Americanswers! What did we learn from the latest Epstein files?
Americast
BBC
4.2 • 2.8K Ratings
🗓️ 22 December 2025
⏱️ 35 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The US justice department was forced by law to release documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein at the end of last week, but by Saturday, at least 13 files were removed, leading to accusations of the department violating its obligations.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche later said the decision was taken to protect victims' privacy, but how much is the ongoing controversy around the Epstein files affecting public trust?
Tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to escalate after it emerged on Sunday that the US Coast Guard was in "active pursuit" of a vessel in international waters. The US has already seized two oil tankers this month in Washington’s ongoing pressure campaign against the government of Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro. We discuss whether Trump is allowed to take action against Venezuela without wider governmental approval.
And, what would the new ‘Patriot Games’, designed to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, involve?
Justin and Anthony answer your questions on the latest edition of Americanswers…
HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 Presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent
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This episode was made by George Dabby with Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | How many buildings can Donald J. Trump name after himself before the American people get a little bit sick of it? |
| 0:12.0 | Indeed, does he have the right to do it? And how quickly could all the naming be overturned under a new presidency? |
| 0:20.0 | That is one of the questions that Anthony and I have got |
| 0:23.0 | together to answer. Plenty more from you as well. Lots particularly about Venezuela. How legal is |
| 0:29.2 | the action already being taken there? What new congressional hoops might Donald Trump have to |
| 0:35.5 | jump through in order to go further? |
| 0:38.7 | Plus, of course, the endless questions about the way in which the United States is being |
| 0:45.1 | shaped by him, specifically now, regarding a new set of games that he wants to introduce |
| 0:51.1 | next year. |
| 0:52.0 | Welcome to AmeriCast. |
| 0:55.9 | AmeriCast from BBC News. |
| 0:58.9 | When Donald Trump calls, they say, yes, sir. |
| 1:01.2 | Right away, sir. |
| 1:02.4 | Happy to lick your boot, sir. |
| 1:04.2 | We are the sickest country in the world. |
| 1:06.6 | Oh, dear. |
| 1:07.4 | Are you worried that billionaires are going to go hungry? |
| 1:10.2 | Of course the president supports peaceful protest. What a stupid question. |
| 1:13.2 | Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? |
| 1:21.5 | Hello, it's Justin in the worldwide headquarters of Ameriast in London, England. |
| 1:25.7 | And it's Anthony. I am at home in Arlington, Virginia, very close to Washington, D.C. |
| 1:30.4 | Okay, we're not doing our live question and answer session with Matt Chorley because he is on holiday, |
... |
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