For months, Donald Trump has been heralding his "Big, Beautiful" spending bill - a key piece of his agenda, containing tax cuts for the rich and benefits cuts for the vulnerable. It will also add trillions to America's debt - to the point that some are now sounding the alarm, warning of a "debt bomb" about to hit the US economy. What the White House didn't bet on was that one of those leading critics would be Elon Musk - who's turned fire on his former boss in spectacular fashion, calling the legislation a "disgusting abomination" and ominously warning Senators that voters will fire those politicians who "betray America". Will his words spook Republicans into defying Donald Trump? And how will the President react to Musk's missives?

Later, we speak to Evan Osnos, New Yorker writer and author of new book 'The Haves and Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultrarich". It's a firsthand insight into the lives of America's new oligarchy now running America - what does it tell us about the forces driving voters and how can the Democrats respond?

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Not content with demanding government oversight of Harvard's teaching and appointments, Donald Trump has directed his government to cease all federal funding of America's most prestigious university. And in a wider blow to academia, US embassies around the world have been ordered to suspend scheduling appointments for student visas. Social media vetting will be stepped up for those hoping to step foot on an American campus. Why is Donald Trump so fixated on the higher education institutions that have made the US world leaders in so many sectors? We speak to one Harvard scholar who is leading the calls for his university not to cave in to the pressure.

Later, as Trump accuses Putin of "playing with fire", could he finally be serious about slapping tough new sanctions on Russia? And what does America's intelligence community make of the way he's conducting himself on the world stage?

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Gone are the days when a presidential cancer diagnosis would be greeted with kind words and warm wishes. It took less than 24 hours for the White House administration to try and turn the illness into the latest smoking gun on what Biden had or hadn’t told the public whilst he was president. But should the Democrats take some blame for what’s happening now? We talk to the former Biden policy adviser Jamie Ruben. Later, where is Trump now on Israel and Russia - and what’s going on with James Comey and those sea shells?

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