The Powers That Be: Daily

Eriq Gardner joins guest host Julia Alexander to dissect The New York Times’s intensifying legal battle with OpenAI—and how its surprise A.I. licensing deal with Amazon could strengthen its case. Then Eriq breaks down the litigious drama around Bravo’s Andy Cohen and an alleged smear campaign brought on by former Real Housewife Leah McSweeney.

Bill Cohan joins guest host Julia Alexander to dissect Warner Bros. Discovery’s latest financial headaches—from its debt downgrade into quasi-junk territory to stagnant EBITDA growth. They debate C.E.O. David Zaslav’s stewardship of the company, the timeline for a potential spinoff involving WBD’s linear channels, and whether Zaz is laying the groundwork for a major M&A play.

Marion Maneker joins guest host Julia Ioffe to dig into Dasha Zhukova’s transition from Moscow and New York “It” girl to a leader in the world of art-centric real estate. Then they turn to the Met’s newly reopened Rockefeller wing, which features African and Oceanic art—and what the relaunch portends for the art market.

Guest host Julia Ioffe welcomes Abby Livingston to chew over the Democrats’ various midterm fantasies—the military pedigrees, the Biden turnoffs, and the lingering age issues hanging over it all.

Jon Kelly and Dylan Byers catch up on Business Insider’s brutal decision to lay off 21 percent of its staff and what that means for parentco Axel Springer. Then they discuss the end of TNT’s relationship with the NBA.

Eriq Gardner joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to dig into the latest legal challenge to Trump’s attempt to reshape the federal workforce—this time involving the firing of Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights. As Eriq notes, the case could redefine the limits of executive authority, with major implications for the separation of powers, the future of government independence, and even artificial intelligence.

Bill Cohan joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to unpack the so-called “Main Street glitch” in Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill—a SALT provision that could saddle businesses with surprise tax hikes. They also discuss Trump’s growing sway over the markets, as traders bet on policy reversals, and Bill Ackman’s latest salvo against Harvard’s endowment practices.

Matt Belloni joins guest host Julia Alexander to explain why the Memorial Day box office was just what the doctor ordered for studio executives—and what it portends for the year ahead. They break down how the movies performed, the most significant trends of 2025, and how studios can capitalize on the theatrical moment.

John Ourand joins guest host Julia Alexander to unpack the high-stakes drama behind Disney’s lawsuit against YouTube, following the poaching of top ESPN executive Justin Connolly. Then, they turn to the mounting challenges facing Major League Baseball as its $550 million deal with ESPN nears expiration. Alas, is this just a baseball problem—or a greater issue facing all leagues in this new sports media era?

Jon Kelly joins guest host Dylan Byers to unravel the plot twists in Rob Manfred’s ongoing media rights negotiations for MLB, highlighting their potential deals with NBC and Apple. Then the duo dive into the firestorm ignited by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s new book, ‘Original Sin’—and the fractures it’s revealing within the Democratic Party.

Julia Ioffe joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to unpack the fallout from Trump’s two-hour call with Putin earlier this week: Trump's growing frustration with the Ukraine conflict, his willingness to hand it off to Europe, and the chilling implications for President Zelensky. Then, they turn to the Oval Office debacle with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in which Julia emphasizes the administration’s promotion of white supremacy theories—and their broader white supremacist agenda.

Abby Livingston joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to break down the challenges facing House Republicans in passing their legislative agenda, particularly Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” They highlight the tensions between the centrists and hardliners, the pressure on individual members, and, of course, the overarching influence of Trump. Then they dig into the race to replace Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly after his unfortunate passing yesterday.

Eriq Gardner joins Peter to unpack the Swifties’ intensifying racketeering lawsuit against Live Nation, along with two other serious cases the company is facing: a long-running civil suit from fans and an antitrust case from the Justice Department. Then Eriq explains how Taylor Swift got dragged into the legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, and whether this news could hurt Taylor’s... reputation.

Dylan Byers joins Peter to break down Wendy McMahon’s resignation from CBS News after four years as the network president, which comes as Paramount angles to settle Trump’s $20 million-plus lawsuit against ‘60 Minutes.’ Then they turn to the chatter surrounding Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s "Original Sin," and how the publication has coincided with the grim news that the former president has been diagnosed with cancer.

The renaming of HBO Max offers Jon Kelly and Peter a chance to recall some of David Zaslav’s greatest streaming follies during the WBD era. The duo also chew over murmurs of regime change at Politico’s flagship beltway property.

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John Ourand joins Peter to discuss MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s decision to posthumously reinstate Pete Rose and restore “The Hit King’s” Hall of Fame eligibility decades after his lifetime ban. Did Manfred’s recent visit with Donald Trump play any role in the decision? John also breaks down his week at the upfronts in New York, where networks leaned into their sports deals to woo advertisers.

Abby Livingston joins Peter to dig into the mounting buzz surrounding “Original Sin,” the new book from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson chronicling, in their words, Joe Biden’s decline inside the White House. Abby also unpacks the latest drama inside the D.N.C. as they move to oust their Gen Z vice chairman David Hogg—and the persistent Republican rift over Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”

In this special edition of The Powers That Be, Leigh Ann Caldwell hosts Republican Senator Jim Banks for a far-reaching conversation about tariffs, the road to the midterms, and how the G.O.P. is aiming to avoid a repeat of 2017’s political misfires. Banks also outlines the party’s strategy to counter China’s rising influence—and insists that under Trump’s leadership, Republicans are more unified than ever.

Bill Cohan joins Peter to unpack Trump’s erratic trade war with China, the ripple effects on the markets, and the chatter on Wall Street about whether MAGA insiders might be profiting from advance knowledge of tariff announcements. Bill also discusses the $400 million jet the Qataris have gifted Trump, as well as the president’s various meme coin and crypto dealings.

Jon Kelly joins Peter to dig into the likelihood that David Zaslav will spin CNN out of Warner Bros. Discovery, and whether both companies would be better off solo. They also explore what’s behind Biden’s media tour, as Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson prepare to publish a book detailing “the cover up of Biden’s decline in the White House.”

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jon and Peter reunite to chew over Radhika Jones’ departure from VF and the 30 Rock custody battle over Steve Kornacki.

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.

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.

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.