Does the US need new laws to protect elections?
Americast
BBC
4.3 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 29 May 2026
⏱️ 32 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
US presidents have always told lies. Richard Nixon famously lied to Congress over his knowledge of the Watergate scandal while Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives after declaring that he did not have “sexual relations” with Monica Lewinsky.
How much does the American public care about politicians lying and could a new law stop it from happening?
In today’s Americast, Justin and Sarah speak to a former federal prosecutor who wants to hold politicians accountable if their lies damage democracy. Andrew Weissman played a major role in former FBI director Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, and now believes the US should bring in laws to protect elections from lies.
HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 Presenter
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This episode was made by George Dabby with Tom Gillett, Grace Reeve and Oscar Pearson. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, music radio podcasts. |
| 0:07.0 | On Newscast, we are not in the business of telling you how to think. |
| 0:11.5 | We get the brightest minds from across the BBC to chat through the biggest stories. |
| 0:16.1 | You should leave feeling smarter about all the bonkers things in the news. |
| 0:19.7 | Listen to newscast every day on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:23.2 | American presidents have always told lies. |
| 0:25.7 | Think of Richard Nixon and Watergate. |
| 0:27.5 | Think of Bill Clinton and sex. |
| 0:29.5 | The current president says plenty of things, well, without evidence, |
| 0:33.6 | and plenty fear that it is becoming acceptable for politicians on both sides to spread falsehoods. |
| 0:40.7 | So does it matter? |
| 0:42.0 | How much do Americans care? |
| 0:43.7 | And is there a solution that might hold lawmakers accountable for the lies that they tell in office? |
| 0:50.2 | Welcome to AmeriCast. |
| 0:53.8 | AmeriCast from BBC News. |
| 0:57.1 | You hear that sound? |
| 0:58.2 | Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. |
| 1:02.0 | We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it. |
| 1:06.2 | This is a big cover up, and this administration is engaged in it. |
| 1:09.6 | This guy has Trump Arrangement Syndrome. |
| 1:11.8 | I have four words for you. |
| 1:15.1 | Turn the volume up. |
... |
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