BBC World Service - The Explanation, The President's Path: Has Trump taken over America’s big birthday? Homepage Accessibility links * Skip to content * Accessibility Help Close menu BBC World Service The Explanation * Home * Episodes * Clips * Podcast Main content Listen now The President's Path: Has Trump taken over America’s big birthday? The Explanation America’s 250th birthday is a chance for the country to take stock of history and celebrate achievements – but there are questions around just who is throwing the party. Show more Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann look at the preparations and events to mark America’s 250th anniversary. As the country looks to the big day, there are questions around just who is throwing the party – and what this milestone looks like, in the context of big current political divisions. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics - in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: [email protected] Senior producer: Ellyn Duncan Editor: James Kraft Executive producer: Anna Holford Show less Download Choose your file * Higher quality (128kbps) * Lower quality (64kbps) Release date: 26 June 2026 Available now 25 minutes More episodes See all episodes from The Explanation Featured * . Podcast * The Explanation Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin Related Content Similar programmes By genre: * Factual > History * News By format: * Documentaries * Online schedule * Help & FAQs * Contact us * News in more than 40 languages * Terms of Use * About the BBC * Privacy Policy * Privacy Policy * Cookies * Cookies * Accessibility Help * Parental Guidance * Contact the BBC * Make an editorial complaint * Careers * BBC emails for you * Advertise with us Copyright (c) 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.