will not be resettled.
The Americast team give their analysis and ask whether Trump’s words should be taken at face value.
HOSTS: * Sarah Smith, North America Editor * Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent * Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent
GET I ..read more
Americast
6d ago
After announcing he would place tariffs on Canada and Mexico during his campaign, the president followed through. After sending the world economy into a frenzy, Trump then postponed the trade war with his North American neighbours on hold after securing concessions from both of them over border security.
But he still has China and the EU in his sights. Is the UK next on the list for the trade war? And how do tariffs work anyway?
Sarah and Justin join Matt Chorley to try and make sense of it all. They also discuss whether Trump’s staff might withhold information from him after his reaction to l ..read more
Americast
1w ago
Our latest mini series is here and this time we're profiling some of the key players in Donald Trump's presidency, who are now running America. Over the next few weeks, new profiles will drop every Sunday.
We start with Marco Rubio, the one-time presidential hopeful in 2016 who famously fell out with Trump when vying for the Republican nomination. The pair have since patched things up, but how did the man once coined as the Republican Party's equivalent to Barack Obama end up as America's top diplomat, and how has his background as the son of Cuban immigrants shaped his politics today?
HOST ..read more
Americast
1w ago
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 • Ma ..read more
Americast
1w ago
An air collision involving a commercial jet and a military helicopter is believed to have killed 67 people in Washington DC. The recovery operation continues with the cause of the disaster still unknown.
Anthony speaks to Sarah, who's been on the banks of the Potomac River where the rescue operation is taking place.
HOSTS: * 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 ..read more
Americast
1w ago
Donald Trump's plans to reshape the federal government have gathered pace after almost all federal employees received an email on Tuesday offering the option to resign and receive pay for eight months. How many workers will take up the offer and what happens to those that don't?
And, Karoline Leavitt has made history as the youngest White House press secretary at the age of 27. Sarah was at her first briefing in which she announced changes to how the briefing room will operate and sparred with reporters on a number of issues.
HOSTS: * Sarah Smith, North America Editor * Marianna Spring, Social ..read more
Americast
1w ago
It’s been a week since President Trump took the oath of office for the second time, and his administration have wasted no time in issuing executive orders and setting the tone for the next four years.
Sarah, Justin and Marianna join Matt Chorley on 5Live once again to answer your questions on coins, Greenland, Columbia, and what the Democrats have been up to.
And, our own Anthony Zurcher asked Trump a question over the weekend about his thoughts on Keir Starmer.
HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspond ..read more
Americast
2w ago
After he declared that "America's sovereignty is under attack” in an executive order, reports suggest that Donald Trump could send thousands of troops to install barriers at the US border with Mexico. Are barriers the answer to stop illegal crossings?
President Trump has given his first broadcast interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News. In the interview he described the attacks on January 6 as “very minor incidents” and suggested Joe Biden should have pardoned himself before leaving office. But why has Trump issued a pardon to the founder of an illegal online drug marketplace?
And, Elon Musk’s ..read more