THE AMERICANIST

Two weeks after the election, Donald Trump has yet to concede his loss. Meanwhile, the Democratic party is debating the way forward: Should moderates or progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lead the way? Mike has traveled to his home state Maine to finally answer the question: Is he a liberal or a progressive? And Johannes remembers the German chancellor pulling a Trump on Election Night some years ago. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @AmericanistPod and email us to [email protected] !

Joe Biden will be the 46th President of the United States. And Philly celebrates! Mike and Johannes are excited that the votes of their former student hometown of Philadelphia (and Pennsylvania) have decided the race for the Democratic nominee and VP Kamala Harris. And guess what ... Donald Trump won't concede. What that says about his image of masculinity, the American national character, and some other scary things we learned in this election cycle - all in the latest episode of THE AMERICANIST PODCAST.

Resources for this episode:

The Atlantic: QAnon is more important than you think

The Guardian: Trumpism lives on

One and half days into the US Presidential Election 2020, votes are still being counted across the country. It looks like Joe Biden might be the winner - but Donald Trump's supporters are also protesting in some places. Where are we at? Mike shares his emotions and Johannes recounts his election night in Germany. Email us at [email protected]

The week of the US Presidential Election 2020 is finally here. Mike's anxiety level is already off the charts, and Johannes has pulled up some fun and not-so-fun facts around the history of the American presidents and the voting process. Will Biden or Trump make it to 270 electoral votes on Tuesday? Will Trump declare himself the winner? And what would George Washington say about all of it? This and more in the latest episode of THE AMERICANIST PODCAST.

The big election night in the United States is just one week away - and Mike tries hard to explain how Americans can vote for their favorite candidate for president. But, well, it's a little complicated: Electoral College, early vote counting, states that are no states ... In the end, Mike and Johannes do find some common ground and take some time also to assess the American media landscape - from The Boston Globe to The Fresno Bee. Part 1 of the THE AMERICANIST Election 2020 Extravaganza!

The Republican party has decided to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg's spot at the United States Supreme Court with conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett. The US Senate hearings were little more than a farce. Mike feels embarassed, and Johannes wonders whether the Republicans want to turn back the time. And, anyway, how is "Whip" pronounced properly? All of this and more in the latest episode of The Americanist Podcast.

2020 has been overshadowed by the coronavius pandemic and the rise of COVID-19 cases in both Europe and the United States. Johannes remembers the early guidance by virologists like Professor Christian Drosten and politics from German chancellor Angela Merkel. Mike says American individualism and economic concerns might have contributed to the very different reaction to the virus by the Trump administration and others in the USA.

After a crazy week for the United States and President Trump, a lot of questions are flying around. How are the USA doing four weeks before the US presidential election 2020? Just how bad has this year been so far? And what else can come? Mike shares his take on the Trump-Biden race, talks about the division in American society, and Johannes has a suggestion for new White House Speaker. From Berlin to California and back, this is the first episode of The Americanist Podcast. 

How is America? Let's find out. In a crucial time in US history, two friends reunite across the Atlantic to try and make sense of American politics, history, and culture. The Trump presidency, the election 2020 and beyond. Johannes Ehrmann is a journalist and writer based in Berlin. Every week, he talks to his American friend Mike about their personal state of the union.