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American Friction

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

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 weeklyEpisodes190Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryPolitics

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Artwork for American Friction

Latest Episodes

Donald Trump has posted thousands of times on his social media platform Truth Social in just a few months, usually cranking out double figures of posts a day. Danielle Kurtzleben from NPR has analysed a massive stack of these to see what Trump’s obse... more

Donald Trump keeps insisting he “doesn’t care” — about Iran, Americans’ finances, or even the midterms. Nikki, Chris and Jarv discuss whether the president is growing tired of the job he fought so hard to win, and why Trump is suddenly talking up pot... more

YouTube

America is in a crisis, but that doesn’t mean it’s beyond saving. Reverend Professor Keith Magee, chair of The Guardian Foundation, joins Jarv to discuss how empathy could help to reset the United States.

Back us on Patreon – we need your help to ke... more

YouTube

Trump says he’s perfectly healthy — but does anyone believe him? And will we ever know the truth? Chris and Jarv are joined by podcast favourite Casey Burgat to unpack Trump’s latest medical report, the details it left out, and the growing obsession ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Casey Burgat
Best friend of the podcast, contributor providing political insight
Academic/Policy expert (as introduced)
Episode: Trump’s dodgy health – Will we ever know the truth?
Adam Serwer
award-winning journalist who writes for The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Trumpy no mates – The destruction of America’s reputation
Peter Wehner
Contributing writer at The Atlantic and senior fellow at the Trinity Forum
The Atlantic; Trinity Forum
Episode: Trump vs. God! – Who's going to win that argument?!
Kate Knibbs
Senior writer at Wired, specializing in prediction markets, media, and AI
Wired
Episode: Trump's secret scandal? – Insider trading explained with Kate Knibbs from Wired
Mike Duncan
Host of Revolutions podcast; author
Revolutions podcast, author of The Storm Before the Storm
Episode: ‘Trump is the most stupid leader in history’ – with Revolutions host Mike Duncan
Julian E. Zelizer
Professor of History and author of The Presidency of Joseph R. Biden, A First Historical Assessment
Princeton University
Episode: Inside the downfall of a president – From Biden to Trump
Juliet Jeske
Founder of Decoding Fox News
Decoding Fox News
Episode: How Fox News became Trump’s state media channel
Jason Zengerle
Author of Hated by All the Right People and New York writer
New York Magazine / author
Episode: Is Tucker Carlson the next president?
Beth Silvers
Co-host of Pantsuit Politics
Pantsuit Politics
Episode: Has Trump changed what 'America' means?

Hosts

Jacob Jarvis
Host of American Friction; introduces topics and guides discussion; has been described as the show's host with strong analytic framing; occasionally cited as ex-Newsweek.
Chris Jones
Co-host; provides analysis and asks questions; part of presenting hosts with dynamic banter.
Nikki McCann Ramirez
Co-host; politics reporter at Rolling Stone; key contributor to analysis and guest conversations.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 820 ratings
  • No longer following

    Has been fun and informative, but the episode on March 30th 2026 contained statements which I profoundly disagreed with, which were accepted without challenge.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    markmash
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Friction hits the spot.

    A funny, irreverent but informative look at the disaster that is the Trump Presidency and that of his corrupt administration.

    It’s laugh out loud funny with informed and intelligent discussion. The chemistry of the three main presenters and Simon makes the show.

    Worth a listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Fat Fryer
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • One sided? Which is probably fine.

    From the episodes I’ve listened to, this is a one sided, Trump hating campaign but I guess that’s fine. I mean it’s not the bbc so it doesn’t have to be impartial.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    HazzaHbomb
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Best news podcast

    Podcast Addict
    5
    huggermugger
    4 months ago
  • Trumps Legacy

    Can we start a euphemism ? When anyone tells a lie you just say “he/she’s such a Trump” or “stop telling Trumps” spread the word make this his only legacy that endures

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    disgruntled 707
    Australia5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value the mix of serious analysis and engaging banter that keeps episodes accessible.
Critiques often target perceived bias or pacing in intro segments, but praise the host chemistry and guests.
Fans highlight the cross-Atlantic lens as a useful frame for understanding US politics.
Some feedback notes the banter can feel excessive, but the quality depth remains a core strength.
Audience appreciates the sharp, informed discourse and strong guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#39
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#132
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#200
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#161
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#216
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#62
Denmark/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trumpy no mates – The destruction of America’s reputation
Q: What do you think is the most damning example of trashing an ally by this Trump administration?
Adam Serwer argues that the upending of trade relationships via tariffs and the coercive rhetoric toward NATO allies are among the most egregious, with Greenland and the implied threats toward Canada illustrating the depth of distrust and transactional diplomacy under Trump.
Trump's secret scandal? – Insider trading explained with Kate Knibbs from Wired
Q: What actually is insider trading? Can you give us a summary of it?
Insider trading is the act of using non-public material information to make trades, which is illegal and enforced by the SEC and DOJ, with examples ranging from corporate stock trades to newer areas like prediction markets.
‘Trump is the most stupid leader in history’ – with Revolutions host Mike Duncan
Q: How would you define your interpretation of an empire?
An empire is a state with a large territorial reach and hegemonic influence economically, politically, and culturally, typically with a central metropole extracting resources from periphery regions and accruing wealth in the center.
Is Tucker Carlson the next president?
Q: Who is Tucker Carlson, today, and what defines his current position within MAGA and American politics?
Carlson is described as a movement leader with a long trajectory from traditional journalism to a strategic, influential role within MAGA, aiming to direct the movement rather than merely report on it, and leveraging his platform to shape loyalty and policy through close ties to Trump and other allies.
Will Donald Trump get impeached again?!
Q: Can you explain what impeachment actually means and what happens if someone is impeached?
Impeachment begins in the House with a majority vote to bring charges; then the Senate holds a trial, and a two-thirds majority is required to convict and remove from office. Even then, a subsequent vote could bar future office-holding, but presidents have only rarely been removed.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Frequently Asked Questions About American Friction

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

A sharp, witty take on US politics from a UK perspective, this show blends brisk analysis with candid banter. Episodes frequently tackle Trump-era dynamics, foreign policy, media bias, and the implications of policy decisions, often featuring expert guests who illuminate complex topics for a broad audience. The chemistry among the three regular hosts—combining skepticism, humor, and accessible explanations—helps make dense political topics approachable, with a steady stream of notable guests from journalism, academia, and think tanks. This mix of incisive analysis and lively discourse is a standout, and the show often bridges cross-Atlantic perspectives to explain why American politics matters globally.

Noteworthy is the willingness to tac... 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 190 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. Casey Burgat
2. Adam Serwer
3. Peter Wehner
4. Kate Knibbs
5. Mike Duncan
6. Julian E. Zelizer
7. Juliet Jeske
8. Jason Zengerle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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