logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2024
39m 55s

Up for debate? Trump and Biden prepare t...

BBC News
About this episode

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.

Up next
Yesterday
Americanswers… on 5 Live! Is Trump still fit for the job on his 80th birthday?
Donald Trump became the second oldest president in US history on Sunday, at 80 years old. And to celebrate the milestone he hosted a UFC cage fight on the White House lawn. Justin, Anthony and Marianna join Matt Chorley on 5 Live to discuss how the UFC Freedom 250 event was recei ... Show More
35m 18s
Jun 12
The battle in rural America against AI data centres
The world’s largest data centre (62sq miles) has been approved in Utah, but there is growing opposition towards the project. At twice the size of Manhattan with promises to create thousands of jobs, we look at the bi partisan opposition against it. In this episode, Justin and Ant ... Show More
38m 5s
Jun 11
The Democrats fight back Trump-style in Maine… but have they messed up?
There are new allegations against Graham Platner, the confirmed Democratic senate candidate in Maine. The small north eastern state which borders Canada is at the centre of a fierce debate within the Democratic party. Have they picked the right candidate for a profoundly importan ... Show More
39m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2022
US midterms: Republicans on the rise
<p>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 w ... Show More
26m 24s
Jun 2023
Why Do So Few Democrats Want Biden to Run in 2024?
<p>A recent <a href="https://apnorc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/April-2023-Trump-Topline-.pdf" target="_blank">AP-NORC</a> 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 concerne ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 2023
Could a reshuffle revitalise Sunak’s government?
<p>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 U ... Show More
35m 52s
Sep 2022
Biden: Trump & MAGA Republicans represent extremism
In a fiery prime-time speech, President Biden says Trump & MAGA Republicans represent extremism that "threatens the very foundations of our republic". That, as Trump reveals in an interview he's financially supporting some of the Capitol riot defendants and would pardon them if h ... Show More
41m 24s
May 2023
Is an 80-year-old Biden still the best bet against Trump?
<p>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 co ... Show More
28m 8s
Nov 2020
Biden continues transition plans as Trump refuses to concede
President-elect Joe Biden is continuing his transition plans by narrowing down his list of potential West Wing advisers. Biden has chosen his longtime adviser Ron Klain as White House chief of staff.  Meanwhile, Pres. Trump, who continues to fight the results of the election with ... Show More
49m 15s
Oct 2020
Jim Clyburn: Can Biden win?
According to the polls Joe Biden is strong favourite to be the next President of the United States. But the party’s leaders bear deep scars from 2016. Donald Trump overcame the odds and beat Hillary Clinton and he claims he can do it again next week. Even if Biden wins does Ameri ... Show More
24m 24s
Jan 2023
America’s hard right
<p>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 Coun ... Show More
23m 22s