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American Friction

Podmasters
Donald Trump
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Trump Administration
Kamala Harris
Elon Musk
Trump
American Politics
Congress
Tariffs
US Politics
Iran
Immigration
Joe Biden
Jeffrey Epstein
Russia
Venezuela
Political Violence
Ukraine
China

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 t... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes217Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for American Friction

Latest Episodes

Hate crimes carried out by Neo-Nazi Americans are on the rise. Why? And do white supremacist groups feel like they now have an ally in the White House? Eric Lichtblau is aPulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of the book American Reich: A Murd... more

YouTube

Trump and his cronies are trying to target their opponents in the best way they know how – racism! Nikki and Jarv discuss the fallout around Abdul El-Sayed and how weird the right are being.

Back us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/AmericanFricti... more

YouTube

America’s Supreme Court has been taken over by conservatives, and Samuel Alito is one of the most powerful of all. As a member of The Federalist Society, how did he rise to this position and how did this group seize such a vice grip of America’s lega... more

Trump is running out of mates everywhere as he goes on tariff tirades and has his offers of help in the midterms rejected. Nikki joins Jarv and Chris to discuss how his power is fading.

Back us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction

F... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Peter Canellos
Author of Revenge for the Sixties, Samuel Alito and the Triumph of the Conservative Legal Movement
Author
Episode: America is lurching right. Is this man to blame?
Hassan Piker
Twitch streamer and political commentator
Independent/Moderate progressive circles
Episode: Everybody hates Trump!
Natalie Harp
Political commentator
Trump-aligned networks
Episode: Everybody hates Trump!
David Uberti
Wall Street Journal reporter
Wall Street Journal
Episode: Inside Trump's Truth Social swindle
Casey Michel
Author of The United States of Oligarchy
Author, The United States of Oligarchy
Episode: Musk, Kushner and China – How oligarchs are selling out America
Abdel Al Sayed
Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan, epidemiologist and public health advocate
Michigan politics
Episode: Inside Trump’s plot to jail Fauci
Maurice Isserman
Professor of American History at Hamilton College and author
Hamilton College
Episode: Will Trump’s communism rampage work?
Angelo Carusone
Chairman and President of Media Matters
Media Matters for America
Episode: Trump’s election lie machine explained – with Media Matters president Angelo Carusone
Nikki McCann Ramirez
Journalist and guest on the topic of ICE killings
Rolling Stone
Episode: ICE killings: A new normal in Trump’s America

Hosts

Jacob Jarvis
Host of the show, guides discussion and topic introductions; ex-Newsweek background.
Chris Jones
Co-host and producer, provides analysis and questions; various affiliations include Podmasters and American Friction.
Nikki McCann Ramirez
Host and Rolling Stone journalist, politics reporter guesting on episodes.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 852 ratings
  • Ads

    Most irritating advert I’ve ever had the misfortune to listen to. Fold the podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TBilly16
    United Kingdom15 days ago
  • Horrific ads everywhere

    For the love of all that is holy please stop paying to distribute these obnoxious ads with the horrendous fake laughing at the end.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    uwuwuwuwu777
    United Kingdom16 days ago
  • Genuine regular UK listener

    Great (if not slightly depressing based on current state of USA) insight and funny bants

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    N8_hu
    United Kingdom18 days ago
  • Excellent & Entertaining Political Podcast

    Highly recommended. Honest & humorous political news which I really enjoy and look forward to listening to every week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ChPieri
    United Kingdom19 days ago
  • Review

    I’m sure it’s great but the ad for it is really annoying

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Tristan1987245
    Australia20 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Adverts are a frequent point of critique for a portion of audiences.
Many find the historical context and expert guests particularly valuable for understanding US politics.
Some listeners criticize excessive banter or perceived bias in coverage.
A number of listeners appreciate the hosts' chemistry and sharp commentary.
Listeners praise the show for its informative, entertaining analysis and strong guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#46
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#72
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#186
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#233
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#147
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#66
Indonesia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Everybody hates Trump!
Q: What is Trump's main strategic aim with the tariffs against Canada, and how might Canada respond?
The hosts suggest Trump is testing pressure tactics to gain leverage, while Canada is considering retaliatory measures and deeper economic diversification to reduce exposure, including government support for small and medium businesses and potential long-term supply chain realignments.
Inside Trump's Truth Social swindle
Q: Why do hedge funds want to keep their involvement secret? Is it just PR or fear of broader disclosure?
Uberti suggests that hedge funds likely want to avoid public scrutiny and reputational risk, preferring to keep their trades and involvement discreet, especially given potential legal or regulatory challenges if the arrangement is deemed unlawful.
Inside Trump's Truth Social swindle
Q: Could Trump be breaking any laws technically here? What is the legality around this in terms of the jurisdiction there?
The discussion notes ongoing inquiries from Congress and lawsuits arguing constitutional questions; while insider trading laws are technically in play, regulators have largely been hands-off so far, and there is debate about whether this creates an unfair advantage or an unconstitutional privilege.
Inside Trump's Truth Social swindle
Q: David, let's do the very basics first. How much is Trump charging here for this access? And what exactly do people get? Sort of how early is early?
Uberti explains that Truth API launched recently and provides a millisecond or two head start on posts from top Truth Social accounts, notably Trump. Firms are being charged between $60,000 and $100,000 per month per client, with potential annual revenue in the tens of millions as more firms come on board.
Inside Trump’s plot to jail Fauci
Q: Why might Trump and his allies pursue a public indictment even if the legal case is weak?
The motive appears to be political posturing aimed at signaling to his base and to the right-wing media ecosystem that he is taking action, even if there isn't a strong case, as a way to reinforce his ongoing narrative and keep the issue alive in public discourse.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About American Friction

What is American Friction about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show provides sharp, witty analysis of American politics from a UK vantage point, mixing deep dives into policy, media dynamics, and high-profile political moments with accessible banter. Episodes frequently feature historians, journalists, and policy experts to unpack topics like oligarchy, election denial, media consolidation, and U.S. governance, often tying current events to broader historical context. A notable strength is bringing in guests with varied expertise—from professors to journalists—to illuminate complex issues while keeping the discussion lively and listener-friendly. Potential listeners who enjoy informed, sometimes skeptical takes on U.S. politics with a humorous British perspective should find it engaging; those see... more

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Which podcasts are similar to American Friction?

These podcasts share a similar audience with American Friction:

1. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
2. Oh God, What Now?
3. This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
4. Quiet Riot
5. Origin Story

How many episodes of American Friction are there?

American Friction launched 2 years ago and published 217 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on American Friction?

Recent guests on American Friction include:

1. Peter Canellos
2. Hassan Piker
3. Natalie Harp
4. David Uberti
5. Casey Michel
6. Abdel Al Sayed
7. Maurice Isserman
8. Angelo Carusone

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