Americast

Why have artists pulled out of a festival celebrating America's 250th birthday in Washington DC ? The Great American State Fair is planned on the National Mall between 25th June and 10th July but artists such as Young MC, the Commodores and country singer Martina McBride expressed concern at the political nature of the event and cancelled their appearances. President Trump has subsequently said that he might give a headline speech instead so what hope now for a celebration of national unity?
In this episode, Justin, Sarah and Marianna answer your questions with Matt Chorley on 5 Live. They talk about whether Trump or Netanyahu are calling the shots on Iran, the upcoming UFC fight within the White House grounds and ask whether Europeans are becoming less inclined to visit the United States?
HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, BBC North America Editor
• Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior 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 Purvee Pattni and Ellie House. The technical producer was David Evans. 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 Newscast. 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.
Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl
Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r
The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm

US presidents have always told lies. Richard Nixon famously lied to Congress over his knowledge of the Watergate scandal while Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives after declaring that he did not have “sexual relations” with Monica Lewinsky.
How much does the American public care about politicians lying and could a new law stop it from happening?
In today’s Americast, Justin and Sarah speak to a former federal prosecutor who wants to hold politicians accountable if their lies damage democracy. Andrew Weissman played a major role in former FBI director Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, and now believes the US should bring in laws to protect elections from lies.
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
This episode was made by George Dabby with Tom Gillett, Grace Reeve and Oscar Pearson. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The series producer is George Dabby. 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 Newscast. 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.
Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl
Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r
The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd

The Senate race for Texas could decide which party controls Congress in November’s midterm elections, and some Democrats think the state could be theirs for the first time since 1988.
It follows Tuesday’s Republican primary in Texas that ousted the state’s long-serving senator, John Cornyn, in favour of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a controversial figure who was backed by Donald Trump after the president accused Cornyn of disloyalty.
In today’s episode, Sarah and Anthony assess whether Trump’s backing for Ken Paxton reflects a growing disconnect between the president and his base, and why some Republicans are worried about his chances when facing up against the Democrat’s James Talarico in November.
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 [email protected]
• Or use #Americast
This episode was made by Tom Gillett with Grace Reeve and Oscar Pearson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. 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 Newscast. 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.
Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl
Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r
The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd

There was a gender divide in the US in 2024 and one of the criticisms of the failed Democrat presidential campaign was that they appealed to women and largely ignored men.
So, with the midterms coming up, and the 2028 battle lines being drawn, how much is are political conversations going to centre around who can attract the male vote?
Justin’s been talking to a man who’s been thinking about that very question.
HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent
GUEST:
• Scott Galloway, New York University professor, author, and podcaster
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 Alix Pickles. The technical producer was James Piper. 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 Newscast. 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.
Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl
Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r
The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
Top Comment BBC Sounds - Top Comment - Available Episodes

What is President Trump’s plan for the future of Cuba? His oil blockade has crippled the island’s economy and could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. He has indicted former President Raul Castro for murder and put sanctions on Cuba’s military leaders, but what might be his next steps? Is he thinking about using the Venezuela playbook and snatching the 94 year old leader?
In this episode, Sarah and Anthony discuss what Trump’s options are in Cuba and whether military action is feasible and likely.
We also hear from Carlos Cubelo - a former Republican Congressman from Florida who is the son of Cuban immigrants and ask what do Cuban Americans think about Trump’s course of action?
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 [email protected]
• Or use #Americast
This episode was made by Tom Gillett, Grace Reeve and Purvee Pattni. 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 Newscast. 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.
Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl
Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r
The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
Top Comment BBC Sounds - Top Comment - Available Episodes