The Powers That Be: Daily

Eriq Gardner joins Peter to examine Trump’s increasingly ominous fixation on sports—from launching a federal task force for the 2028 World Cup to a commission aimed at fixing college athletics and a bid to host the NFL Draft in Washington. As Eriq notes, each of these initiatives are fraught with legal and regulatory obstacles—not to mention the threat of a D.E.I. crackdown. Eriq also unpacks Ted Cruz’s recent meeting the Roger Goodell over the league’s anti-trust exemption and the NFL’s continued push away from broadcast television and into streaming. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Belloni swings by the pod to break down Trump’s head-spinning announcement that he’s prepared to slap tariffs on overseas film and TV productions. With Hollywood hitting the panic button, Matt explains why the film industry has bypassed Los Angeles as more shoots head to Europe, Canada, and the U.K. But is there actually a political solution to Hollywood’s problems? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marion Maneker joins Peter for a deep dive into the art fair circuit as it hits a fever pitch this week. Marion unpacks the explosion of events on the calendar, whether demand can keep up with the pace, and why Endeavor’s Ari Emmanuel just placed a high-stakes bet on Frieze. Then, he draws the line between fairs and auctions—and why the distinction matters. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to break down the “big, beautiful bill” that Speaker Johnson is trying to muscle through a fractured Congress on a tight deadline. As Leigh Ann explains, despite Trump’s support, Republicans are growing restless with Johnson and worry he might not deliver in time to sell the bill’s economic and political upside to voters. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Kelly reunites with Peter to dig into HBO’s Zaslav era, and break down their pivot away from the “everything for everybody” strategy as they navigate the streaming landscape in Netflix’s shadow. Then the duo discuss whether Peacock’s $27 billion gamble on the NBA will pay off. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eriq Gardner drops by the pod to discuss Trump’s all-out assault on the press. Eriq explains why he thinks CBS News will settle Trump’s precarious lawsuit, breaks down Trump’s latest swing at The New York Times, and unpacks the quiet Justice Department update that could make it open season on individual journalists. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kim Masters joins Peter to unpack the latest twists in the ongoing Paramount-Skydance saga, from Shari Redstone’s settlement calculus to Brendan Carr’s F.C.C shenanigans, and what Donald Trump might be angling for in his multibillion-dollar lawsuit against CBS. Then Kim discusses Trump's “special ambassadors to Hollywood”: Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marion Maneker drops by the pod to discuss the ripple effects of Trump’s anti-D.E.I. crusade across the art world—and why the real fallout may not surface for years to come. Then Marion dissects how tariffs and global trade anxieties are impacting the upcoming auction season, which may be busier than expected as luxury buyers and sellers navigate an uncertain economic terrain. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter for a sober analysis of Trump’s first 100 days back in office—and addresses the question gripping Washington: Is Trump actually an all-powerful executive force, or is he merely a lame duck president in slow-motion collapse? Then Leigh Ann discusses her recent interview with David Axelrod and his thoughts about what Dems need to do ahead of the 2028 election. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Kelly joins Peter to dig into a surprising new survey revealing which actors still put butts in seats. As Denzel, Tom Cruise, and the old guard hold strong, they break down the generational divide between Gen Z and everyone else. Then they turn to Bill Owens’ painful exit from ‘60 Minutes’ and Shari Redstone’s Trump-world courtship as she tries to get the Skydance-Paramount merger across the finish line. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eriq Gardner joins Peter for a deep dive on F.C.C. chairman Brendan Carr, the pugnacious regulator who seems to be slow rolling the $8 billion Skydance-Paramount merger while lobbing rhetorical grenades at Comcast, Disney, YouTube TV, and others. Then they discuss whether Carr’s campaign against big media is really an audition to become a MAGA media star in his own right. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julia Ioffe swings by the pod to discuss the state of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia—if there are any negotiations to be made at all. As Putin plays coy and Zelensky holds the line, Julia explains why Trump’s mounting frustration could, ironically, be Kyiv’s best hope. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Ourand joins Peter to discuss the surging popularity of the NFL Draft, and which of the streaming giants might bid on the rights to broadcast the yearly football spectacle—and why, to no surprise, YouTube and Google are in the driver’s seat. Then, John breaks down the NBA Playoffs ratings, and why a Thunder-Cavs Finals matchup would be “death to ABC.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter Hamby to dig into the messy Senate G.O.P. primary showdown brewing in Texas between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton—a race which riled up the White House after Paxton hired political strategist Jeff Roe, a Trump bête noire, to run his campaign. Then they chronicle the hard times facing Democratic lobbyists in Trump’s D.C. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Kelly rejoins Peter to dig into Netflix’s precedent-setting Q1 earnings—its first without subscriber numbers, and the clearest sign yet that Netflix has outgrown the streaming wars, setting its sights not on Hollywood, but on bigger tech rivals like YouTube and Meta. Then, the duo preview White House Correspondents Dinner week in Washington, and what's different about the Beltway party circuit during Trump II. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Cohan and Peter dig into Donald Trump’s latest spat—this time with Fed Chair Jerome Powell. As Trump pushes for rate cuts amid shaky, self-inflicted economic headwinds, Powell is vowing independence. Now, Trump’s hinting at ousting him before his term ends. Then, the duo turns to Newsmax’s I.P.O. circus, as Bill breaks down how valuable the MAGA-adjacent media company actually is. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to discuss the prospect of Republicans doing the unthinkable: raising taxes on the rich, just as key provisions of Trump’s 2017 tax bill are set to expire. Indeed, a tax hike spearheaded by the G.O.P. would mark a dramatic departure from a century of party orthodoxy. But will it actually happen? Then, they break down the fading star power of Elon within MAGAland. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kim Masters joins Peter to discuss the anxieties in Hollywood regarding Trump’s influence over the Town’s executives and entertainment businesses, before turning to the latest chatter surrounding the fate of Warner Bros. Discovery’s film studio co-heads Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy. After the success of their new ‘Minecraft’ movie, are they one sleeper hit away from avoiding what seemed to be an inevitable defenestration? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Ourand joins Peter to discuss the many quirks surrounding Augusta National’s unique control over the Masters’ television rights, and the impact on broadcast viewers. Then they turn to the upcoming UFC rights negotiations, and whether the organization can find a suitor willing to double ESPN’s $500 million annual payment. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Kelly returns to chat with his great pal Peter about the impacts of tariffs on the media business—particularly the second order effects on the S.V.O.D. industry. They also discuss CNBC’s moment and what it actually articulates about… Bloomberg’s business. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine if you could ask someone anything you wanted about their finances. On What We Spend, people from across the country and across the financial spectrum are opening their wallets—and their lives—to tell you everything: what they make, what they want, and—for one week—what they spend. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lauren Sherman joins Peter to discuss how Trump’s trade war is rippling through the fashion industry, from the punishing tariffs facing Victoria’s Secret to the geopolitical pressure on luxury brands like The Row. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Abby Livingston joins Peter to discuss how Trump’s protectionist economic policies are playing with American farmers and why their Republican representatives turned against tariffs. They also dig into the latest Farm Bill drama and whether the impacts on ag workers could cause red states to swing blue in the midterms. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julia Alexander joins Peter debate what the Big Tech players are really doing in Hollywood, and whether Apple, which is heavily reliant on manufacturing overseas, will use Trump’s tariffs as cover to retreat from the content business. They also examine the explosive growth of YouTube TV, and discuss whether its focus on live sports and a superior UX could replace cable for good. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Cohan joins Peter for a sobering discussion of Trump’s trade war and its discontents: Bill Ackman, warning of an “economic nuclear winter”; Jamie Dimon, sending panicked smoke signals to the White House; Larry Fink, predicting an imminent recession; and many more. Then they turn to the meltdown in the crypto market, the decline in consumer confidence, and what comes next. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon and Peter reunite to chew over Radhika Jones’ departure from VF and the 30 Rock custody battle over Steve Kornacki. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julia Ioffe joins Peter to discuss the shock impact of the president’s blunt-force trade warfare—raising prices, tanking markets, and alienating even America’s closest geopolitical allies. Then they chew over the troubling historical antecedents (Soviet Russia, for one) and debate why and how we got here. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Cohan joins Peter Hamby to chew over Trump’s whirlwind tariff announcements and their inevitable impact on the financial markets. Then they dig into the president’s series of recent pardons for white-collar criminals, including the disgraced Ozy Media co-founder Carlos Watson, and the broader implications for the criminal justice system. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Ourand joins Peter Hamby to discuss the current state of college sports, including the drama surrounding the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, the impact of N.I.L., and the ever-controversial transfer portal. They also delve into the carriage dispute between Comcast and the YES Network, and rehash the NFL owners’ meeting in Palm Beach. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to talk about what the future holds for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who, at 35, is already one of the most scrutinized and compelling figures in the political arena. She’s increasingly generated buzz as an emerging leader for the Dems ever since Schumer voted with the G.O.P. on the funding bill. Now, Washington is wondering whether she’ll challenge for Schumer’s seat—or are her sights set even higher, like a run for the Oval in 2028? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Kelly and Peter reunite for a rundown of Puck’s major D.C. soiree, a rehash of Graydon Carter’s bildungsroman, and an analysis of Peyton Manning’s ~$800 million mediaco valuation. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dylan Byers joins Peter to discuss the chatter swirling around The Atlantic, which made the headlines this week after E.I.C. Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that he was added to a group chat filled with high-ranking national security officials discussing war plans—and why the imbroglio has boosted the magazine’s reputation among the political and media elite. Then, Dylan breaks down what CNN’s latest hires reveals about Mark Thompson’s digital transformation master plan. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter for an inside look at D.C.’s remarkable Signal group chat scandal, in which senior national security officials from the Trump administration accidentally added The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg to a private group chat discussing war plans. Leigh Ann digs into the G.O.P.’s response—from those doubling down Trump-style deflection, to those sounding the alarm on the grave national security risk. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julia Alexander joins Peter for a deep dive into three recent misfires in Hollywood: ‘Snow White,’ ‘The Alto Knights,’ and Netflix’s ‘The Electric State.’ Julia explains why, despite their colossal budgets, these films landed with a resounding thud and failed to meet their debut expectations. Is Hollywood at an inflection point, or are these merely symptoms of a deeper malaise? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eriq Gardner joins Peter to unpack Donald Trump’s ongoing crusade against blue-chip law firms. He breaks down how left-leaning firm Paul Weiss caved to Trump, agreeing to $40 million in pro bono work and other eyebrow-raising concessions. Eriq explains the chilling effect on the legal world, as firms shy away from taking meritorious cases against the government, worried that challenging Trump could put their business, and future, on the line. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Kelly and Peter Hamby unite to tackle The New York Times’ complex relationship with artificial intelligence—suing OpenAI on one hand while envisioning the economic boost of the technology on the other—and hypothesize about how this posture will impact the newsroom. Then they dig into a gaming media pivot. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Cohan joins Peter for a deep dive into Wall Street’s response to President Trump’s erratic and impulsive economic reset—one that’s doing little to ease consumer prices while throwing markets into disarray. Bill and Peter ask: Where have the big-money power players gone as Trump’s protectionist trade policies sow chaos on The Street? Plus, Bill considers whether Scott Bessent could actually emerge as a stabilizing force. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lauren Sherman joins Peter for an inside look at the ongoing LVMH succession saga. With père Arnault pushing to immortality, Lauren and Peter speculate about which heir will take the reins—and whether any of them even want to. Then Lauren breaks down how Trump’s tariffs will impact the price of popular European alcohol brands in the U.S. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Streaming guru Julia Alexander joins Peter for a rollicking conversation about the wild state of the industry war in 2025: Netflix’s enduring dominance, Apple TV’s strategic nod to the HBO playbook, and why the Peacocks of the world exist merely as consolidation bait. Then Julia dives deep into how YouTube is flying under the radar as potentially the most dominant streamer in the game… and why Hollywood ignores it at its peril. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to unpack the frustrated chatter surrounding Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who’s taking major flack from his party after sidestepping the activist base to avoid a government shutdown. Leigh Ann shares what Democrats on The Hill are saying privately about whether Schumer is actually up for the moment—and what his lack of fight back portends for the rest of his tenure as leader. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Kelly joins Peter to weigh into Gavin Newsom’s new Rogan-esque podcast and debate whether his MAGA-friendly strategy is helping Democrats or simply repositioning Newsom, himself. Then they turn to Bill Simmons’ new role at Spotify, and explore why video is poised to dominate the future of audio. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eriq Gardner joins Peter to dissect the fate of the Paramount-Skyance merger, which remains in F.C.C. purgatory under the new Trump administration. Then Eriq scrutinizes Trump’s grudge-driven crusade against the white shoe law firm Perkins Coie—and their titanic response, landing a major blow against Trump in federal court in the process. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Abby Livingston reunites with Peter to dissect the forthcoming showdown over a looming government shutdown. With House Republicans managing to push a spending bill through this week, the ball is now in the Senate’s court—where Democrats face an unusual and uncomfortable dilemma: crossing the aisle to support the G.O.P.’s budget resolution, or stand their ground against Trump’s spending cuts and risk bringing the government to a halt. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julia Ioffe joins Peter to sift through the geopolitical implications of Trump’s middle-finger diplomacy as he retreats from U.S. commitments abroad and edges closer to an alliance with Vladimir Putin. Then they discuss what’s next for Europe as France ramps up support for Ukraine, Poland seeks its own nukes, and Germany rearms: If this is the end of Pax Americana, is it a new beginning or the end for NATO, too? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to break down the forthcoming high-stakes showdown in Congress: Will Democrats throw Speaker Mike Johnson a lifeline and help pass the Republican funding bill, or will they stand firm and let the government grind to a halt over DOGE and Trump’s deep spending cuts? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Kelly and Peter huddle up for a close look at David Zaslav’s Warner Bros. Discovery, which, after three years of P.R. crises, tough management calls, and chipping away at its colossal debt, is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Jon and Peter also weigh into the Democrats’ evolving media strategy as they grapple with the primacy of digital media and capturing voters’ attention beyond traditional TV. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dylan Byers joins Peter for a close look at ‘The Washington Post’ as the legacy paper endures more staff departures, a fresh round of journalist agita, and the loss of 75,000 subscribers—stemming from the machinations of Jeff Bezos, who recently implemented a new editorial mandate focused on personal liberties and free markets. Dylan and Peter also debate the long term goals for the paper, and whether Bezos and his publisher Will Lewis could be willing to sacrifice their core audience in order to build a new one. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julia Ioffe joins Peter to reveal what insiders in Washington are really saying about Volodymyr Zelensky’s disastrous Oval Office meeting with Trump and J.D. Vance, where even Democrats believe the Ukrainian president has blundered—raising serious questions about how much he has weakened his negotiating position as the U.S. looks to wind down the war between Ukraine and Russia. So what exactly does the process to peace look like? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to discuss Trump’s brass-knuckled tactics to hold the House and Senate in the midterms while ensuring that Republicans remain loyal only to him—a dual mandate that could moderates in an impossible position. Leigh Ann also reveals the growing tensions between Trump’s camp and Tim Scott, whose N.R.S.C. is ostensibly in charge of winning Senate elections next year, and the two Trump flunkies the president has put in charge of keeping dissenters in line. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Belloni joins Peter for an insider’s review of the Oscars. The duo examine the growing trend of awarding critically acclaimed films that few have actually seen, dissect the highs and lows of ABC’s broadcast, and explore why politics took a backseat on Hollywood’s biggest night. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices