Dan Merica

Dan Merica, co-anchor of The Early Brief, and Patrick Svitek, a breaking news reporter for The Washington Post, tackle the public fallout between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. They dissect Musk's critiques and political aspirations alongside Trump's new travel ban. Additionally, they delve into the controversial remarks by Senator Joni Ernst on Medicaid cuts, highlighting the growing rifts within the Republican Party as lawmakers navigate voter concerns ahead of elections. Their insights offer a captivating glimpse into the evolving political landscape.

Theodoric Meyer, a Congressional reporter for The Washington Post, and Dan Merica, a politics reporter and co-anchor of the Early Brief newsletter, explore the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. They delve into the intense legislative drama, which included a sleeping lawmaker almost causing chaos. The duo discusses the internal Republican struggles and the potential fallout from Medicaid cuts, especially for rural hospitals. They also analyze how this legislation could reshape the political landscape leading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Dan Diamond, a White House reporter specializing in public health, and Dan Merica, a politics reporter at The Washington Post, delve into the recent chaos at the CDC following the firing of director Susan Monarez over vaccine access disputes. They discuss how this turmoil reflects the Trump administration's approach to politics and public health, potentially undermining trust in health authorities. The conversation also touches on the implications for economic policy and the autonomy of institutions like the Federal Reserve, highlighting a worrying trend of political interference.