logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
28m 34s

Trump promises "historic" first day in p...

BBC News
About this episode

At a raucous rally in Washington DC, Donald Trump has promised "historic speed and strength" as he prepares for his inauguration on Monday.

Thousands of his supporters are brazing freezing temperatures to watch him be sworn in to office as he told his supporters to expect a blitz of executive orders on day one of his presidency.

The Americast team are in Washington DC to assess what is meant by an executive order and how much he might be able to achieve at the beginning of his second term as president.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent • Justin Webb, Radio 4 Presenter

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 George Dabby. The technical producer was Denis O'Hare. 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
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
Feb 2025
Don’t Be Fooled, ‘Trump Is a Weak President’
ow much is President Trump testing the Constitution? And what are the other branches of government doing about it? This week, David French and Jamelle Bouie join Carlos and Michelle to discuss how the courts and Congress could respond to Trump’s latest actions and whether the Con ... Show More
45m 11s
Sep 2
443. China’s Plot to Topple Trump: How to Bring Down a Superpower
How is China forging a new world order beyond Trump’s isolationist America? Is Trump’s sudden turn against India uniting Xi, Putin, and Modi – for good? As Washington falters and Beijing rises, where does that leave South East Asia? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these ... Show More
51m 9s
Aug 30
Sources & Methods: Trump's DC takeover, Ukraine, fired spy chief
Today, we're excited to share an episode from NPR's newest podcast, Sources & Methods. Each Thursday, host Mary Louise Kelly breaks down the week's biggest national security news with NPR's team of reporters covering the military, State Department, and spy agencies. NPR correspon ... Show More
33m 18s
Sep 30
How Trump Fared in a Major New Poll
In a new poll, The New York Times asked voters what they thought of the first eight months of President Trump’s second term.Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst at The Times, explains what the survey found and what it may tell us about where the country is heading next.Guest: N ... Show More
29 m
Oct 1
The Democrats’ Big Shutdown Gamble
The U.S. government shut down on Wednesday morning. For the Democrats, it is an act of resistance against President Trump’s second-term agenda. The question is now whether their gamble will pay off or backfire.In an episode recorded from the Capitol, Catie Edmondson and Carl Huls ... Show More
37m 33s
Sep 2024
Sir Keir Starmer: The Analysis
​​Today, we’re going through the PM’s first major television interview since getting the job. ​​ He defended his decision to cut winter fuel payments for most pensioners, and said his government is "going to have to be unpopular" to deliver change. ​​ ​​Paddy’s also been talking ... Show More
29m 36s
Oct 8
Trump Claims ‘Rebellion’ in American Cities
Over the past week, ICE and border patrol agents have clashed with Chicago residents, and federal guard troops arriving in the city might inflame tensions further.Julie Bosman, Chicago bureau chief for The Times, and Mattathias Schwartz describe the situation on the ground and ex ... Show More
34m 31s
Sep 28
President Trump orders deployment of US troops in Portland
Extending his controversial use of the military in Democrat-led major US cities, Donald Trump says he's authorised soldiers who will be deployed to Portland to use "full force" if needed. He described the city in Oregon as "war-ravaged". Also: nearly 40 people are killed in a cru ... Show More
32m 23s
Sep 17
Trump begins unprecedented second state visit to Britain
In an honour accorded to no US president before him, Donald Trump has arrived in Britain for a second state visit. The pomp and pageantry will come alongside talks about trade and technology, but the visit is at risk of being overshadowed by the Epstein scandal. Also: we get the ... Show More
29m 45s