Big Take

This year has seen an uptick in falsified videos and other online disinformation with a common theme: advancing Kremlin interests. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg investigative reporter Stephanie Baker tells Sarah Holder how she identified nearly 200 social media posts and videos that bear the hallmarks of a Russian influence operation that researchers call Storm-1516. Baker, who has written extensively about Russia and is the author of Punishing Putin, explains why so few of these posts are factchecked in real time — and what that lack of oversight means for the US as it prepares for this year’s midterms. Read more: The Most Potent Weapon in Russia’s Disinformation War We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Stephanie Baker and Priyanjana Bengani ; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite India facing economic headwinds, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party defied expectations with a stunning state election sweep — capped by a historic win in opposition stronghold West Bengal. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Menaka Doshi about how the BJP secured a shock victory and what an emboldened Modi might mean for India and the world. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Read more: Resurgent Modi Paves Way to Keep Power in India Well Beyond 2030 Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng, Yang Yang; Reported by Menaka Doshi; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky, Yang Yang; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After eight years as chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell’s term concludes this week. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura sits down with Bloomberg Fed correspondents Catarina Saraiva and Amara Omeokwe to look back at Powell’s successes, missteps and legacy — and what shape the central bank could take in the future. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Julia Press and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Amara Omeokwe and Catarina Saraiva; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Alex Suguira. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a high-stakes Trump–Xi summit looms, tensions over the Iran war and defiance of US sanctions threaten to derail what could be one of the year’s most consequential meetings. On Trumponomics, Bloomberg's Stephanie Flanders is joined by Jennifer Welch, chief geoeconomics analyst for Bloomberg Economics and Bloomberg News executive editor Dan Ten Kate to unpack whether the talks will happen—and what’s really at stake for the global economy if they do. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supporters of the Make America Healthy Again movement helped put President Trump in office for a second term. But just months ahead of the US midterm elections, key voices in the coalition say they feel betrayed. On today’s Big Take podcast, guest host Tim Stenovec and Bloomberg Businessweek’s Deena Shanker track MAHA’s growing frustrations with the White House, from the fallout over Trump’s decision to pull Casey Means as nominee for surgeon general to a contentious battle over weed killer — and what it could mean for Trump’s record-low approval ratings. Read more: Outrage Over Pesticides Is Alienating Some Trump Voters Further listening: Welch’s Fruit Snacks Get a MAHA-Friendly Makeover We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Tim Stenovec; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Deena Shanker; Edited by Aaron Edwards and Nicole Beemsterboer. Fact-checking by Naomi Ng and Yang Yang; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Reserve in the United States has struggled to return inflation to its 2% target while navigating criticism from President Trump and scrutiny from the Department of Justice. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg’s Maria Eloisa Capurro discuss her interview with Boston Fed President Susan Collins. They explore inflation, the economic fallout of the conflict in Iran, and how the US central bank might evolve under Kevin Warsh’s leadership. Read more: Fed’s Collins Agreed With FOMC Dissenters Over Statement We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Maria Eloisa Capurro; Edited by Julia Weaver. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can NASA put astronauts on the moon in 2028? Why does the US need a lunar base? NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman joins guest host Tim Stenovec on today’s Big Take podcast episode to discuss the new space race with China, how NASA can compete for talent with SpaceX and Blue Origin – and why he doesn’t think we’re alone in the universe. Read more: www.bloomberg.com/space We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Tim Stenovec; Produced by Julia Press; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Rachael Lewis-Krisky Lewis-Krisky and 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.

China’s decision to block Meta’s $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus stunned the global AI industry. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Newley Purnell and Lulu Chen about how the deal crumbled and what it signals for Chinese startups trying to go global. Read more: China’s Meta Backlash Renders Manus Model ‘Officially Dead’ Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang and Naomi Ng; Reported by Newley Purnell and Lulu Chen; 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.

For global airlines, this year was supposed to be a big one. The industry projected record profits — backed by more than 5 billion passengers — and a busy summer travel season ahead. But then came the war in Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and major disruptions to global jet fuel supplies. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Global Aviation Editorial Leader Benedikt Kammel joins Sarah Holder to discuss the growing jet fuel crunch: how airlines are scrambling to absorb billions in unexpected expenses, which markets and routes are most affected by the squeeze and how disruptions stemming from the war could reshape the industry (and your summer travel plans). We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Benedikt Kammel; Edited by Tracey Samuelson. Fact-checking by Editorial team; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than 30 years, the Indian-born writer Amitav Ghosh has built a global following with novels that draw on deep historical research. But his latest offering, Ghost-Eye, is more esoteric. The plot moves back and forth between India and the US, using past lives to explore the ties between the personal and the political. The plot centers on a psychiatrist treating a 3-year-old who shocks her family by insisting she remembers a past life in a fishing community. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Ghosh explains why he’s finding it harder to write nowadays, how the memories of his childhood came flooding back during the Covid pandemic, why he sees capitalism as an obstacle to protecting the environment and thinks India has lost its way diplomatically. Read this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend: www.bloomberg.com/latest/weekend-interview We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Game apps like High 5 Casino and Monopoly GO! are wildly popular. Players pay up for perks and the mobile game industry makes money – a lot of money. But scrutiny on these kinds of games and what some players call addictive, gambling-like qualities could challenge the way they do business. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder and Bloomberg reporter Vernon Silver go inside the world of so-called “social casinos.” Who’s profiting the most from them? And could a slate of ongoing lawsuits change their business model? Read more: The $11 Billion Casino-Style Economy Built on Players Who Can Never Cash Out We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Vernon Silver and Peter Robison; 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.

The US government is required to pay back $166 billion in revenue it collected as part of sweeping global tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court earlier this year. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura talks with Bloomberg economics reporter Laura Curtis and a trade expert in the field about the logistics of that payout, whether any of that money will reach consumers and how political pressure might push some companies to skip a refund altogether. Read more: Oaktree Capital Accuses BJ’s of Breaching Tariff Refund DealIn Tariff Refund Process, First Payment Set to Go Out May 11 We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Laura Curtis; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott and 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.

Amid the nervousness about whether AI will replace human workers, one company has been aggressively seeking professionals. The San Francisco startup, Mercor, isn’t hiring experts to perform their jobs; it’s paying them an hourly rate to teach their daily routines to AI agents. On today’s Big Take podcast, reporter Tom Foster takes host Sarah Holder into the world of Mercor — why professionals are signing up to train the AI that could take over parts of their jobs and how the company’s founders want to remake white-collar work. Read more: The $10 Billion Startup Training AI to Replace the White-Collar WorkforceAmazon to Sell OpenAI Tech After Microsoft Cedes Exclusivity We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Tom Foster; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As global attention is focused on war in the Middle East, North Korea has been accelerating its nuclear and missile program — testing new weapons and producing more warheads. On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks with Bloomberg’s Jon Herskovitz on Kim Jong Un’s aggressive nuclear buildup and the strain that puts on US defenses. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng; Reported by Jon Herskovitz, Soo-Hyang Choi; Edited by Paddy Hirsch. Fact-checking by Yang Yang; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global markets have been remarkably resilient amid major geopolitical and economic disruptions, from the Iran war to US tariffs, as investors find cause for optimism in strong earnings and AI. On today’s Big Take podcast, Sarah Holder talks with Asia equities reporter Winnie Hsu, and Ruth Carson, chief FX/Rates correspondent in Asia, about what has kept markets strong — and what could shake them. Read more: Five Reasons Global Markets Are Holding Up Despite War in Iran We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Winnie Hsu and Ruth Carson; Edited by Tracey Samuelson and 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.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Apple guru Mark Gurman joins David Gura to reflect on Tim Cook’s wins and losses as CEO of Apple and what it will take for John Ternus to successfully usher in a new era for the tech behemoth. Read more: Apple CEO John Ternus Confronts Test of Retaining Top TalentTim Cook Regrets Maps Flub, Sees Apple Watch as His Proudest Work We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Mark Gurman; 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.

Building powerful AI tools is the goal of companies like Anthropic. But after realizing how powerful its latest update was, Anthropic moved to keep it from the public and turn it into a cybersecurity stress test. On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg cybersecurity reporter Margi Murphy walks host Sarah Holder through the story of how Anthropic discovered the risks of its Mythos tech and what they could mean for banks, businesses and the government. Read more: How Anthropic Learned Mythos Was Too Dangerous for the WildAnthropic’s Mythos Model Is Being Accessed by Unauthorized Users We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Margi Murphy; Edited by 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.

In a nomination hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh fielded an array of questions about his personal finances and economic policy views. There was even a reference to Seinfeld. But one topic loomed largest: the independence of the Fed. On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura and Bloomberg’s Michael McKee go inside Tuesday’s hearing, where Warsh vowed he wouldn’t be a “sock puppet” for President Trump and laid out some of his vision for the Fed’s future if confirmed. Read more: Warsh Pledges Independence But Dodges Questions on Rates Further listening: How Kevin Warsh Could Shape the Fed We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by David Gura; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Michael McKee; Edited by Aaron Edwards. Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Julia Press; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India wants to become a manufacturing powerhouse to rival China — but its reliance on the Chinese supply chain for things like batteries and semiconductors makes for a complex and exceedingly difficult puzzle to untangle. On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s Alisha Sachdev on how corporate India is struggling to navigate this unique geopolitical landscape. Read more: China’s Control Over Tech Is Threatening India’s Manufacturing Dreams Further listening: Asia Is Bearing the Brunt of the Iran War Energy Crisis We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang; Reported by Alisha Sachdev; Edited by Patrick Hirsch; Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa and Alex Sugiura Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump said Monday the US will not be rushed into a “bad deal" with Iran. But he also said he was unlikely to extend the ceasefire that expires Wednesday. Meanwhile, the two sides seemed to disagree on whether they’d resume negotiations to end the conflict this week. On today’s Big Take, host Stacey Vanek Smith and Bloomberg White House Correspondent Kate Sullivan break down what we know about a potential second round of negotiations between the US and Iran, the sticking points driving the latest escalation and where the White House could go from here. Read more: Trump Aims to Seal Iran Deal, Says Truce Extension Unlikely We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Stacey Vanek Smith; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky and David Fox; Reported by Kate Sullivan; Edited by Tracey Samuelson. Fact-checking by Julia Press 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.