The Conservative Trying to Shift America Rightward... One Movie at a Time
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
Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
18:19
Inside UnitedHealth’s Dramatic Faltering
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
Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
23:51
Inside ICE’s Aggressive Approach to Arresting Migrants
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
Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
20:20
Are Trump and Musk Done for Good?
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
Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter .
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
20:59
Medicare, Inc. Part 2: Taxpayers Paid for Care Denied by Insurers
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
Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.
Get show merch here: https://wsjshop.com/collections/clothing
Australia