Post Reports is the daily podcast from The Washington Post. Unparalleled reporting. Expert insight. Clear analysis. Everything you’ve come to expect from the newsroom of The Post, for your ears. Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi are your hosts, asking the questions you didn’t know you wanted answered. Published weekdays around 5 p.m. Eastern time.
The world’s two largest powers are closer than ever to a full economic break. Why neither the United States nor China want to blink, and what it will take for China to survive the trade war. Read more: A week after President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs roiled global markets, his administration put China in its crosshairs , with a 145 percent levy on Chinese imports. China countered by raising tariffs on all U.S. goods to at least 125 percent and by publicly casting the United S...
Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has used his office to threaten or punish people he says have wronged him in the past. That includes prominent law firms that have represented Democratic causes or hired attorneys who have investigated him, such as former special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. To get back on Trump’s good side, some law firms are now pledging to do pro bono work for causes the administration supports. As of late last week, some law firms Trump has p...
For the past few weeks, one man has become a focal point for President Donald Trump’s war on immigration. Kilmar Abrego García was mistakenly deported and sent to a Salvadoran prison last month. Abrego García’s deportation has become a legal battle over the rights of immigrants and the boundaries of executive power. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti about how Abrego García became collateral damage in Trump’s immigration fight . Today’s show was produced by Arie...
The United States is experiencing a rise in measles, the most contagious virus in the world. Many of us have questions: Is my child protected? Do I need another vaccine? What about taking vitamin A? Infectious disease experts worry that the Trump administration’s handling of the outbreak centered in West Texas is creating confusion and hindering an effective response. Today on “Post Reports,” host Colby Itkowitz speaks with Lena Sun, a national reporter focused on public health...
Dallas LeBeau had worked for years to make it to a top professional tour in skiing, only to stall in the standings last winter. He felt desperate to win respect. One of the last chances of the year to make some noise was by submitting a video of a jump to GoPro for a contest. In January 2024, on the drive back after a long day on the mountain, he snapped a photo of the turn before Highway 40 crests Berthoud Pass in Colorado — a 40-foot-wide stretch of asphalt. With the GoPro contest in mind, he ...
Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado) speaks with host Colby Itkowitz about why he's seeking to rein in Trump's tariffs authority and restore that power to Congress . This episode was produced by Sam Bair, with help from Peter Bresnan and Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Maggie Penman, Reena Flores and Renita Jablonski. Thank you to Emily Anderson and Meryl Kornfield. ...
Unpacking the political fallout from President Donald Trump’s pause on tariffs. Tariffs are on. Tariffs are paused. Tariffs are making stock markets go wild. Where do we go from here? Senior political reporter Aaron Blake talks with The Post’s global economics correspondent, David Lynch, and White House reporter Cat Zakrzewski about Trump’s mixed messaging on tariffs , whether the administration’s tariff pause is strategic , and where the policy whiplash leaves Wall Street and American small-bus...
President Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk have vowed to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse they say is rampant in the Social Security Administration, a federal program that provides more than 70 million Americans with retirement or disability income. But evidence of widespread fraud and abuse is scant, and cost-cutting at the agency has driven out experienced staff. As a result, the website is crashing, phone lines are clogged, and seniors are reporting difficulty getting the help they n...
After President Donald Trump announced far-reaching tariffs last week, the stock markets immediately reacted, taking the biggest plunge since 2020. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary about how to weather the economic storm, from whether to pause on big purchases like cars to how to handle your retirement savings . Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Than...
This episode delves into the impact of the Trump administration's foreign aid freeze on the global fight against HIV/AIDS, focusing on the story of Mary, a Kenyan woman. It explores the history and success of PEPFAR, the disruptions caused by the funding cuts, and the dire consequences faced by vulnerable communities. The episode highlights the potential resurgence of HIV/AIDS deaths and infections due to these policy changes.
This episode discusses the political fallout from President Trump's new tariffs, including Republican reactions and potential congressional resistance. It also analyzes recent special election results in Florida and Wisconsin, highlighting Democratic gains and Elon Musk's impact. Finally, the episode examines Cory Booker's lengthy Senate speech and the Democratic Party's search for new leadership in the Trump era.
This episode of Post Reports discusses President Trump's new tariffs and their potential impact on the U.S. economy. David Lynch explains the tariffs, their intended goals, and potential consequences for consumers, businesses, and the global economic system. The conversation explores the likelihood of manufacturing returning to the U.S. and the potential for economic disruption.
This episode delves into Donald Trump's persistent interest in acquiring Greenland for the United States, exploring the potential motivations, the reactions from Denmark and Greenland, and the possible strategies the Trump administration might employ. It examines the economic and strategic factors driving Trump's desire, the complexities of Greenland's relationship with Denmark, and the international implications of such a takeover. The report also considers the historical context and potential parallels with other territorial ambitions.
This episode explores the First Amendment rights of non-citizens in the U.S., particularly regarding protests and immigration law. It examines cases of detained non-citizens, the government's justifications, and legal challenges. The episode also covers travelers' rights concerning device searches at U.S. ports of entry, offering practical advice on protecting personal data.
This episode of Post Reports delves into Elon Musk's significant financial involvement in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, examining the political motivations behind his support for conservative candidate Brad Schimmel. It contrasts this with the Democrats' strategy of portraying Musk as a villain to mobilize their base behind Susan Crawford. The discussion covers the potential impact on redistricting and the broader implications for voter sentiment and future elections.
What does Bob Woodward think of all this? Colby Itkowitz poses that question to the renowned Washington Post journalist in his first sit-down interview about President Donald Trump since Trump’s second inauguration. Over 50 years ago, Woodward’s reporting of the break-in at the Watergate with his colleague Carl Bernstein exposed the Nixon administration’s plan to spy on and sabotage his political adversaries and the cover-up that followed. After President Richard Nixon’s resignation, Congress wo...
Baseball is back – and so are the sport’s existential questions, both on and off the field. Coming off a dominant 2024 season, Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to become the first team since the 2000 New York Yankees to capture back-to-back World Series championships. Standing in their way is a changing game, the increasingly pervasive threat of elbow injuries across the majors, and the 29 other MLB teams set on beating them. Today on “Post Reports,” guest host A...
With just a few weeks to go until Tax Day, Treasury Department and IRS officials are predicting a decrease of more than 10 percent in tax receipts by the April 15 deadline compared with 2024. That would amount to more than $500 billion in lost federal revenue . The prediction, officials told congressional economic correspondent Jacob Bogage , is directly tied to changing taxpayer behavior and President Donald Trump’s rapid demolition of parts of the IRS. On “Post Reports,” Jacob join...
This episode of Post Reports delves into the controversy surrounding a Signal group chat used by Trump administration officials to discuss sensitive military plans, including a forthcoming operation against the Houthis. The accidental inclusion of a journalist led to exposure of these discussions, raising serious security concerns. The reporters discuss the potential legal and political fallout, comparing the incident to the Hillary Clinton email controversy, and examine the implications for national security and accountability.
Whether you consider it an odd joke, a national security threat or a negotiating tactic, Trump’s mentions of the United States annexing Canada have become a sticking point for the president, and a mystery to everyone else. And, check out The Post’s coverage of second lady Usha Vance’s trip to Greenland , which comes as Trump vows to acquire the island “one way or another.” Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sean Ca...
White House reporter Cleve Wootson interviews Uzo Aduba today on “Post Reports” about the new Netflix show “The Residence,” and the real dynamics the fictional show reveals. Read Sonia Rao’s story about “The Residence. ” She says it's “Clue,” set on Pennsylvania Avenue, with a Shondaland touch. You can also read our TV critic Lili Loofbourow’s review . Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Maggie Penman. Subscribe to The Washington Post here ....
President Donald Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act last week kicked off a battle with the courts that’s getting more heated by the day. On Tuesday, he called U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg “crooked” and a “radical left lunatic” and suggested he should be impeached. Then, Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. issued a rare public rebuke of the president, saying impeachment is “not an appropriate response” to a judicial decision. Senior politics reporter Aaron Blake spea...
Since Trump’s second inauguration, there has been a firehose of news out of the White House – and longtime adviser Steve Bannon says that’s all part of the plan. “It looks like chaos, but there's certain internal logic to it,” Bannon told Sarah Ellison, media and democracy reporter for The Post. “It's amazingly compelling content.” Sarah and tech reporter Drew Harwell have been reporting on the White House’s new aggressive approach to messaging. Host Colby Itkowitz talks with Sarah a...
More than 400 people were killed and hundreds more wounded in Tuesday’s attacks, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, making it one of the deadliest days of the 17-month war. Host Colby Itkowitz talks with Miriam Berger, who has been covering the conflict for The Post, about what it’s like in Gaza right now and what this means for the possibility of a ceasefire in the future. Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Bishop Sand. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help...
Over the weekend, President Donald Trump invoked a seldom-used wartime powers act to deport suspected gang members without due process. Though a federal judge blocked the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, more than a hundred migrants accused by U.S. officials of being part of the gang Tren de Aragua were flown to a prison in El Salvador on Saturday. It was the first time the Alien Enemies Act had been invoked since World War II, when it was used to incarcerate Ja...
Democrats are bristling at the decision by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to vote for a GOP bill averting a government shutdown. Senior politics reporter Aaron Blake speaks with congressional reporter Marianna Sotomayor to get a behind-the-scenes look at the politics of the shutdown vote. He also breaks down the latest tariff news and Elon Musk drama with David Lynch, a financial writer for The Washington Post, and Trisha Thadani, a Post technology reporter. Today’s show was pr...
Mehmet Oz is President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a massive agency that oversees health coverage for more than 100 million Americans, including older adults, those with low incomes and children. Oz is a cardiothoracic surgeon and former professor at Columbia University who became a household name when he started appearing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2004 and then hosted his own show, “The Dr. Oz Show,” from 2009 to 2022. On Friday, ...
For weeks, Americans have watched as Elon Musk and the U.S. DOGE Service have slashed at the federal bureaucracy, making drastic cuts to agency budgets and the federal workforce. And while President Donald Trump has made clear that he supports Musk , DOGE’s efforts have sparked concern among many senior Trump advisers , civil servants and everyday Americans . That has left DOGE, which stands for Department of Government Efficiency, hunting for wins . Today on “Post Reports,” The Post’s DOG...
Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil helped organize protests at the university against the Israel-Gaza war last spring. Khalil, who is a legal permanent resident of the United States, according to his lawyers, was detained over the weekend by immigration officers was detained by immigration officers and accused by the Trump administration of sympathizing with Hamas terrorists. So far no evidence of this has been reported. Immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti speaks with host Colby Itkowitz ...
In an interview broadcast on Sunday, President Donald Trump declined to rule out that Americans could see a recession this year as the economy stutters from his efforts to impose tariffs and cut down the size of the federal government . He told Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo, “I hate to predict things like that. There is a period of transition, because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing.” Today on “Post Reports,” economics correspondent...
