Post Reports

Latest Episodes:

What does Elon Musk want? Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

Elon Musk invested millions of dollars to help Donald Trump’s reelection campaign through the political action committee America PAC. The result was a massive door-knocking campaign in critical swing states and million-dollar giveaways to voters who signed a petition. Musk held rallies and town halls across Pennsylvania, spoke at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, and was alongside the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago on election night.

Now Musk has been picked to help lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, with the goal of cutting government spending and streamlining regulations.

Tech reporter Trisha Thadani spoke with Martine Powers about Musk’s political affiliations and his role in a future Trump administration and how it could benefit Musk’s companies.

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick and edited by Maggie Penman. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Lucas Trevor, Bishop Sand, Reena Flores, Sabby Robinson and Emma Talkoff.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

How the election changed abortion access Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

When it comes to abortion, the results of last week’s election were decidedly mixed. Abortion protections passed in New York, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and Missouri but failed in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota. This means that 2 million more women now have access to abortion services across the country.

But with Donald Trump’s second term as president nearing, there are questions about how a Republican-controlled government will approach the issue of abortion, and whether a federal abortion ban could be on the table.

Elahe Izadi speaks to Post reporter Molly Hennessy-Fiske about what abortion access now looks like after the election, and how that could change again when Trump returns to the White House.

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Susan Levine, Frances Stead Sellers and Maggie Penman. Additional reporting for this episode was provided by Reshma Kerpalani.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

What Trump's win means for the rest of the world Nov 11, 2024

Show notes

On today’s “Post Reports,” how foreign leaders are reacting to Trump’s victory, and how they are preparing for a second Trump presidency.

For months, foreign leaders have been anxiously awaiting the results of the United States’ presidential election. Now, with Donald Trump’s decisive victory, politicians and policymakers abroad are wondering what a second Trump presidency will mean for them, and for the complex issues facing the world right now.

Today, host Martine Powers speaks with foreign affairs columnist Ishaan Tharoor about the ripple effects of Trump’s win across the globe.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Ariel Plotnick and Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sam Bair. And edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Maggie Penman.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Read more about veterans helping with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts here.

The Campaign Moment: What do Democrats do now? Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers, senior political reporter Aaron Blake and White House reporter Cleve Wootson break down the questions many Democrats are asking right now about why Harris lost: Should Biden have dropped out earlier? Did Harris run a bad campaign? Does America hate women?

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy.

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Trump's Day 1 to-do list Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to do a variety of things on “Day 1” should he win the presidency: mass deportations, tariffs on all U.S. imports, cutting federal funding for schools that discuss race and much more.

Today, host Martine Powers speaks with White House reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb about what Trump’s second term could mean for America.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Ariel Plotnick and Bishop Sand. It was mixed by Rennie Svirnoskiy. And edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Gina Harkins.

The Campaign Moment: How Trump won Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers talks with senior political reporter Aaron Blake and senior national political correspondent Ashley Parker about how Donald Trump won over a broad swath of voters to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. Plus, how Democrats are reacting to their election losses and what this defeat means for the party’s future.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sam Bair.

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Trump wins. Again. Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

Former president Trump is projected to win the White House – again. Martine Powers takes you through what we know about the results of a historic election.

Very early Wednesday morning, former president Donald Trump stepped on stage in south Florida and claimed victory. Sounding surprised about how the election had gone, the former president promised to “fix everything” and praised his supporters, saying this was “the greatest political movement of all time.”

This morning on Post Reports, we’re walking you through what happened overnight. Later today we’ll be back with another episode diving deeper into the results, and what the second Trump presidency might look like.

This morning’s show was produced and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Peter Bresnan and Elana Gordon. It was edited by Renita Jablonski with help from Maggie Penman and Monica Campbell. Thank you to Aaron Blake, Dan Balz and Mo Rodman.

Mapping how Harris or Trump might win Nov 05, 2024

Show notes

After an unprecedented campaign season, Election Day in America is finally here. Today, host Martine Powers talks with senior political reporter and host of “The Campaign Moment” podcast Aaron Blake about what to pay attention to as results start to come in this evening, including downballot races and potential scenarios for each candidate's path to victory.

Plus: Election anxiety is real! Here’s how to manage stress throughout the day.

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick and Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Sam Bair. It was edited by Reena Flores, with fact checking help from Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Mary Jo Murphy, Jenna Johnson, Cathy Decker, Susan Levine, and the whole slew of Post reporters around the country covering this election on the ground, including Laura Benshoff, Holly Bailey, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, and Josh Dawsey.

The reluctant voters who could decide the election Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

It’s the day before the presidential election, and a lot of people have already voted – or at least made up their minds.

But there are still undecided voters in key swing states who may or may not turn out. Last week, “Post Reports” producers interviewed some of these voters – whom we’re calling “The Deciders” – a key voting bloc that The Washington Post has been following all year. We’re bringing you their thoughts today.

Host Martine Powers also speaks with Scott Clement, polling director for The Post, about what these voters mean for former president Donald Trump’s or Vice President Kamala Harris’s path to victory.

Starting in the spring, The Post reached out to a contact list of voters who were not committed to either candidate, or who had a history of voting infrequently, and therefore might sit out the 2024 presidential election. All live in one of the seven battleground states largely expected to determine the election: Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Nevada. Clement describes how The Post has surveyed this group over time to gain insight into what motivates them and which way they are swinging this November.

Correction: a previous version of this podcast incorrectly said voter Richard Schall is from Michigan. The audio has been updated.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Emily Guskin.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The Campaign Moment: What the final polls tell us Nov 01, 2024

Show notes

What the early voting numbers and final polling say in the last days of the 2024 campaign.

“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with Amy Gardner, who covers early voting for The Post, about what early voting data can and can’t tell us right now about the election results. They also talk about whether looking at polls this weekend is helpful, and what to make of burned ballot boxes in Oregon and Washington.

Today’s show was produced by Eliza Dennis. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sam Bair.

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected