Big Take

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

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Meet Tether: The Most Powerful Crypto Firm You’ve Never Heard Of Wednesday, April 8, 2026

In just over a decade, Tether has grown from an idea into a global crypto juggernaut, poised to become one of the world’s most highly valued private companies. But where did its dollar-linked stablecoin come from and where is it headed? On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Todd Gillespie and guest host Stacey Vanek Smith unpack one of the most powerful companies you’ve (maybe) never heard of. Read more: With Billions to Spend, Tether Finds New Allies in Washington As Lutnick Sold Cantor to His Children, Tether Gave Them a Loan Hosted by Stacey Vanek Smith; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Todd Gillespie, Ryan Weeks, Annie Massa; Edited by Aaron Edwards, Janet Paskin. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Taxes Are Due Soon. Should the Rich Pay More? Tuesday, April 7, 2026

From London to California, calls to “tax the rich” are growing. But what are they calling for in practice, and how are governments responding? On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg reporters Charlie Wells and Laura Nahmias about the fight over taxes for the world’s wealthiest, and what a political tussle between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul reveals about the hurdles some measures are facing. Read more: ‘Soak the Rich’ Battle Cry Is Rising From London to California We’re also closely watching US President Donald Trump’s threats to Iran today, after he posted on Truth Social that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” Trump’s deadline for a deal with Iran, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, is 8 p.m. ET.This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen to the latest at Bloomberg News Now. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Charlie Wells, Laura Nahmias; Edited by Aaron Edwards. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Trump Escalates Threats to Iran Monday, April 6, 2026

President Trump intensified his threats on Iran Tuesday morning posting on Truth Social, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again."This escalation follows a post on Monday saying the US would attack its bridges and power facilities if it failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic by 8pm ET Tuesday night. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with White House correspondent Courtney Subramanian to unpack the state of negotiations between the US and Iran, Tehran’s rejection of a temporary ceasefire and the mounting pressure from voters and international leaders.This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen at Bloomberg News Now.We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Trump Made His Case for War With Iran. It Backfired Thursday, April 2, 2026

After a month of fighting, President Trump took his case for war with Iran to the American people Wednesday night. In a prime-time address that sent energy markets surging, he promised both an imminent end to the conflict and two to three weeks of further intense military strikes. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Jeff Mason unpack the president’s brief, often contradictory speech. They discuss how it put investors and key allies on the back foot, what it could mean for the president’s agenda heading into the midterms and where the conflict goes from here.We are live blogging our coverage of the war with Iran at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. Here’s what else we’re watching today: Trump Ousts Bondi After Chaotic Tenure at Justice Department Blue Owl Limits Redemptions on Private Credit Funds After Massive Exit RequestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Special Report: President Trump's Prime Time Address Thursday, April 2, 2026

US President Donald Trump spoke for nearly 20 minutes from the White House, saying the US would hit Iran “extremely hard” in the next two to three weeks, and that he’d strike key infrastructure like electric plants if no deal is reached.Stocks fell and oil jumped on his comments, with Brent rising 5% as Trump talked about possible escalation and reiterated his call for other nations to step in to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This is a developing story. We are live blogging at Bloomberg.com with the latest from across the globe. You can also listen at Bloomberg Daybreak or Bloomberg News Now.We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Meet OpenClaw: The AI Craze Sweeping China Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Fueled by a powerful mix of FOMO and a government drive to accelerate AI adoption, OpenClaw has exploded in popularity across China. But as these agentic systems gain sweeping access to personal data, reports of them “going rogue” are beginning to surface. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Luz Ding and Bloomberg Opinion’s Catherine Thorbecke to dig into the rapid rise of agentic AI in China, why it has taken hold so quickly and the mounting security concerns pushing users and regulators to reassess the risks. Read more: There’s Method to China’s OpenClaw Madness China’s OpenClaw Obsession Is a Risky Gamble on Experimental AI Hosted by K. Oanh Ha Produced by Naomi Ng, Yang Yang Edited by Paddy Hirsch Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole BeemsterboerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Trump Threatens Iran's Water Tuesday, March 31, 2026

A month into the Iran War, the Trump administration continues to send mixed messages about when and how it will end. In addition to threats on electricity plants and oil wells if a deal isn’t reached, the president said he would consider destroying another piece of critical infrastructure: Iran’s water desalination plants. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg defense policy and intelligence reporter Peter Martin about the Middle East’s reliance on desalination, the potential humanitarian crisis that targeting the plants could spark and how that action could fly in the face of international law. Read more: How the Iran War Is Exposing the Risks to Gulf Water Supply US Expands Threats to Iran Energy, Water as It Hails Talks Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Peter Martin; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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With SpaceX IPO, Elon Musk Shoots for The Stars, Trillionaire Status Monday, March 30, 2026

SpaceX is preparing for liftoff. After months of speculation, the company could file for a historic IPO as early as this week — seeking $75 billion in funding that would push the company’s value to $1.75 trillion. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg Tech’s Ed Ludlow joins David Gura to break down the timing of the mega-offering. They discuss the challenges SpaceX could face taking its Mars-focused mission public, how the move could push Elon Musk’s net worth past the $1 trillion mark and what this all means for everyday investors looking to get in on the action. Read more: Is SpaceX Worth $1.75 Trillion? Key Questions for Musk’s Big IPO Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Ed Ludlow; Edited by Tracey Samuelson and Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Weekend Listen: BTS Leads Netflix’s Push for Growth in Asia Sunday, March 29, 2026

BTS is back. After a near four-year hiatus, the K-pop icons returned with a historic Netflix event – the platform’s first concert live streamed from Asia. On today's Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha joins Bloomberg’s Sohee Kim and Lucas Shaw to discuss Netflix’s power move and how global streamers are fighting for dominance in the competitive Asian market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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How US Troops Could Go About Taking Hormuz Friday, March 27, 2026

Leaders in Washington and Tehran are on the clock, with about a month to wrap up the Iran war before it does greater damage to the global economy and their own political fates, according to retired Admiral James Stavridis. On today’s Big Take podcast with David Gura, Adm. Stavridis, the former head of US Southern Command and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, outlines how the US troops heading to the region could help bring about a diplomatic resolution – or raise the risk of a longer conflict. Read more: Taking Kharg Island May Be a Big Risk for Little Reward Three Targets for US Boots on the Ground in Iran Iran Can Turn the Persian Gulf Into a Minefield Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Tracey Samuelson and Julia Press; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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What Really Happened in the Battle for Warner Bros. Thursday, March 26, 2026

Just when it seemed that Netflix had clinched the deal to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Skydance Corp. swooped in with a $110 billion counter-offer that was ultimately too good for the studio to pass up. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw and Chris Palmeri take host Sarah Holder inside the behind-the-scenes negotiations that secured the deal for Paramount, how Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos explained his company’s decision to walk away – and the twists and turns that could still be coming in this story as two mega-studios become one. Read more: What the Paramount-Warner Merger Means for Hollywood David Ellison Used Political Ties, Deep Pockets to Buy Warner Bros.Netflix’s Co-CEO Explains Why He Quit the Warner Bros. FightSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Prosecutor Who Tried to Stop Epstein, in Her Own Words Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Two decades ago, a federal prosecutor in Florida spent two years investigating Jeffrey Epstein and urged her superiors to charge him. Her frustrations mounted as her boss, US Attorney Alex Acosta, pursued a now-infamous plea deal that allowed Epstein to serve just 13 months, much of it on work release. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg legal reporter David Voreacos joins host Sarah Holder to examine emails and evidence recently released by the Justice Department. They reveal Marie Villafaña’s exhaustive efforts to hold Epstein accountable — and how, despite years of credible evidence, he managed to slip through the cracks. Read more: Sex-Crimes Prosecutor's Repeated Pleas for Epstein's Arrest Were Denied Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by David Voreacos; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and David Fox; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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What Trump Wants in Cuba Tuesday, March 24, 2026

President Donald Trump says he believes he’ll have the “honor of taking Cuba.” As the island nation suffers from major blackouts and a US squeeze on its oil supply, its regime’s survival — and the country’s future broadly — is in question. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg reporters Eric Martin and Jim Wyss about the dire situation on the ground in Cuba, ongoing talks between the country’s leadership and the US and what could come next. Read more: Cuba Is Struggling to Keep Lights On Amid Trump’s Oil Blockade Can Cuba’s Regime Survive as US Chokes Oil Supplies? Trump’s Plan for Cuba Would Make the US the Island’s Patron Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Eric Martin, Jim Wyss; Edited by Aaron Edwards. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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$100 to Fill Up Your Tank? Some Drivers Look Elsewhere Monday, March 23, 2026

As the war with Iran drags out and oil prices remain turbulent, it raises the question of whether — and how — prolonged conflict in the Middle East might impact global fossil fuel dependence and the future of renewable energy. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg reporter Todd Woody and Zero podcast host Akshat Rathi join Sarah Holder to discuss early signs that the high cost of oil is reigniting consumer interest in electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies, and how companies and countries are beginning to respond. Read more: Surging Gas Prices Reignite EV Interest Listen more: What a $100-Per-Barrel Oil Spike Does to the Global Economy Zero Podcast: War with Iran is a nightmare for oil and gas. What does it mean for clean energy? Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Todd Woody and Akshat Rathi; Edited by Tracey Samuelson. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Sixth Bureau Episode 6: Nothing Is Holy Friday, March 20, 2026

In Episode 6 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, with spy Xu Yanjun in prison, the US government pursues some of his collaborators. Plus, host Jordan Robertson gets an unexpected call which leads to a big discovery. The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil. The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 5 here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Reopening the Strait of Hormuz Is Going to Take Awhile Thursday, March 19, 2026

Has Iran laid mines across the Strait of Hormuz? With attacks on gas and oil facilities across the Middle East sending energy prices soaring, a key to restoring global oil supplies is ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is safe for tanker traffic. However, even the possibility that the area has been mined suggests that a recovery could be slow. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s global defense editor, Gerry Doyle, tells David Gura about the challenges of clearing mines — especially before the shooting stops. Read more: Mines, Missiles, and the Strait of Hormuz Mine-Sweeping Drones Don’t Eliminate The Risks For Clearing Hormuz Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Gerry Doyle; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Iran War Is the Fed's Worst Nightmare Wednesday, March 18, 2026

The Federal Open Market Committee announced this afternoon that it would hold interest rates steady. The decision comes in spite of spiking oil prices and new market uncertainty driven by the Iran War. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg Federal Reserve reporter Amara Omeokwe and Wharton professor and historian Peter Conti-Brown to discuss how the Fed is thinking about the Iran War and its impacts on the US economy — and what could shift its calculus in the months ahead. Read more: Fed to Hold Interest Rates Steady as Iran War Scrambles the Economic Outlook Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Amara Omeokwe; Edited by Tracey Samuelson. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Asia Is Bearing the Brunt of the Iran War Energy Crisis Tuesday, March 17, 2026

From soaring fuel prices in Pakistan to a shortage of cooking gas in India, Asia is bearing the brunt of the energy crunch sparked by the Iran War. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast we look at how war in the Middle East has pushed Asia to the forefront of a global crisis. Host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Faseeh Mangi about the impact of soaring fuel prices in Pakistan and Clara Ferreira Marques about how the least economically resilient countries are feeling the most pain. Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang, Naomi Ng; Reported by Faseeh Mangi, Clara Ferreira Marques; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Will Russia Be the Biggest Winner of the Iran War? Monday, March 16, 2026

As the war in Iran draws in more countries, it’s had unlikely benefits for one of Iran’s key allies: Russia. President Trump has eased some sanctions on Russian oil in his efforts to alleviate the oil squeeze created by the conflict. Meanwhile, the allyship between Russia and Iran has deepened as both countries have shared battlefield intelligence. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks with US defense and intelligence reporter Natalia Drozdiak about how Russia could benefit from the Iran War — and what it could ultimately mean for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Read more: Putin’s ‘Hidden Hand’ Guides Iran’s Strikes in Widening War Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Natalia Drozdiak; Edited by Naomi Shavin. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Weekend Listen: The Rise and Fall of an Alleged Scam Boss Sunday, March 15, 2026

By any account, Chen Zhi's ascent was meteoric. At a young age he founded a real estate company in Cambodia, which quickly became the sprawling Prince Group conglomerate. But beneath this legitimate facade, Chen allegedly ran a vast criminal network, building an empire on scams, human trafficking and high-level political protection. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, Host K. Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s David Ramli look into the rapid rise and sudden downfall of an alleged criminal mastermind. Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take Asia podcast today Read more: The Tycoon Who Had a Secret Life as an Alleged Scam Kingpin Further listening: Inside Southeast Asia’s Most Notorious Crime HubThis episode was produced by: Yang Yang; Editors: Patrick Hirsch, Serena Ng, Matthew Thomas; Reporting by: David Ramli; Additional Reporting: Low De Wei; Sound Design/Engineer: Taka Yasuzawa; Fact-checker: Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole BeemsterboerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.