

Brian Lehrer Weekend: Trump & Business; AI & Therapy; Weekend Plans
Aug 23, 2025
William D. Cohan, a veteran finance journalist from Puck News, discusses Trump's controversial influence on Wall Street, addressing his claims against major banks and the potential impact on investor confidence. Jared Moore, an AI researcher at Stanford, dives into the promise and risks of using chatbots for therapy, highlighting the limitations in emotional understanding. The conversation wraps up with tips for delightful family-friendly weekend getaways as summer winds down.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump Uses Business Targets To Flex Power
- Trump publicly pressures Wall Street leaders to signal power and distract the public.
- William Cohan warns this blurs lines between government and private sector influence.
Daily Provocations As Distraction Strategy
- Cohan sees Trump's actions as daily attempts to antagonize liberal elites and distract from other issues.
- He suggests the pattern serves to deflect attention from legal and political problems.
Risk Of Wounding Market Confidence
- Aggressive attacks on a few dominant Wall Street firms risk undermining investor confidence.
- Cohan warns a shaken market would directly harm Trump's political standing.