After five days of escalating conflict with Israel, Iran’s government may be running out of moves. Today, President Trump called on Iran to surrender without conditions. WSJ’s Sune Engel Rasmussen explores how Iran built itself into a regional power and why its government now finds itself imperiled. Annie Minoff hosts.  

Further Listening:

-Iran and the U.S. Were Set to Negotiate. Then Israel Attacked 

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This year, Washington D.C. has faced ⁠thousands of federal jobs cuts⁠ due to President Trump’s DOGE work. Also, the city has a ⁠$1 billion budget shortfall⁠ after Congress passed a funding bill forcing the District to revert to its 2024 budget. ⁠Jessica Mendoza⁠ sat down with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to discuss the city’s challenges, the weekend’s military parade, and ⁠her relationship with Trump⁠. 

Further Listening:

- ⁠Inside DOGE’s Campaign of Secrecy ⁠

- ⁠Can the GOP Unite Around Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’?⁠

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Photo: Uncredited

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U.S. officials planned to meet with an Iranian delegation this weekend to discuss curbs on Iran’s nuclear program. In a twist, those talks ended up as cover for a surprise Israeli attack that killed top Iranian officials and struck key nuclear sites. Now, Iran is retaliating. WSJ’s Michael R. Gordon lays out the U.S.’s diplomacy efforts in the Middle East and explains what to expect next. Annie Minoff hosts.

Further Listening:

- Why Israel and Hamas Could Be Headed Into a Forever War 

- A Deadly Drone Attack and Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ 

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Leonard Leo is a conservative lawyer and co-chairman of the Federalist Society who played a significant role in shifting the U.S. Supreme Court rightward. Now he is focusing his efforts on reshaping American culture through entertainment. He’s channeling funds towards high production value Christian and conservative television shows and films, including Amazon Prime’s hit "House of David.” WSJ’s Maggie Severns reports on how Leo is using a fund of more than $1 billion to back Hollywood blockbusters that push a more right-wing agenda. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

-The Return of Religious Films to Hollywood 

-Ron Howard and Brian Grazer on Longevity in Hollywood 

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UnitedHealth is the largest healthcare company in the U.S. But over the last 18 months, a string of challenges, including several Justice Department probes, have tested the company. WSJ’s Anna Wilde Mathews and Christopher Weaver report on how the company rose to prominence, why its CEO is out, and how it has weathered the setbacks. Annie Minoff hosts.  

Further Listening: 

-Medicare, Inc. Part 1: How Insurers Make Billions From Medicare 

-Medicare, Inc. Part 2: Taxpayers Paid for Care Denied by Insurers 

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To fulfill a key campaign promise, the Trump administration has been pushing ICE to arrest more migrants. WSJ’s Michelle Hackman explains how that’s led to more aggressive tactics and raids like the ones that unfolded in Los Angeles on Friday, sparking major protests. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Deportations Could Upend This Parachute Factory 

- How Frog Embryos Landed a Scientist in ICE Detention 

- A New Phase in Trump’s Immigration Fight 

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The storybook bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk seems to have come to an end. WSJ’s Rebecca Ballhaus unpacks what happened and what the stakes are for the two powerful men. Jessica Mendoza hosts. 

Further Listening:

- Tesla Has a Problem: Elon Musk 

- Elon Musk’s Secret Conversations With Vladimir Putin 

- Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped it Apart 

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Some of the sickest Medicare Advantage patients ran into problems getting end-of-life care. Ultimately many patients switched to traditional Medicare, costing taxpayers billions, according to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal. This is one of many Medicare Advantage practices that is now under government scrutiny. Both Congress and Medicare agency head Dr. Mehmet Oz are pushing for reforms to curb tactics that can boost federal payments to private insurers. The Department of Justice is also investigating major private insurance companies UnitedHealth, Aetna, Elevance Health and Humana. Jessica Mendoza discusses the investigations with WSJ’s Anna Wilde Mathews.

Further Listening:

-Medicare, Inc. Part 1: How Insurers Make Billions From Medicare 

-A Life-or-Death Insurance Denial 

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Medicare Advantage was designed to save the government money. But a Wall Street Journal investigation found that private insurers used the program to generate extra payments through questionable diagnoses. The investigation uncovered instances of potentially deadly illnesses like AIDS, where patients received no follow-up care, as well as diagnoses that were medically impossible. This happened in part when insurers sent nurse practitioners into Medicare Advantage recipients’ homes. Jessica Mendoza discusses the investigation with WSJ’s Christopher Weaver as well as a nurse who participated in the program. 

Further Listening:

-A Life-or-Death Insurance Denial 

-Even Doctors Are Frustrated With Health Insurance 

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A special immigration status helped Mills Manufacturing, which makes parachutes for the U.S. military, keep its workforce fully staffed. But last week, an order from the Supreme Court allowed the Trump Administration to revoke temporary protections for about 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua. WSJ’s Ruth Simon explains why companies like Mills are scrambling. Annie Minoff hosts.

Further Listening:

- A New Phase in Trump’s Immigration Fight 

- How Frog Embryos Landed a Scientist in ICE Detention 

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