On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty assesses what Elon Musk and his Department of Government of Efficiency have achieved as Musk’s appointment as special government employee is due to expire. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

El Salvador was once the murder capital of the world. Now under President Nayib Bukele, it’s safer than Canada. But with 2% of its population locked up -- what is the real cost of this newfound safety? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

A $400 million jet from Qatar. His own crypto coin. Is President Donald Trump normalizing corruption? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

No witnesses. No physical evidence. An ironclad alibi. Nevertheless, a Texas jury sentenced Ben Spencer to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Journalist and author Barbara Bradley Hagerty shares what it took to set Spencer free. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

AI companies say they are running out of high-quality data to train their models on. But they might have a solution: data generated by artificial intelligence systems themselves. The pros and cons of synthetic data. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Texas state legislature just passed a bill that would send doctors, teachers, librarians and more to jail if they provide kids with "harmful" materials. But who decides what's harmful, and what's not? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the life and experiences of the White House Deputy Chief of Staff and their connection with Trumpism. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

A ceasefire deal has put a pause on conflict between India and Pakistan. But experts say the two nuclear powers have a lot to work out if the Kashmir region is to move toward long-term peace. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The world's 1.4 billion Catholics have a new pope, Leo XIV. But the church he now leads is far from unified. What does the global Catholic Church want from a new pope -- and can he deliver it? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Biden administration first labeled Venezuelan gang as a multi-national criminal organization. President Trump has now put Tren de Aragua at the center of the debate over immigration and deportation. But will his methods neutralize the threat Tren de Aragua poses to the U.S.? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

As the U.S. military faces a recruiting crisis, women have been consistent enlistees into America’s armed forces. So why is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth canceling a program supporting them? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The vast majority of Trump’s executive orders have come from The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, and the so-called "America First" plan. How the Trump administration is turning Project 2025 and the so-called 'America First' agenda into reality. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on what President Trump does and doesn’t know about U.S. history and what that means for the country today. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Trump administration wants to expand the American lumber industry by logging more trees in national forests and raising tariffs on lumber imports. The impact that could have on the domestic timber industry. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina last year. President Donald Trump promised North Carolinians he wouldn’t forget them. But recently, Trump's FEMA rejected the state's request for extended relief funding. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Starting May 7, you will have to have a REAL ID to board a U.S. domestic flight. But so much has changed in the 20 years since Real ID was first proposed, is REAL ID 20 years out-of-date? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Millions of healthy children didn't set foot in a classroom for more than a year during the COVID pandemic. Journalist David Zweig says those school closures may have done more harm than good. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

President Trump believes that if you're born in the United States, you should not automatically be a citizen. Historian Heather Cox Richardson says Trump is willfully misinterpreting American history and the Constitution. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the centrality of the rule of law in the U.S. And the findings of a Pew Research poll that 88% of Americans believe that President Trump should follow Supreme Court orders. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Austin, Texas was known as a funky, liberal haven in a deep red state. Now, there’s big tech money pouring in and huge growth. How has life changed there? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Skittles, Mountain Dew Baja Blast. These foods all contain petroleum-based synthetic food dyes the FDA wants to phase out by the end of next year. Will the ban change American eating habits? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Tesla Takedown protests have been mostly peaceful, but there have been a few incidents of vandalism and even property destruction. Now, Elon Musk and his allies are calling the entire protest movement "domestic terrorism." Is that a fair label? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Tariffs, mortgage rates, clashes with the fed – all make for uncertainty in the economy. On Point’s “Money Ladies” Michelle Singletary and Rana Foroohar join us to talk about your money, the global economy and America’s future. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Will AI devastate humanity or uplift it? Philosopher Christopher DiCarlo's new book examines how we can navigate when AI surpasses human capacity. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The immigration status of Afghans who helped the U.S. government is in jeopardy under the latest Trump crackdowns. How that impacts Afghan refugees and their families already in the U.S. and those stuck abroad. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Harvard University is suing the White House. What the university’s clash with the Trump Administration means for the rest of higher education. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

As the Trump Administration looks to cut government spending, many Indigenous communities say they’re losing vital public services. It could be a violation of long-standing treaties between tribes and the federal government. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

With more than 60% of Americans taking a prescription drug, there are increasing questions about how these medicines are approved, how they're kept safe and how they’re priced. In a new book, Harvard’s Dr. Jerry Avorn argues the drugs we take have been compromised by profits. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Teenage boys are experiencing increasing rates of loneliness and suicidal thoughts -- which is having a direct impact on their achievement in school. How can schools address that? The final part in On Point’s special series “Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America’s Boys.” *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

After decades of decline, male teachers now make up less than a quarter of the public-school teaching force. What’s driving men away, and what would it take to bring them back? On Point’s weeklong series exploring boys and education continues. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Data show boys are falling behind in school. Black boys are falling behind the most. What’s happening in classrooms that are bucking that trend? On Point’s weeklong series exploring boys and education continues. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

'Boys will be boys.' How are perceptions about boys’ behavior in the classroom shaping their entire education? It’s part two of On Point’s weeklong series, "Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys." *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Boys fall behind girls in education in the U.S. starting as young as eight years old. Understanding how boys learn is key to knowing why that’s happening. It's part one of On Point’s weeklong series “Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America’s Boys.” *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Spotify promised independent artists a new revenue stream, and listeners exposure to new music. In the new book 'Mood Machine,' music journalist Liz Pelly examines how the streaming giant has shaped our listening habits. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on who’s been advising President Trump on his tariff policies. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

A White House executive order seeks to eliminate “improper anti-American ideology” and promote "American greatness" at the nation’s museums. What Trump's recent attacks on the Smithsonian mean for how Americans understand their shared history. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

A new On Point special series explores why America’s boys are falling behind in school, and what can be done about it. Hear the first episode on Monday, April 14 in your podcast feed. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Many on the political right accuse the left of policing what people can and can't say. Now, the Trump administration is cracking down on words related to diversity and inclusion. Has a so-called 'woke right' replaced the so-called 'woke left?' *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

From pandemic inflation to the impact of tariffs the price of groceries is getting a lot of attention. But who decides what we pay -- and why? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The National Weather Service has been around for more than 150 years – their mission is explicitly to provide forecasts and warnings to protect lives and property. Experts warn that its hollowing out could have long-lasting implications. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

In this week’s Jackpod Meghna and Jack spoke about this episode of On Point from August last year about ‘radical monarchist’ Curtis Yarvin and the so-called New Right movement. To make it easy to find we’re dropping it here again. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

President Trump has signed several Executive Orders targeting law firms who have challenged his agenda or hired his political enemies. Many in the legal community worry about the impact this could have on the overall legal system. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on Donald Trump’s musings about being president for a third term and what paths might exist for that to happen. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The merchant marines are sometimes referred to as the "fourth arm of national defense." So what does a shortage mean for American security? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Rebroadcast: Judith Boivin thought she was helping the FBI go after drug traffickers. But in reality she had fallen victim to an elaborate plot to rob her of her retirement savings. She is not alone. How elaborate new scams are trapping well-meaning Americans. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

They used to work in now-shuttered regional social security offices, or protecting our National Parks or nuclear security. Then President Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE terminated their positions -- and thousands more. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Escalating trade wars, disputes with allies, group chats with top U.S. officials' attack plans. What does the second Trump administration look like from China? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Dozens of Afghan women studying abroad are terrified of being sent back to Afghanistan if the State Department cancels their U.S.-funded scholarships. In this archive episode from September last year, Afghan women reveal what it's like to live under Taliban rule. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Rebroadcast: Languishing. That feeling of a lack of motivation or direction. Most people feel a sense of languishing at some point in their lives. So how do we move from languishing to flourishing? Sociologist Corey Keyes has spent his career trying to find the answer. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks ahead to April 2nd, what the Trump administration has dubbed Liberation Day, when an array of reciprocal tariffs go into effect. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint