Has Trump given up on the midterms?
Americast
BBC
4.3 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 15 April 2026
⏱️ 30 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Donald Trump is losing public support over the war in Iran, but how much does the president care? He said in a recent interview with Fox News that gas prices may be “a little bit higher” but has downplayed fears that high prices could cost Republicans at the midterm elections. With the U.S naval blockade in full swing - and Iran threatening to stop shipping in the Gulf in retaliation - the president’s latest assertion that the war is “very close to over” may be optimistic.
In today’s episode, Justin and Sarah discuss China’s involvement in the blockade, the mood amongst Republicans and whether the president will be able to convince voters in November that short-term pain is worth it for long-term national security. And, reports are emerging that four Senate races may fall in favour of the Democrats, including battles in Georgia and North Carolina, two states that Donald Trump won in the presidential election. Can the Democrats keep up their momentum later in the year?
HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor
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This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. 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 | BBC Sounds, music radio podcasts |
| 0:04.5 | Newscast is on the face of it, a podcast about the news. |
| 0:11.2 | But it's also perhaps the world's most athletic podcast, |
| 0:14.0 | we have BBC correspondents dashing in and out, |
| 0:16.3 | ready to give us a deeper understanding of the biggest stories of the day. |
| 0:19.9 | Thankfully, we let them catch their breath before we actually start recording the podcast. |
| 0:24.2 | Listen to newscast every day on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:27.8 | Donald Trump says the Iran war is very close to over. |
| 0:30.3 | He mentions talks expected in the coming days. |
| 0:32.8 | But with the naval blockade in full swing, Iran is now itself threatening to stop shipping in the Gulf |
| 0:39.5 | if the US doesn't back down. |
| 0:42.0 | Is Donald Trump in the mood to back down? |
| 0:44.6 | The Republican Party is nervous. |
| 0:46.9 | Gas prices are high. |
| 0:49.1 | Can he afford for the war to go on? |
| 0:51.7 | Welcome to AmeriCast. |
| 0:55.5 | AmeriCast from BBC News. |
| 0:58.5 | You hear that sound? |
| 0:59.6 | Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. |
| 1:03.4 | We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it. |
| 1:07.6 | This is a big cover-up, and this administration is engaged in it. |
| 1:10.9 | This guy has Trump Arrangement Syndrome. |
... |
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