logo
episode-header-image
May 18
23m 57s

We speak to CNN's Jake Tapper on the “co...

BBC News
About this episode

The fallout from Joe Biden’s failed presidential campaign continues with a new book that accuses senior White House figures of covering up the former president’s “physical deterioration”.

The author, Jake Tapper - who co-authors the book with Alex Thompson of Axios - claims Biden did not recognise George Clooney at a fundraiser last June hosted by the Hollywood star and that at one stage of the campaign, aides discussed putting him in a wheelchair.

A spokesperson for Joe Biden said "evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity" and maintained the Democrat had been "a very effective president".

Why does Jake Tapper believe that there was a cover-up of the president’s condition, and does the American media need to take some responsibility for how they reported Biden’s campaign?

HOST:

- Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

GUEST:

- Jake Tapper, CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent, co-author of Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again

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 George Dabby, Purvee Pattni, Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Up next
Yesterday
Trump’s NEW tariff threats.. should we take them seriously?
There were big promises of deals being struck around the world after Donald Trump announced his “reciprocal” tariffs back in April. But those promises - “90 deals in 90 days” - are yet to materialise and now the president has moved the deadline for those deals from July to August ... Show More
27m 56s
Jul 9
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
Recommended Episodes
Apr 23
Can Trump Force Zelensky To Do A Deal?
Today, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to accuse Zelensky of harming Ukraine peace negotiations following the Ukrainian president telling a news conference he would not recognise Crimea as Russian.Adam is joined by James Landale, diplomatic correspondent, and Sumi Somaskanda, B ... Show More
37m 6s
Apr 18
The Rachman Review: Iran’s nuclear talks could reshape the Middle East
Swamp Notes is taking this weekend off so instead we wanted to share the latest episode from our fellow FT podcast, The Rachman Review. Nuclear talks between the US and Iran began last weekend in Oman, and are set to continue in the coming weeks. President Trump has warned that i ... Show More
23m 54s
Jun 20
Will The U.S. Get Involved In Military Action With Iran?
As Israel and Iran continue to launch aerial assaults against each other, there are growing questions as to whether the U.S. will get involved in the offensive, too. President Trump said he'd make a decision within the next two weeks. Then, a look at the spending package currentl ... Show More
22m 36s
Jun 22
WW3 Countdown? U.S. Bombs Iran | 'I Told Iran to Build the Bomb' – George Galloway Unfiltered
🚨 The war has officially begun.U.S. bombers have struck Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran has answered with a direct missile assault on Israel. With the Middle East in chaos and the global balance shifting fast, some say this moment is even more dangerous than Iraq.🎙 On tonight’s ... Show More
1h 32m
Apr 8
Trump’s Tariffs: China Vows to “Fight to The End”
Today, we look at how far China is willing to go in retaliation against President Trump’s tariffs?Beijing has vowed to “fight to the end” after President Trump threatened to nearly double the tariffs on China. How far could the trade war go? And, how would big tariffs on Chinese ... Show More
36m 15s
Jun 23
‘Time To FINISH The Job’ | Trump Strikes Nuclear Sites | Iran Attacks US Bases
As Iran claims to have launched an attack on an American air base in Qatar in retaliation to Donald Trump striking their nuclear bases, it’s difficult to predict what may happen next, as the conflicts in the Middle East intensifies day by day. There are many targets left, the US ... Show More
1h 23m
Jun 23
The U.S. Bombed Iran. Now What?
In an address to the nation on Saturday night, President Trump confirmed that the U.S. military had carried out an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. It was a move that he had been threatening for days, and that previous U.S. presidents had avoided for decades.David E. Sanger, ... Show More
27m 49s
Jun 25
Iran's path forward
US stocks almost hit record highs amid possible de-escalation in the Middle East, and Johns Hopkins University professor Vali Nasr analyses Iran’s future. Plus, the US Federal Reserve chair signalled no interest cuts this summer, and US states are sending delegates to the EU for ... Show More
10m 34s
Apr 6
Trump’s Tariffs: Is Globalisation Over?
Today, the Prime Minister has responded to Trump’s tariffs saying the government is ready to step in to protect the UK economy. Paddy’s away so Jeremy Vine makes a guest appearance to go through it all.They also discuss the Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying it’s unacceptable t ... Show More
22m 52s
Mar 2025
Trade Wars: EU Hits Back At Trump
Today, we look at responses and retaliations to President Trump’s universal tariffs on steel and aluminium. Adam is joined by Caitríona Perry, Chief Presenter BBC News in Washington, and Dharshini David, chief economics correspondent to discuss retaliatory tariffs from the EU and ... Show More
37m 27s