Podcast
The next chapter in American politics has begun, but is it going to be any less crazy? The Spectator’s Americano podcast delivers in-depth discussions with the best American pundits to keep you in the loop. Presented by Freddy Gray.
The next chapter in American politics has begun, but is it going to be any less crazy? The Spectator’s Americano podcast delivers in-depth discussions with the best American pundits to keep you in the loop. Presented by Freddy Gray.
Americano
Freddy and Jacob Heilbrunn examine reports of growing chaos and internal briefing wars within Donald Trump’s White House, diving into chief of staff Susie Wiles’s position, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s missteps and the political strategy surrounding potential Democratic impeachment efforts.
Play 26 mins
Americano
Freddy speaks with University of Chicago international security scholar Professor Robert Pape about his book, Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Face of Violent Populism, exploring how demographic transformations, widening wealth inequality, and the normalization of political violence across the political spectrum are intersecting to pose a profound internal threat to American democracy and
Play 32 mins
Americano
Freddy speaks with Spectator columnist Christopher Caldwell about the ten-year legacy of Donald Trump since his 2016 election victory, assessing his second administration’s high-water marks alongside the recent political and personal controversies that Caldwell argues have eroded voter trust, unraveled his populist appeal, and raised sharp questions about the future of the conservative movement.
Play 31 mins
Americano
In this episode of Americano, Freddy hosts a debate between Daniel McCarthy of the Heritage Foundation and Robby Soave of Reason magazine to examine whether libertarianism has effectively died as a vital political force or remains quietly triumphant through tech deregulation, AI innovation and unprecedented levels of individual freedom.
Play 45 mins
Americano
Freddy speaks with Dr. Edward Howell, an Oxford University lecturer in international relations, about the high-stakes summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, examining Beijing’s strategic desire for global parity, its covert role in enabling an anti-Western alignment alongside Russia, Iran and North Korea, and the escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan, trade and economic coercion.
Play 29 mins
Americano
In this episode of Americano, Freddy speaks with former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci about his new book All the Wrong Moves, breaking down the systemic failures driving American populism, the economic fallout of foreign conflicts and rising national debt and his sharp critique of Donald Trump’s political strategy and economic policies.
Play 44 mins
Americano
In this episode of Americano, Freddy speaks with Steve Bannon – former White House chief strategist for Donald Trump – about the ideological convergence between national populists and progressive leftists as they confront the existential risks of unbridled AI, the suppression of internal whistleblower warnings by Silicon Valley elites, and the urgent necessity of cutting
Play 23 mins
Americano
Freddy is joined by Michael P. Gibson, co-founder of the 1517 Fund, to discuss the weekend’s warnings about AI catastrophe from Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, Elon Musk and others, and the Trump administration’s insistence on a light touch. Freddy and Michael discuss why Michael thinks the warnings should be read alongside Anthropic and OpenAI’s plans to
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Americano
Freddy is joined by Representative Randy Fine, the Republican congressman for Florida’s 6th district, to speak about his viral post, calling for a four-state solution for the United Kingdom. The post which parodies a popular pro-Palestinian chant, “From the river to the sea,” targeted the British government’s fresh sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West
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Americano
What is behind Albania’s so-called “Flamingo Revolution,” and why has Jared Kushner found himself at the center of it? Freddy is joined by Ian Thomson to discuss Kushner’s controversial plans to build luxury resorts on Albania’s coastline, the protests they have sparked, and the country’s long-running battles over land and property. They also explore Albania’s
Play 19 mins
Americano
Is Pete Hegseth positioning himself for a 2028 presidential run….or is he on the verge of being fired? The Spectator’s Sarah Beth Spraggins joins Americano to discuss the Secretary of War’s future, his loyalty to Trump, and the growing questions over his handling of the Iran war. They also explore Hegseth’s evangelical faith and Washington
Play 19 mins
Americano
Gus Carter is joined by Owen Matthews, The Spectator‘s Russia correspondent, to discuss John Ratcliffe’s unannounced trip to Moscow, where the CIA director met Russia’s foreign intelligence chief but not Putin. Owen runs through the possible reasons: Iran, a suspected Russian provocation against NATO, and the stalled peace process. They also discuss the sabotage campaign
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Americano
Freddy is joined by James Johnson, co-founder of JLPartners, on why the midterms are looking increasingly grim for the Republicans. Trump’s approval is trending down, the war is dragging on it, and James expects differential turnout to hand the Democrats the House, possibly with more than 230 seats. Freddy and James discuss why a Senate
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Americano
Freddy is joined by Andrew Cockburn, Washington editor of Harper’s magazine, to discuss the state of the US Navy as the USS George Washington arrives in the Arabian Sea to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, whose crew have sent home photographs of blocked lavatories, rotting rations and sailors who have lost a stone or more.
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Americano
Freddy is joined by Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of the National Interest and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, for a tour around the houses of Trumpworld. Karoline Leavitt has resigned as White House press secretary, officially to spend more time with her young family, and Washington is busy deciding whether to believe it. Freddy
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Americano
Freddy speaks to physicist and Spectator contributor Steve Hsu about the uncomfortable realities of modern warfare. Why are cheap missiles and drones so difficult and expensive to intercept? Freddy asks Steve about just how depleted America’s missile stocks are, and if the West can rebuild its defense industry quickly enough. They also discuss China’s dominance
Play 25 mins
Americano
The left-wing insurgent Abdul El-Sayed is slightly ahead of the establishment-backed congresswoman, Haley Stevens, with more than 90 percent of the votes counted in the Michigan primaries. Freddy speaks to Alex Castellanos who has written a piece for The Spectator explaining why the DSA’s success could be a triumph for Trump, how they reflect a
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Americano
Gus Carter is joined by Peachy Keenan to talk about the end of Hollywood as we know it. They discuss how the traditional Hollywood business model is faltering, overtaken by the rise of streaming giants. They also highlight how these platforms, initially seen as the new frontier for film, are now grappling with their own
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Americano
Gus Carter is joined by Geoffrey Cain to speak about the ongoing developments in Chinese AI, and how it stacks up to its American rivals. Gus and Geoffrey talk about the emergence of Kimi K3, and how Chinese models will become inherently more competitive to global audiences, not just those the United States. They also
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Americano
As Gianni Infantino pursues a new future for FIFA, Matt McDonald is joined by Vanity Fair senior editor Jack Holmes to discuss whether the FIFA President is turning into Donald Trump. Just weeks after the end of a highly controversial World Cup, Infantino plans to shake up the foundations of global football (or soccer, if
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Americano
Freddy Gray is joined by Ben Judah, a former Labour Special Advisor to discuss the new government’s outlook on foreign affairs. Freddy and Ben examine how Andy Burnham’s appointment of Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary will shape the way Britain builds on its special relationship with the United States and the Trump White House. They
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Americano
Freddy Gray is joined by David Weigel to discuss the Democratic primary battle taking place in Michigan between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens. Freddy and David examine how the contest has become a proxy for the wider battle over the Democratic Party’s future, pitting the Obama-era moderates against the ascendant progressive left. They discuss how
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Americano
On Sunday, Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly having just return from a trip to Ukraine. It is believed he suffered from a sudden heart problem. Spectator contributor Daniel McCarthy reflects on Graham’s political career which was heavily involved in foreign policy, his relationship with Trump and sense of humor, plus how Lindsey Graham represented the
Play 30 mins
Americano
Both Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe have been in the America, telling the political elite all about Britain’s demise. Freddy is joined by the Times of London’s Washington editor Katy Balls to discuss how the right-wing insurgence in British politics translates to an American, the difference between how the online right, versus a typical Republican,
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Americano
As the NATO summit in Ankara draws to a close today, it wouldn’t be a Donald Trump summit without a few shocks. The ceasefire between the US and Iran has collapsed, and Trump has branded the Iranians “scum.” But what does this mean for NATO and the rest of the world? Freddy and Owen Matthews
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Americano
To mark the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, Anthony Scaramucci joins The Spectator to provide his assessment of the health of the nation. As we approach the halfway point of the second Trump presidency, what’s his impact been on America’s reputation? Will the Democrats’ attempts to emulate Trump help or hinder them?
Play 37 mins
Americano
Gavin Newsom has spent the last two years building a national profile for himself beyond his controversial governorship of California. But does he have what it takes for a presidential run in 2028, something that would take him far outside the left-wing political bubble of the Golden State? Freddy speaks to Christopher Rufo, author of
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Americano
After success in the New York Democratic primaries for far-left candidates, President Trump says “the game is on. Enjoy Watching.” Freddy speaks to Spectator columnist, Roger Kimball, about how Trump plans to deal with the radical left, the lawlessness of New York under Zohran Mamdani and how artificial intelligence is changing politics. Learn how to
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Americano
Freddy is joined by Ken Silva, author of The Trump Assassination Plots and editor of Headline USA. They discuss the mysteries around Trump’s assassins, how they came so close to killing him, and whether or not it was an inside job. Learn how to earn yield on gold, paid in gold, at Monetary-Metals.com/Americano
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Americano
Vice President J.D. Vance is returning from the Swiss Alps having concluded the opening phase of the Iran talks with a view to achieving a peace deal. Are critics right to claim that the whole war has been a humiliation for America? Freddy speaks to Stanford professor Victor Davis Hanson about MAGA foreign policy, the
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