On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the numerous ways Donald Trump has sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin since re-entering the White House. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

FBI Director Kash Patel wants to go after President Trump's enemies. That reminds some historians of J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI's notorious first director. But some say Patel wants to weaponize the FBI so completely, even Hoover would disapprove. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

From laptops to learning software, schools invest billions of dollars each year on education technology. But what do we really know about how effective that tech is in the classroom? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Bond traders are worried about President Donald Trump’s proposed tax cuts – and the ever-growing national debt. Could the bond market be a check on Trump’s agenda? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

An Oval Office meeting devolved into a televised shouting match Friday. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III” and being ungrateful for U.S. aid. What this unprecedented moment means for the Ukraine war and the world. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

When the FDA declared an Ozempic and Wegovy shortage, business boomed for pharmacies making cheaper, off-brand versions of the weight loss drugs. Now, the FDA is clamping down. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

A conversation with journalist Lauren Ober about her experience on that jury, her podcast 'We Live Here Now,' and what Trump's pardons mean. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Some of President Trump’s lawsuits against media outlets have resulted in big settlements. Critics say that could have a chilling effect on journalists and embolden Trump to sue more. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The House Republicans’ budget plan calls for billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid. Some 72 million Americans rely on the program for their health care. What's next for Medicaid? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

President Trump is promising to end the now three-year long war in Ukraine. But with Ukraine and Europe sidelined in current negotiations – how far off really is peace? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Trump’s Justice Department ordered criminal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams to be dropped. Multiple federal prosecutors resigned in protest. What do these controversies mean for the future of American law? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how the Democrats could take a leaf from the British parliamentary system to break out of their opinion poll slump. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Trump administration has cut Education Department spending by hundreds of millions of dollars over the past few weeks. What does that mean for the department's future? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Prescriptions for testosterone have tripled in recent years, as some social media fitness influencers claim the hormone is a miracle cure for men. But who really benefits from testosterone therapy? And what are the risks? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

President Trump is promising to remove millions of people who are in the U.S. without legal status. That promise is creating fear among migrants, even those here legally. We head to immigrant communities in Wisconsin to talk about the effects of looming mass deportations. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Childhood vaccination rates are declining. Doctors worry that could lead to a resurgence of diseases such as measles, polio and whooping cough. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks back at Elon Musk's traumatic childhood as a lens through which to understand the world view of the planet’s richest man. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Chinese-owned drone company DJI controls over 75% of the commercial U.S. drone market. Lawmakers say that its presence in the sky threatens American national security. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Just one query to ChatGPT takes as much energy as powering a lightbulb for some 20 minutes. As AI balloons, so does its demand for electricity. That's driving tech companies to increase their demand for fossil fuels. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Russell Vought, head of Trump's Office of Budget and Management, believes the president has the power to completely dismantle any aspect of the federal government he chooses. Bipartisan leaders say Trump and Vought are trying to provoke a constitutional crisis. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Elon Musk is rapidly dismantling or taking control of government agencies during President Trump’s first weeks in power. But is he or Trump in control? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Artificial intelligence is growing fast. And it’s changing how doctors provide care for their patients. How do you make sure these new AI tools are safe? Dr. Brian Anderson says he has an answer. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

If you feel like car headlights have gotten too bright, you’re not alone. The National Highway Traffic Administration receives more consumer complaints about headlight brightness than any other topic. How did this happen? And can we fix it? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on President Trump’s pick for OMB director, Russell Vought. What Vought believes about rule of law in American democracy, and whether that could push the nation to ‘a post-constitutional moment.' *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

“Reunification therapy” is a practice designed to rebuild connection between an estranged parent and their child. It's often court ordered -- and forces the child to spend time with the estranged parent and cut off contact with the preferred parent entirely. Forced reunification -- but at what cost? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Trump Administration is halting all foreign aid and dismantling the United States Agency for International Development, the world’s largest single donor. And while USAID should be scrutinized for how it uses taxpayer funding, its supporters say destroying a federal agency doesn't '[promote] the national interest.' *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The octopus is highly intelligent. It’s also a favorite food of humans around the world. In Spain, a proposed octopus farm claims it could raise a million animals per year for eating. That's sparking protests, and possible bans here in the United States. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

After the 2008 financial collapse, the government required big banks to undergo annual stress tests. Now, those banks are suing to overhaul the stress tests. What does that mean for the stability of the financial system? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the politics of cruelty in the second Trump presidency *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Beyonce says she’s always been country. Now, with "Cowboy Carter," she’s nominated for 11 Grammys and the first Black woman to top country music charts. How Beyonce fits into the long history of Black women in country music. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Decades ago, Ruy Teixeira famously wrote that a more diverse America would lean heavily Democratic. But as he's watched Donald Trump's rise, he believes it's Democrats themselves who are to blame. Why? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Thousands of Palestinians are returning to devastated homes in Northern Gaza. But the ceasefire almost collapsed this past weekend. Can it be sustained? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

President Trump mass pardoned January 6th rioters, many who violently attacked police officers. The rioters were convicted in U.S. courts with due process. But the pardons undermine those court rulings, and possibly the concept of rule of law in America. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Nearly every domestic violence survivor has reported suffering economic abuse at the hands of their abusive partner. They’ve been coerced into debt, had their credit scores ruined, lost all financial independence. Few laws are on the books to prevent this. That soon may change. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

President Trump has promised “the largest mass deportation in U.S. history.” On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the lessons and legacy of two mass deportations of the 20th century. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Many LA homeowners were dropped by their insurance companies a year before the fires. Is there a better way to make the insurance industry more affordable and sustainable? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

What's it like standing on the slopes of an active, erupting volcano? Volcanologist Tamsin Mather takes us on her journey to some of the world's biggest volcanoes. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Everybody’s heard about Ancient Egypt. But just downriver, the kingdom of Kush was one of the most powerful states in the Nile valley. Sudanese-British journalist Zeinab Badawi gives us a lesser-known history of one of Africa’s great historical triumphs. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

At the end of last year, Congress passed the largest overhaul of the nation’s child welfare system in more than 15 years. The reform includes more support for kinship care, aging out youth and efforts to prevent the separation of families due to poverty. How these reforms will make a difference for children and families in the U.S. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Republican legislative agenda is set to tackle tax cuts, increase border security, and open up American energy production. But how does the GOP aim to accomplish these goals? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

It seems like we're bombarded with customer surveys these days. Where are these surveys coming from -- and do they work? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on federal charges against Donald Trump for election interference in 2020; what has changed since then and what has not. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The U.S. Surgeon General is ringing the alarm bell on parents' mental health. 48% of parents say most days their stress is completely overwhelming, nearly double what childless adults reported. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Of all the states in the country, Texas is the leader when it comes to wind and solar renewable energy. What lessons can we learn by looking to Texas? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Pendleton Act of 1883 established a non-partisan civil service. President-elect Donald Trump says he’ll upend the law, firing non-partisan employees and replacing them with loyalists. We'll look at how the U.S. came to have a civil service in the first place. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Millions of people now own smartphones where, with just a tap, you can erase people from pictures -- and even add AI generated content that never existed. What does this mean for our shared reality? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Geoffrey Hinton is one of the world’s biggest minds in artificial intelligence. He won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics. Where does he think AI is headed? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the causes and consequences of the U.S.’s decade-long war with ISIS and its impact on American democracy. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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

A Louisiana resident has died from bird flu. Just as during the COVID outbreak, there's a lot of misinformation circulating about H5N1. We'll get a clear assessment on bird flu, how it's changing, and efforts to control it. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint