During the continuing government shutdown, President Trump has posted memes depicting Russel T. Vought, the White House budget director, as the grim reaper.
Coral Davenport, a Washington correspondent for The Times, explains how Mr. Vought, a once obscure official, has become one of the most influential figures in Washington.
Yesterday
Want to Enjoy Music More? Go For a Run.
Ben Ratliff, a music critic and avid runner, always ran in silence. Then he discovered how music opened up to him — while running. It changed his entire approach to criticism and listening. He calls it “running the song.”Today, for the New York City Marathon, Ben talks with our h ... Show More
36m 12s
Oct 31
Martin McDonagh Has a Vision for Hope. It's Not for the Faint of Heart.
The writer-director, known for his dark and bleak work, believes in film’s power to change our lives.Thoughts? Email us at theinterview@nytimes.comWatch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcastFor transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview For more informa ... Show More
49m 59s
Sep 2025
Washington tangos with another government shutdown
The Trump administration’s financial regulator is preparing to change five decades of corporate reporting practice, and the US government is once again on the brink of a shutdown. Plus, Denmark is closing its airspace to drones after a series of incursions, and drive-throughs are ... Show More
12m 17s
Oct 2025
White House Shutdown Cuts, Government Services Interrupted, Gaza City Evacuation
President Trump’s budget director is canceling billions in projects and threatening mass layoffs as the White House uses the government shutdown to push for deeper spending cuts. The shutdown’s ripple effects are spreading nationwide, with key federal services slowing or stopping ... Show More
14m 27s
Oct 2025
Shutdown Day 3, No Jobs Report, Trump Pressures Universities
Senators are set to vote again on competing spending bills to fund the government, with neither side budging and looming consequences of a prolonged shutdown. The shutdown is also blinding businesses and policymakers by halting the release of the closely watched monthly jobs repo ... Show More
14m 3s