logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
30m 17s

How do you protect a president?

BBC News
About this episode

After a second assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, Americast hears from a former Secret Service agent on what goes into protecting a secret service agent, particularly on a golf course. Sarah, Justin and Marianna are joined by Bill Gage, who helped protect President George W. Bush and President Obama. They discuss what went wrong, what secret service agents hide in their golf bags, and he also picks out out some of his most memorable experiences on the job.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Disinformation & social media correspondent

GUEST: • Bill Gage, former Secret Service agent

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

This episode was made by Purvee Pattni 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.

If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.

You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Up next
Aug 22
Is Donald Trump losing his Latino base?
One of the biggest stories of last year’s presidential election was Donald Trump’s success with Latino voters which led him to win crucial swing states in the battle for the White House.While the Democrats still won the popular vote nationwide, there was no question that Trump’s ... Show More
27m 51s
Aug 20
Americanswers! Has Donald Trump really stopped six (or seven) wars?
Fresh off the back of Monday’s meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump has indicated that the U.S could offer Ukraine some form of security guarantee in the event of a peace deal with Russia. While the details of any security guarantee are yet to be confirmed, it has prompt ... Show More
34m 38s
Aug 18
What did Trump offer Zelensky after their Oval Office meeting?
Straight off the back of the Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump hosted Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House as he pushes for an end to the war in Ukraine.The last time they met in the Oval Office, it ended in an argument in front of the world's media. It was a frien ... Show More
29m 13s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
Will the assassination attempts decide the election?
How to make sense of not one but two assassination attempts in as many months on a former president? Donald Trump says it's all down to the language that Kamala Harris and the Democrats are using. JD Vance has just called her 'the most fraudulent person to run for president'. Is ... Show More
33 m
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
Aug 5
Live at Edinburgh Fringe: Why is Trump talking about actress Sydney Sweeney?
Today, Newscast was recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe in front of a live audience.Adam was joined by Americast’s Sarah Smith and friend of the podcast James Cook to discuss all things Trump. They chat about what it’s like being part of the President’s press pack, why Sydney Sweene ... Show More
52m 30s
Jul 31
Trump v Carney (Again)
Today, US President Donald Trump has said that Canada’s move to recognise a Palestinian state threatens a trade deal between the countries. The news comes as US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. Canada’s annou ... Show More
23m 11s
Feb 2025
119. Tommy Vietor: How Democrats can fight Trump
How did Barack Obama become President? What was Hillary Clinton's huge mistake in 2016? How corrupt really is American politics today? Pod Save America host and former Barack Obama speechwriter, Tommy Veitor, joins Rory and Alastair to answer all these questions and more. TRIP Pl ... Show More
1h 4m
Jan 2025
365. Trump's Mafia World Order
How many ‘early warning signs of fascism’ are we seeing in the US? Has Trump delivered a fatal blow to America’s soft power around the world? Why does Alastair admire Prince Harry and his battle with the tabloids? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more ... Show More
55m 9s
Apr 2025
74. The Trump Exodus: Why Are People Leaving The United States?
How devastating is the MAGA 'brain drain' for the United States? Is Trump ‘Brexiting’ America from the world? Is Donald Trump really joking about his third term as president? And, Anthony reveals his role in the next season of 'Industry’. Join Katty and Anthony as they answer all ... Show More
44m 17s
Jan 2025
Inside the Trump inauguration
The United States has a new CEO. Trump is promising a golden age - a flag on Mars, control of the Panama Canal, an America moving onwards and upwards. He also suggested he’d pardon those convicted of the January 6th riots that he himself encouraged. And that came on the same day ... Show More
37m 17s
Jun 18
416. Question Time: What the Head of MI6 Really Does
What does the murder of politicians in Minnesota tell us about the state of American politics? What is the newly appointed Chief of MI6 going to know about the world? Is there a more divisive issue than immigration in the UK today? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these ... Show More
54m 19s
Jun 15
139. Speaker Kevin McCarthy: In Defence of Donald J. Trump
What is the logic behind Trump’s “chaotic” political strategy? Are Europe and America heading for a divorce? What did it feel like to get ousted as the Speaker of the House on a global stage? Rory and Alastair are joined by former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy to discuss al ... Show More
1h 10m