The Powers That Be: Daily

Political reporter Abby Livingston dives into Capitol Hill's reactions to Nicolás Maduro's arrest, highlighting the tension between Congress and the Biden administration over notification norms. She outlines the stark divide among Republicans and Democrats regarding this foreign action and debates whether unilateral moves are becoming the new standard. Shifting gears, Abby also discusses Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's surprising decision to exit his reelection bid amidst a social services scandal and the implications for state politics, including potential shifts for Amy Klobuchar.

CBS introduces a new set of principles aimed at rebuilding trust, but some see the changes as superficial. The hosts dive into the dynamics of ownership pressure affecting newsroom culture. Meanwhile, Netflix's pivot to video podcasts is a strategic move to engage audiences, particularly with athlete-hosted content. They explore how this low-cost programming taps into passive listening habits and underserved markets. Predictions for sports media's future reveal intriguing insights about streaming rights and emerging trends.

Ezra Klein, a New York Times opinion columnist and podcaster, joins John Heilemann to dissect the political landscape of 2025. They delve into Trump's evolving narrative, the impact of tariffs, and the role of AI in politics. Ezra highlights the Democrats’ newfound momentum and discusses the complexities of Trump's chaotic governing style. Their conversation also touches on the importance of narrative in politics and the interplay between art and activism, illustrating how beauty can influence the political realm.

Join Jon Favreau and Jon Lovett, former Obama speechwriters turned political commentators, as they dissect the tumultuous first year of Trump's second term. They explore how Trump's self-inflicted wounds shaped his presidency and debate the effectiveness of Democratic strategies in gaining attention. The duo also touches on alarming deportations, the enablers within Congress, and what emotional drivers are influencing voter sentiments. With keen insights into potential Republican contenders for 2028, they highlight the necessity for Democrats to offer visionary solutions.

Julia Ioffe, a journalist and expert on Russia and Ukraine, joins Peter to analyze Zelensky’s diplomatic maneuvers in light of his recent meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. They discuss the seemingly stalled peace negotiations, exploring Zelensky’s potential concessions and Russia's reluctance to compromise. Ioffe highlights Europe’s hesitance to provide security guarantees and the ongoing military stalemate. The duo emphasizes that without readiness from both sides, achieving peace remains elusive.

Leigh Ann Caldwell, a national political reporter and expert on Republican politics, joins to dissect the challenges facing the GOP ahead of the midterms. She highlights Trump's dwindling support and the party's struggle with economic messaging. Discussing the unpopular One Big Beautiful Bill, she explains how it hampers campaign strategies. Caldwell also examines Trump's disengagement from Congress and the impact on legislative agendas. The conversation delves into the tricky balance Republicans must strike between aligning with Trump and addressing voter concerns.

Peter Hamby and Jon Kelly dive into bold media predictions for 2026. They discuss Disney's potential succession drama and predict Josh DeMauro as a frontrunner. The duo speculates that Netflix will outmaneuver competitors to win the Warner Bros. auction. They highlight TikTok's momentum slowing against Instagram and foresee the rise of AI-generated video news. The NBA's ambition for global expansion and the potential fallout of political podcast blunders add more intrigue to the mix.

Emma Tucker, Editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, reshapes journalism with an audience-first approach. She discusses modernizing the historic paper and using analytics to enhance engagement. Tucker emphasizes the importance of bold, distinctive reporting, including notable scoops like Biden's age. The conversation also dives into newsroom restructuring, uniting different desks for collaboration, and contrasting US and UK newsroom cultures. With a focus on lifestyle-adjacent business content, she aims to attract a dynamic readership and drive subscriber growth.

Veteran sports columnist Sally Jenkins shares her insightful journey from The Washington Post to The Atlantic, reflecting on her emotional farewell after 25 years. She discusses the impact of a friend's advice that influenced her decision on the buyout offer. Jenkins highlights the necessity for The Post to adapt amidst restructuring and emphasizes the importance of investing in digital platforms. Additionally, she previews Bill Belichick’s future at UNC and assesses the sustainability of LIV Golf, while delving into her genealogy research on the Manning family.

Gene Pressman, a fashion visionary and grandson of the Barneys New York founder, shares insights from his memoir about the retail giant's cultural impact. He reflects on Barneys’ rise amid the creative revolution of the 1960s and 70s, revealing how they championed emerging designers. Meanwhile, Jessica Testa discusses the legacy of Giorgio Armani and the strategic appointment of Chloe Malle at American Vogue, focusing on the need for journalism over spectacle and a more audience-centric approach. Together, they navigate the shifting landscape of fashion and retail.