Americanswers… Why has JD Vance changed his mind about Trump's intelligence?

The US Vice President has been justifying his changing view of Donald Trump’s IQ. JD Vance says Donald Trump is probably the most intelligent president the US has ever had. But how does he defend changing his opinion, after admitting that he didn’t think Trump was “a smart person” back in 2016? And how intelligent is the US president?

Sarah, Justin and Marianna answer your questions in today’s episode. These include what’s gone wrong with Trump’s reflecting pool makeover in DC? It’s gone from a shade of blue chosen by Trump at great expense to green. How much is the algae ridden water really costing, both financially and politically? And who is the Trump administration blaming?

And the row between Donald Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Why have the two fallen out and what does it say more widely about relations between Europe and the United States?

HOSTS: * Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter * Sarah Smith, North America Editor * Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent

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This episode was made by Alix Pickles and Bethan Ashmead. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. 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.

Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd

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 Alix Pickles and Bethan Ashmead. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. 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 Newscast. 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.

Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm