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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
Jeffrey Epstein
Russia
Venezuela
Ukraine
China
Political Violence
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 weeklyEpisodes223Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for American Friction

Latest Episodes

Donald Trump does not know what’s going on with artificial intelligence but he does know it might make him money. Jeff Jarvis, author of Hot Type and mega media expert, joins Jarv to discuss the White House’s wild approach to A.I. and what it means f... more

YouTube

Trump used to bang on about free speech but clearly he doesn’t give a sh*t about it. Just how draconian has the president become? Jarv and Nikki discuss.

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

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Canada’s Mark Carney is sticking it to Trump, what can we learn from him? Chris and Jarv ask Drew Fagan, professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.

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

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YouTube

Trump has been told no he can’t attack mail-in voting how he wants and he is predictably angry. Nikki, Chris and Jarv discuss.

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

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Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Jacob Weisberg
Author of Profiles in Cowardice, A Study of Collaboration in the Trump Era
Author, Book discussion guest
Episode: Trump’s enablers – Who else is to blame for this mess?!
Eric Lichtblau
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, author of American Reich, A Murder in Orange County, Neo-Nazis and A New Age of Hate
Author and journalist
Episode: Trump and the neo-Nazis – How the president revived a crisis
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?

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 862 ratings
  • Ads

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TBilly16
    United Kingdoma month 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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdoma month ago
  • Review

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Tristan1987245
    Australiaa month 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
#50
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#69
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#172
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#249
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#138
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#249
Italy/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump and the neo-Nazis – How the president revived a crisis
Q: I would imagine those original Nazis felt some need to somewhat keep their heads down. When did people start to find it acceptable to be so publicly facing as Nazis?
Original Nazis tried to stay discreet for decades, but the neo-Nazi movement grew in visibility from the 1960s onward, with modern forms becoming highly public in recent years as groups seek attention to spread their propaganda and intimidate opponents.
Trump vs. Geography
Q: How serious are the tariffs against Canada for states like Michigan?
Tariffs are expected to raise prices, hurt affordability, and complicate cross-border supply chains, making it harder for states reliant on Canadian trade to meet economic expectations.
Trump vs. Geography
Q: Why do you think Trump uses provocative maps and renamings?
It's a classic distraction tactic designed to redirect attention from pressing economic and policy concerns by triggering nationalistic sentiment and steering conversations toward symbolic issues.
Trump vs. Geography
Q: What was your reaction to Trump's $5,000 per citizen bribe offer on stage?
It was a shocking display of bribery in the open, and the panel notes that such promises would likely violate multiple statutes and undermine democratic norms, though the legal mechanism isn't fully explained on air.
Trump’s enablers – Who else is to blame for this mess?!
Q: What could—or should—these institutions have done differently in the first term to prevent a second term of similar dynamics?
He argues for stronger, unified institutional resistance across media, law, and higher education, emphasizing principled stands and collective action rather than piecemeal concessions.

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 223 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. Jacob Weisberg
2. Eric Lichtblau
3. Peter Canellos
4. Hassan Piker
5. Natalie Harp
6. David Uberti
7. Casey Michel
8. Abdel Al Sayed

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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