Americanswers on 5 Live: Why is Lindsay Clancy’s mistrial dividing America?

The BBC’s Americast turns to questions about voting, a divisive murder trial and the political claims surrounding Donald Trump’s administration. The episode asks whether Trump’s attempt to limit mail-in voting can succeed at the U.S. Supreme Court before November’s midterm elections, even though ballots have already been mailed in several states.

Sarah Smith, Sumi Somaskanda and Marianna Spring answer listener questions with 5 Live’s Matt Chorley. They examine why Lindsay Clancy’s mistrial has become surrounded by conspiracy theories and what could happen next. Clancy has admitted killing her three children in one of the biggest murder trials in the United States, a case that received extensive coverage on American television and social media.

The programme also questions Jared Kushner’s credentials as a peace envoy after his meetings with Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin over the weekend. Another topic is Trump’s proposal for a new Space Force uniform, whose designs have drawn comparisons with uniforms worn by Nazi SS officers.

The episode was presented by BBC journalists Sarah Smith, Sumi Somaskanda and Marianna Spring. Alix Pickles and Nik Sindle produced it, with Philip Bull as technical producer, Purvee Pattni as series producer and Sam Bonham as senior news editor.