The Big Republican Debate Preview with Jake Tapper

As the last Republican presidential hopefuls try to qualify for the opening debate of the primary in Milwaukee next week, Donald Trump is deciding whether to turn up or to surrender to a court in Georgia. Jake Tapper, who has moderated election debates for CNN, joins the Americast team to explain what they are like behind the scenes and how this one could play out.HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondentGUEST: • Jake Tapper, CNN anchor and author GET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #AmericastFind out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Alix Pickles and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Gareth Jones and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 0:04 – Republican debate bingo 3:18 – Will Trump turn up? 12:17 – Jake Tapper

Om Podcasten

Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC. Join us for the latest insights and analysis on what's happening inside Donald Trump's White House. Listen on BBC Sounds. Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now. The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher. As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from the BBC’s Undercover Voters, our award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media. The team is also joined by special guests each week, like CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, Emmy Award-winning TV host, Rachel Maddow, and Succession actress, J Smith-Cameron. Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as being a podcast, we are also available every Friday night on BBC Radio 4 and every weekend on the BBC News YouTube Channel and also BBC News TV Channel. Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from special guests, including Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department for Homeland Security during the Trump presidency before becoming a whistleblower. That programme is broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live too. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at Americast@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. By the way, you can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say ‘”Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers. See ya’ll later...