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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
Iran
Jeffrey Epstein
Political Violence
Russia
Ukraine
Venezuela
Qanon

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 weeklyEpisodes197Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Artwork for American Friction

Latest Episodes

America has been a tumultuous place in recent years. Justin Glawe has been at the frontline of much of that chaos, covering carnage and unrest across the United States. He joins Chris to discuss what he’s learned from reporting on turmoil across Amer... more

YouTube

Trump is at odds with the Senate and tearing apart members of his own party. How will this temper tantrum play out? Nikki and Jarv discuss.

Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch.

We’re now ... more

The UFC spectacle at the White House showed a new level of trashy corruption from Trump. Why did he do it and why does he love the man behind the UFC, Dana White, so much? Jack Crosbie, senior writer at Rolling Stone, joins Chris and Jarv to discuss.... more

Trump has signed a deal agreeing to get a deal to end the war in Iran. He’s claiming a major victory, but it’s clearly a capitulation. Nikki, Chris and Jarv discuss.

Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra b... more

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Recent Guests

Jack Crosbie
Rolling Stone senior writer who covered the UFC event in question
Rolling Stone
Episode: How Dana White became Trump’s best friend
Andy Kroll
ProPublica reporter and returning guest
ProPublica
Episode: Is Russell Vought the most powerful man in America?
Danielle Kurtzleben
White House correspondent on NPR's Washington Desk
NPR
Episode: What Trump’s Truth Social posts tell us about him
Keith Magee
Reverend Professor, Senior Fellow and Visiting Professor of Practice in Social Policy at University College London
University College London
Episode: Fixing America – Why the world shouldn't give up on the United States
Adam Serwer
award-winning journalist who writes for The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Trumpy no mates – The destruction of America’s reputation
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

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 828 ratings
  • Advert

    Not even listened, but I find their adverts so intensely grating. The forced laugh at the end, the idea that anyone’s confused by the idiocy in the US, frankly the idea that any foreigner gives enough of a f about the US for a dedicated podcast? Dear lord…

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ryan Brodie
    New Zealand3 days ago
  • 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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom5 months ago
  • Best news podcast

    Podcast Addict
    5
    huggermugger
    5 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.

Apple Podcasts
#56
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#146
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#130
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#200
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#202
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#102
Hong Kong/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Dana White became Trump’s best friend
Q: Jack, first up then, what was the atmosphere like at the event?
The atmosphere on the South Lawn was strange and hushed, not typical UFC energy, as attendees were mostly businesspeople and politicians rather than UFC fans, with even notable figures like Mark Zuckerberg in attendance.
What Trump’s Truth Social posts tell us about him
Q: How should journalists cover Trump's Truth Social activity without getting bogged down in post-by-post fact-checking?
She suggests finding a balance: don't ignore the posts, but don't try to fact-check every single one; instead, look for patterns, topic clusters, and the broader impact on politics and policy, such as how posts influence supporters and negotiations.
What Trump’s Truth Social posts tell us about him
Q: What motivated you to count the 2,000 posts and how do you determine what's important to cover?
Kurtzleben explains that counting provides a structured way to move beyond psychoanalyzing individual posts and instead assess which topics consistently appear and how they align with Trump's messaging strategy, such as endorsements and election-related posts.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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 197 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. Jack Crosbie
2. Andy Kroll
3. Danielle Kurtzleben
4. Keith Magee
5. Adam Serwer
6. Kate Knibbs
7. Mike Duncan
8. Julian E. Zelizer

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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