On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

Conspiracy theorists believe more than $400 billion of gold is missing from Fort Knox. President Trump says he will visit Kentucky with Elon Musk to see if the gold is there. Some economists and historians say this tells us more about the economy in general than security of gold resources. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under government conservatorship since 2008. President Trump wants to privatize them. But what could that mean for America's mortgage market? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Americans throw away more than 15 billion pounds of electronic waste every year. In his new book 'Waste Wars,' Alexander Clapp reveals how millions of pounds of our trash get shipped around the world, making a few people rich and many people sick. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Masayoshi Son is pouring billions of dollars into U.S. artificial intelligence and flexing his ties to President Donald Trump. Who is this Japanese billionaire and what does he want? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on emerging angst and growing protests over the Trump administration, far from the centers of political power in Washington D.C. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Rebroadcast: Dyslexia affects one in every 5 Americans. But only 2 million are diagnosed and receive the help they need. Why? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Journalist Natasha Hakimi Zapata's book “Another World is Possible” explores what the U.S. could learn about ways to tackle issues such as inequality, health care and homelessness from innovative solutions deployed abroad. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to reshape the Pentagon. How the Trump administration is making sweeping changes to the U.S. armed services, just two months into its term. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

In the U.S., shopping is almost a religion. For Emily Mester’s family, Costco was their Sunday ritual. In her new book, 'American Bulk,' Mester tells the story of how her family struggled with the desire to own everything they possibly could. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Trump White House is using Department of Homeland Security intelligence to identify pro-Palestinian college protesters. Courts have ruled that campus protests are protected by the First Amendment. But as the Trump administration seeks to punish speech it does not like, whose first amendment rights are next? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

President Donald Trump declared America is entering a “Golden Age” on Inauguration Day. But as inequality grows, some historians say that the country is in a new Gilded Age. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks at the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine from Russian president Vladimir Putin’s perspective, as a ‘preventive war.’ *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Artificial Intelligence algorithms are being used to decide who gets welfare benefits, and how much. Some experts say it’s leading to “devastating” cuts in benefits for those most in need. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park was first designated a national monument a century ago. Even with climate change, Glacier Bay has a surprising story to tell about nature’s resilience. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The House has passed a budget resolution, and a plan to extend President Trump's 2017 tax cuts. What’s known about the impact of those cuts on American taxpayers and the economy? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

In 1997, Walter Johnson was given five life sentences for robbery and drug offences. Decades later, he was released by the same judge who originally sentenced him. A conversation with that judge about the power of second chances. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Basketball legend Michael Jordan’s automotive racing team 23XI is suing NASCAR, alleging the organization is an illegal monopoly. The case could make waves across the entire sport. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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