This story was updated on Oct. 6, 2017, to reflect a change of venue for this event.


Charleston’s Charles Towne Landing has been selected as the venue for an upcoming episode of the international BBC current affairs program Global Questions, which will feature a panel discussion about the presidency of Donald Trump.

The public is invited to attend the recording on Oct. 13, 2017, on a space-available basis. Tickets to attend the recording are available online. The recording will take place in the Legare Waring House at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, 1500 Old Towne Road, Charleston, S.C.

audience member

An audience member asks a question during a taping of Global Questions. Photo provided by BBC.

Broadcast in the U.S. and around the world and hosted by award-winning journalist Zeinab Badawi, the program brings together leading political and civil society figures and local audiences to debate global and political issues. This important and topical town hall discussion will be recorded for broadcast on BBC World News TV, World Service Radio and BBC Online

Past episodes of the program have tackled topics such as equality for women in Africa, Syria’s refugee crisis and Islam’s place in politics. The program has been recorded in picturesque and historic locations all over the world, including Riga, Latvia; Amman, Jordan; Cambodia; and Tunis, Tunisia.

In Charleston, a panel of high-profile political experts will discuss the topic, “Trump’s America: A Nation Divided?

The panelists are:

  • U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Republican Congressman for Tennessee
  • Mark Burns, President Trump’s Faith Advisory Panel
  • Jaime Harrison, Associate Chairman, Democratic National Committee
  • Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center and daughter of The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Frank Luntz, Political Strategist

“In the last year, the eyes of the world have been on the United States and its controversial president,” the BBC’s Badawi says of the topic to be discussed in Charleston. “Whatever your views, Donald Trump is your leader and we want to hear what you think of his presidency one year on. The BBC has decided to come to South Carolina, a heartland of his support during the election. Global Questions will be visiting the magnificent city of Charleston to hear from people who live and work in the American South. This is your chance to put questions to a panel of political and public figures on the key issues facing Trump’s America.”

global affair taping

A recording of the BBC program Global Questions in Riga, Latvia. Photo provided by BBC.

The program is asking audience members to submit their questions ahead of the recording. A selection will then be made based on the key issues that most people are interested in, reflecting a broad range of views and opinions. Questions can be submitted via email to globalquestions@bbc.co.uk until Oct. 12, 2017.

Seating for the recording is limited, and tickets will be issued on a first-come first-served basis, with no assigned seating. Each guest must present a ticket for entry and must be at least 16 years of age.

Gates for the event will open at 4 p.m., and the audience must be seated by 4:30 p.m. The recording is from 5-6 p.m.

Feature photo provided by BBC.