How DC Sausage is Made: Ted Cruz & Musk Author Walter Isaacson 6/5/25

In Washington, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) discusses the Senate’s ongoing edits to the reconciliation bill, including deficit debates and AI regulation moratorium. On X, Elon Musk has expressed disappointment and disgust at the legislation, calling to “kill the bill.” The Tesla CEO’s biographer Walter Isaacson discusses the wind-down of DOGE, its lasting impact, and the shifting relationship between Elon Musk and President Trump. CNBC’s Eamon Javers discusses the President’s travel ban and the evolution of the Republican Party. Plus, Reddit has sued Anthropic, the Fed has reported an economic contraction, and President Trump has halted Harvard’s student-visa program.

Eamon Javers - 15:38

Walter Isaacson - 23:25

Sen. Ted Cruz - 35:56

In this episode: 

Ted Cruz, @SenTedCruz

Walter Isaacson, @WalterIsaacson

Eamon Javers, @EamonJavers

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie