
American Friction
Does what’s going on in American politics scare and bemuse you? Want to know what Trump is up to, without pulling your hair out? Then you need American Friction, the UK podcast about US politics – from the makers of Oh God, What Now? and The Bunker.Every Friday and Monday, we unpack the big issues, speak to leading experts and talk with blockbuster commentators from the United States to explain the latest news and the big issues with hosts Jacob Jarvis (ex-Newsweek), Chris Jones (Podmasters) and Nikki McCann Ramirez (Politics Reporter at Rolling Stone). Support us on Patreon, to get ad free and bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction
Latest episodes

Jul 14, 2024 • 60min
Trump shooting: What comes next?
The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump has left America shaken, more fractured than it already was, and confused. In the aftermath of the shooting of the former president, at a rally in Pennsylvania, the world’s focus has been dragged to the USA. We discuss what we know, what we don’t, how to talk about something this momentous, and where we go from here. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis, from Paper Cuts and Oh God, What Now?, and Chris Jones, The Bunker, talk through the initial fallout in this extra episode, which doubled as a group therapy session. Follow us on social media: TwitterInstagram TikTok• The Pension Confident Podcast from PensionBee aims to improve listeners’ understanding of personal finance – whether that’s helping you to navigate the cost of living crisis, exploring the impact of your relationship status on your finances or discussing how to teach kids about money. Listen to the latest episode here: https://link.chtbl.com/FSF2Yu6yWritten and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 12, 2024 • 1h 4min
Clooney Tunes: The Presidential race gets weirder – Plus, can the Supreme Court ever be fixed?
George Clooney (aka the worst Batman) wants President Biden out. This week: The pressure for Biden to step down from running for office intensifies within his own party and donors. Who’s got his back and who simply wants to see the back of him? Plus, can the Supreme Court be fixed? Chris and Nikki speak to Michigan University law professor and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, Leah Litman. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.Follow us on social media: TwitterInstagram TikTokWritten and presented by Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 5, 2024 • 1h 6min
Trump’s Supreme Court victory - Plus, why do so many Christian voters support a convicted felon?
The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: The US Supreme Court has voted to give the president partial immunity from criminal prosecution. That is music to Donald Trump’s ears who’s facing more charges in the coming months. What does this change, and does it mean a president can now assassinate an opponent and get away with it? Plus, former advisor and speech writer for George W. Bush, Peter Wehner, joins the panel to discuss why he could never vote for the GOP whilst Trump is at the helm.Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.Follow us on social media: TwitterInstagram TikTokWritten and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 28, 2024 • 1h 7min
Biden's election debate horror show – plus the global events voters care about most
Did you see that ludicrous display last night? This week: President Biden came out bruised after a brutal debate with Trump. How badly will his performance damage his election hopes? Plus, Nikki and Chris are joined by Politico’s senior foreign affairs correspondent, Nahal Toosi, to find out how the War in Gaza, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the threat from China is impacting how people might choose to vote come November.Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.Follow us on social media: TwitterInstagram TikTokWe are streaming LIVE on election night! Come and join your favourite panellists from Oh God, What Now?, The Bunker and Paper Cuts on YouTube from 10pm on Thursday 4th July as we react to the results live - you won't want to miss it. Visit https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow and subscribe now.Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 21, 2024 • 1h 3min
The Trump vs. Biden brain battle – plus, what the hell is a ‘cheap fake’?
The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump is taking aim at Biden’s cognitive abilities – while showing his own shortcomings in the process. Who’s winning the battle of the brains? Plus, as weird clips of each candidate spread across the internet, media reporter Justin Baragona joins us to discuss the ‘cheap fake’ trend. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.Follow us on social media: TwitterInstagram TikTokWritten and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 18, 2024 • 1h 6min
Does Hunter's conviction hurt Joe Biden's campaign? – plus, why the American media is f*cked
The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Joe Biden’s son Hunter has been found guilty on felony charges – how will the GOP weaponise this? And will it work? Plus, we discuss Trump vs. sharks and electricity and other assorted weirdness. Then Jeff Jarvis, author of The Gutenberg Parenthesis and voice behind the BuzzMachine blog joins to discuss the state of the US media landscape and how this will shape voters’ decisions. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest from the campaign trail. Follow us on social media: TwitterInstagram TikTokWritten and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 5, 2024 • 55min
Guilty verdict sends Trump world loco – plus, right-wingers fight themselves
The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump’s guilty verdict sends his supporters totally off the deep end as they call for violence. We discuss the craziness and how more ordinary Americans have reacted too. And, the Freedom Caucus is full of drama – we explain the right-wing Mean Girls. Plus, election denial and why covid conspiracies still matter. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.Follow us on social media: TwitterInstagram TikTokWritten and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 31, 2024 • 1h 4min
Trump trial verdict: Don found guilty on 34 charges — plus, is abortion 2024’s key election issue?
The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election – and explaining the nightmare to a British audience. This time: Trump becomes a convicted felon – guilty on all 34 charges. What a time to be alive. So, what does it mean for the election? Plus, Laura Kusisto of the Wall Street Journal joins us to talk about how abortion is the biggest issue for voters in 2024.Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.Follow us on social media: TwitterInstagram TikTokWritten and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 24, 2024 • 59min
How to p*ss off Trump, with The Lincoln Project — plus, Nikki Haley loves Don, Biden gets nasty and more court drama
The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election – and explaining the nightmare to a British audience. This time: There’s more court drama, with Trump’s trial and Supreme Court chaos. Plus, Biden on the attack – going harder at Don than we’ve seen so far. And, Nikki Haley is backing Trump now, what a surprise. Plus, Reed Galen – former Republican campaign operative and co-founder of The Lincoln Project joins to discuss how the group takes on the former president and get right inside his head. Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics. Follow us on social media: Twitter Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 17, 2024 • 55min
The Trump vs Biden TV debates are GO – Plus “Satire IS the opposition,” says boss of The Onion
The US Presidential Election explained for Brits. This time: The Biden-Trump TV debates are on at last. Will America’s most hotly-anticipated showdown deliver useful argument (fat chance) or a new low in WWE politics? Plus: Trump team tries to paint prosecution witness Michael Cohen as a liar, Steve Bannon might be going to jail (yay) and Farage says the Don has offered him a job (what?).And special guest Ben Collins, CEO of the original satirical news site The Onion, on why comedy is the real powerhouse of opposition in American politics. With Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramírez of Rolling Stone. Follow us on social media: TwitterInstagram TikTokWritten and presented by Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Productionwww.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices