Americast Who's Running America… Trump's Health Secretary (RFK Jr)
Our latest mini series is here and this time we're profiling some of the key players in Donald Trump's presidency, who are now running America.
We're ending the series with Robert F Kennedy Jr., the new Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has been tasked with making America healthy again - an appointment which came as a surprise to some, given that he's been accused of supporting the anti-vaccination movement and spreading misinformation.
Spurning a democratic dynasty and risking a family rift to embrace Trump's administration, his aim now is to end the 'chronic disease epidemic'. But who is he? And will Americans be any healthier with him in charge?
Marianna is joined by Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times Health Correspondent and Clare Malone, Staff Writer at The New Yorker to find out who RFK Jr. really is and why he was appointed.
We also hear from Del Bigtree, who was RFK Jr.'s Communications Director during his brief Presidential run, who tells us he's an 'amazing guy' who loves nature and walking barefoot.
HOSTS: Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent
GUESTS:
- Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times Health Correspondent
- Clare Malone, Staff Writer at The New Yorker
GET IN TOUCH:
• Join our online community: https://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
This episode was made by Keiligh Baker and Chris Flynn with Marianna Brain, Catherine Fusillo and Joe McFadden. The technical producer was Phil Bull. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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: https://www.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 The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. 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.
The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r
Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl
Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NBC News
4 days ago
- NBC News
Palantir CEO Karp says AI is dangerous and 'either we win or China will win'
Palantir CEO Alex Karp said the artificial intelligence arms race between the U.S. and China will culminate in one country coming out on top. 'My general bias on AI is it is dangerous,' Karp told CNBC's ' Squawk on the Street ' on Thursday. 'There are positive and negative consequences, and either we win or China will win.' Karp has been a vocal advocate for U.S. AI dominance. He told CNBC in January that the country needs to 'run harder, run faster' in an 'all-country effort' to develop more advanced AI models. In a recent letter to shareholders, he also touted Palantir's commitment to equipping and enhancing U.S. defense interests. The billionaire tech CEO said Thursday that the U.S. currently has a leg up in the AI race and Palantir is leading the way in making companies more secure and efficient with its tools. 'There is no economy in the world with this kind of corporate leadership which is willing to pivot, which understands technologies, which is willing to look at new things, but also has deep domain expertise,' he said. 'Our allies in the West, in Europe, are going to have to learn from us.' Shares of the Denver-based data analytics and AI software firm outperformed in 2024 and have continued their ascent in 2025 as investors bet on their software and work with key government contractors and agencies. The stock is up 74% this year, but investors have to shell out on a higher earnings multiple than its tech peers. 'You don't like the price, exit,' Karp said Thursday in response. Karp also asserted that the company is 'not surveilling Americans' in response to recent New York Times report that Palantir is helping the Trump administration gather data on Americans.


New Statesman
5 days ago
- New Statesman
Why is Trump shilling crypto?
If there's one thing that the president loves, it's money. Recently, Trump has turned his attention to crypto – going into business with his sons and also launching $TRUMP and $MELANIA memecoins. But while this is one of Donald Trump's latest passion projects, it joins a long, long list of business ventures over his lengthy career. A story that in reality involves a long list of failed business ventures, tax evasion, and multiple bankruptcies. So how has Donald Trump manage to fail upwards for more than half a century? And who pays the price when he does? Katie Stallard is joined by Russ Buettner, investigative reporter at the New York Times and co-author of Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump squandered his father's fortune and created the illusion of success. Subscribers to the New Statesman can listen ad-free in our app. Download it on iOS or Android. Not a regular podcast listener? Read our guide on how to listen to New Statesman Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related


BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Men jailed after crack cocaine worth £30k seized in Northants
A man has been jailed for 14 years after £30k worth of class A drugs were seized at a storage facility and a pub than 80 wraps of crack cocaine which Karl Williams, 29, intended to sell in the Corby area of Northamptonshire were found in a rented Maciness, 32, who was used by Williams as a drugs runner, was sent to prison for four Police said the sentences "reflect the gravity of their offending". The activities of Williams, of no fixed address, were investigated as part of Operation Firebrand, which focused on the organised supply of class A drugs in Insp Carrie Powers, from Northamptonshire Police's serious and organised crime team, said: "The investigation identified that Williams was involved in the supply of cocaine, using the aliases and identities of other people to rent accommodation and to transfer money earned from his crimes."It was obvious Williams was living beyond his means and this was as a result of the significant amount of drugs he was supplying." Four police operations led to "significant" seizures of cocaine, cash and high-value was arrested three times throughout the took place in several places, including a storage facility in April 2023 and a pub outbuilding in November A drugs worth up to £30,365 were recovered. Williams and Maciness were both charged with being involved in the supply of Class A drugs and Williams was also accused of offences under the Proceeds of Crime pleaded guilty to all the charges and Williams was sentenced to 14 years in jail at Northampton Crown Court on 30 also of no fixed address, received a four-year Insp Powers added: "Everyone involved in this investigation has shown complete dedication and professionalism in securing the convictions of these two men and I am glad that the sentences given reflect the gravity of their offending." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.