Netflix and Paramount, two large American media companies, are fighting to purchase Warner Bros Discovery. Now, US President Donald Trump and the Department of Justice are getting involved. The FT’s Los Angeles bureau chief Christopher Grimes and US deals and activism correspondent Oliver Barnes explain the president’s connections to both potential buyers and the legal scrutiny facing those companies.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Activist investor takes aim at Warner Bros deal with Netflix

Donald Trump’s top antitrust enforcer Gail Slater pushed out as turf war deepens

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Swamp Notes was hosted this week by Sonja Hutson and is produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz and the FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: KARE, FOX Business, CBS News

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump gathered a robust coalition of voters in 2024, in part, on the promise of slashing electricity bills. But now, more than a year after his return to the Oval Office, prices are on the rise. The FT’s US energy reporter Martha Muir and US economic correspondent Myles McCormick examine why those costs are ticking up and how that might affect November’s midterm elections.

Mentioned in this podcast:

The political cost of America’s surging electricity bills

Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here

Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz and the FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: NBC News, NBC 4

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A 37-year-old demonstrator, Alex Pretti, was killed by border patrol agents in Minnesota last week. His death sparked international outrage. It also prompted the Trump administration to back down from its most strenuous immigration enforcement positions. The FT’s Washington bureau chief James Politi and deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor look ahead at what the administration’s pivot could mean for deportations and the president’s remaining time in office. Plus, the FT’s US economics editor Claire Jones breaks down Trump’s pick for chair of the Federal Reserve.

Mentioned in this podcast:

US plans ICE drawdown in Minnesota after outcry over immigration raids

How Donald Trump was forced to back off his harshest immigration tactics

Donald Trump nominates Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair

Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here

Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz and the FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: The White House, NBC News, Roll Call, Forbes

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.