Caitriona Perry, BBC News Chief Presenter and US election night coverage host, joins fellow presenter Sumi Somaskanda. They delve into the intense final week of the US election campaign, spotlighting Donald Trump's controversial rally remarks and Kamala Harris' strategic venue choice. Daniel Sandford, the BBC's UK correspondent, updates on the troubling Axel Rudokubana case, now with terrorism charges. The discussion captures the charged atmosphere of the election and its implications for democracy.
The contrasting campaign strategies of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump reflect their approaches to shaping narratives and voter turnout ahead of the election.
The Washington Post's controversial decision to refrain from endorsing a candidate underscores the contentious intersection of journalism and politics during an election period.
Deep dives
Remote Voting Insights
The episode highlights the experience of remote voters participating in the American elections while residing outside the U.S. It features various individuals, like Jefferson from Edinburgh, who successfully submitted his mail-in ballot while visiting family in Maryland. Another example includes Maddie in London, whose son, an American citizen, registered to vote in Illinois despite never having lived there. These narratives illustrate the challenges and unique circumstances faced by Americans abroad in exercising their voting rights.
Campaign Strategies and Events
The podcast delves into the contrasting campaign events held by presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Harris's rally location is particularly symbolic, as it echoes the site of Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021, presenting an opportunity for her to frame him as a threat to democracy. At the same time, Trump is addressing concerns from the Puerto Rican community in Pennsylvania following offensive comments made during a rally. Both candidates are actively seeking to solidify their messages in the lead-up to Election Day, amidst a backdrop of high voter turnout and early ballots.
Media Influence and Endorsements
A significant point of discussion is the Washington Post's decision not to endorse a candidate in the upcoming election, igniting controversies among media professionals and readers alike. The decision prompted backlash, including resignations and cancellations from subscribers, stirring debate on journalistic impartiality during pivotal election periods. Even notable figures like Woodward and Bernstein expressed disappointment over the timing and impact of this choice. This situation raises questions about the role of media endorsements and their influence on public perception during elections.
The Power of Celebrity in Politics
The episode also explores the influence of celebrity endorsements in political campaigns, particularly focusing on Beyoncé's appearance at a rally supporting Kamala Harris. While her presence electrified the crowd, it highlighted the phenomenon of attendees being more drawn to the celebrity than the candidate. Furthermore, the discussion touches on the strategic implications of using high-profile figures to galvanize voter support, as well as the mixed outcomes of such events. This trend reflects a growing intersection between entertainment and politics in modern electoral strategies.
Today, we look at the final week in the US election campaign.
Adam is joined by BBC News Chief Presenters and hosts of the BBC’s US election night coverage Caitriona Perry and Sumi Somaskanda. They discuss the final week, Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden - including a comedian guest’s controversial remarks about Puerto Rico - and Kamala Harris’ choice of venue for her ‘closing argument’ event on Tuesday evening.
And, Adam speaks to UK correspondent Daniel Sandford about how the teenager accused of murdering three young girls in Southport has been given two further charges, one of which is a terrorism charge.
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Anna Harris and Gemma Roper. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode