Episodes

  • Trump's travel ban is back; Musk melts down
    Jun 5 2025

    On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down the Republican drama surrounding President Trump's signature "Big, beautiful bill" – starting with the dramatic social media breakup occurring between Trump and Elon Musk. And are GOP senators on board with Trump's plan?


    Then, Trump seems to be reacting to that drama by creating distractions – from a new travel ban to a dubious investigation of his predecessor.


    Plus, former president Joe Biden's former White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, says she's leaving the Democratic Party. Why?

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    31 mins
  • Republicans' risky fight on health care
    Jun 3 2025

    On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down some of the most controversial provisions in Republicans' giant spending and immigration bill: Provisions that would affect Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.


    While the bill has already passed the GOP-controlled House, it might have a tougher time getting through the Senate, where some Republican senators have already expressed doubts – like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Ark.), who has said it is “wrong to cut Medicaid for the working poor.”


    Plus, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) told a town hall last week that "we all are going to die," then doubled down in an Instagram video on Saturday. Is that a politically risky move – or just what Trump would do?

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    30 mins
  • Hegseth's drama, Trump's pardoning spree, and Elon Musk is out
    May 29 2025

    On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe to delve inside the ongoing drama in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's inner circle: Who is at odds with whom, and what does it mean for Hegseth's job security.


    Then, President Trump has been on a spree of issuing pardons and commutations for convicted felons – many of whom are his supporters. The crew breaks down who got pardons, and why.


    Finally, Elon Musk is out of government; did he accomplish what he set out to do, and was it a success?

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    30 mins
  • Harvard and NPR fight back against Trump
    May 27 2025

    On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann dive into the ways institutions are fighting back against President Trump – both culturally and legally – starting with Harvard University and NPR, which are both embroiled in lawsuits with the administration.


    Plus, how are those two institutions bellweathers for the rest of America, from other universities to media outlets and free speech?

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    29 mins
  • Medicaid cuts and trillions in debt: What's in Trump's bill
    May 22 2025

    On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down a busy week in Washington, starting with the shocking shooting of two Israeli embassy employees. Then, the crew dives into the GOP's "big, beautiful" budget bill: What's in it, what the sticking points were, and what had to be negotiated.


    Later, the crew breaks down the chaotic meeting in the Oval Office between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa – and how Trump is using Oval Office meetings to set up televised showdowns with other world leaders.


    Plus, technology reporter Drew Harwell joins the show to preview Trump's morally-murky dinner with investors in his crypto meme coin.

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    29 mins
  • Trump's budget bill is big – but is it beautiful enough?
    May 20 2025

    On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" – the 1,100-page proposal for a measure that includes a whole of of the GOP's priorities, all in one package.


    But does Trump have the support of his own caucus, or does he need to convince Republicans in both the House and the Senate to vote for it? The crew dives into what changes it would make to U.S. law, which tax cuts it would extend, and how Republicans have structured the bill to bypass Democrats' votes entirely.


    Plus: The timing of former president Biden's announcement that he has cancer raises questions.

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    29 mins
  • How Trump has made billions as president
    May 15 2025

    On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger break down how President Trump is trying to remake Washington in a MAGA image – from hanging huge photos of himself from federal buildings to taking over cultural institutions and firing people, in some cases, seemingly simple for their gender or skin color.


    Then, the crew breaks down Trump's long history of financial conflicts of interest with the presidency, how he has ignored norms, how past presidents have divested from those conflicts of interest – and the vast amounts of money Trump has made in the early months of his second presidency.


    Plus, the crew reveals the weirdest gifts in presidential history – and whether or not presidents got to keep them.

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    28 mins
  • Can Trump accept a plane from Qatar?
    May 13 2025

    On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by national security reporter Abigail Hauslohner to discuss President Trump's trip to the Middle East.


    The crew breaks down Trump's sit-down with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and his plan to attract Saudi investment in the U.S. Then, the release of the last American hostage in Gaza, Edan Alexander. And is it a snub for Trump to skip meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?


    Plus, Trump says he plans to accept a 747 jet to use as Air Force One from Qatar – but can he legally accept it?

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    32 mins
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