logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
38m 5s

Why does Biden want to debate Trump?

BBC News
About this episode

Donald Trump and Joe Biden have made plans for two televised election debates. But who benefits? And, crucially, who has more to lose? Justin Webb, Anthony Zurcher and Marianna Spring look into the drama behind the announcement, and the strategy of holding the first debate in just six weeks’ time. Also, should independent candidate RFK Jr - Robert F Kennedy - also be allowed to take part?

And, speaking of presidential nominees, we speak to one! Jill Stein, the candidate for the Green Party, joins us on the podcast. She’s been criticised in the past for taking votes away from Democrats and for her views on US foreign policy. She speaks to us in a year where third party candidates could play a crucial role in the outcome of the election.

HOSTS: • Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

GUEST: • Jill Stein, Green Party presidential candidate

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 Jonny Baker. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Up next
Yesterday
Jeffrey Epstein is causing a Trump-MAGA rift
Donald Trump is under pressure from sections of his MAGA-supporting base after a Justice Department memo released on Monday said there was no 'client list' related to the disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Conspiracy theories surrounding the Epstein Files argue ... Show More
25m 13s
Jul 7
Americanswers… did Trump’s funding cuts contribute to Texas floods deaths?
Justin, Anthony and Marianna answer your questions on the devastating flash floods in Texas, which have killed tens of people, including children at a summer camp, and where search and rescue operations are ongoing. There are now questions around why people were not evacuated soo ... Show More
33m 27s
Jul 4
Is Trump deporting record numbers of migrants?
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to target illegal immigrants that were the ‘worst of the worst’ with strict deportation enforcements. Six months into his second term, the US president has ramped up his battle over so-called 'sanctuary cities' by taking legal action a ... Show More
38m 23s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
275. TRIP US: Advantage Trump: Will the Democrats move to replace Joe Biden?
What repercussions will Joe Biden's stumbling performance in the first presidential debate have on the race for the White House? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci for their instant reaction to the Trump-Biden showdown that could have serious consequences in the battle to beco ... Show More
42m 21s
Jun 2024
276. Why Joe Biden must step down
"Last night was a game changer. And the change that now has to come is to produce another game changer, which is a new Democratic candidate." In an emergency episode of The Rest Is Politics, Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell follow on from Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci's reac ... Show More
27m 34s
Jun 2024
271. TRIP US: Biden really losing Hispanic and Black voters?
Why are Black and Hispanic voters increasingly warming to Donald Trump? How will Trump and Biden prepare for their first debate? What is Biden’s plan to give legal status to 500,000 undocumented spouses? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci as they answer all these questions and ... Show More
45m 20s
Nov 2022
US midterms: Republicans on the rise
Joe Biden’s Democrats look set to lose control of Congress in this month's elections. But many of the Republicans poised to take office support Donald Trump's claim that the last presidential election was stolen. Gideon discusses his prospects for a return to the White House with ... Show More
26m 24s
Feb 2024
60. Anthony Scaramucci: What it's like to be Donald Trump's Communications Director
Would a second Trump presidency be far more right wing? What drives the former US president? Is he trying to do a deal with Taylor Swift? In this week's episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by Anthony Scaramucci, Trump's former spin doctor, where he answers all these ... Show More
1h 8m
May 2024
Will the Trump-Biden debates matter?
Donald Trump has accepted a challenge to face off against President Joe Biden in two TV debates, setting the stage for the US Presidential Election. But will they actually take place? And what difference could they make in the race to the White House? In this episode: Brian Stelt ... Show More
24m 47s
Feb 2024
61. James Rubin: Working for Biden, American intervention, and the fight against Russian disinformation
“You took me to one side and said be very, very careful of these people, these neo-cons. Because they’re going to use this to do all sorts of stuff that you shouldn’t be involved in.” What are the limits of foreign intervention? Do the American people still want their country to ... Show More
1h 8m
Aug 2023
Could a reshuffle revitalise Sunak’s government?
It’s almost time to wave goodbye to the summer, but is Rishi Sunak also poised to bid farewell to some of his ministers? The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher is joined by columnist Stephen Bush and political editor George Parker to discuss a cabinet shake up. Plus, the FT’s US p ... Show More
35m 52s
Jun 2023
Why Do So Few Democrats Want Biden to Run in 2024?
A recent AP-NORC poll found that just a quarter of voters, including only around half of Democrats, want to see Joe Biden run for president again. Many voters are concerned about his age in particular.That’s a problem for Biden, but it’s not as unusual as it might seem. In 1982, ... Show More
1h 2m
Jan 2023
America’s hard right
A small group of Republican party zealots, backed by former president Donald Trump, have forced their way into a position of power in the US Congress. Gideon talks to Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of the National Interest magazine in Washington and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council ... Show More
23m 22s