Before we get started, dear Americano listeners, I would like to bring your attention to the next

Americano Live event. The last one was a huge success, and we anticipate this one will be as big,

if not bigger, to get all Trumpy about it. It's Americano Live's Trump's first 100 days.

I will be hosting it, and I will be joined by the great Lionel Shriver.

We will be talking about all things Trump.

There's a hell of a lot to cover, but we'll do our best to cover the lot.

Do join us.

It's at the Emanuel Centre on Wednesday, the 30th of April.

And the discussion, according to the blurb here the

discussion starts at 730pm book your tickets at spectator.co.uk forward slash Shriver

which is spelled S-H-R-I-V-E-R as I'm sure you already knew. Please come.

Hello and welcome to the Americano podcast, a series of discussions about American politics,

power and prejudices. It is 2025 and Donald Trump is president once again of the United States.

We will, of course, be following the moves of the Donald and his second administration very closely.

However, it won't just be politics for us this year. We'll also talk a lot and cover American culture,

life and the arts. I should also remind you, because my producer Natasha will not let me hear

the end of it, that we are on Spectator TV. So head to our YouTube channel to watch that.

Hello and welcome to the Americano show.

Today we are going to be talking about Pete Hegseth, the Defence Secretary, who appears to be

under threat.

His job appears to be under threat after a very difficult week for him in which quite a few

of his top staff have been removed,

...