logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
34m 33s

Is it the beginning of the end for Biden...

BBC News
About this episode

The president’s press conference on Thursday was hailed as one of the most important in his political life - make or break for his chances of re-election. After a disastrous debate performance two weeks ago, Democrats have been voicing concerns about Biden’s ability to win against Donald Trump in November. We’ll find out if he managed to hold off the rebels trying to oust him from the White House.

Justin and Sarah also spoke to a friend of the President, Steve Israel, former congressman and former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He explains why Jill Biden has such a big influence on her husband, and gives us his intel from inside the party. Does he think the President can still win?

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

GUEST: Steve Israel, former Democrat congressman and former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

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 and George Dabby with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Up next
Today
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
Jul 2024
Will Kamala Harris replace President Biden?
There is a dizziness to American politics right now - Vice President Kamal Harris raised 49 million dollars in the first twelve hours following Joe Biden's announcement that he would exit the race. She spent ten hours hitting the phones to garner Democratic support and is insisti ... Show More
43m 1s
Jul 2024
The Democrats turn on Joe Biden
Last night, the pressure on Joe Biden ramped up a notch - George Clooney called on the President not to stand in November, through a piece in the New York Times. It's being reported today he ran the op-ed past Barack Obama - who didnt try and dissuade him. Nancy Pelosi - arguably ... Show More
33m 38s
Jul 2024
Joe Biden drops out of US presidential race
US President Joe Biden has abandoned his re-election bid following overwhelming pressure from fellow Democrats, and India’s prime minister Narendra Modi faces an early test to his third term in office. Plus, the UK’s new chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will present a fiscal statement ... Show More
11m 24s
Jul 2024
Special Episode: President Biden quits 2024 race
Chaos reigns in the Democratic party. In a virtually unprecedented move President Joe Biden has stepped aside from the presidential race weeks before he was due to become the Democrats’ candidate at their national convention in Chicago. Biden has endorsed his VP Kamala Harris. Bu ... Show More
17m 44s
Jul 2024
Special Episode: President Biden quits 2024 race - The News Agents
Chaos reigns in the Democratic party. In a virtually unprecedented move President Joe Biden has stepped aside from the presidential race weeks before he was due to become the Democrats’ candidate at their national convention in Chicago. Biden has endorsed his VP Kamala Harris. Bu ... Show More
17m 44s
Sep 2024
Are the Democrats really inciting violence against Donald Trump?
Donald Trump has blamed Kamala Harris and Joe Biden's rhetoric for the latest assassination attempt, calling them 'Marxist communists'. So how is the rhetoric changing in American politics? And is political violence on the edge of tipping over again?Later, Keir Starmer is cosying ... Show More
28m 6s
Jan 2025
Israel, Hamas Ceasefire; Biden's Farewell Address
After more than a year of fighting, President Biden announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas had been reached. What's in the deal, and how did it happen? Then, President Biden gave his farewell address from the Oval Office Wednesday, defending his record and warni ... Show More
14m 30s
May 8
Joe Biden: Can the world still rely on America?
Nick Robinson, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and the Political Thinking podcast, speaks to former US President, Joe Biden. The pair met in Biden’s home state of Delaware, in a hotel where he had launched his political career more than half a century ago.In his first ... Show More
22m 58s
May 2024
Polls Be Damned?!
Our prayers are with the families of those with loved ones in Rafah, but most importantly our calls to action are too. Where do we go from here, y’all? This week hosts Andrew Gillum, Angela Rye, and Tiffany Cross ask how many red lines have to be crossed before the Biden Administ ... Show More
1h 15m
Jul 2024
President Biden steps aside
On Sunday afternoon, President Biden released a statement announcing that he would stand down from seeking reelection in the 2024 presidential race. The statement came after weeks of mounting pressure from members of his party, many of whom expressed concern over his health and s ... Show More
17m 39s