Are the Democrats ready to win back Congress?

Are the Democrats ready to win back Congress?

Author: BBC News April 3, 2026 Duration: 38:59

Excitement has been building among some Democrats after the party won a special election in Florida last week in a district that includes Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach. This win, along with several others recently, suggests the party may have the momentum heading into November’s midterm elections, when they’ll be looking to reclaim control of the House, and possibly even the Senate. Despite the optimism, some Democrats are cautious about the party’s progress as frustration builds over internal divisions within the party.

In today’s episode, Justin and Sumi sit down with key Democratic adviser Jim Messina, who was deputy chief of staff to Barack Obama and the mastermind behind his successful 2012 presidential campaign. He gives his thoughts on how the party needs to approach the midterm elections and the main contenders to take over leadership of the party.

Presenter: Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter and Sumi Somaskanda, BBC chief presenter Producer: Emma Close with Alix Pickles and led by George Dabby Technical producer: Mike Regaard Senior news editor: Sam Bonham

Get in touch: * Join our online community: discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB * Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 * Email Americast@bbc.co.uk * Or use #Americast

If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.

You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.

Newscast: bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd Top Comment: bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm


Trying to make sense of American politics can feel like navigating a maze. Americast, from BBC News, cuts through the noise with a perspective that’s both grounded and far-reaching. You’ll hear from seasoned correspondents like the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, and presenter Justin Webb, who bring decades of experience to the conversation. This isn’t just a recap of headlines; it’s about understanding the forces shaping the United States, from the granular details observed on the ground to the wider historical and social currents at play. The team delves into everything from election campaigns and policy debates to the complex role of disinformation and social media, offering clarity on the stories that define the nation week to week. Relying on the BBC’s global network of journalists, this podcast provides analysis that connects local events to their international significance. For anyone looking to move beyond the soundbites and gain a more nuanced view of American government and society, tuning into this weekly discussion offers a valuable and authoritative resource.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Americast
Podcast Episodes
Inside Mamdani’s campaign to be mayor of New York City [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:43
Voting starts on Saturday for one of America’s biggest and most prominent political positions. How did Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, emerge as the frontrunner to be the next mayor of New York, despite being vir…
Does Trump really want to invade Venezuela? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:51
Why is Donald Trump intent on targeting Venezuela, and what’s really behind the continued targeting of boats in the Carribean Sea? The U.S. military began attacking vessels in early September, and have maintained - witho…
Can Trump silence the press? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:45
A major row has erupted between the US defense department and the journalists that cover its work after a memo was issued last month requiring journalists to accept a new set of reporting restrictions or face being barre…
The battle for the soul of the Democratic Party [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:05
Since losing to Donald Trump in last year’s presidential election, Democrats across the U.S have been working behind the scenes to change the party’s image and its policies. In places like New York, Zohran Mamdani has le…
Trump's new plan for America's top universities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:35
There is a new deal on the table for universities in America. After months of fighting with the Trump administration over funding cuts, free speech and allegations of elitism and racism, the new deal is being offered to…
Can Trump turn a Gaza ceasefire into a lasting peace deal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:00
There was an extraordinary moment at the White House on Wednesday when, in front of reporters, secretary of state Marco Rubio handed Donald Trump a note that read the words “very close”, followed by a whisper where he to…
Americanswers… on 5 Live! Is Chicago really a ‘war zone’? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:30
Donald Trump’s mission to target Democrat-led cities has expanded to Illinois after the Texan National Guard arrived on Tuesday at an army base near Chicago. Troops were sent with the blessing of Texas Governor Greg Abbo…