Americanswers… on 5 Live! Mitch McConnell breaks his silence, will it stop the conspiracy theories?
Americast
BBC
4.3 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 13 July 2026
⏱️ 31 minutes
🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
A photo of the US senator has gone viral, after he hadn’t been seen for weeks, with rumours mounting over his absence. Over the weekend, the republican Mitch McConnell posted a picture of himself in hospital with his wife, with a dated copy of the Washington Post. But will it stop the conspiracy theories? Also in today’s episode, Justin, Sumi and Anthony answer your questions about Senator Lindsay Graham whose death was announced over the weekend. We look at his changing relationship with Donald Trump, his infamous exchange over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanagh, and the wider impact of his death. Plus, Trump’s latest plan to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz which involves paying a charge to the US government.
HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Sumi Somaskanda, Chief Anchor, BBC News
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This episode was made by Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Jonathan Greer. 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 | Lindsay Graham has died. |
| 0:07.5 | Lindsay Graham was a hugely important American politician. |
| 0:10.1 | He'd been a senator for many, many years. |
| 0:12.5 | He had a lot of friendships on the democratic side of the Senate, although he himself was a Republican. |
| 0:18.6 | And in recent years, a big supporter of Donald Trump, |
| 0:22.3 | though he used to be an opponent of him. So what does the death of Lindsay Graham mean for American |
| 0:28.0 | politics? Also, what is going on with Mitch McConnell, who used to be the Republican's boss in the |
| 0:33.0 | Senate, is now ill, and might he be replaced in his Senate seat by someone who opposes Donald Trump? |
| 0:40.9 | It's all very complicated as ever. Add to that what's going on in Iran, which actually some of it at least takes place during the course of this edition of American Answers with Matt Chorley, with Sumi, with Anthony, and with me. |
| 0:56.0 | Welcome to American Answers. |
| 1:00.0 | Ameriast. |
| 1:00.7 | Ameriast from BBC News. |
| 1:03.1 | You hear that sound? |
| 1:04.2 | Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. |
| 1:07.9 | We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it. |
| 1:12.2 | This is a big cover up, and this administration is engaged in it. |
| 1:15.5 | This guy has Trump arrangement syndrome. |
| 1:17.4 | I have four words for you. |
| 1:21.0 | Turn the volume up. |
| 1:26.7 | We have got an awful lot to get to, so let's get stuck in straight away. |
| 1:31.8 | We've got Valerie in Didcot on the line. |
| 1:34.0 | Hello, Valerie. |
... |
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