logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
29m 21s

Americanswers! Does Trump want to bring ...

BBC News
About this episode

‘If I had all the money in the world, I’d spend it all just to buy one thing: a phone call to hear Kilmar’s voice again.’

Those were the pleas made to Trump’s administration by the wife of Abrego García, the Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador’s mega-jail. But can Trump bring him back? And does he want to?

Mariana is joined by Sumi Somaskanda to discuss the most important trial in Meta’s history, LA’s largest-ever rally held by Bernie Sanders and AOC, and whether Trump’s eye-watering tariffs will go the distance.

Plus we hear some correspondence from some young Americasters on how liberals might fight back against Trump.

HOSTS: * Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent * Sumi Somaskanda, Chief Anchor for BBC News

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 Rufus Gray with Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. 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
Mar 2025
Could Zelensky Still do a Deal With Trump?
Today, in this extra episode, Laura and Paddy get back together to talk after Laura met President Zelensky.He told her, and a group of other journalists, that he is still "ready to sign" a US-Ukraine minerals deal after leaving the White House without it being agreed.Laura explai ... Show More
17m 3s
Oct 3
Why did the US government shut down?
The US federal government is closed for business. Democrats and Republicans in Congress failed to agree on a budget to keep the government open. But over two million federal workers who will go without a paycheck during negotiations have a new worry: will President Donald Trump u ... Show More
21m 2s
Feb 2025
Justice Advocates General
Monday, February 24th, 2025Today, a bomb threat that was emailed into the Principles First Summit is being investigated by authorities in DC a day after Enrique Tarrio was arrested for simple assault; another OPM email went out to federal workers this weekend asking them to list ... Show More
52m 30s
Apr 2025
My Other SCIF Is A Signal Chat (feat. Adam Klasfeld)
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025Today, Pete Hegseth participated in another Signal chat from his private phone and sent war plans to his wife and brother; the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that a transgender teen can’t change their name until they turn 21; someone allegedly stole Kris ... Show More
1h 2m
Sep 5
Trump Administration Interpretation Of Civil Rights Act Reshapes Public Schools
President Trump pledged to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, but his administration is also using the department’s Office for Civil Rights to pressure local school districts to adhere to Trump’s political views. We discuss these tactics and how they fit into a broader c ... Show More
25m 8s
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
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
Sep 2024
312. Is America Ready for Gun Reform?
How has Donald Trump tied him self in knots over abortion? Why is there a growing gender divide in politics? Has Kamala Harris reached the end of her honeymoon period? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci as they answer all these questions and more on The Rest Is Politics US. Th ... Show More
59m 17s
Sep 11
448. Question Time: Mandelson’s Epstein Disgrace, Kirk’s Assassination, and Trump’s Illegal Boat Strike
Why did Peter Mandelson become so mesmerised by the rich and famous? What does Charlie Kirk’s assassination mean for the future of American politics? Is Trump trying to start a fake war with Venezuela? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. Join The R ... Show More
1h 10m
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