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
What is behind Albania’s so-called ‘Flamingo Revolution’, and why has Jared Kushner found himself at the centre of it? Freddy Gray 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
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 writer, 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 Gray is joined by James Johnson, co-founder of JL Partners, 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
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Americano
Freddy Gray 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
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Americano
Freddy Gray 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.
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Americano
Freddy Gray 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 defence industry quickly enough. They also discuss China’s
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% of the votes counted in the Michigan primaries. Freddy Gray speaks to Alex Castellanos who has written a piece for Spectator World 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 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 you would prefer). But
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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 Whitehouse. They also
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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 returned 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 humour, 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 Gray is joined by The Times 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 may
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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 Gray and Owen
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Americano
As Americans 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
Play 37 mins
Americano
Gavin Newsom has spent the last two years building a national profile for himself beyond his controversial leadership of California as its Governor. But is he equipped to take on the challenges that would be faced by a presidential run in 2028, that go beyond the left-wing political bubble of the Golden State? Freddy Gray
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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 Gray speaks to Spectator columnist, Roger Kimball, about how Trump plans to deal with the radical left, the lawlessness of New York under Mamdani, and how artificial intelligence is changing politics. Learn how to
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Americano
Vice President JD 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 Gray speaks to Stanford Professor Victor Davis Hanson about MAGA foreign policy,
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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
Freddy is joined by Daniel McCarthy, US columnist for The Spectator and the editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review. They discuss the US-Iran peace deal, whether a lasting peace is possible in the region, and what’s at stake for Iran and leaders in the Persian Gulf.
Play 22 mins
Americano
Farm bankruptcies in the US have risen by 50 percent in the past year. Soybean farmers lost an average of $100 per acre in 2025, according to the Department of Agriculture, while corn growers are set to lose $150 per acre this year. Meanwhile, the national beef herd is at its lowest level since 1950
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Americano
Freddy Gray is joined by Cenk Uygur after he and Hasan Piker were banned from entering Britain. They discuss free speech, debate Cenk’s position on criticising Israel, Britain’s censorious turn, and what the Henry Nowak case reveals about policing and anti-racism.
Play 50 mins
Americano
Freddy Gray is joined by JL Partners pollster James Johnson to discuss America’s polls: what the election results mean, why immigration has become a problem of the Republican’s success, Trump’s popularity with the Latinos & why Kamala Harris could still be the Democratic candidate 2028.
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Americano
Freddy Gray is joined by Sarah Beth Spraggins to discuss her piece on Usha Vance, the wife of JD Vance who could be in line to be the next First Lady.
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Americano
Freddy Gray is joined by Nate Soares, president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, to discuss the risks posed to humanity by AI. Warning that sufficiently intelligent AI may stop following human instructions entirely, Soares tells Freddy what, if anything, could keep AI from spiralling out of control.
Play 42 mins
Americano
Congressman Thomas Massie, one of the most vocal Republican critics of Donald Trump lost his fight for re-election in Kentucky to a Trump-backed challenger. Freddy Gray is joined by Spectator contributors Daniel McCarthy and Christopher Caldwell to discuss where Thomas Massie went wrong, how corruption centred around the campaign, whether or not Trump’s success is
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Americano
After Trump visited Xi Jinping last week, Putin is now expected to meet the Chinese leader in Beijing. Freddy Gray speaks to Francis Pike about these meetings, and Francis makes the case that despite the Iran war, America – thanks to Trump – remains the global super power. Also on the podcast, they discuss Modi’s
Play 35 mins
Americano
Freddy Gray speaks to Jacob Heilbrunn about China, Trump & America’s foreign policy.
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