Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball unpack the administration’s onslaught of new tariffs and break down what election results in Florida and Wisconsin mean for each party. Plus, they speak with WSJ’s Michelle Hackman about Trump’s aggressive immigration efforts including student deportations. Further Listening: -Trump’s Tariffs Force a New Era in Global Trade -Trump 2.0: Group Chat Fallout -Three Federal Workers Hit by DOGE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 04, 2025•25 min
Yesterday, in the Rose Garden, President Trump sent out a clear message: the era of globalization is over. Trump announced sweeping tariffs on trillions of dollars of imports. The new duties immediately shook Wall Street and sent stocks plummeting. WSJ’s White House economic policy reporter Brian Schwartz explains how President Trump has wanted this day to happen for decades. And we talk to an American business owner who is deeply worried about what these tariffs mean for his company’s survival....
Apr 03, 2025•24 min
Charlie Javice sold her financial aid startup Frank to JPMorgan Chase for $175 million. But soon after the ink on the deal was dry, the bank discovered that their new acquisition was not at all what it seemed. WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy explains how a trial about fraud committed against JPMorgan resulted in the bank feeling the heat. Kate Linebaugh hosts. Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Further Listening: - A $175 Million ‘Huge Mistake’ - JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon on What’s Next for t...
Apr 02, 2025•21 min
Gap Inc. was once the king of mall-brand fashion. In recent years though, its Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta chains have been outmaneuvered by discount stores like Target and fast-fashion brands like Zara and Shein. Ryan Knutson speaks with the new CEO Richard Dickson who is translating his previous experience resurrecting the Barbie brand into a new era for the iconic clothing seller. Further Listening: Rent the Runway’s CEO on How it Survived the Pandemic Shein: Fast Fashion, Slow ...
Apr 01, 2025•27 min
Last year, a popular Utah influencer with six children went to prison for child abuse. Now the state has put a new law into place to protect the children in these videos. WSJ’s Zusha Elinson on the Ruby Franke scandal and her daughter’s efforts to keep it from happening again. Further Reading: - A Former Child Star Is Taking On the Dark Side of Utah’s Mommy Bloggers Further Listening: - The Rise of the Tween Shopper - Readers Can’t Get Enough of BookTok. Publishers Are Cashing In. Learn more abo...
Mar 31, 2025•22 min
A family of deep-cover Russian spies hiding in the heart of Europe. A Slovenian spycatcher with a daunting mission. After months of reporting, WSJ's Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson unspool the story of the global hunt for Vladimir Putin's sleeper agents, and how it culminated in the biggest game of hostage diplomacy since the Cold War. Further Reading: -The Global Hunt for Putin’s ‘Sleeper Agents’ -Inside the Secret Negotiations to Free Evan Gershkovich Further Listening: -The Historic U.S.-Russi...
Mar 28, 2025•41 min
A journalist was added to a text thread with high-level Trump administration officials revealing plans for the timing and weapons to be used in a military strike against Houthi militants. Administration officials disputed that any classified information about the military operation had been shared. WSJ’s Nancy Youssef joins the chat with Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss the fallout of the group chat pinged ‘round the world. Further Reading: -An Annotated Analysis of Signal Group Chat With ...
Mar 28, 2025•28 min
President Trump’s unprecedented effort to shrink the federal labor force is impeding work at government sites across the country. Three laid-off federal employees tell their story and WSJ’s Lindsay Ellis reports on the wider impact of the layoffs. Further Listening: - Inside DOGE's Campaign of Secrecy - Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart Further Reading: - The Collateral Damage of Trump’s Firing Spree - The Federal Workers Who Are Not Quite Fired, Not Quite Working Learn more abo...
Mar 27, 2025•22 min
The White House is waging a pressure campaign against some of the country’s most prominent law firms. WSJ’s Erin Mulvaney on how the firm Paul, Weiss came to the decision to make a deal with President Trump. Further Reading: -Trump Signs Order Targeting Law Firm Jenner & Block -Law Firms Scramble to Avoid Being Trump’s Next Target -Why Law Firm Paul Weiss Pleaded Its Case With Trump, and Not With a Court Further Listening: -Trump 2.0: A Showdown With the Judiciary Learn more about your ad choice...
Mar 26, 2025•20 min
After nearly three decades as creative director, Donatella Versace is stepping down from her role at her family’s fashion house. The announcement comes after years of clashes between the designer and the American businessman who acquired her family’s brand. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner unpacks the drama and discusses what it means for the fashion house. Further Reading: -Inside the Versace Clash Between Donatella and the ‘American Cowboy’ CEO -Donatella Versace to Step Down as Chief Creative Officer of ...
Mar 25, 2025•22 min
Columbia University gave in to President Trump’s demands after he revoked roughly $400 million in federal funding. WSJ’s Douglas Belkin explains how the university made its decision, and the impact that may have on campuses across the country. Further Reading: - Universities Sprint from ‘We Will Not Cower’ to Appeasing Trump - Columbia Yields to Trump in Battle Over Federal Funding Further Listening: - Pro-Palestinian Protests and Arrests at U.S. Colleges - The 2024 College Financial Aid Mess Le...
Mar 24, 2025•19 min
After it was approved in 2019, Spravato, a depression treatment derived from the club drug ketamine, was looking like a dud. But recently it has taken off, and it surpassed $1 billion in annual sales last year for its maker, Johnson and Johnson. Further Listening: -A Lawyer Says He Doesn't Need Help for Psychosis. His Family Disagrees. -America's Maternal Mental Health Crisis Further Reading: -J&J’s Ketamine-Derived Drug Is Taking Off -Big Pharma Walked Away From Mental Health. Why Some Are Comi...
Mar 21, 2025•24 min
A battle has been brewing between President Trump and the judicial system as courts delay some of the administration's rapid fire executive orders. WSJ’s Jess Bravin joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss the recent clashes between Trump and the courts. Further Reading: - Chief Justice Roberts Criticizes Trump’s Call to Impeach Judges - Trump Escalates Push Against Legal Norms - A Presidency of Upheaval Emboldens Trump Further Listening: - A New Phase in Trump’s Immigration Fight - Trump 2...
Mar 21, 2025•29 min
Greenland could satisfy the world’s hunger for minerals, if miners could just start digging. WSJ’s Sune Rasmussen explains why Greenland’s minerals remain mostly untapped, and what bringing these rare earths to the surface could mean to the global supply chain. Further Reading: - Greenland Has the Makings of a Mining Boom. So Where Is Everyone? - Greenlanders Reject Trump’s Overtures at the Ballot Box Further Listening: - Why Trump Wants Ukrainian Minerals - Why an Arctic Treasure Is Spurring Ho...
Mar 20, 2025•21 min
Immigrants who took advantage of a Biden-era program to enter the U.S. are now being targeted by the Trump administration, including people who fled the Russia-Ukraine war. WSJ’s Michelle Hackman explains how the program came to be and how Trump cancelled it. Further Reading: - They Thought They Came to the U.S. Legally. Now They’re at Risk for Deportation. - What Green Card and Visa Holders Need to Know About Recent Deportations Further Listening: - Trump's Immigration Overhaul Learn more about...
Mar 19, 2025•20 min
Walmart has been America’s largest retailer by revenue for over three decades. But that title might change hands this year, with Amazon hot on the supercenter’s heels. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer explains how Walmart has fought hard to keep its crown. Further Reading: -How Walmart Built the Biggest Threat Amazon Has Faced -Walmart’s Reign as America’s Biggest Retailer Is Under Threat Further Listening: -The 20,000 Steps to a Walmart Manager’s Six-Figure Salary -What Walmart’s Aisles Say About the Ameri...
Mar 18, 2025•20 min
Matthew Van Andel’s ordinary life unraveled when he accidentally downloaded a trojan horse that gave a hacker access to his entire computer. But the hacker didn’t just get Van Andel’s information. It also got his employer: Disney. Further Reading: -A Disney Worker Downloaded an AI Tool. It Led to a Hack That Ruined His Life. -How to Keep Hackers From Destroying Your Digital Life Further Listening: -Six Days of Chaos at MGM's Casinos -Hack Me If You Can Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...
Mar 17, 2025•22 min
Gloria Allred’s lifelong crusade against men accused of sexual misconduct has made her a high profile feminist lawyer. But little is known about what happens between Allred and her clients, mostly women, behind the scenes. WSJ’s Khadeeja Safdar reports. See the Journal live! Take our survey! Further Reading: -The High-Pressure Tactics Attorney Gloria Allred Uses—On Her Own Clients Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 14, 2025•28 min
The Federal Reserve has been focused on cooling inflation and achieving a so-called soft landing. President Trump’s trade policies have sent markets reeling and fears of a recession are on the rise. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss Trump’s economic vision. Plus, the Trump administration is moving to deport a permanent legal resident of the United States and the possibility of a government shutdown has Democrats in a pickle. Further Listening: - What’s Going On Wit...
Mar 14, 2025•26 min
In 2023, crypto exchange Binance and its CEO and founder, Changpeng Zhao, pleaded guilty to violating U.S. money laundering laws. Now, an investigation finds that representatives of President Trump’s family have been in talks to take a financial stake in the U.S. arm of Binance. At the same time, Zhao has pushed the Trump administration to grant him a pardon. WSJ’S Rebecca Ballhaus brings exclusive reporting. Further Reading: - Trump Family Has Held Deal Talks With Binance Following Crypto Excha...
Mar 13, 2025•23 min
Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said he wasn’t going to rule out a recession in the U.S.'s future. WSJ's Ashby Jones explains the cracks starting to appear in the economy and Brian Schwartz reports on how the White House is managing those cracks. See The Journal live! Take our survey ! Further Reading: -Trump’s Economic Messaging Is Spooking Some of His Own Advisers -Inflation Cooled to 2.8% in February, Lower Than Expected -CEOs Don’t Plan to Openly Question Trump. Ask Again If the Mar...
Mar 12, 2025•22 min
Elon Musk’s politics have eroded Tesla’s appeal among some core buyers of electric vehicles. Some customers have started getting rid of their Teslas, and the company’s sales are down worldwide. Meanwhile, Musk is looking at new ways to expand Tesla’s business. WSJ’s Becky Peterson explains how Tesla’s fortunes are falling as Musk rises in Trump world. See the Journal live! Take our survey! Further Reading: -Tesla’s Fortunes Fall as Musk Rises in Trump World -Tesla Caps Roller-Coaster Year With M...
Mar 11, 2025•20 min
Not much has gone right for Walgreens. Facing tough headwinds, the brand has been playing catch up to other U.S. pharmacy retailers for years. WSJ’s Joseph Walker on what went wrong for Walgreens and the private equity deal that could sell the company for parts.See The Journal live! Take our survey! Further Reading: - Walgreens Goes From $100 Billion Health Giant to Private-Equity Salvage Project - The Walgreens Billionaire Watching His Empire Come Apart Further Listening: - How Target Got Off T...
Mar 10, 2025•20 min
Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again movement is leading an effort to stop people from spending food stamps on soda. WSJ’s Laura Cooper explains how one state is leading the charge and how beverage companies are pushing back. See The Journal live! Take our survey! Further Reading: -RFK Jr. And His Allies Target Trump’s Beloved Soda Further Listening: -PepsiCo’s New Healthy Diet: More Potato Chips and Soda -Who Wants Non-Alcoholic Beer? Everyone, Apparently. Learn more about your ad ...
Mar 07, 2025•19 min
President Trump delivered a celebratory speech to Congress, declaring that he had swiftly notched several wins for the American people. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia joins Kate Linebaugh and Molly Ball to discuss the roadmap Trump laid out and what it means for the next few years. See The Journal live! Take our survey! Further Listening: -The Trade War With China Is On -Trump's Tariffs Cause Chaos in Auto Industry -Inside DOGE's Campaign of Secrecy Further Reading: -An Annotated Fact-Check and Analysis...
Mar 07, 2025•27 min
Sonos, the high-end speaker company, continues to reel from its disastrous app update last May. The company lost revenue and approximately $600 million in market capitalization. Then came the layoffs and a CEO exit. WSJ’s Ben Cohen explains. See The Journal live! Take our survey! Further Listening: - The Glitch That Crashed Millions of Computers - The Snowballing Problems at Vail Resorts Further Reading: - The $500 Million Debacle at Sonos That Just Won’t End - Sonos Finally Hits the Hard Reset ...
Mar 06, 2025•21 min
In the last month, the Trump Administration has levied 20% tariffs on imports from China. We speak to the CEO of an American home goods company about the impact of the trade war. WSJ’s Hannah Miao explains how it’s already affecting manufacturers and the economy in China. See The Journal live! Take our survey! Further Reading: - The Tariff Pain Is Getting Real for Chinese Companies - Chinese Manufacturers Speed Up Efforts to Dodge Trump Tariffs Further Listening: - Why Trump Wants Ukrainian Mine...
Mar 05, 2025•20 min
President Trump’s 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada took effect first thing Tuesday. The American auto industry will be hit hard by these tariffs since many parts and materials come from Mexico and Canada. WSJ’s Mike Colias and a U.S. a uto parts supplier talk about the impact of the tariffs. Further Listening: -Trump’s Tariff Whiplash -How One Business Is Getting Ahead of Trump’s Tariffs Further Reading: -Auto Executives Try to Sway Trump on Tariffs, EV Subsidies -Tariff Threat Prompt...
Mar 04, 2025•21 min
The Zizians, a cult-like group of militant vegans, has been connected to six killings across the country. The violence has sent shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley. WSJ’s Zusha Elinson explains how the Zizians splintered from a Bay Area intellectual movement concerned with AI safety. Further Reading: -A Silicon Valley Intellectual Society Kicked Them Out. Now They’re Tied to a Killing Spree. -How a Fervent Belief Split Silicon Valley—and Fueled the Blowup at OpenAI Further Listening: -The Fall ...
Mar 03, 2025•21 min
In the first few minutes of the Trump presidency, Elon Musk’s programmers made a surprise incursion into a key personnel agency. Since then, DOGE programmers operating in the shadows have burrowed into systems across the government, resulting in thousands of layoffs. WSJ’s Scott Patterson explains how DOGE has entered vast parts of the federal bureaucracy. Further Reading: -Inside DOGE’s Clash With the Federal Workforce -DOGE Claims It Has Saved Billions. See Where. Further Listening: -Trump 2.0...
Feb 28, 2025•20 min
