Why aren’t Democrats more popular, given the president’s low approval ratings in significant areas such as the economy? And what do Americans really think of Donald Trump?

In this special episode of Americast, recorded live at Maida Vale studios in London for Castfest (celebrating some of the BBC’s best loved news podcasts) we look at recent polling for both Donald Trump, and the Democrats. Why has the president lost support, and how worried should the Republican party be, given the possibility of losing control of Congress in November’s midterm elections?

Justin, Sarah, Anthony and Marianna also hear why former Trump loyalist Tucker Carlson who is now apologising for helping to get Donald Trump elected, and the wider impact this may have on Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) base.

We also take a closer look at polling for the Democrats and why the party is not more popular. What should Democrats be doing ahead of the presidential election in 2028 to increase their support?

00:00:00 Trump is unpopular in the US
00:01:10 What’s driven Trump’s polling collapse?
00:03:00 Trump’s MAGA backlash online
00:05:11 Tucker Carlson’s apology
00:08:04 How social media changes the presidency race
00:12:43 Is Trump losing his base?
00:15:29 Are the Democrats unpopular?
00:18:31 Is there a leader of the Democrats?

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#BBCNews

source

We ask the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams about the strategy behind President Donald Trump’s Project Freedom – a plan for US forces to guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

On Tuesday, the US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said the US had established “a powerful red, white and blue dome” of defence over the Strait as a “gift to the world”, and that two American commercial ships had already made the crossing.

There is growing concern that the operation could jeopardise the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. US Central Command has said that since the start of Project Freedom, the Iranian military has fired at American naval and commercial ships. Iran has also resumed firing missiles at the United Arab Emirates, and is suspected of targeting a South Korean cargo vessel anchored in the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington’s top general, Dan Caine, has said that the latest Iranian attacks have fallen below the threshold of restarting major combat operations, but that American forces were ready to resume such operations.

New episodes of the Global News Podcast are published twice a day. You can listen here: https://link.mgln.ai/GNP-YT

And you can find more of our Youtube episodes here: https://bbc.in/GlobalNewsPodcast

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#bbcnews #Iran #straitofhormuz #Trump #Hegseth #IranWar

source

Two people have been stabbed in Golders Green in north London after a man with a knife was seen running down the high street, attempting to stab Jewish people in the area.

Shomrim, the Jewish community security organisation, said they responded immediately and detained a suspect.

They said police then arrived and Tasered a man who has been arrested.

The victims are being treated by Hatzola, whose ambulances were set on on fire across the road from today’s incident last month.

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#BBCNews

source

US President Donald Trump has urged Iran to “get smart soon” and sign a deal with the US, following days of deadlock in efforts to …

source

The Lebanese health ministry says at least 13 people, including four women and a child, have been killed in Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon.

Elsewhere, President Trump says he’s not happy with the latest peace proposals Tehran has reportedly submitted to mediators in Pakistan.

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#BBCNews #lebanon #iran #israel

source