Big Take DC

More than half of Americans enrolled in Medicare receive their coverage from a private insurer through a program called Medicare Advantage. But according to whistleblowers, some of those companies may be overcharging the government and getting billions of taxpayer dollars in the process. Several Justice Department investigations have followed those claims. On today’s Big Take podcast, we hear from one of those whistleblowers and Bloomberg health-care reporter John Tozzi about how Medicare Advantage took off and the questions these fraud allegations raise about how taxpayer dollars are spent. Read more:  Major Insurers Are Scamming Billions from Medicare, Whistle-Blowers Say Medicare Advantage Fraud Case Settled for Up to $100 Million UnitedHealth Falls on DOJ Probe Into Medicare Billing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday marks the three year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And over the last few days, Trump has revealed his approach to ending the conflict. It would reverse years of US foreign policy in the region and has, so far, left Ukraine out of direct conversations with Russia. On today’s Big Take DC podcast, Bloomberg reporter Iain Marlow takes us inside the historic US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia and explains what Trump’s pivot in policy and alliances could mean for America’s role on the global stage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump’s attacks on a key international aid agency, USAID, has left its work frozen and kicked off a fierce legal battle between his administration and US courts over its future.  On today’s Big Take DC podcast, we hear from Bloomberg’s Simon Marks and health care workers on the ground in Nairobi about how the fight playing out more than 7,000 miles away is affecting HIV treatment there. And national security editor Nick Wadhams explains why Trump has taken aim at USAID and what a gutting of the agency could mean for US soft power. Read more:  USAID Cuts in Kenya Reveal Risks to Lives and American Influence Worldwide After DOGE's Chaotic USAID Shutdown: Wasted Supplies, Layoffs and Lawsuits See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nine days after his swearing in, Scott Bessent sat down with Big Take DC host Saleha Mohsin at the US Treasury Department. They discussed topics in his purview dominating the headlines — Elon Musk’s DOGE efforts, tariffs — and his plans for taxes, trade, the Fed and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump says the president should be able to decide how to spend taxpayer money – not Congress. Part of his plan? Impoundment: A controversial maneuver that could wrest control of trillions of dollars in federal spending away from Congress. Bloomberg politics reporter Gregory Korte joins Big Take DC host Saleha Mohsin to explain what impoundment is, the pushback against Trump’s efforts and how the battle over its legality could play out. Is there an idea in the news that you want explained? Email us at bigtake@bloomberg.net. Read more: Trump Vows to ‘Impound’ Money Congress Appropriates. Can He Do It?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it a trade war or is it whiplash?  On Saturday, President Trump announced new 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. On Sunday, he said tariffs were coming for the European Union, too.The tariffs were initially supposed to take effect at 12:01 am Tuesday morning eastern time, but since that weekend announcement, the tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods have been delayed for one month. Meanwhile, the tariffs on Chinese goods are proceeding as scheduled. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s global economy reporter Enda Curran and host Sarah Holder make sense of the news — and discuss how this could disrupt the US economy and reshape global commerce.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a tough stretch for Boeing. Its new CEO Kelly Ortberg is trying to rebuild public trust and turn the company’s finances around, all while navigating pressure from President Trump to deliver new Air Force One jets and working with the founder of one of Boeing’s chief rivals, Elon Musk. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg senior aerospace reporter Julie Johnsson joins host David Gura to explain the turbulent road ahead for the US planemaker. Read More: Elon Musk’s Air Force One Scrutiny Tests Boeing’s Path to RecoverySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Donald Trump back in the White House, global business leaders attending the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland this week seem to be falling into line with the US president’s “America First” agenda. Today on the show, host David Gura talks to Bloomberg’s Ted Mann about Trump’s influence over Davos, and the CEOs who missed the opening of the conference — including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg — but had front-row seats at his inauguration. Read more: ‘Which Time Were You Lying?’: The Great CEO Flip-Flop Over Trump Hits Davos Further listening: Davos Is Learning the ‘Art of the Deal’ With TrumpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Bessent is President-Elect Trump’s pick to be the treasury secretary, a role that spans oversight of the $28 trillion market for US government debt to economic sanctions. Today on the show, Big Take DC’s Saleha Mohsin joins host David Gura to discuss the tightrope act that landed Bessent the nomination: winning over both MAGA and Wall Street.   Read more: How Scott Bessent Won Over MAGA and Wall Street  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US intelligence officials say that a hacking campaign known as “Volt Typhoon” has the potential to disrupt critical infrastructure systems in Guam — a significant hub for the US military that holds particular importance in US-China relations.  On today’s Big Take DC podcast, Bloomberg national security reporter Katrina Manson shares what she’s learned about the threat and how it could limit America’s ability to push back if China were to invade Taiwan. Read more: The US’s Worst Fears of Chinese Hacking Are on Display in GuamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.