It’s been a busy month in D.C. for Elon Musk. WSJ’s Tim Higgins joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss what Musk’s strategies as a CEO can tell us about his plans for DOGE and the federal government. Plus, we get into Trump’s relationship with the judiciary and take a question from a listener about American expansionism. 

Further Reading:

-Musk Brings His Business Playbook to Washington: Move Fast and Claim Victory 

-DOGE, Musk and Trump—Our Reporters Answered Your Questions 

Further Listening:

-R.I.P. CFPB? 

-Trump 2.0: Less Foreign Aid, More Tariffs 

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Dating app companies are seeing a decline in demand, so they’re looking to recruit a new matchmaker: AI. WSJ’s Belle Lin reports on Grindr’s big bet that its new AI “wingman” will help its users find love. And we talk to someone who tried it. 

Further Reading:

- Grindr Aims to Build the Dating World’s First AI ‘Wingman’ 

Further Listening:

- The Price of Dating Apps  

- ‘Love Is Blind’ Is Back. Not All the Drama Is On-Screen 

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Netflix’s hit reality show “Love is Blind” returns this Friday with its eighth season. But behind the scenes, there is a legal battle brewing over the treatment of cast members looking for love. We spoke to a former participant and others in the industry about how this could change reality TV. 

Further Reading:

-How ‘Love Is Blind’ Helped Netflix Crack the Reality-TV Code 

Further Listening:

-James Bond Is Missing. He's Trapped in a Fight With Amazon. 

-Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows 

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The Trump administration's newly installed acting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau chief Russell Vought is closing the agency and has ordered staff to halt all work. WSJ’s Brian Schwartz explores what the agency does and why it’s become the next target for Trump allies like Vought and Elon Musk.

Further Listening:

- Trump 2.0: Less Foreign Aid, More Tariffs 

- Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart 

- Trump’s Tariff Whiplash 

Further Reading:

- CFPB to Close Office After Vought Tells Staff to Halt All Supervision 

- Russell Vought Taking Over as New Acting Head of CFPB 

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Denver was named the winner of a new women’s pro soccer franchise last month, in part because it plans to build one of the first stadiums exclusively for the league. WSJ’s Rachel Bachman explains the seismic shift in women’s sports - and the big money that is coming with it.

Further Reading:

-The Force in Women’s Sports That’s Even More Powerful Than Caitlin Clark 

-No One Wanted to Finance Their Stadium. Now Every Game Is a Sellout. 

Further Listening:

-Can the WNBA Cash in on the Caitlin Clark Effect? 

-The Kiss Rocking Women’s Soccer 

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If you’ve watched any professional sports this year, chances are you’ve seen ad after ad pushing parlay bets. WSJ’s Katherine Sayre explains how parlays became big business for sports betting companies. 

Further Listening:

- How a Psychiatrist Lost $400,000 on Gambling Apps 

- Disney Gets Into Gambling  

Further Reading: 

- America Has Fallen in Love With Long-Shot Sports Bets 

- This Year’s Big NFL Winners: Fans, Not Sportsbooks

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WSJ’s Joel Schectman joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to explore the dismantling of USAID and what it means for America’s future as a global leader. Plus, Trump's tariffs, a Gaza proposal and remaking the CIA.  

Further Listening: 

- Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart 

- Trump’s Tariff Whiplash 

Further Reading:

- How Trump Gutted America’s $40 Billion Aid Agency in Two Weeks 

- CIA Offers Buyout to Entire Workforce as Part of Trump Makeover 

- Democrats Have a New Leader but Haven’t Come to Grips With Failure 

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President Donald Trump wants the world's richest man, Elon Musk, to shrink the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency. And one of DOGE's first targets? USAID, the agency that focuses on foreign assistance. We talk to a USAID worker who is out of work this week and to WSJ’s Brian Schwartz about how powerful Musk and DOGE have become.

Further Reading:

-How Trump Gutted America’s $40 Billion Aid Agency in Two Weeks 

-Trump Hints at Curbs on Musk’s Powers After Billionaire Shakes Up Washington 

Further Listening:

-DOGE: The Plan to Downsize the Government 

-Is DEI Done? 

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Vail Resorts is the king of the mountain. But recently, the ski company has been facing issues with overcrowding and labor disputes. WSJ travel reporter Allison Pohle on how Vail Resorts might be a victim of its own success.

Further Reading:

- Vail Resorts Has an Epic Problem 

- Vail Resorts Shareholder Calls for Overhaul, Ouster of Executives Including CEO 

Further Listening:

- How Target Got Off Target 

- A Surprise Turkey and 200 Lemons: Everyday Stories From the Pandemic  

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Today, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cleared a major hurdle to becoming the nation's chief health officer. WSJ’s Liz Essley Whyte on Kennedy’s history and the heated lead-up to a full Senate vote.

Further Reading:

-RFK Jr. Clears Committee Vote, Putting Him on Track to Become Health Secretary 

-RFK Jr. Backs Vaccines and Trump’s Agenda in Senate Testimony 

-How RFK Jr. Transformed From Green Hero to Vaccine Skeptic 

Further Listening:

-Even Doctors Are Frustrated With Health Insurance 

-PepsiCo’s New Healthy Diet: More Potato Chips and Soda 

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