logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
1h 11m

What Is DOGE’s Real Goal?

NEW YORK TIMES OPINION
About this episode
The so-called Department of Government Efficiency is great branding. Who could be against a more efficient government? But “efficiency” obfuscates what’s really happening here. Efficiency to what end? Elon Musk, President Trump and DOGE’s boosters have offered various objectives — cutting the deficit, eliminating fraud and abuse, creating a leaner and more ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
What Trump Didn’t Know About Iran
The Trump administration miscalculated how Iran would respond to this war. And the United States, Iran and Israel were brought to the brink of war in the first place because of a whole series of misjudgments and miscalculations going back decades. Ali Vaez is the Iran project dir ... Show More
1h 31m
Mar 10
I Asked a Former Trump Official to Justify This War
I’m opposed to this war. The Trump administration did not consult the American public or try to persuade Congress before authorizing the strikes on Iran. I don’t think the administration is prepared for what the strikes might unleash. But I wanted to try to understand President T ... Show More
1 h
Mar 6
Why the Pentagon Wants to Destroy Anthropic
Last Friday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that he was breaking the Pentagon’s contract with the A.I. company Anthropic and would declare the company a supply chain risk — a designation for companies so dangerous, they can’t exist anywhere in the U.S. military suppl ... Show More
1h 9m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
How Algorithms, Money, & Bureaucracy Distance us from Democracy
With the election just over a month away, Americans are caught between a flood of political promises and the reality that we live in a time of political dysfunction. Joining us this week to explore the root causes are Ezra Klein, opinion columnist at The New York Times, host of " ... Show More
1 h
Feb 2025
DOGE Audits The Fed, Pam Bondi vs New York, Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed, JFK Two Shooters? | PBD Podcast | Ep. 547
<p>Patrick Bet-David, Tom Ellsworth, Vincent Oshana, and Adam Sosnick cover Elon Musk calling out corrupt bureaucrats, Anna Paulina Luna's claims that JFK was killed by two shooters, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) taking on the Federal Reserve.<br />----<br /> ... Show More
2h 8m
Apr 2025
100 Days of Trump (Part 4)… Has Elon Musk Changed Government Forever?
This is a special Americast mini series, looking at five ways Donald Trump has changed America in his first 100 days back, as President of the United States. In our fourth episode, Matt Chorley joins Justin and Marianna to discuss large scale cuts to federal government by Elon Mu ... Show More
13m 5s
Jan 2025
Taking On the Tech Oligarchs, with Taylor Lorenz
'We're Not Kidding' is back! After a not-very-relaxing holiday break, Mehdi is joined by tech and online culture journalist (and new Zeteo contributor!) Taylor Lorenz to discuss the new age of American oligarchy. Trump is back in office and his inauguration was a star-studded sho ... Show More
40m 7s
Feb 2025
Trump Gaza, USAID Waste EXPOSED, FCC Investigates George Soros w/ Chris Cuomo | PBD Podcast | Ep. 545
<p>Patrick Bet-David, Tom Ellsworth, Vincent Oshana, and Adam Sosnick are joined by Chris Cuomo as they cover President Trump's plans to own Gaza, USAID exposing millions of government waste, the FCC investigating George Soros, and Trump's proposal to shut down the Department of ... Show More
2h 27m
Feb 2025
DOGE's Quest To Reshape Government Continues
The unit, led by Elon Musk, has run into legal obstacles as it continues its rapid efforts to change the way the federal government functions. We look at the latest developments.This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid and Franco Ordoñez, and State Department correspo ... Show More
12m 49s
Jun 2025
Are We Headed For Another Endless Middle Eastern War?
<p>The Times Opinion columnist Nick Kristof weighs in on the uncertainties following the United States’ surprise bombing of Iran and Tehran’s retaliation. “President Trump thinks that this is going to be successful and worth it, but the enemy gets a vote as well,” Kristof caution ... Show More
13m 24s
Sep 2025
F.C.C. Head Says Kimmel Not ‘the Last Shoe to Drop,’ and Musk Goes All In on A.I.
tail spinning
14m 40s
Feb 2025
Why is Trump sharing an AI video of Gaza?
Donald Trump sparked a social media frenzy on Wednesday when he posted a video of Gaza generated by artificial intelligence on his site Truth Social. Marianna's been analysing Trump's social media strategy and how he attempts to influence what we see on our online feeds.Meanwhile ... Show More
28m 32s
Feb 2025
Elon Musk's DOGE Takes Control Of Federal Spending
Elon Musk is keeping his campaign promise of trying to cut $2 trillion of federal spending through his unit, DOGE. After some questions about his role, the White House announced that he is now a "special government employee." What has Musk been able to accomplish thus far? This e ... Show More
15m 3s