Americano

4.8 (4)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

The next chapter in American politics has begun, but is it going to be any less crazy? The Spectator's Americano podcast delivers in-depth discussions with the best American pundits to keep you in the loop. Presented by Freddy Gray. ** Americano is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025. Vote for it to win the People's Choice category here (https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/) **

17 HR. AGO

Is AI the new arms race?

This week, a Chinese-made AI model called DeepSeek shot to the top of the Apple Store downloads – it stunned investors and sunk some tech stock. DeepSeek claims it was built at a fraction of the cost of American leading models. Chip-making giant Nvidia shed almost £482bn of its market value as a result. What is DeepSeek, and what does it have to do with US-China relations? Freddy Gray is joined by Joe Weisenthal to explain exactly what’s happened with the AI platform DeepSeek, why it has sparked chaos in the US markets, and how it raises questions about the future of AI globally.

22 min
2 DAYS AGO

How is round one of Trump’s deportations plan going?

** Americano is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025. Vote for it to win the People's Choice category here ** Colombia has agreed to accept military aircraft carrying deported migrants from the US – avoiding a trade war between the two countries. Donald Trump had threatened sanctions on Colombia to punish it for initially refusing military flights following a rapid immigration crackdown. What are the challenges of deportation flights, and what's Trump's vision for Latin America? Freddy Gray is joined by Todd Bensman, Fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, and author of 'Overrun'.

32 min
5 DAYS AGO

What will Trump's crypto world look like?

** Americano is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025. Vote for it to win the People's Choice category here ** Cryptocurrency became a key feature of the American election and the Trump universe. Not only did Trump and Melania launch their own coins, but the President has also appointed venture capitalist David Sacks to be the AI and Crypto 'czar'. Freddy Gray is joined by podcaster and owner of Bedford FC Peter McCormack to discuss whether Trump can decentralise finance, why voters are turning to the fiat market, and whether Peter is a Bitcoin maximalist.

19 min
JAN 21

'I'm a Democrat who will give him a chance' - Lionel Shriver on Trump's inauguration

** Americano is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025. Vote for it to win the People's Choice category here ** Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. All the former leaders of the free world were there to watch Trump take the oath - again - but how was this inauguration different to the last? And what signs were there of how Trump intends to govern? Guest hosting for Americano, The Spectator’s Kate Andrews speaks to Freddy Gray, who is on the ground in D.C., and Lionel Shriver about Trump’s speech lamenting the Biden administration, Biden’s last minute pardoning of his family, and why some Democrats could be willing to give Trump a chance this time round. Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Natasha Feroze.

23 min
JAN 14

Have the wildfires exposed America's class divide?

** Americano is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025. Vote for it to win the People's Choice category here ** The LA wildfires have been mostly extinguished, but there is growing concern that more fires could be imminent as strong winds are expected this week. Many believe that the destruction has shone a light on the broader mismanagement of California, run by the Democrat Gavin Newsom – who has proposed billions in new funding for 'Los Angeles 2.0'. Freddy Gray speaks to energy specialist Robert Bryce about the policy failures which have contributed to the wildfires, what the clear up could look like and why this crisis will expose the class divide in America.

28 min
JAN 10

Is Ron De Santis right about 'classical education'?

** Americano is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025. Vote for it to win the People's Choice category here ** Freddy Gray is joined by Amy Wax who is a professor at Penn University to discuss education in America. Recently the Florida Governor Ron De Santis has been embracing a return to ‘classical education' which emphasises liberal arts and western teachings. Amy Wax speaks to Freddy about how education in America has been taken over by ‘woke’ ideologies, what simple teaching techniques should be retuned to the classroom, and whether there is any need for the Department of Education.

37 min
JAN 9

How will Trump change the world? With Gideon Rachman

** Americano is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025. Vote for it to win the People's Choice category here ** Freddy Gray is joined by Gideon Rachman of the Financial Times to discuss what Donald Trump’s revisionist America could mean for the world order. Trump is a sworn enemy of what he calls ‘globalism’, which raises questions about whether America will remain the world’s most powerful country in 2025 and beyond. Gideon has described five ways in which Trump's America First strategy would play out, from a great new power bargain, to war by accident and anarchy in a leaderless world. On the podcast Freddy and Gideon discuss the five possible scenarios, how the Russia-Ukraine war could be resolved, whether Trump’s tariffs are such and bad thing, and if China is the real antagonist.

43 min
JAN 4

Why do Americans care about Tommy Robinson?

** Americano is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025. Vote for it to win the People's Choice category here ** Douglas Murray, Spectator columnist, joins Americano host and Spectator deputy editor Freddy Gray. This week, Home Office Minister Jess Phillips rejected Oldham Council’s request for a government-led inquiry into the horrific scandal of grooming gangs in dozens of UK cities. Her decision has led to real backlash – with X owner Elon Musk calling for safeguarding minister Jess Phillips to be jailed, and for the King to dissolve parliament. Have politicians underestimated the strength of public feeling in the UK and the US? They also discuss the Southport riots, and ask why some politicians are unwilling to confront societal problems in the name of political correctness.

36 min

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4.8

out of 5

4 Ratings

The next chapter in American politics has begun, but is it going to be any less crazy? The Spectator's Americano podcast delivers in-depth discussions with the best American pundits to keep you in the loop. Presented by Freddy Gray. ** Americano is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025. Vote for it to win the People's Choice category here (https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/) **