Americast BBC Podcasts

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 Editor
GUEST:
• 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk
• 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 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 Americast@bbc.co.uk
* 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 presenter
GUEST:
- Michael LaRosa, Former Press Secretary to Jill Biden
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
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 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
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.

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.