Americanswers... on 5 Live! Is the Trump administration checking tourists' social media?
Americast
BBC
4.3 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 1 June 2026
⏱️ 26 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Why have artists pulled out of a festival celebrating America's 250th birthday in Washington DC ? The Great American State Fair is planned on the National Mall between 25th June and 10th July but artists such as Young MC, the Commodores and country singer Martina McBride expressed concern at the political nature of the event and cancelled their appearances. President Trump has subsequently said that he might give a headline speech instead so what hope now for a celebration of national unity?
In this episode, Justin, Sarah and Marianna answer your questions with Matt Chorley on 5 Live. They talk about whether Trump or Netanyahu are calling the shots on Iran, the upcoming UFC fight within the White House grounds and ask whether Europeans are becoming less inclined to visit the United States?
HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, BBC North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent
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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni and Ellie House. The technical producer was David Evans. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, music radio podcasts. |
| 0:07.2 | We get it. Life is busy. You want to keep up with the news, but there's just too much going on. |
| 0:13.0 | Which is where newscast comes in. We do the work, and when you're ready to dig deeper into the day's news, you just pop us into your ears. |
| 0:22.3 | It does mean we have to put in the hard work, though. Listen to newscast every day on BBC Sounds. Hello, it's Anthony, and you're |
| 0:27.9 | about to hear AmeriCast, and we're delighted to have you with us. And if you enjoy what you hear, |
| 0:32.6 | please do consider subscribing to the podcast. That way, you'll never miss an episode. Now, on with today. |
| 0:39.4 | We've been answering your questions live on Five Live with Matt Chorley questions, |
| 0:44.6 | ranging from the 250th anniversary celebrations for America. The celebrations being put on in |
| 0:50.3 | Washington, D.C. What on earth is happening with them? Why are some acts pulling out? |
| 0:55.6 | Are they even going to go ahead? Plus, travel to America. Who is welcome? Who's going? Who's not going? |
| 1:00.7 | And are the US authorities actually checking the social media history of visitors, as it was at one stage |
| 1:07.8 | rumoured that they were? And in the Democrats' fight to regain the Senate, |
| 1:12.2 | they need to take the State of Maine, among other places. |
| 1:15.4 | So why is Graham Platner, their oyster fisherman candidate, |
| 1:19.9 | in such trouble? |
| 1:21.5 | Welcome to America Answers with Marianna, with Sarah, |
| 1:24.6 | with Matt Chorley, and with me, Justin Webb. |
| 1:29.5 | Ameriast. Ameriast. |
| 1:30.3 | Ameriast from BBC News. |
| 1:32.5 | You hear that sound? |
| 1:33.6 | Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. |
| 1:37.4 | We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it. |
... |
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