Author: The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet

Leonard Leo is a conservative lawyer and co-chairman of the Federalist Society who played a significant role in shifting the U.S. Supreme Court rightward. Now he is focusing his efforts on reshaping American culture through entertainment. He’s channeling funds towards high production value Christian and conservative television shows and films, including Amazon Prime’s hit "House of David.” WSJ’s Maggie Severns reports on how Leo is using a fund of more than $1 billion to back Hollywood blockbusters that push a more right-wing agenda. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

 

Further Listening:

-The Return of Religious Films to Hollywood 

-Ron Howard and Brian Grazer on Longevity in Hollywood 

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UnitedHealth is the largest healthcare company in the U.S. But over the last 18 months, a string of challenges, including several Justice Department probes, have tested the company. WSJ’s Anna Wilde Mathews and Christopher Weaver report on how the company rose to prominence, why its CEO is out, and how it has weathered the setbacks. Annie Minoff hosts.  

Further Listening: 

-Medicare, Inc. Part 1: How Insurers Make Billions From Medicare 

-Medicare, Inc. Part 2: Taxpayers Paid for Care Denied by Insurers 

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To fulfill a key campaign promise, the Trump administration has been pushing ICE to arrest more migrants. WSJ’s Michelle Hackman explains how that’s led to more aggressive tactics and raids like the ones that unfolded in Los Angeles on Friday, sparking major protests. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- Deportations Could Upend This Parachute Factory 

- How Frog Embryos Landed a Scientist in ICE Detention 

- A New Phase in Trump’s Immigration Fight 

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The storybook bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk seems to have come to an end. WSJ’s Rebecca Ballhaus unpacks what happened and what the stakes are for the two powerful men. Jessica Mendoza hosts. 

Further Listening:

- Tesla Has a Problem: Elon Musk 

- Elon Musk’s Secret Conversations With Vladimir Putin 

- Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped it Apart 

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Some of the sickest Medicare Advantage patients ran into problems getting end-of-life care. Ultimately many patients switched to traditional Medicare, costing taxpayers billions, according to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal. This is one of many Medicare Advantage practices that is now under government scrutiny. Both Congress and Medicare agency head Dr. Mehmet Oz are pushing for reforms to curb tactics that can boost federal payments to private insurers. The Department of Justice is also investigating major private insurance companies UnitedHealth, Aetna, Elevance Health and Humana. Jessica Mendoza discusses the investigations with WSJ’s Anna Wilde Mathews.

Further Listening:

-Medicare, Inc. Part 1: How Insurers Make Billions From Medicare 

-A Life-or-Death Insurance Denial 

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Medicare Advantage was designed to save the government money. But a Wall Street Journal investigation found that private insurers used the program to generate extra payments through questionable diagnoses. The investigation uncovered instances of potentially deadly illnesses like AIDS, where patients received no follow-up care, as well as diagnoses that were medically impossible. This happened in part when insurers sent nurse practitioners into Medicare Advantage recipients’ homes. Jessica Mendoza discusses the investigation with WSJ’s Christopher Weaver as well as a nurse who participated in the program. 

Further Listening:

-A Life-or-Death Insurance Denial 

-Even Doctors Are Frustrated With Health Insurance 

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A special immigration status helped Mills Manufacturing, which makes parachutes for the U.S. military, keep its workforce fully staffed. But last week, an order from the Supreme Court allowed the Trump Administration to revoke temporary protections for about 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua. WSJ’s Ruth Simon explains why companies like Mills are scrambling. Annie Minoff hosts.

Further Listening:

- A New Phase in Trump’s Immigration Fight 

- How Frog Embryos Landed a Scientist in ICE Detention 

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An Israeli-backed system meant to deliver aid and food into Gaza launched last week to scenes of chaos and violence. WSJ's Anat Peled breaks down the new system, and explains why getting aid to the region is difficult and dangerous. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:

- A Fragile Cease-Fire Deal in Gaza 

- The UN Agency Accused of Links to Hamas 

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Christina Chapman presented herself as just another influencer on TikTok. In reality, she operated a “laptop farm” that allowed North Koreans to take jobs as U.S. tech workers and scam more than 300 U.S. companies out of millions of dollars. WSJ’s Robert McMillan breaks down the scam and Chapman’s crucial role in it. Annie Minoff hosts.  

Further Listening:

- North Korea's Propaganda Mastermind 

- Your New Hire May Be a North Korean Spy 

- Hack Me If You Can 

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Minting one penny costs the United States nearly four cents. After 233 years, the Treasury Department has decided to phase out the coin. This will mean that businesses will have to round cash transactions up or down, and some fear it could lead to inflation. We reminisce about the cultural significance of the one-cent coin with WSJ’s Oyin Adedoyin and discuss the pro-penny stance with an advocate. WSJ’s Jessica Mendoza hosts.  

Further Listening:

- The Fight Over Your Credit Card Swipe 

- The Coronavirus Cash Crisis 

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