
And the president has doubled down on his criticism of Europe.
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Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Has Donald Trump just said the quiet part out loud? Has he told us what he really thinks about Europe?
Donald Trump
I think they're weak, but I also think that they want to be so politically correct. I think they don't know what to do. Europe doesn't know what to do.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
So that was Donald Trump talking to Politico about what he sees as the dangers of European immigration policy. And he went on to call some of those countries weak and decaying. We want to unpack what else he had to say and what all of this means for America's relationships with its traditional allies. What could it mean for NATO? What does it mean for all of us? Welcome to AmericasT.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
AmericasT.
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AmericasT from BBC News.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
When Donald Trump calls, they say, yes, sir, right away, sir. Happy to lick your boot, sir.
Donald Trump
We are the sickest country in the world.
Story Dream Machine Advertiser / Sarah (Casual Speaker)
Oh, dear. Are you worried that billionaires are going to go hungry? Of course the president supports peaceful protests. What a stupid question.
Donald Trump
Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Hello, it's Sarah here. And today I'm actually at home in Georgetown, in Washington.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
And it's Anthony. I'm also at home. Not your home. My home across the river in Arlington, Virginia.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Yeah, not that far away. Now, Anthony, on Monday, we were talking about the new national security paper that has been published by the White House, which has pretty coruscating criticism for a lot of European countries in it. Well, now Donald Trump has given an interview to politicians Politico, and so we've heard from his own lips that kind of criticism as well. And, I mean, he is being very, very harsh about European leaders.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Yeah. He didn't pull any punches. Trump was talking to Politico's Dasha Burns. It was an interview recorded Monday night. It covered a lot of ground, not just on US Security strategy and Europe, but also on health care reform and the economy. We'll get to all of that later in this podcast. But the relevant part was the talk about Europe. Politico had named Donald Trump the most influential person shaping Europe. This is a list that they have been coming out with for decades. But this was the first time.
An American has been named at the top of that list. And Donald Trump. It lured Donald Trump into sitting down for a pretty lengthy interview.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
That's really interesting, isn't it, that it was because he was being awarded this status on their published list that he agreed to do an interview with a publication which he doesn't really like that much. And it did make me think immediately, we've got to just come up with some kind of Americast Peace Prize, like FIFA did, or Most Influential Person in the Universe Americast Award, and then we'll get to run the podcast.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
I think that's a great strategy. We're gonna have to put our heads together and come up with a ghoulish trophy we can give him as well.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
We should concentrate on what he did have to say to Politico once they had scored this interview, because he also made it very clear that on the list of European countries and Europe leaders that he was criticizing so harshly, the UK Is included. And you can tell that when you listen to some of the interview.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
How much should European leaders prepare for your administration to push to reshape the continent's politics?
Donald Trump
Well, Europe is a different place.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
What do you mean by that?
Donald Trump
If it keeps going the way it's going, Europe will not be. In my opinion, many of those countries will not be viable countries any longer. Their immigration policy is a disaster. If you take a look at Paris, it's a much different place. I loved Paris. It's a much different place than it was. If you take a look at London, you have a mayor named Kahn. He's a horrible mayor. He's an incompetent mayor, but he's a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor. I think he's done a terrible job. London's a different place. I love London. I love London, and I hate to see it happen. You know, my roots are in Europe, as you know.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
Right.
Donald Trump
And I hate to see that happen. This is one of the Great places in the world and they're allowing people just to come in and unchecked, unvetted.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
So how involved are you going to get? I mean, could we see you getting involved in European politics?
Donald Trump
I want to run the United States. I don't want to run Europe. I'm involved in Europe very much.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
Might you endorse?
Donald Trump
NATO calls me Daddy. I mean I have a lot to say about it. Look, I raised, you know, the GDP from 2% to 5%. The 2% they weren't paying and the 5% they are paying.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
You know, Sarah, it's sometimes hard to tell when you say these things. Do you intend to send kind of a message of tough love to our allies to push them to make reforms or do you think that many of them are just weak and you don't really want to be allies with them?
Donald Trump
I think they're weak, but I also think that they want to be so politically correct. I think they don't know what to do. Europe doesn't know what to do. I have no vision for Europe. All I want to see is a strong Europe. Look, I have a vision for the United States. America first. It's make America great again. I do explain to Europe because I think, you know, I'm supposed to be a very smart person. I can, I have eyes, I have ears, I have knowledge, I have vast knowledge. I see what's happening. I get reports that you will never see. And I think it's horrible what's happening to Europe. I think it's endangering Europe as we know it.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
So that's Donald Trump making very clear his views on how European countries are in particular running immigration policy. But of course that national security paper also criticized and what they said was censoring free speech and trying to suppress political opposition, particularly on the right wing. Anthony, to what extent do you think Donald Trump is putting Europe on notice that if they don't change, their relationship with America is going to change? Or is this just him expressing his view about what he would do if he was in European leaders positions, but it's up to them how they actually carry on.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Well, with Donald Trump you're never quite sure. I mean, in that same interview he went on to say that he liked the crew that was in charge of Europe at this point and that some of them were very good friends. Some of them he doesn't like, but some of them he's friendly with. But if you pair what he said there with what's in this national security document, I think you do see a picture of the United States, that it's charting a path that's a different direction from Europe. They're warning Europe, if you don't become more like Donald Trump's America, if you don't change your immigration policies, if you don't spend more on your defense, if you don't preserve your cultural heritage. In that document, as we discussed on Monday, was to talk about the danger of Europe becoming majority non European. And if Europe doesn't do that, then the United States will either one look to try to pry off some of the European countries that are more friendly to the United States, countries like Italy and Hungary and Poland. They were named explicitly in the unreleased document, national security document that we've heard reports about. But also then just go without Europe. There was also, in that classified version of the document that wasn't publicly released, there was a proposal to form what's called a core five of world leaders. And that core five that would meet in the same way that the G7 meets is the United States, Russia, China, India and Japan. Sarah, guess, guess who's not on that five.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Wow, that's really, really interesting because that's. Yeah, that's not the same 5 of the UN Security Council, or as you say, in the G7, or whom you would traditionally expect to be partnering with the United States. If that's in the classified section, Anthony, how come you've read it?
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Well, these are reports. It was circulated. Some media outlets have looked at it, have analyzed it. It hasn't been publicly released yet, but it was a longer version before this shorter, unclassified version was released.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Tell you what's really interesting. There are three British Cabinet ministers visiting Washington this week, all on separate trips. Just coincidence that they happen to be here. But of course, there was some nervousness when over the weekend, they read the national security paper being very, very critical of European policy, and they knew that meant the UK as well. They didn't know what kind of reception they were gonna get when they came to meetings with the White House and other senior Trump administration officials. Well, I spoke to one of them yesterday who told me you wouldn't know anything had changed at all, that they're being very warmly received, there are friendly talks and negotiations going on, that they're getting really good access to very senior administration officials, and that any fears they had that there might be some kind of chilling effect from all of this criticism of European countries, and so that you wouldn't have noticed any difference whatsoever when you're dealing with the administration on specific things. If you've got one thing you've come to talk to them about, then they'll engage with you as though the UK still was America's best friend. And this makes no difference. But of course, it could have a wider difference when it comes to, say, foreign policy or even dealing with the US Over Ukraine.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
And this national security document, it's a year plan and it is the first one released at the start of the second presidential term. And then it kind of does set the framework, the goals that this administration has. And maybe we're not there yet, but, you know, if you chart a course in a different direction, you may start in the same place and then after four years, you will see a United States and a Europe that are in two very different places. And I think, you know, you saw when we were listening to that clip, Donald Trump kind of hemmed and hawed about whether he would endorse right wing candidates in Europe. He has in the past, though, in Germany, he endorsed the, the AfD, the right wing party there. And in that national security document, in the publicly released version of, said that the United States would support politicians and parties that would resist the current trajectory of Europe. So I think it's a very explicit threat that the United States is going to start meddling in European domestic affairs. And I can't imagine if the United States does that regularly. I mean, already we're seeing European leaders chafe at that idea in the same way that Americans would be very upset if Europe started endorsing and supporting candidates here.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Yeah, British prime ministers have come out and supported one or other presidential candidate, I mean, albeit from one of the two mainstream parties. But yeah, I mean, views have been expressed about who they would rather see be president of the United States. There was something else in the interview which went a bit further than the national security paper, which was when Donald Trump was talking about Ukraine, he was criticizing European countries who have been trying to intervene on Ukraine's behalf, saying they just do a lot of talking, but they never come up with any serious proposals. But he was also sounding incredibly sympathetic towards Russia and a bit hostile to President Zelensky, who I think would be very worried listening to that interview because he was saying, look, Russia has the stronger hand in negotiations and essentially they're going to win.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
On Sunday, your son, Donald Trump Jr. Responded to a reporter's question about whether you will, quote, walk away from Ukraine. And your son said, I think he may. Is that correct?
Donald Trump
No, it's not correct, but it's not exactly wrong. We have to, you know, they have to play ball if they.
If they don't read agreements, potential agreements. You know, it's not easy with Russia because Russia has the upper hand, and they always did. They're much bigger, they're much stronger in that sense. I give Ukraine a lot of. I give the people of Ukraine and the military of Ukraine tremendous credit for the. The, you know, bravery and for the fighting and all of that. But, you know, at some point, size will win.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Generally, he would say that President Zelenskyy basically had to start accepting some of the proposals that were being put by American negotiators and just accept that he cannot win this war and basically get on board with the American plan, which was, I think, as explicit as we've heard him be since this round of negotiations started about saying, yeah, basically he's going to side with Russia on this, and Ukra just has to accept, well, as he famously said in the Oval Office, that they just don't have any cards to play.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Right. I think this is clearly Donald Trump becoming more. More frustrated by the lack of progress. And when he gets frustrated, he starts to blame Zelensky more than Putin. And that has been kind of the path we've seen over the past year. Every so often, he does take a few swipes at Putin, but when push comes to shove, he seems to think it's Zelensky and the Ukrainians, not the Russians, that are going to have to give some ground and give physical ground, give territory in order to reach some sort of a peace. And in that national security document as well, there was only one mention of Russia. I don't know if you saw that. I mean, Russia was pretty much just kind of glossed over a lot more focus on the Western Hemisphere, on Europe, even more mention of China. I think the only mention of Russia was that some Europeans view Russia as an existential threat without offering any even kind of judgment on whether that's true or not. It's like either, well, the Europeans are worried about Russia and that was it. So I think we probably shouldn't be surprised that the Russian Foreign Ministry came out with a statement after that document was released saying that there was a lot of stuff to build on there and they were kind of happy with the direction that we're showing.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Yeah, yeah. Good week to be in Moscow. Clearly, if you're listening to what Donald Trump's got to say, he was also, I thought, really interesting on some aspects of domestic policy, because he was quite forthcoming in this interview. It felt as though he was offering more detail than you often do. You often get in an interview with him when sometimes it can just all be a lot of bluster. But actually, he was kind of properly engaging with topics, and he was talking about healthcare, which is an ongoing battle in Congress, obviously. And I think potentially a really difficult moment for Republicans in this administration because health care premiums for people who use what's called Obamacare could double, triple, even really quite soon, because the Republicans have not voted to extend government subsidies that were bringing the prices down. How much of an issue do you think this is going to be, Anthony, when this actually happens, when people have to start paying these premiums, is it going to turn people who voted for Donald Trump against the administration?
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Well, it's already turned some of the Republican politicians who have been with Donald Trump through thick and thin against him. Marjorie Taylor Greene obviously had a very dramatic break with Donald Trump, but one of the things she was saying before she announced she was leaving Congress was that ending these health care subsidies was going to hurt the white, rural voters who have supported Trump in the past. That is not just in targeting Democratic constituencies. There are Republicans, poor Republicans, Republicans who, who are benefiting from, from the lower health insurance rates because of these subsidies. And the things that you'll hear from other Republicans who say they want to get rid of them was that these higher levels of subsidies came during the COVID pandemic. They were supposed to be temporary. They weren't supposed to be permanent. So now, after the pandemic's over, they're just sunsetting them away. But I guess once, you know, tens of millions of Americans get used to paying a little less for health insurance, sometimes a lot less for health insurance insurance, to have that taken away rather dramatically suddenly, it can really sting. And that are. That. That's already being felt. There are already Americans getting their invoices, their. Their proposals for how much they have to pay for health insurance for the coming year. Those letters have already gone out in many cases, and they are seeing exactly how bad it is. And I think there will be anger, and the anger will be directed toward the party that's in power, the party that the Americans view as blocking an extension, which at the moment is the Republicans.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
And help us, Anthony, help me, in fact, understand exactly what kind of people we're talking about, because a lot of Americans get health care insurance through their employer, and so they don't end up having to pay a fortune for it. Although, of course, it's terrifying. If you lose your job and you lose your healthcare cover at the same time, who is it who is having to directly purchase their health care.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Well, it's people who either are unemployed or people who are working jobs where they don't get health care, health insurance subsidized by their employers, and even people who work for employers, most, most Americans get their health care that way. They still have to pay some, I mean, in some jobs you pay thousands of dollars a month to insure your whole family, even with your employer taking part of the burden of those payments. But the tens of millions of Americans who, who get health insurance through these government run marketplaces that were set up with the Obamacare health insurance reforms in 2010 that were kind of rolled out in 2011 and 12, those are people who for one reason or another aren't getting health insurance from their employers. They're not old enough to get the Medicare health insurance program, government run health insurance program for the elderly. I think that kicks in. At 65, they are so poor that they can qualify for Medicaid, which is a government subsidized government run health insurance program for the poor. So they're caught somewhere in the middle. And that's a pretty big chunk of the American population because not everyone has jobs. You're working maybe minimum wage jobs, maybe you're working for a job for yourself, you're doing the gig economy, that sort of thing. This is the way you get health insurance to avoid getting caught with major medical bill with no way to pay for it.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
And that's what the whole Obamacare system, that's who it was targeting. But Republicans have always hated it, haven't they? It's always been a long standing Republican promise to get rid of Obamacare, but I've never heard a sort of properly thought out plan of what to replace it with. I think even there's a vote coming up, isn't there, in Congress on Thursday this week about this. But again, it's not clear exactly what kind of healthcare plan they would want to replace it with.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Yeah, what was the thing that Donald Trump said during his debate with Kamala?
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Oh, he didn't have a plan for health care reform, but he had the concepts of a plan. He said in a debate.
Donald Trump
And what we will do is we're looking at different plans. If we can come up with a plan that's going to cost our people, our population less money and be better healthcare than Obamacare, then I would absolutely do it. But until then, I'd run it as good as it can be run.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
So just a yes or no, you still do not have a plan.
Donald Trump
I have concepts of A plan.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
And during his first presidential term, he said that the Republicans were going to have a beautiful health care plan. It was going to come out, I think two weeks maybe. I mean, it was one of those ones where, you know, a big Republican health care plan was always just around the corner. And of course, they never have. Because the challenge is how do you reduce government involvement, government spending on health insurance, but still ensure that health insurance, private health insurance companies, provide the kind of support, the kind of care, the kind of coverage that will allow Americans to be able to afford health care. There's a very real conflict there. That is you can't get around. You have to spend money, you have to regulate in order to keep prices down. If you don't do that, then it's the private sector running. And Americans sometimes make bad choices on health insurance. They pay for ones that may be cheap, but when push comes to shove, they don't get the kind of coverage that they think they have and they end up with huge medical bills. If you want to guarantee things like an access to health insurance, you have to have the government to mandate that. One of the things before Obamacare kicked in was that if you had a preexisting condition, say had some sort of a medical condition and you tried to get health insurance, you could either be denied outright, an insurer would say, we're not going to cover you, you're too expensive, or your rates could go through the roof. And that is one thing that Obamacare changed. So you scrap Obamacare, you're back to that kind of a rough and tumble system where a lot of people went bankrupt because they got sick and they couldn't get insurance, or they got sick and their insurance was canceled and then they had no means to pay for it.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Well, let's listen again to what Donald Trump himself was saying about in this Politico interview with Dasha Burns, where he didn't even seem to, I didn't think, seem entirely clear about what his own proposals were, although they were similar to what you were suggesting there. Let's have a listen.
Donald Trump
What I want to do, very simple, I want to give the money to the people, not to the insurance companies.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
So right now people are buying their holiday presents. They're planning.
Donald Trump
Look, don't be dramatic. No, no, don't be dramatic for next year. I know. And what I want to do is help them. So will they go up? I'm giving them money. I want to give the money to the people to buy their own health care. That's a good thing. Not A bad thing. The Democrats don't want to do that. They want the insurance companies to continue to make a fortune. The Democrats are owned by the insurance companies. They want the insurance companies to get this. Trillions of dollars we spent. We spent trillions of dollars goes to the insurance companies. I want that money to go to the people and let the people go out and buy their own health care. It works like magic. But you know who doesn't want it? The Democrats, because they're corrupt people, because they're totally owned and bought by the insurance companies.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
So at this point, most likely premiums will go up and you will find another.
Donald Trump
Well, your premiums could go down if you did what I want to do. I want to give the money ready. I want to give. I want to give the people better health insurance for less money. The people will get the money and they're going to buy the health insurance that they want.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Yeah, it sounds simple. Will not be, in order to put it into practice. And whilst we're talking about the political harm that this could potentially already be doing, you've got news, Anthony, haven't you, of a couple more special elections that have taken place?
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Yeah, actually, there was one in Miami. It was a mayoral election, it was a runoff election, and a Democrat there comfortably won the Miami mayorship for the first time in 30 years. Now, Miami City, Kamala Harris barely won that last year by about a percentage point. And here the Democrat won by double digits, I think even more than 20%. Also Miami county last year, though, which is the larger county surrounding Miami, Miami Dade. Donald Trump won that last year. So it's a sign that a Democrat, once again focusing on affordability, on local issues, on addressing the high cost of living, the high cost of housing, was able to win in a place where Democrats haven't won. And there's another one, a special election to fill a state House, a state legislature seat in Georgia, and we've talked about Georgia in the past. It's a key battleground state, one that Republicans lost in 2020, but then Donald Trump won in 2024. A Democrat flipped a seat that was held by a Republican that Donald Trump carried last year by 12%. That Democrat won narrowly by about 1, 1.5%, but won that seat. Another pickup for Democrats. And I think it fits with what we're seeing nationwide, which is that during these special elections this year, Democrats have been performing roughly between 10 and 15% better than they did last November. So if there's a seat that Donald Trump Republicans carried By less than 10%, last year, this year they're losing those seats. And if that continues, that trend continues into next year's midterm congressional elections, then you could see Democrats pick up easily enough seats to take back control of the House of Representatives and maybe even put the Senate into play. So yet another warning sign that these affordability concerns, these economic concerns are taking a toll on the Republicans and that if they don't do something to address them, if Donald Trump doesn't do something to address it, they could be in for a very rough year next year.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Now, Anthony, we've talked before about two really big cases that are going to come up before the Supreme Court over the course of the next year or so, which could have a huge impact on what Donald Trump is able to do in office. One of them is about tariffs, but the other one is about birthright citizenship, which something Donald Trump wants to change. In fact, he signed an executive order, didn't he, just as soon as he came into office, saying that just because you were born in the United States no longer means that you would automatically gain citizenship. A lot of people have said, oh, you can't do that, it's unconstitutional. But the court is going to hear a case on that, isn't it?
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Yeah, they've agreed to consider the case. Last week, they just, the end of last week, they announced that oral arguments will take place sometime next year. It hasn't been set yet, a decision I think we could expect at the very end of the Supreme Court term. So end of June, it's going to be obviously closely watched. And as we've discussed before, it's the, it's an amendment to the US Constitution passed after the Civil War that said anyone born in the United States and subject to the laws, the jurisdiction thereof, is a citizen for 100 plus years, 150 years. That's been interpreted as anyone born, born in the United States, except for the children of diplomats, is a citizen, full stop. Donald Trump's trying to change that. And there was an exchange actually between Trump and Dasha Burns in that Monday night interview where they discussed it.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
If the court sides with you and ends birthright citizenship, are you going to try to take away citizenship from people who already have it?
Donald Trump
I honestly haven't thought of that. But I will tell you this. The case is very interesting because that case was meant for the babies of slaves. And if you look at the dates on the case, it was exactly having to do with the Civil War. That case was not meant for some rich person coming from another country. Dropping, putting a foot in our country and all of a sudden their whole family becomes, you know, United States citizens. That case is all about slaves, the babies of slaves. And it was a good reason for doing it. And that's all it was about. And people now are understanding it. It's been explained to them, and I think the court understands it, too. That would be a devastating decision if we lose that case.
Interviewer (Dasha Burns)
That court, you've put it, because our.
Donald Trump
Country cannot afford to house tens of millions of people that came in through birthright citizenship.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Although he did sign an order just as soon as he came into office saying he wanted to end birthright citizenship. Am I right, Anthony, in thinking anybody who is born this year in the United States still does get citizenship? That order's on hold until it's been sorted out by the Supreme Court.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Yeah, the order got put on hold. There was a national stay at first. It got all the way up to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court said, well, no, you can't put it on hold because of the way injunctions are handled by lower court judges. End up another judge put a different kind of stay on there. That one has actually stuck. And so now it's that case that has reached the Supreme Court again. And it is not as clear cut as Donald Trump makes it there. There's a lot of evidence when those amendments, those post civil civil war amendments are passed that the intent was for anyone born on US Soil to be a citizen. It wasn't just talking about the children of slaves. And that has, as I mentioned, that is the way it has been interpreted for over 150 years. So it would be a dramatic departure from the way the courts have looked at that amendment for it to be. For it to be reversed. Although with the Supreme Court, they have shown a willingness to make dramatic departures from past precedents. So I wouldn't think of this as a slam dunk, but it will be. It is going to be a tough case for them to make if they are purely citing the legislative record for these amendments, that direct text of these amendments. And they're gonna have to find a way to make that case that that's not what they really meant.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
It'll be a huge moment as well, whichever way it goes, won't it? Because either you're gonna have the Supreme Court granting a huge amount of power to the president in an unexpected ruling, or you're going to have Donald Trump absolutely furious that the Supreme Court, full of his appointees who have sided with him on so many things, are denying him something on immigration, which he feels very, very strongly about. Yeah. So that's, that's a moment we will certainly be covering in full next year when we get that decision. Because you could hear in that interview how strongly he felt about it, couldn't you?
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Definitely. It's near and dear to him. Immigration always has been. I don't know. What do you think he'd be more furious about a decision that takes away his power to put these tariffs in, which looks like the Supreme Court is going to do. And we could get a decision on that this month, next month, maybe because they're taking it on an expedited basis or going against him on this birthright citizenship case.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
Yeah, there's pivotal moments, both of them, aren't they? And remember, this is the same Supreme Court that did rule last summer that he cannot break the law whilst he's in office. Donald Trump, or indeed any future president, anything he does as president is legal because he did it as president. So this is a court that's been pretty sympathetic to him up until now. But yeah, huge decisions to make, but ones for another day, Anthony, that we will discuss when we hear about this.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Absolutely. We have. A lot of times Supreme Court moves slowly, but obviously these are groundbreaking cases that, as you say, rightfully not just for Donald Trump's power, but for the power of the presidency, full stop.
Sarah (BBC AmericasT Host)
We should probably wrap up here for today's episode, though, and just say bye.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Bye, bye.
Podcast Host
Thank you for listening to another episode. It is you, the ameracaster that makes ameracaster the community that it now is. If you like what you've heard, please do subscribe to this podcast on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. We always want to hear your feedback as well. We look at every single bit of correspondence that we get so you can send us an email. AmericaSTBC.co.uk the WhatsApp is 443-301-239480 and you can get involved in the AmericaST Discord server. The link to that is in the description. Till next time, Bye bye.
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Story Dream Machine Advertiser / Sarah (Casual Speaker)
If you're searching for a gift that creates lasting memories The Story Dream Machine is a wonderful choice. It's perfect for birthdays, milestones, or holidays, and each machine comes with three enchanting stories to start the journey. There's even a white noise nightlight mode, making it a cozy companion for bedtime. Want to make it even more special? Add story collections sold separately and share the tales you cherished from your own childhood. It's a heartfelt way to connect across generations and spark imagination. Get your little one the gift to make their bedtime magical with enchanting stories and even a white noise nightlight mode to keep them cozy while they sleep. The the Story Dream Machine is perfect for birthdays, milestones, or holidays, and each comes with three stories with more story collections available to share your favorite tales. To make it even more special. Sold separately, you'll find the Story Dream Machine at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Costco and LittleTikes.com bring story time to life with the Story Dream Machine.
Pets Best Advertiser
Your pet is your bestie, your therapist, your perfect match. It's easy to love them. It's easy to protect them too, with pet insurance coverage from Pets Best because it's all fun and games until they chew on something they shouldn't and you get a vet bill to match. With perfect timing, Pets Best helps protect your furry friend and your budget from this imperfect world. Get up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills from less than a dollar a day, Pets Best has plans to cover accidents, injuries and more, from puppies and kittens to seniors. Find your Perfect match plan and get a quote@petsbest.com Pet insurance products offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company or Independence American Insurance Company for terms and conditions, visit www.petsbest.com. policy products are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company, Independence American Insurance Company or Ms. Transverse Insurance Company and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC. $1.00 a day premium based on 2024 average new policyholder data for accident and illness plans. Pets age 0 to 10.
AutoTrader Advertiser
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Story Dream Machine Advertiser / Sarah (Casual Speaker)
Intelligence hey, this is Sarah. Look, I'm standing out front of a.m. p.m. Right now and well, you're sweet and all, but I found something more fulfilling, even kind of cheesy. But I like it. Sure, you met some of my dietary needs, but they've just got it all. So farewell oatmeal. So long, you strange soggy.
AutoTrader Advertiser
Break up with bland bright breakfast and.
Donald Trump
Taste AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese.
Anthony (BBC AmericasT Co-host)
Biscuit made with K tree eggs, smoked.
Donald Trump
Bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit.
AutoTrader Advertiser
Am PM too much good stuff.
Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Sarah Smith, Anthony Zurcher (BBC)
Guest Interviewer: Dasha Burns (Politico)
This episode dives deep into Donald Trump’s recent Politico interview, where he discusses his views on Europe, the US's relationship with NATO and European allies, and, crucially, the future of healthcare reform in America. The Americast hosts, Sarah Smith and Anthony Zurcher, break down Trump’s comments, examine the White House’s latest national security paper, and analyze current domestic policy turmoil around healthcare and healthcare subsidies. Special attention is given to the internal Republican debate over Obamacare and Trump’s elusive promises for reform.
Notable Quote:
"If it keeps going the way it's going, Europe will not be. In my opinion, many of those countries will not be viable countries any longer. Their immigration policy is a disaster."
— Donald Trump (04:20)
Critical Assessment:
Notable Quote:
"At some point, size will win."
— Donald Trump, referring to Russia’s advantage over Ukraine (12:17)
Notable Insight:
Anthony clarifies who is most affected — people not covered by employer insurance or not poor enough for Medicaid, a substantial middle-class and working-class slice (17:18).
Notable Quotes:
"I have concepts of a plan."
— Donald Trump (19:43)
"What I want to do, very simple, I want to give the money to the people, not to the insurance companies."
— Donald Trump (21:37)
Host Commentary:
Sarah wryly notes, “Yeah, it sounds simple. Will not be, in order to put it into practice.” (22:52)
Notable Quotes:
“That case was not meant for some rich person coming from another country... That case is all about slaves, the babies of slaves.”
— Donald Trump (26:45)
“NATO calls me Daddy.”
— Donald Trump (05:17)
“I have concepts of a plan.”
— Donald Trump, regarding healthcare (19:43)
“They want the insurance companies to get this. Trillions of dollars we spent. We spent trillions of dollars goes to the insurance companies. I want that money to go to the people and let the people go out and buy their own health care. It works like magic.”
— Donald Trump (21:41)
“If Donald Trump doesn't do something to address it, they could be in for a very rough year next year.”
— Anthony Zurcher (24:45)
The tone is incisive, slightly skeptical, and at times wry, with the hosts blending sharp policy analysis with accessible explanations. Trump's own language is colorful, often hyperbolic, but revealing in its directness: his “America First” focus, disdain for European leadership, and lack of specifics on healthcare all paint a familiar, if still unpredictable, portrait.
The episode provides a clear sense that—on the world stage and at home—Trump remains a disruptive force, full of big statements but light on detailed solutions, especially in the vital area of healthcare. As the clock ticks on Obamacare’s future and Supreme Court cases loom, Americast leaves listeners primed for major political battles ahead.