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The Economist’s new election forecast says Donald Trump is slightly favoured to beat Joe Biden. The race is a rematch, with voters knowing more about the candidates than in any election in generations. But after slip-ups in recent years, how reliable are the polls? With five months to go, what can we say with confidence about the likely outcome of the election?John Prideaux hosts with Jon Fasman and Adam O’Neal. The Economist’s Dan Rosenheck and Owen Winter also contribute.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

In four of the past six presidential elections, Wisconsin has been won by a single percentage point. As Donald Trump's lead in the Sunbelt widens, Wisconsin's importance for Joe Biden has grown. What does the Badger State tell us about the forces that will decide this election in Wisconsin, and other swing states?Charlotte Howard hosts with Jon Fasman and Idrees Kahloon. Charles Franklin of Marquette University Law School and The Economist’s Daniella Raz also contribute.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsGet a world of insights—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Narendra Modi is one of the most popular politicians on the planet. India’s prime minister is eyeing a third term atop the world’s biggest democracy. A tea-seller’s son, Mr Modi began life an outsider and the man behind the political phenomenon remains hard to fathom. India has become an economic powerhouse during his ten years in charge. But he’s also the frontman for a chauvinistic Hindu nationalist dogma. Can Mr Modi continue to balance both parts of his agenda and finish the job of turning India into a superpower? The Economist’s Avantika Chilkoti finds out what makes him tick. Launching June 2024.To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

In 2022 the Supreme Court gave control of abortion back to “the people and their elected representatives.” This November will be the greatest test yet of what that means. Democrats are running hard on the issue and as many as 16 states will vote directly on abortion. A grassroots movement has sprung up to defend reproductive rights. Will this fight decide the election? And what will the results mean for women’s ability to have an abortion? Charlotte Howard hosts with Sacha Nauta and Idrees Kahloon. Mary Ziegler of the University of California, Davis, and The Economist’s Stevie Hertz and Daniella Raz also contribute. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsGet a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden are campaigning against a global backdrop of rising authoritarianism. Each candidate has accused the other of trying to destroy American democracy. But what are the constraints on the presidency, whoever holds the office? This week we consider whether the checks and balances the founding fathers put in place are still fit for purpose. Could a president tilt the country toward dictatorship?Charlotte Howard hosts with James Bennet and Idrees Kahloon. Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice and The Economist’s John Prideaux also contribute. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsGet a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Just over half of Americans live in a state with legal recreational weed. Now, the Department of Justice is recommending the drug be reclassified on a federal level. Legalisation amounts to a massive experiment for public policy, entrepreneurs and consumers. Is it a rolling success? Or will it leave states and investors high and dry?Charlotte Howard hosts with James Bennet and Idrees Kahloon. Daniel Sumner of the University of California, Davis, legal weed entrepreneur Beau Allulli and The Economist’s Daniel Knowles also contribute. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsGet a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

America's national debt now exceeds $34 trillion. The budget deficit–inflated by having to pay interest on all that debt–has averaged 9% of GDP over the past five years. Does that spending threaten America’s economy? And why do so few politicians seem to care?Charlotte Howard hosts with Adam O’Neal and Idrees Kahloon. Doug Elmendorf, the Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School, and The Economist’s Simon Rabinovitch also contribute.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Student protests and encampments have mushroomed across America. Some students fear for their safety and more than 2,000 people have been arrested, as police in riot gear clear campuses. What do these protests mean for free speech, and what impact will they have on November’s election? Charlotte Howard hosts with James Bennet and Idrees Kahloon. The Economist’s Daniella Raz and John Prideaux also contribute.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

For months, a big foreign-aid deal looked like it was going nowhere in the House of Representatives. Now $95bn of support is heading out the door. How did the bill get through? What does it mean for Ukraine and for American leadership in the world?Charlotte Howard hosts with James Bennet and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Adam O’Neal and Anton La Guardia. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

A jury has been selected in Donald Trump's criminal trial in Manhattan. The case has been criticised as flawed and partisan, but of the four indictments against Mr Trump, it may be the only one to produce a verdict before the election. Now the trial is underway, what should one make of it? And what difference could a guilty verdict make?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. Jed Shugerman of Boston University and The Economist’s James Bennet and Kennett Werner also contribute.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Six months after the October 7th attacks, the once solid alliance between America and Israel is beginning to fray. Joe Biden has called Binyamin Netanyahu’s approach in Gaza “a mistake”. But what does the Biden administration want right now? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by Aaron David Miller of The Carnegie Endowment and The Economist’s Anshel Pfeffer.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

While America’s focus has been on the presidential election, the race for Congress is even more volatile. With razor-thin majorities in the House and the Senate, both chambers might flip in November. What does that mean for governing? And how will the outcomes of these elections shape the next presidency?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Aryn Braun and Jessica Taylor from The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

This week: something a little different. The team answers a selection of questions sent in by our listeners, on topics ranging from climate policy to the Supreme Court and their dream jobs in the federal government. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

An article from The Economist read aloud. This week, our Lexington columnist argues that all involved in the drama should check their righteousness. 

In the run-up to November we’ll be checking in on the voters who will decide the presidential election. Hispanics are the largest and fastest-growing of America’s ethnic minorities which, given most vote Democratic, should help Joe Biden. But Donald Trump is gaining ground. Could Latino voters hand Trump the presidency?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Daniella Raz, Arturo Vargas from NALEO and Republican political consultant Mike Madrid. Thank you to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for the use of some of the audio in this episode.

It’s not long since America was widely thought to be on the brink of recession. Instead the economy expanded by 3% in 2023, and continues to defy expectations. But why aren’t voters happier with Joe Biden’s economy? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Simon Rabinovitch and Neale Mahoney, professor of economics at Stanford University. Thank you to the William J. Clinton Library and the UVA Miller Center for some of the audio used in this episode. Sign up for a free trial of Economist Podcasts+. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

An article from The Economist read aloud. In 2020 Oregon voted to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of hard drugs. The state legislature has just passed a measure reversing that law.

In polls, two-thirds of Americans say they are “tired of seeing the same candidates in presidential elections,” and only a quarter are satisfied with the two-party system. Some politicians are trying to take advantage, both with and without a party’s support. They’re not going to win the election–so what’s the attraction? And could they play spoiler for the main parties?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s James Astill, Adam O’Neal and Daniella Raz.

A mere 28% of New Yorkers think Mayor Eric Adams is doing a good job—the lowest approval rating since residents were first asked to rate their mayor in the 1990s. Are the challenges facing New York City intractable, or is Eric Adams just handling them badly? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Rosemarie Ward, and Nicole Gelinas from The Manhattan Institute.Do you have a question you’d like the team to answer in an upcoming episode?  Email it to podcasts@economist.com.Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.