What does Donald Trump want from his UK state visit?

Americast

Wednesday, 17 September 2025 - 36 minutes

As King Charles welcomes Donald Trump to Windsor, England for the US president’s second state visit to the UK, what should we be expecting from the trip? Sarah joins Justin and Marianna from Windsor to unpack how divisions over Gaza, Ukraine and tariffs might be dealt with, and what would constitute a successful trip for both countries. The team also discuss potential flash points for both the UK PM Keir Starmer and Donald Trump, particularly over the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the sacking of the UK’s ambassador Peter Mandelson. Also, in the aftermath of the assassination of conservative influencer, Charlie Kirk, the Americast team discuss whether the Trump administration is clamping down on America’s first amendment protection of free speech. The US attorney general Pam Bondi has told Americans they will “go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech” and the US Vice President JD Vance has suggested targeting people critical of Charlie Kirk by reporting them to employers. How might this stance be viewed by Donald Trump’s MAGA base who fiercely believe in free speech? HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America Editor
• Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent GET IN TOUCH:
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