Podcast appearances and mentions of sean carter

Six days into the exchange of blows between Israel and Iran, President Donald Trump is weighing a direct attack on Iran. The decision would have massive implications — entangling the United States in yet another foreign conflict that some members of Trump's base say would be a betrayal of his “America First” campaign promise. Trump says he's issued an “ultimatum” to Iran to dismantle its nuclear program.How would American involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict further inflame hostilities in the region — and what could retaliation against the U.S. look like?Host Elahe Izadi speaks with Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe and investigative reporter Carol Leonnig about this pivotal moment for Trump, the United States and the world.Today's episode was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and Maggie Penman. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Another story we're following today: The Supreme Court has ruled that states can ban some gender transition treatments for minors. In December, when the court heard arguments in U.S. v. Skrmetti, Post Reports followed a family at the center of the case. Listen to that episode here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Last night, police arrested Vance Boelter, the man suspected of shooting two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers and their spouses. One couple died. The other survived. The details of Boelter's life and what might have pushed him to commit these crimes are still coming into focus. But police say he planned the attack meticulously. We also know he is a devout Christian, fervently antiabortion, and kept a long hit list of other Democrats.Colby Itkowitz speaks with national reporter Patrick Marley about the shootings and how Boelter was apprehended.Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and Maggie Penman, and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Until the past week, not much was known about “Jane,” one of the alleged victims at the center of the government's case against Sean Combs. Jane — who is going by a court-approved alias to protect her identity — testified earlier this week that she was seeing Combs on and off until he was arrested in September. She alleges she was pressured into participating in sex parties with Combs and male escorts — events that allegedly happened while he was being investigated by the government for similar acts. Combs faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty and has denied wrongdoing. Style reporter Anne Branigin talks with host Elahe Izadi about how Jane's testimony could be a game changer in this trial and why the government believes she's a victim of sex-trafficking. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos.Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Washington's juvenile justice agency appeared to finally be reformed. After decades of court monitoring, a judge declared in late 2020 that the long-troubled Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services could return to the mayor's control.Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) promised “a focus on restorative justice, love, and empowerment” that would “serve and improve the lives of our young people, their families, and our entire community.”Instead, progress at the agency – charged with setting serious and repeat teen offenders on a better path – unraveled as youth crime spiked, a Washington Post investigation found.Today on the show, investigative reporter Nicole Dungca tells “Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi about some of the teens and children who spent months in a violent detention center as waits grew longer for rehabilitation programs.Read more here. If you value this reporting, please subscribe to The Washington Post. Today's episode was produced by Peter Bresnan with help from Sean Carter, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Reena Flores. Thank you to Lisa Gartner and David Fallis.

Demonstrators turned out in Los Angeles to oppose ICE raids. Trump called in the National Guard.Read more: Over the weekend, President Donald Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to intervene in protests over federal immigration sweeps.California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called the move “unconstitutional” and on Monday sued the administration.“Let me be clear: There is no invasion. There is no rebellion,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said in a statement. “The President is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends.”Today on “Post Reports,” host Colby Itkowitz talks with Supreme Court reporter Justin Jouvenal about the move – the first time in about 60 years that an American president has taken such action without a governor's consent, and a chilling sign that Trump is prepared to send troops into other cities in response to protests.We also hear from reporter Arelis R. Hernández about the people detained by ICE, and the people who turned out to defend them.Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Maggie Penman, with help from Lucy Perkins. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Ariel Plotnick, Peter Bresnan, Efrain Hernandez Jr. and Susan Levine.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

When President Donald Trump took office in January, 2.4 million people worked for the federal government. It was America's largest employer. Four months later, Trump — and Elon Musk's U.S. DOGE Service — have hacked off chunks of government in the name of efficiency, with tactics rarely seen in public or private industry: Some federal workers have found themselves fired, rehired, then let go again. Many have been ridiculed as “lazy” and “corrupt.” They've been locked out of offices by police, fired for political “disloyalty,” and told to check their email to see if they still draw a paycheck.More than 30 former and current federal workers told The Washington Post that the chaos and mass firings had left them feeling devalued, demoralized and scared for themselves and the country. Many described problems they'd never experienced before: insomnia, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts. Others with a history of mental struggles said they'd found themselves pushed into terrifying territory.Today on “Post Reports,” host Colby Itkowitz speaks with investigative reporter William Wan about the administration's immense toll on federal workers' mental health. We hear from the husband of Caitlin Cross-Barnet, a public health worker who died by suicide in March. And, in the second half of the episode, Wan reflects on years spent covering the nation's mental health crisis for The Post. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Sean Carter, and edited by Maggie Penman. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also reach a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741.Contact William Wan at william.wan@washpost.com or (202) 725-2121 on Signal.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

As the government has built its case against Sean “Diddy” Combs over the past few weeks, they have called witnesses to build out the story around an incident that many are familiar with – the violent 2016 encounter at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. A video of it was first released by CNN last year, and depicts Combs dragging and kicking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway. Witnesses, including former hotel security employees, have alleged that Combs and his employees attempted to cover up the incident through a $100,000 payoff. This week, another one of Combs's alleged victims, “Jane,” took the stand and began delivering harrowing testimony about encounters she had with him and male escorts – similar to what Ventura alleged she experienced. She's testifying under a pseudonym. Style reporter Anne Branigin explains how this anonymous testimony works and how the 2016 hotel incident ties into many of the government's charges. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos.Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

On the eve of negotiations in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian military struck targets hundreds of miles inside Russian territory. Small drones, smuggled into Russia over many months, carried out the attacks. This show of force – one of the biggest Ukrainian attacks since the war started three years ago – boosted morale within Ukraine. But the path to a ceasefire remains murky.Host Elahe Izadi speaks with Ukraine bureau chief Siobhan O'Grady about whether these strikes could change the balance of power in the war in Ukraine. Plus, updates from a day of peace talks between the two powers. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The government is about halfway through calling its witnesses in the racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking case against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. This week, Style reporter Anne Branigin gives an update on the big takeaways from the trial this week, including testimony from several of Combs's former employees who claim he assaulted them. Combs has pleaded not guilty and has denied wrongdoing. Court reporter Shayna Jacobs also breaks down what the government has to do to prove these charges – and why racketeering conspiracy is a charge that's broadly used today.Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos and Efrain Hernandez.Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security issued an order barring Harvard from enrolling foreign students, claiming that Harvard had created an unsafe environment by allowing “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to assault students on campus. The order said that students enrolled at Harvard must transfer schools or lose their legal status.A federal judge has blocked the effort for now, but thousands of international students are unsure if they will be able to return to Harvard in the fall. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with higher education reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel about why the Trump administration has put Harvard University in its crosshairs, and how the university is pushing back.You can read the Letter to the Editor co-written by three Harvard international students in The Washington Post's Opinion section here. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Peter Bresnan. It was mixed by Sean Carter. And edited by Ariel Plotnick. Thanks to Alyssa Rosenberg and Chastity Pratt.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Summer is the perfect time to dive into a new book, and the Post's Book World section has compiled recommendations for every type of reader. Today, Book World editors Jacob Brogan and John Williams talk to host Elahe Izadi about the new releases and old titles they suggest digging into this summer. Here's the list of books mentioned in today's episode: “The Death and Life of August Sweeney” by Samuel Ashworth“Bleak House” by Charles Dickens“Mark Twain” by Ron Chernow“Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America” by Sam Tanenhaus“Is a River Alive?” by Robert MacFarlane“King of Ashes” by S.A. Cosby“Spent” by Alison Bechdel“Crush” by Ada Calhoun“The Book of Records” by Madeleine Thien“The Dry Season” by Melissa Febos“Sloppy” by Rax King“Flashlight” by Susan Choi“Second Life” by Amanda Hess“Mood Machine” by Liz PellyToday's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Lucas Trevor. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick, and mixed by Sean Carter.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Federal prosecutors called a slew of witnesses this week to bolster their racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Many of them corroborated incidents that Combs's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura described in her testimony last week – but others added details that pushed against her narrative that he was controlling and coerced her into sex acts. And musician Kid Cudi took the stand to talk about the molotov cocktail he said was thrown into his Porsche. Style reporter Anne Branigin breaks down the key testimony from this week and how the trial is going for each side so far.Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos and Shayna Jacobs.Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

House Republicans are trying to push President Donald Trump's massive tax and immigration bill across the finish line this week, hoping to conquer internal divisions and tee up a vote that would send the bill to the Senate. One of the areas targeted for major cuts is Medicaid, which insures more than 80 million people in the United States. To root out what they say is waste, fraud and abuse in the system, and preserve the program long term, conservatives have proposed reductions and changes to Medicaid eligibility.Today on “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with health reporter Fenit Nirappil about the United States' largest public health insurance program: What it is, how it works, whom it serves and what could change.Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon and Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Lenny Bernstein and Azi Paybarah.Check out our Memorial Day sale to subscribe to The Washington Post. It's just $2, every four weeks, for your first year.

Before she decided to sue the Trump administration, Emily Ley's image wasn't political. She makes high-end planners and has a new cookbook with easy recipes for busy parents. But she manufactures her planners in China and says Trump's tariffs make her business model untenable. “One minute I was talking about how to make an easy pot roast, and the next minute we're talking about an international trade war,” Ley said.Today on the show White House reporter Cat Zakrzewski explains the case Ley is making.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, who also contributed reporting. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sean Carter. Thank you to Mike Semel and Annah Aschbrenner. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The first week of testimony in the trial of music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs began with several witnesses, including the highly anticipated Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. Ventura is a central witness in the government's case against Combs – she filed a civil lawsuit against him detailing allegations of violence and sex trafficking in 2023 that led to dozens of other lawsuits being filed. Today, Style reporter Anne Branigin is back to describe the intense testimony, how it bolsters the government's case and how the defense questioned Ventura in response. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos and Shayna Jacobs.Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Norman Wong didn't know his family's history for most of his life. Now, the 75-year-old retired carpenter is fighting to save birthright citizenship and his great-grandfather's legacy.His great-grandfather was Wong Kim Ark, a cook born to Chinese immigrants in San Francisco in 1870. After visiting family in China, Wong Kim Ark was denied reentry into the United States. The ensuing court battle made it up to the U.S. Supreme Court and enshrined the right to citizenship for almost any child born on U.S. soil, regardless of where their parents came from. More than a century later, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to limit birthright citizenship. On Thursday, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments about the legal battle over the order. Norman Wong hopes that sharing his family story can influence that fight. Today's episode was produced by Laura Benshoff, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sean Carter. If you want to learn more about Wong Kim Ark and the landmark Supreme Court case that affirmed birthright citizenship, check out our podcast “Constitutional.” Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Following direct talks between the U.S. and Hamas officials, Edan Alexander was freed Monday after more than 19 months in captivity in Gaza. He is the last living U.S. hostage in Gaza. The Israel-Hamas conflict has already exacted a devastating toll. More than 52,000 people in Gaza have died, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Fifty-eight people who were seized by Hamas remain in Gaza, 23 of whom are believed to be alive. Gazans are facing a critical famine risk as Israel blocks aid. Now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government says it plans to expand the war if Hamas does not meet Israel's demands. Today on “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with Middle East reporter Miriam Berger about Israel's plans to escalate the war in Gaza. Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan with help from Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Ariel Plotnick with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Alan Sipress, Erin Cunningham and Heidi Levine. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Dozens of people showed up for jury duty this week at the Southern District of New York's courthouse in Lower Manhattan. There, they would find out if they would serve as one of the handful of people who would determine whether Sean “Diddy” Combs was guilty or not. The federal government is accusing him of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Reporter Anne Branigin and audio producer Sabby Robinson reported from New York City to see the dynamics in the courtroom and how the jury pool was narrowed down. On today's episode, Anne describes Combs's demeanor and who the other important players are – and what we can gather about each team's strategy from the jury selection process.Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos and Shayna Jacobs.Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas is a place that many people describe as one of the most beautiful areas in South Asia: Kashmir. It has also been the site of a struggle between two major powers: India and Pakistan.The Indian military said Wednesday that it had launched strikes against Pakistan in retaliation for last month's militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left at least 26 dead. These latest strikes killed at least 31 civilians, according to Pakistani officials. The escalation marks a turn in a decades-long conflict.Today, co-host Elahe Izadi talks to South Asia correspondent Karishma Mehrotra about how the region got to this point and whether South Asia could be on the brink of war.Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Ariel Plotnick. Thanks to Jesse Messner-Hage and Elana Gordon. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Since February, thousands have attended political rallies helmed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), deemed the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. Political events with crowds like this don't have much precedent outside of a presidential campaign. But Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are hoping to harness anger over the policies of the second Trump administration to push the Democratic Party to support their progressive policies.Host Colby Itkowitz travels to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to speak with rallygoers and to sit down with Sanders for an interview. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

In early 2023, Sean Combs — otherwise known as Diddy, Puff Daddy, Love — seemed to be on top of the world. He had a long career as a successful music producer and businessman, and he received multiple honors for his work — even getting a key to the city of New York from its mayor. But that fall, everything changed when his ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a lawsuit against him alleging that he'd sexually abused and sex trafficked her throughout their decade-long relationship. This opened the floodgates. Dozens of other alleged victims came forward, and soon Combs found himself at the center of a federal investigation into his businesses. After arresting him in September 2024, federal prosecutors alleged in an indictment that Combs used his business to carry out criminal activity, including sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson and bribery. He's now awaiting trial in a Brooklyn jail.For the next month on “Post Reports,” we're going to be following Combs's trial, which starts Monday. You'll hear regularly from reporter Anne Branigin, who's been closely following this story since Cassie filed her lawsuit, as well as other Washington Post journalists from the Style and Audio teams. On today's episode, Branigin describes how the Combs rose to fame and power, and what he is now being accused of. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and Carla Spartos and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks also to Maggie Penman, Lucas Trevor, Amanda Finnegan and Renita Jablonski. The episode also features Janay Kingsberry and Helena Andrews-Dyer, reporters for the Style section of The Post. Geoff Edgers contributed to this report.Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and border czar Tom Homan held a briefing Monday to tout the Trump administration's record on immigration. There, reporters asked about the recent deportation of three U.S. citizen children. According to recent polls, Trump is increasingly losing support for his hard-line approach to immigration enforcement. Co-host Colby Itkowitz talks to White House reporter Marianne LeVine about what the first 100 days of Trump's immigration policies add up to – and what we could expect next.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thank you to Christine Armario. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Senior politics reporter Aaron Blake talks with The Washington Post's chief correspondent covering national politics, Dan Balz, and national security reporter Abigail Hauslohner about new reporting this week about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth's continued use of Signal, an unclassified messaging app, to share highly sensitive information has roiled the agency he oversees. They also unpack new polling that shows warning signs for Trump: public support for his legally dubious immigration policies have turned negative. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

América Platt was detained at Prairieland – an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Alvarado, Texas. She spent four sleepless nights on the floor because there weren't enough beds. She had her period when she arrived, and a fever from an ear infection – but she said it took hours to access medical care or even a sanitary pad. “You're stripped from your humanity,” she told investigative reporter Doug MacMillan. Today, producer Laura Benshoff speaks with Doug about the conditions in overcrowded ICE detention centers. This episode was produced by Ariel Plotnick and edited by Maggie Penman. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Evelyn Larrubia. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Think you know how to take a good nap? Think again. Neuroscientist and columnist Richard Sima discusses the latest research on how to maximize the benefits. Plus, how breathing can help calm our minds. Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon and mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Lucy Perkins, with help from Maggie Penman. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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 pressured have promised him nearly a billion dollars in legal services. Others are taking the administration to court.Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with law enforcement and criminal justice reporter Mark Berman about how Trump is using the power of the presidency to muzzle private law firms and why many lawyers say his moves undermine the entire justice system.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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 and infectious diseases, about what to know about the widening measles outbreak and how families can protect themselves. Read more:Trump has faced measles before. The difference this time is RFK Jr.RFK Jr.'s focus on vitamin A for measles worries health expertsShould you get a measles booster? Here's what to know.Five people who survived measles recount the disease's horrorsToday's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Lenny Bernstein. Listen to our previous episode ”Inside Texas's Growing Measles Outbreak.”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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-business owners. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Reena Flores, Lucy Perkins with help from Annah Aschbrenner and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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 need to establish or update their benefits.Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with Lisa Rein, who covers the Social Security Administration for The Washington Post, about how this agency has come under fire during the second Trump administration.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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. Thanks also to Rivan Stinson.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Within hours of taking office in January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order freezing nearly all foreign aid. While exemptions were later given for some life-saving services, the move has sent the global fight against HIV/AIDS into chaos. In Kenya, clinics have closed, HIV medication is being rationed and condom dispensers are empty, according to The Washington Post's Nairobi correspondent, Katharine Houreld. She spoke with host Colby Itkowitz about a woman named Mary's story, and how mothers and children with HIV fear for their lives.In the wake of the U.S. overhaul in foreign aid, many now wonder: How much of these long-fought victories against the virus are now being lost? Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sean Carter, and edited by Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Jesse Mesner-Hage and Jennifer Amur. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

With the stock market roiling following the announcement of new tariffs, Republicans are confronting a challenge. Will they support President Donald Trump's economic plans, even if they don't believe in them? Or will they seek to temper his moves and draw criticism from a president who hates disloyalty?Senior reporter Aaron Blake talks with Post congressional correspondent Liz Goodwin and Senate reporter Theodoric Meyer about the mixed reactions to this week's bombshell economic news. They also discuss how special elections in Florida, and a state Supreme Court race in Wisconsin, provide Democrats with some positive data points after their stinging 2024 defeat. In particular, Elon Musk's spending push in support of the conservative candidate in Wisconsin may have backfired, motivating liberal voters to turn out en masse. Plus, what Cory Booker's more than 25-hour speech from the Senate floor did and didn't accomplish.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the largest increase in tariffs in modern U.S. history, unveiling import taxes that he said would revive domestic manufacturing and amount to a national “Declaration of Economic Independence.”Today on “Post Reports,” financial writer David Lynch joins host Colby Itkowitz to discuss the impact of these tariffs on the American economy, and on your wallet. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson and Ariel Plotnick, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Jen Liberto. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

President Donald Trump has wanted to make Greenland a part of the United States since his first term, citing its strategic location and valuable mineral resources. Now, the White House is drawing up scenarios for how the U.S. could take control of Greenland from Denmark, which currently governs the island. But those in Greenland and Denmark have been alarmed by the Trump administration's strategy and rhetoric.White House reporter Michael Birnbaum reports on this effort and the challenges that the administration is facing as it tries to make this plan into a reality. Today's show was produced by Ariel Plotnick and Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and Peter Bresnan and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

From New York to Boston to Washington, we've seen arrests of noncitizens by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, citing ties to Hamas and Hezbollah. The evidence seems to be their participation in protests of the Israel-Gaza war, or social media posts.Civil liberties groups say the legal justifications are tenuous and potentially unconstitutional. The First Amendment protects the right to speak, protest and publish views, regardless of citizenship status. But experts say that deportation is an area where courts have historically granted the executive branch broad latitude — and that gray area is where the Trump administration is operating.Today on “Post Reports,” reporter María Luisa Paúl joins host Colby Itkowitz to outline the rights of noncitizen protesters. And, as reports emerge of travelers being questioned, detained or refused entry at U.S. ports of entry — and of travelers having their phones searched and taken by border patrol officers – technology reporter Heather Kelly shares her guide to locking down your devices.Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Sean Carter, and edited by Maggie Penman. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Conservative judicial candidate Brad Schimel and Democratic-backed judge Susan Crawford are the ones on the ballot in Tuesday's election. But it's Elon Musk who's drawing outsized attention in the race for an open seat on Wisconsin's Supreme Court.That's because the billionaire and his super PAC are pumping money into a race that Republicans claim could decide the fate of the country. Democrats, meanwhile, are also spending millions, hoping that painting Musk as the ultimate villain of the race will inspire their base to turnout. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks to Wisconsin-based reporter Patrick Marley about how the cash is being spent and the strategy behind it all. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Dan Eggen. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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 Ava Wallace is joined by Washington Post national baseball writer Chelsea Janes to discuss how the Dodgers are shaping the future of America's pastime and building a team to compete in October. Today's show was produced by Lucas Trevor. It was mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Maggie Penman. Clips provided courtesy of MLB. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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 joins host Colby Itkowitz to discuss the signals the Trump administration has sent taxpayers with its shrinking of the IRS. And he explains how the administration is hoping to use the tax agency's confidential taxpayer databases to aid in its mass deportation campaign.Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Bishop Sand. It was edited by Peter Bresnan and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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 Carter.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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 about how that strategy involves sidelining legacy media in favor of newer outlets, and with Drew about how the White House is leveraging social media to attack critics and turn policy into meme-worthy moments.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair, with help from Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.Wondering where Martine is?

The morning after the 2020 election, then-president Donald Trump prematurely declared victory and claimed that a “fraud” was being perpetrated on the American public. He would go on to wage a campaign against the 2020 results, which culminated in rioters storming the U.S. Capitol. Now, with Trump back on the ballot, experts are concerned that Trump and his allies may use the same playbook they did in 2020 to challenge the 2024 results. Trump has already suggested that the 2024 election would be stolen from him and has continued to press baseless claims about election fraud. Today on “Post Reports,” Martine Powers speaks with reporter Patrick Marley about how Trump tried to contest the 2020 results, what has changed in the past four years, and what may play out in 2024.Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Jenna Johnson. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This year, several large unions withheld their endorsements for a presidential candidate – a move that upset Democrats, because the majority of unions have always endorsed Democratic candidates. This was reflective of a shift that's been happening since the 2016 election, with more and more union members moving to the right.This division was on display when labor reporter Lauren Kaori Gurley visited the Ford auto plant in Wayne, Michigan, a factory in a critical swing state. Workers told her that they listen to MSNBC and Joe Rogan while they work and wear shirts in support of former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Some said they were still undecided. Host Martine Powers spoke with Lauren about why this shift to the right has happened and what workers at the auto plant told her about how they're deciding whom to vote for.Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Sean Carter. And edited by Reena Flores, with help from Monica Campbell. Thanks to Mike Madden. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

In recent months, rapid advances in AI audio technology have made it possible to clone any voice, chat with artificial versions of celebrities like Judi Dench, and make a podcast on any topic in minutes. Those developments have raised ethical questions, opening the door for election disinformation and scams. And they've also raised philosophical questions about what complex constellation of qualities allows us to relate to a voice.Martine Powers speaks with technology columnist Geoffrey Fowler about how Silicon Valley is attempting to re-create the human voice – and where they're falling short.Also mentioned in today's show: How to spot AI-generated “deepfakes” of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff with help from Elana Gordon. It was edited by Peter Bresnan with help from Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Jon Tester is one of the last Senate Democrats standing in a red state. First elected in 2006, he pitches his bipartisan record and his Montana roots as an antidote to national political warfare. He still farms the land his grandparents settled in the state and has a personal relationship with voters. But the state he represents is changing. The Republican candidate, businessman and veteran Tim Sheehy, has accused Tester of being too liberal for Montana, a state that voted for Trump by more than 16 percentage points in 2020.On today's “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers speaks with reporter Liz Goodwin, who traveled to Montana with producer Laura Benshoff, about the race and the Republican voters who used to like Tester and will probably decide his fate.This episode was produced by Laura Benshoff, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Reena Flores, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thank you to Emily Ruahala and Jesse Mesner-Hage.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Just 140 miles off the coast of the Philippines' largest island is a sparkling blue lagoon that is rich with fish and minerals. This ring of reefs and rocks is called Scarborough Shoal. For centuries, it has been a place of open passageway and connection, drawing fishermen from all over the region. It's a place that captain Jory Aguian, student activist Mathew Silverio and the rest of a small Philippine flotilla of wooden boats are determined to reach. They hope to follow in the steps of generations before them and to show solidarity with the Philippine fishermen who have managed to remain at Scarborough. However, getting there is complicated. Scarborough Shoal is in the South China Sea – a waterway that is claimed in part by at least six countries and has become one of the most geopolitically tense places in the world. With its geographic proximity, the Philippines views Scarborough as theirs, but China also claims the shoal. In recent years, as the Philippines has tried to stress its claim to this waterway, China has doubled down on its efforts to maintain its security interests in the South China Sea. This has led to escalating tensions and confrontations, with Chinese ships using water cannons on Philippine boats and flying fighter jets overhead. And so the question for those on board this small Philippine flotilla is: Can they do this, can they achieve their goal of making it to Scarborough? How far are they willing to go, to risk their lives?Today on “Post Reports,” we embed with the Post's Southeast Asia bureau chief, Rebecca Tan, on a voyage into these contested waterways. Yasmin Coles and Martin San Diego contributed to this story. Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Peter Bresnan with help from Reena Flores. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Special thanks to Alan Sipress.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, site of the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history, could reopen in 2028. The plant's owner, Constellation Energy, signed a deal with Microsoft that would allocate 100% of the plant's power output to the tech company. Constellation is seeking a $1.6 billion federal loan guarantee to get the plant up and running. Microsoft hopes the power generated by the facility will help fuel the increasing energy needs of AI. It's estimated that by 2030, 17% of the U.S. energy output could be going to data centers used by tech companies to power AI. On today's “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers speaks with reporter Evan Halper about how AI is reshaping the energy landscape in the U.S., and about the potential benefits and dangers of reopening Three Mile Island. One other story mentioned in today's episode: see how climate change could be affecting the price of your home. Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Ariel Plotnick, with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Christopher Rowland.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This summer, at a small recruiting station in Toms River, New Jersey, Sgt. 1st Class Dane Beaston met with a team of Army recruiters to offer some encouragement.“Let's change the places we're looking,” Beaston told his colleagues. “Let's change our messaging. Let's change what we're doing if it's not working, right? But the potential's out there.”Beaston has given a lot of talks like these lately. While his team has gotten closer to meeting its goals since he joined a couple years ago, it fell short of meeting its quota in June. This isn't just a problem in Toms River. Across the country, the Army is struggling to sign people up. Negative trends accelerated by the pandemic have shrunk the number of young people able to meet the Army's academic and athletic requirements. Trust in American institutions is also waning.Today on “Post Reports,” Martine Powers speaks with Greg Jaffe, a national reporter at The Post, about the time he and reporter Missy Ryan spent at the Toms River recruiting station to see how recruiters there are trying to persuade young people to join the Army.Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

From Medicare to Obamacare, health care has long been a powerful and polarizing issue in the race for president. This year, the issue of reproductive health care is dividing Americans. The high cost of prescription drugs and access to affordable health care are also concerns. So how exactly does the ticket of former president Donald Trump and JD Vance compare with Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz when it comes to our health? National health reporter Dan Diamond breaks down what we know from the candidates' current policies and track records. Read more: Vance floats new health plans for chronically ill, reopening ACA debateTrump struggles to embrace ‘lousy' Obamacare, calling again to replace itBiden, Harris say seniors will see lower prices for diabetes, heart medicationsHarris and Trump are ready to take on Big PharmaHow Kamala Harris is tackling medical debt — with Roy Cooper's helpDemocrats' ads shift from Trump to abortion and economy with Harris as nomineeToday's show was produced by Elana Gordon with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy and Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Stephen Smith. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

After Hurricane Helene hit the southern United States last month, a wave of conspiracy theories flooded social media about the storm and the response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. Former president Donald Trump promoted one conspiracy theory, falsely suggesting that the Biden administration used FEMA disaster funds to help migrants at the southern border.Now, as Hurricane Milton nears landfall, FEMA and other federal agencies are gearing up to respond to potentially devastating damage, and also to combat conspiracy theories that may discourage people from getting help. Today on “Post Reports,” Martine Powers speaks with climate reporter Maxine Joselow about how FEMA is preparing for Hurricane Milton while fighting misinformation. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson with help from Peter Bresnan and Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Molly Hennessy-Fiske. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

On today's “Post Reports,” we look into why Republicans are waging legal battles to disqualify mail-in ballots, and why rhetoric against mail voting might actually hurt their presidential candidate. Read more: Since 2020, the Republican Party has waged a nationwide legal campaign to reject mail-in ballots.From Wisconsin to North Carolina to Nevada, Republicans say much of their litigation is aimed at enforcement of election law, down to the letter. But critics see a strategy that has nothing to do with election integrity — and everything to do with disqualifying voters who cast ballots by mail, an overwhelming majority of whom support Democrats. At the same time, Republicans are also ramping up their get-out-the-vote operations, which include pushing their supporters to use mail-in ballots.On today's “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with democracy reporter Colby Itkowitz about Republicans' efforts to get mail-in ballots thrown out in Pennsylvania, and about the have-it-both-ways strategy they're employing in this election. And we hear from an election official in Pennsylvania's Lycoming County — a GOP-leaning area in the center of the state — who's sick of the fighting. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Sabby Robinson and Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thank you to Griff Witte and HyoJung Kim. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.