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
Can Trump turn a Gaza ceasefire into a lasting peace deal?
There was an extraordinary moment at the White House on Wednesday when, in front of reporters, secretary of state Marco Rubio handed Donald Trump a note that read the words “very close”, followed by a whisper where he told the president that Israel and Hamas were on the brink of ... Show More
20 m
Oct 8
Americanswers… on 5 Live! Is Chicago really a ‘war zone’?
Donald Trump’s mission to target Democrat-led cities has expanded to Illinois after the Texan National Guard arrived on Tuesday at an army base near Chicago. Troops were sent with the blessing of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, prompting a furious response from Illinois Governor JB P ... Show More
28m 30s
Oct 6
Why is Trump blowing up Venezuelan "drug boats"?
In today’s episode, we look at some of the stories “under the radar”, away from the main news headlines in the United States. Why is the Trump administration blowing up boats which it says are carrying drugs from Venezuela to the United States? Donald Trump has described the late ... Show More
32m 22s
Recommended Episodes
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
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
May 2023
Local elections: How bad was it for the Conservatives?
For Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the results were ‘disappointing’, Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer claimed his party was heading for power and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey wore a ‘Cheshire cat’ grin. What do this week’s local elections in England show about the likely direction of the nex ... Show More
24m 6s
Apr 2023
122. Question Time: Leaking Liz Truss, the funniest person in politics, and ‘Killing Thatcher’
Is leaking a way to get ahead in politics? What did Paddy Ashdown do to Rory? Should Joe Biden run for President again? Listen as Alastair and Rory answer these questions and more… Sign up to the free TRIP weekly newsletter:bit.ly/3zhYAIl TRIP Plus:Become a member of The Rest Is ... Show More
33m 27s
May 2023
Is an 80-year-old Biden still the best bet against Trump?
With President Biden finally declaring last week that he's running for re-election, and Donald Trump still the leader of the Republican Party, America is finding itself in a state of déjà vu.... It's the rematch contest that nobody seems to want. So why is it happening? And could ... Show More
28m 8s