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Americast

Americanswers... on 5Live! Why haven't more Americans faced charges over Epstein?

Americast

BBC

News, Government, Politics

4.33.1K Ratings

🗓️ 23 February 2026

⏱️ 30 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Fresh questions are emerging about the Jeffrey Epstein case, after the release of new material and renewed scrutiny over why more Americans have not faced charges linked to him. Sarah, Marianna and Anthony join Matt Chorley on 5 Live to answer your questions including who, if anyone, could still be held accountable in the US.

And with tensions rising between Iran and the US, Trump says he is considering military options while insisting diplomacy remains on the table. Steve Witkoff told Fox News on Saturday that Trump was "curious" about Iran's position after he had warned of a limited military strike if a deal could not be reached on Tehran's nuclear programme. But will the president actually strike Iran? And what could that look like?

Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s tariffs have been ruled unlawful, triggering a legal and political battle over his executive power. What does the decision mean for businesses and global trade, and what happens next as the courts and the administration grapple with the fallout?

The team discuss whether or not the shock factor of US politics is wearing off, plus there’s an unexpected parcel delivery to Americast HQ in London from the world of protest quilting.

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent

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 and Sophie van Brugen. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. 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.

Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

We've just come off air as usual on a Monday where we were talking with Matt Charlie on 5 live and answering all of your questions.

0:12.9

This week talking about the fallout from the Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs, looking at the politicians getting involved with ice hockey at the Olympics, asking why more Americans haven't faced charges in the Epstein case,

0:24.0

and whether the United States is getting ready to attack Iran.

0:28.2

And we have an interesting little update on the protest quilting and crafting movement.

0:33.5

Welcome to AmeriCansors.

0:37.5

AmeriCast. AmeriCast.

0:38.4

AmeriCast from BBC News.

0:40.7

You hear that sound?

0:41.8

Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money.

0:45.6

Nicholas Maduro, he heft around, and he found out.

0:48.9

This is a big cover-up, and this administration is engaged in it.

0:52.3

This guy has trumped arrangement syndrome.

0:54.1

I have four words for you. Turn around. And this administration is engaged in it. This guy has trumped arrangement syndrome.

0:57.4

I have four words for you.

0:59.7

Turn the volume up.

1:06.6

Right, let's start with the Winter Olympics.

1:10.1

Big drummer on the ice yesterday is the USA beat Canada at 2-1.

1:14.3

The first time since 1980, the US men's team, with won gold at ice hockey.

1:20.6

Lots of speculation about the game due to obviously ongoing tensions between Donald Trump and Canada.

1:24.5

We've got a question from Karim in South London.

1:29.0

It says, doesn't Kash Patel have better things to be doing given his FBI director? Explain what we're talking about here, Anthony.

1:33.4

Cash Patel traveled to Italy. An official business, his press secretary says, security concerns,

...

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