Big Take DC

We’re taking The Big Take to DC. Every Thursday, Bloomberg’s Saleha Mohsin digs into how money, politics, and power shapes Washington - and the consequences for voters across America.

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Recent Episodes

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Antony Blinken: The Exit Interview Thursday, December 19, 2024

In his final month as the United States’ chief diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is racing around the globe, responding to conflicts in the Middle East and the latest developments in the war in Ukraine. During a s

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Market-Moving US Economic Data Is Under Threat Thursday, December 12, 2024

From inflation data to unemployment rates, the US government releases numbers every month that move markets and shape policies. But the agencies responsible for gathering that data are struggling — and President-elect Donald Trump&rsquo

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What CEOs Want From Trump Friday, December 6, 2024

Surveys have shown that business leaders around the US are excited about Donald Trump’s return to the White House. But not all of the policies he’s promising appeal to every CEO. On today’s Big Take DC podcast, Business Roundtable CEO

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Inside Mar-a-Lago: The New Center of American Political Power Monday, December 2, 2024

Power brokers, administration nominees and even the prime minister of Canada have travelled to Mar-a-Lago in recent weeks to meet with President-elect Donald Trump at his resort, making it a new center of political power. On

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Why Trump’s Treasury Secretary Pick Is Reassuring Wall Street Monday, November 25, 2024

After a messy, public competition between hopefuls, President-elect Donald Trump nominated hedge fund manager Scott Bessent to be the next Treasury secretary. On today’s Big Take DC podcast, hosts Saleha Mohsin and David Gura discuss

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Inside Trump’s Treasury Secretary Shortlist Thursday, November 14, 2024

Over the last week, President-elect Donald Trump has announced his nominees for the top jobs in his administration. But one key position that hasn’t been filled yet is Treasury secretary, and the person Trump picks will play a crucial role in shaping U

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The Federal Reserve Sets Up for Rematch With Trump Thursday, November 7, 2024

Less than two days after Donald Trump won a second term, the Federal Reserve announced a rate cut. But speaking to reporters, Fed’s Powell faced difficult questions about the path forward for interest rates — and for him — under Trump. Bloomberg

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Snipers and Steel Doors: Inside Efforts to Secure the US Election Tuesday, November 5, 2024

As America heads to the polls for Election Day, thousands of poll workers and local officials are taking extreme measures to keep things running smoothly and to convince the public that they can trust the results. On today’s Big Take podcast, we

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Can the World Count on the Dollar If It Can’t Count on Smooth Elections? Thursday, October 31, 2024

The world is watching for instability after the US election next week. If there’s a repeat of the chaos that followed the 2020 results, it could damage not just American democracy, but something else: the global financial system that America dominates.

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It’s Close. Very Close. Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Bloomberg News and Morning Consult have spent the past year polling voters in the seven key swing states that could decide the election: Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. The results are in for the

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How Courts Are Already Shaping the 2024 US Election Thursday, October 17, 2024

Since 2023, more than 165 lawsuits have been filed challenging nearly every dimension of this year's presidential election. Across 37 states, including all seven swing states, these court cases could determine who can vote, how they vote, and how those

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When Will We Know Who the Next President Is? Thursday, October 10, 2024

Will we know the result of the 2024 US Presidential election on election night? Or will the new normal look like 2020, when Americans had to wait days for the final call? Bloomberg politics reporter Gregory Korte joins Big Take DC host Saleha Mo

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Vance and Walz’s New Debate Tactic: Civility Wednesday, October 2, 2024

In the first and only vice presidential debate of the 2024 US election cycle, Tim Walz and JD Vance had two objectives: Keep the momentum going for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, and do no harm. But one of the most surprising takeaways of the policy-fo

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Harris Gains Edge Over Trump on Economy in New Swing State Poll Thursday, September 26, 2024

For the past year, Bloomberg News and Morning Consult have been polling voters in swing states. Former President Donald Trump has had a consistent lead when it comes to the question of who voters trust on the economy. But a new poll of likely voters sh

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Could the Chinese Yuan Ever Replace the US Dollar? Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Talk of de-dollarization has been gaining momentum among China, India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa in the wake of significant US led sanctions on Russia. Former US President and candidate Donald Trump has said the currency is under attack — and tha

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Understanding Kamala Harris’ Plan for the Economy Thursday, September 19, 2024

Since Vice President Kamala Harris took over the Democratic presidential ticket, she’s faced criticism from voters who say they don’t know what she stands for. But we know two Bloomberg reporters who do: California bureau chief Karen Breslau, who’s bee

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The Fed Cut Interest Rates. Now What? Wednesday, September 18, 2024

The Federal Reserve announced a highly anticipated rate cut of half a percentage point today — larger than many watchers anticipated. Which industries and companies will feel this interest rate cut the most, and what will it mean for everyday consumers

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The Fed Finally Seems Ready to Pivot Monday, September 16, 2024

This week, the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates for the first time in over four years. And there’s debate over how big the cut will be and how soon it will impact the economy. Bloomberg’s Kate Davidson joins host David Gura to d

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Buttigieg on Fixing America’s Travel Woes Friday, September 13, 2024

The year started with the door of an airplane falling off mid-flight. Frustrations with air travel have mounted since then. It’s up to Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation Secretary, to address those problems — which include everything f

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Harris Trolled Trump. He Took the Bait. Wednesday, September 11, 2024

In a wide-ranging debate on Tuesday night, Vice President Kamala Harris repeatedly put former President Donald Trump on the defensive. Harris leaned into her past as a prosecutor, needling Trump on issues ranging from immigration to the economy and abo