BBC NewsGovernment, News, Politics
BBC NewsGovernment, News, Politics

About

Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC. Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now. The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC 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 BBC’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 BBC 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 Homeland 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.


  • Americanswers… On 5 Live! Do the new Epstein files "absolve" Trump?
    And why is the president threatening to sue Grammy host Trevor Noah over an Epstein joke?
  • Can Trump really save the midterms for the Republicans?
    The president kicks off the Republican election campaign in Iowa
  • Will Trump “de-escalate” Minneapolis tensions after Alex Pretti killing?
    And the president blames Democrat Ihan Omar after she was attacked
  • Americanswers… On 5 Live! Another US citizen shot dead by ICE. What happens next?
    Pressure mounts on Trump for an inquiry into the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis
  • Are ICE immigration agents acting outside the law?
    Immigration raids in Minneapolis are dividing America
  • Have Trump and Europe reached a deal on Greenland?
    The US president says he will drop tariffs threat after talks with NATO boss.
  • Americanswers… On 5 Live! Can Donald Trump be talked down over Greenland?
    And why did RFK Jnr say Trump is ‘pumping himself full of poison’
  • Introducing The Global Story... what's really behind Trump's foreign policy?
    What does US history tell us about America’s changing role in the world right now?
  • The Jan 6th Capitol riots five years on… Why America is still divided
    Republicans are using a new committee to question the events of January 6th 2021.
  • Can Denmark convince Trump not to “conquer” Greenland?
    White House talks on Greenland end in “fundamental disagreement”
  • Americanswers... On 5 Live! What do Americans really think of Donald Trump?
    And does Trump have a plan for Iran?
  • Can the US really rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry?
    Trump says the US oil industry will be 'up and running' in Venezuela within 18 months.
  • The fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting
    A US immigration agent shot dead Renee Good in the city of Minneapolis.
  • How far will Trump go to seize Greenland?
    The White House says acquiring Greenland is a “national security priority”
  • Americanswers... On 5 Live! Could Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro be found not guilty in a US court?
    Is Trump right when he says the US is running Venezuela now?
  • Trump’s Venezuela takeover... everything you need to know
    The US president says America will “run” Venezuela
  • How did a YouTuber stop federal funding to Minnesota?
    And can Zohran Mamdani keep up the momentum as New York mayor?
  • What will be the biggest US stories of 2026?
    Our predictions go into a new 2026 time capsule!
  • Americanswers! What’s happening in Trump’s battle with universities?
    We answer your questions on the future of US universities.
  • Were our 2025 predictions right?
    The Americast team open the annual end-of-year time capsule.