Economy Jul 15 How an inflation uptick and Trump’s pressure complicate the Fed’s interest rate decision A new report shows inflation has picked up and analysts believe the prices of many goods increased, in part, because of President Trump’s tariffs. It will play into decisions by the Federal Reserve about when and whether to cut interest…
World Jul 15 Will Trump’s shift on arming Ukraine help end Russia’s invasion? Experts weigh in In announcing a new weapons package for Ukraine and a ceasefire deadline for Putin, President Trump reversed his previous stance towards Russia’s invasion. But will the weapons have the intended effect for Ukraine, or does the deadline give Russia weeks…
Politics Jul 15 Projects bringing water to drought-ridden land could end with USAID’s dismantling As the Trump administration ends USAID's mission, a project to bring water to drought-ridden lands is now in peril. In partnership with the Pulitzer Center, William Brangham and producer Molly Knight Raskin traveled to a community in central Kenya to…
Nation Jul 14 Former FEMA head responds to praise and criticism of federal response to Texas floods The federal response to the flash flooding disaster in Texas has come under scrutiny. President Trump, who has called for cuts to FEMA, praised the agency during his recent visit to Texas, but did not comment on his plans for…
Politics Jul 14 A look at the split in Trump’s base over the Epstein files The handling of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s case continues to roil the MAGA world. After repeatedly claiming there were scandalous, criminal details about Epstein being hidden from the public, some of those same people are now saying there’s nothing to…
Politics Jul 14 Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on the political fallout of the Epstein investigation NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join William Brangham to discuss the latest political news, including the political fallout of the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, the White House…
Economy Jul 11 How the toy industry is feeling the effects of Trump’s tariffs President Trump is dialing up the pressure on several countries in pursuit of trade deals. Trump dismissed a warning from Hasbro’s CEO that toy prices will rise if the U.S. continues to hike tariffs. William Brangham discussed the tariffs and…
Politics Jul 08 How Trump’s tariff threats could impact relationship between U.S. and Asian allies President Trump is ratcheting up trade negotiations by threatening to place much higher tariffs on several countries. Most of the 14 countries targeted are in Asia, including Japan and South Korea, some of the U.S.'s largest trading partners and staunchest…
Nation Jul 07 Texas flooding death toll surpasses 100 as hope for finding survivors fades Hopes are dimming of finding survivors from the flash floods that deluged central Texas. At least 100 people, including 28 children, were killed in some of the deadliest floods to hit this country in decades. Dozens of people are still…
Politics Jul 03 Why Republicans once staunchly opposed to Trump’s bill changed their minds For more on how Republicans, even those who were staunchly opposed to the so-called "One Big, Beautiful Bill," have since come around, William Brangham spoke with Sarah Longwell, a Republican strategist and publisher of The Bulwark.