Americast

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 EditorGUEST: • 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 [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 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.

Justin gets grilled by the Americasters on why he didn’t correct an interviewee who referred to Donald Trump as “President”... And why he refers to the world wide HQ of Americast as being in “London, England”. He and Sarah also tackle precinct issues like how Trump and Keir Starmer would interact if elected this year, and whether he could run for a third term, and how a President builds his cabinet. We also hear from a caller who wants to know what happened to the political centre ground in the United States.HOSTS: Sarah Smith, North America editor Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenterGET 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 Rufus Gray. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Hunter Biden has been found guilty on all three charges in his federal gun trial, becoming the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be criminally convicted. Prosecutors said Biden lied about his drug use when he bought a handgun in 2018. Sarah Smith - who has just returned from Delaware where the trial took place - and Justin Webb unpack the evidence and the consequences for President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. Also, Justin and Sarah speak to Jill Biden’s former Press Secretary, Michael LaRosa on how the case will be affecting Joe Biden’s inner circle. Could the U.S. president pardon his son? HOSTS: - Sarah Smith, North America Editor - Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenterGUEST: - Michael LaRosa, Former Press Secretary to Jill BidenGET 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 Purvee Pattni with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Sarah Smith is reunited with the Zurch! She’s back from her holiday, and returns to a very full inbox of Ameriquestions to answer.They include queries on whether the U.S. would ever elect a President who isn’t a Christian, and why politicians “approve this message” at their end of their campaign adverts? And we speak to Americaster Joanna, who wants to know whether Americans harbour desires for their own monarchy. HOSTS: - Sarah Smith, North America editor - Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET 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 Rufus Gray with Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Donald Trump has been speaking out after being convicted last week on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. His team say they will continue to appeal, but on what grounds, and how likely are they to overturn the verdicts? Justin and Anthony hear directly from the Trump campaign, and also put forward questions from Americast listeners. Sentencing takes place on July 11th. Also, what happened in Hunter Biden’s criminal trial which got underway in Delaware this week? It is the first trial for the son of a sitting US president. He is accused of lying about his drug use on a form when purchasing a firearm and ammunition. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Black Americans could be the deciding vote this election year. Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are making their case to court black voters, but are their messages breaking through? Justin sits down with Charlamagne Tha God, one of the most influential radio broadcasters in the US whose show has become a campaign stop for presidential candidates. As the author of the new title ‘Get Honest or Die Lying,’ Charlamagne gets straight to the point on how both Biden and Trump are losing support. Also, Biden has unveiled new executive actions aimed at curbing the number of migrants seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border. Justin and Anthony look at how effective it might be and the politics behind the move. HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent GUEST: • Charlamagne Tha God, Host of ‘The Breakfast Club’ and author of 'Get Honest or Die Lying, Why Small Talk Sucks' 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 Purvee Pattni 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.

Former President Donald Trump is now the first former US president to be criminally convicted. The historic verdict has drawn Americasters from all over the world to send in their burning questions: Could the fallout trigger civil unrest? Is Trump’s status causing Republicans to think twice about supporting him?Marianna and Anthony tackle all these questions and more in this special edition of Americanswers!HOSTS: * Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent * Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET 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 Tim Walklate with Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The Libertarian Party is known for being unconventional in US politics. But could it have an outsized influence in who wins the Oval Office this election year? Americast sits down with Chase Oliver, the man who beat both Trump and RFK Jr for his party’s 2024 nomination. But what does he and his party believe in? Could he make it all the way to the top? And will he give the BBC his first interview if he’s elected president.HOSTS: * Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter * Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGUEST: * Sumi Somaskanda, BBC Chief Presenter * Chase Oliver, 2024 Libertarian presidential candidateGET 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 Tim Walklate 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.

Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his historic criminal trial in New York. He called the verdict a “disgrace” and maintained his innocence - the sentencing happens on 11 July. HOST: * Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGUESTS: * Kayla Epstein, BBC reporter covering the trial in New York * Madeline Halpert, BBC reporter covering the trial in New York * Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland SecurityGET 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 Tim Walklate with Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Arguments are taking place inside (and outside) the courtroom.Former US President Donald Trump’s trial in New York is in its sixth week, where he’s accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.After hearing closing arguments from the prosecutors and defence, jurors in Donald Trump's historic criminal trial will begin their deliberations. The 12 New Yorkers must reach a unanimous verdict.As always, there’s been drama outside the courtroom. The actor Robert De Niro has been speaking out against Donald Trump, much to the chagrin of the former President’s followers in Manhattan.HOST: * Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent GUESTS: * Kayla Epstein, BBC reporter covering the trial in New York * Madeline Halpert, BBC reporter covering the trial in New YorkGET 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 Tim Walklate 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.