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American Friction: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Podmasters
Does what’s going on in American politics scare and bemuse you? Want to know what Trump is up to, without pulling your hair out? Then you need American Friction, the UK podcast about US politics – from the makers of Oh God, What Now? and The Bunker. Every Friday and Monday, we unpack the big issues, speak to leading experts and talk with blockbuster commentators from the United States to explain the latest news and the big issues with hosts Jacob Jarvis (ex-Newsweek), Chris Jones (Podmasters) and Nikki McCann Ramirez (Politics Reporter at Rolling Stone).
Latest Episodes
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- 3 days ago40 min
Witches, Jesus and Epstein – How Kansas politics got nasty
The midterm races have been a horrorshow across the board and Kansas has been no exception. Clay Wirestone of the Kansas Reflector joins Chris and Jarv to discuss the weird politics of the state and how things might go there. Buy Clay’s book Opinionated Kansas Journalists Who Proved Why Commentary Matters—Then and Now through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund American Friction by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. Back us on Patreon! Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Nikki McCann Ramirez, Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- 5 days ago49 min
Donald Trump: “I like big butts and I can’t not lie!”
Trump won’t stop talking about butts despite the GOP’s struggles in the run up to the midterms. Has he doomed his party to a wipeout? Nikki, Chris and Jarv discuss. Back us on Patreon! Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Nikki McCann Ramirez, Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago36 min
What’s angering American voters most? - With Molly Jong-Fast
American voters are mad, there’s no denying the anger being directed towards this Trump administration. But’s angering them the most? Molly Jong-Fast has her finger on the pulse ahead of the midterms and joins Chris Jones in our latest episode to explain it all. Listen to Molly’s podcast, Fast Politics, here: https://fastpoliticspod.com/ Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago1h 2m
Trump - America’s most unwanted
Donald Trump’s getting more unpopular by the day. How is that impacting the GOP’s chances in the midterms? Plus, Nikki and Chris discuss Vivek Ramaswamy’s shocking attack ad against his opponent for the governorship in Ohio. Support American Friction on Patreon and get early, ad-free episodes, extra editions, merchandise and more. Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramirez . Audio/ video editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago26 min
Why Trump wants to suppress voters abroad
Millions of US citizens abroad could vote in the midterm elections, yet turnout among this group is consistently low. Why, and why is Donald Trump trying to make it harder for them in the first place? Elizabeth Kelly is the co-chair of the Get Out The Vote campaign from Democrats Abroad. She joins Chris to discuss in an extra, unscheduled episode. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio/ video editors: Simon Williams and Chris Jones. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago40 min
Talarico, Paxton and Trump – Why the GOP can’t afford to lose Texas
James Talarico is in strong form in Texas and it’s all to play for in his Senate race versus Ken Paxton. Just how disastrous would defeat across the Lone Star state be for the GOP? Chris and Jarv ask Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video editor: Chris Jones. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago52 min
Trump world’s latest bonkers conspiracy theory
The MAGA brainrot community has a new conspiracy theory… Nikki, Chris and Jarv unpick why when times get desperate, this is all the Trump faithful really have. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Music recommendation links: Warmth - Home Green-House - Hinterlands Lonely The Brave - The Day’s War Light Years - Resuscitate Zimmer90 - Interior Written and presented by Nikki McCann Ramirez, Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago36 min
Christa Pike, Trump and America's death penalty crisis
Content warning: This episode contains discussions related to executions some might find upsetting. Also, this was recorded before Pete Hegseth said Nidal Hasan’s execution will be live streamed. The death penalty is in sharp focus in America right now. Christa Pike’s botched execution has horrified the world, and at the same time Trump is ordering people be killed by firing squad. What the hell is going on? How are things going so wrong? And what, if anything, can be done about it? Robin M. Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, joins Chris and Jarv to discuss. [NOT FOR PATREON] Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video editor: Chris Jones. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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About American Friction
Does what’s going on in American politics scare and bemuse you? Want to know what Trump is up to, without pulling your hair out? Then you need American Friction, the UK podcast about US politics – from the makers of Oh God, What Now? and The Bunker. Every Friday and Monday, we unpack the big issues, speak to leading experts and talk with blockbuster commentators from the United States to explain the latest news and the big issues with hosts Jacob Jarvis (ex-Newsweek), Chris Jones (Podmasters) and Nikki McCann Ramirez (Politics Reporter at Rolling Stone).
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