Post Reports

Anne Branigin and Janae Kingsbury, reporters from the Style section at The Washington Post, delve into the shocking fall of Sean Combs, once a celebrated figure in music. They discuss how a lawsuit from ex-girlfriend Cassie sparked multiple allegations of abuse and criminal conduct, leading to a federal investigation. The conversation highlights Combs' rise from Harlem to hip-hop mogul, his extravagant lifestyle, and the dark revelations that threaten to tarnish his legacy. The legal implications for both Combs and the music industry are profound.

Join White House reporter Natalie Allison and national political reporter Maeve Reston as they dissect the whirlwind start of Trump’s second term, marked by a flurry of executive orders. They delve into Trump’s decision to replace national security adviser Michael Waltz and his first 100 days, where public opinion shows a stark divide over his policies. The duo also explores potential Democratic candidates for 2028, analyzing the ambitions of figures like Governors Pritzker, Newsom, and Whitmer, and their strategies for uniting the party.

Rebecca Tan, Southeast Asia Bureau Chief for The Washington Post, dives deep into the fraught legacies of the Vietnam War and the unraveling of U.S.-Vietnam relations. She recounts the critical ongoing efforts to locate missing soldiers, revealing the emotional toll on families. Tan highlights the rollback of trust-building initiatives under the Trump administration, which cut vital funding for demining and public health. The discussion reflects on both historical scars and the challenges of moving forward in a changing geopolitical landscape.

On May 2, the United States will start charging import fees, also known as tariffs, on small-dollar shipments from China. Those fees fundamentally alter the business model of companies like Shein and Temu, which ship low-cost goods and garments directly from factories in China to consumers.Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with Washington Post fashion critic Rachel Tashjian to understand what these changes will mean for shoppers and gets advice for how to shop for better quality clothes on any budget.Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and border czar Tom Homan held a briefing Monday to tout the Trump administration’s record on immigration. There, reporters asked about the recent deportation of three U.S. citizen children. According to recent polls, Trump is increasingly losing support for his hard-line approach to immigration enforcement. Co-host Colby Itkowitz talks to White House reporter Marianne LeVine about what the first 100 days of Trump’s immigration policies add up to – and what we could expect next.Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thank you to Christine Armario. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Lisa Singh has spent the past six months working overnight on the subway platforms of New York, where homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction and crime had been unfolding as overlapping crises. Since Lisa had taken the job, a woman died after being lit on fire on an F train at Coney Island, a man was pushed into the path of an oncoming train in Manhattan, and other riders were shoved, punched and stabbed in unprovoked attacks.Before this work, Lisa had spent years as a nurse in a psychiatric emergency room, so she knew how difficult it could be to treat schizophrenic or bipolar patients who couldn’t always advocate for themselves. Now, she has the power to order involuntary removals of people with mental illness and hospitalize them for up to 72 hours, and she can use the orders at her discretion to remove mentally ill people who cannot meet their basic needs — even if they aren’t acting dangerously toward others.This story follows Lisa through several shifts in the New York City subway. The piece was reported, written and read by Ruby Cramer. Audio production and original music by Bishop Sand.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

In this engaging discussion, Abigail Hauslohner, a national security reporter for The Washington Post, and Dan Balz, chief political correspondent for the same publication, dive into the turmoil surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the Signal app for sensitive communications. They highlight the resulting security concerns within the Pentagon and reveal troubling new polling for Trump, showing a decline in support for his immigration policies. The conversation also explores the internal struggles within the Republican Party around accountability and loyalty.

David Hogg, a survivor of the Parkland school shooting and co-founder of Leaders We Deserve, pushes for a political revolution within the Democratic Party. He argues for replacing ineffective incumbents with progressive candidates to revive voter trust. Hogg discusses the alarming shift of young voters towards the Republican Party, emphasizing the need for accountability and fresh leadership. His bold strategy includes a $20 million investment to challenge established Democrats, stirring controversy and debate about the party's future direction.

Since Trump unleashed Elon Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service on the federal government, Post reporter Hannah Natanson has been deluged with messages from hundreds of federal workers. They fear for their jobs and are worried about the damage DOGE could do to crucial programs as it tries to make massive spending cuts across the government.Colby Itkowitz speaks with Hannah about what it has been like to be on the receiving end of these messages, what federal workers are most concerned about, and what DOGE may look like now that Elon Musk is stepping back from leading the initiative.Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Peter Bresnan. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Doug MacMillan, an investigative reporter for The Washington Post, sheds light on the troubling conditions within ICE detention centers. He shares the harrowing story of América Platt, who endured overcrowding and lack of medical care. They delve into the systemic failures and personal accounts revealing severe shortages in essential supplies. The conversation emphasizes the dehumanizing aspects of current immigration policies and challenges the narrative around detainees, highlighting that many have no criminal records.