Trump demolishes White House East Wing; Nazi controversies hit both parties

Today on “Post Reports,” Optimist reporter Maggie Penman shares the new science of aging, and a hopeful research finding that getting stronger and healthier in old age is possible for many of us – even after a health setback. If you want to hear more stories like this, please let us know. You can reach the whole team at [email protected] or email Maggie at [email protected]’s episode was reported and produced by Maggie Penman. It was edited by Allison Klein and Ted Muldoon who also mixed the show.The Optimist has a newsletter! Subscribe here.And, subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This week, construction crews knocked down the East Wing of the White House to make way for the construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. This demolition surprised many in D.C., as President Donald Trump had previously said his proposed addition would not significantly alter the existing structure.Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with White House reporter Dan Diamond and Dan Merica, the co-anchor of the Early Brief newsletter, about why this construction is unlikely to be derailed and what we know about the ballroom plans. And, they discuss how past comments by Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner and onetime Trump nominee Paul Ingrassia have come back to haunt them.Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Josh Carroll. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

One of the hottest events in San Francisco over the past couple of months was a lecture series by tech billionaire Peter Thiel – in which he preached about those he thinks are “legionnaires of the Antichrist.” Thiel has shared his Christian viewpoints publicly and is a longtime supporter of conservative politicians. But in these talks, he asserts that those who are pro-regulation are also against God. The lectures were off the record, but Gerrit De Vynck and other reporters at The Post obtained leaked recordings of them. Today on “Post Reports,” Gerrit shares these recordings with host Colby Itkowitz and unpacks what Thiel’s argument says about tech’s growing power and ambition during the second Trump administration.Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Laura Benshoff and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Can the Oklahoma City Thunder defend its championship? How will all the player injuries affect the dynamics in the Eastern Conference? And if fewer people are watching the games … how does the NBA grow? “Post Reports” tackles the important questions at the heart of this year’s NBA season, which began Tuesday. And we’re bringing in the experts: The Sports Moment writer Ava Wallace joins NBA reporter Ben Golliver in a special sports takeover of the show. Today’s episode was produced by Lucas Trevor. It was edited by Ted Muldoon and Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And sign up for The Sports Moment newsletter here. 

On Sunday,  the Louvre museum in Paris was burgled in broad daylight. Thieves in disguises entered through the windows and used a glass cutter to access thousands of precious diamonds and gems. The thieves are still at large.Across France, authorities and citizens alike are both outraged and captivated by the robbery. The incident has ignited questions about security and accountability at the museum.Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with the Post’s senior art and architecture critic, Philip Kennicott, about how the thieves pulled off their brazen heist. We also hear from a former senior investigator and founder of the FBI National Art Crime Team about the reality of museum heists. Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy, Laura Benshoff and Zoe Cummings. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Jonathan Fischer and Steven JohnsonSubscribe to The Washington Post here.

Since September, the United States has taken credit for at least seven attacks against boats in the Caribbean, killing dozens of people. The Trump administration claims they were carrying deadly drugs into the U.S. from Venezuela and could be treated as though they’re enemy troops. Officials, however, have not publicly disclosed any evidence to verify President Donald Trump's claims. Then last week, two people survived a U.S. attack, but they were not from Venezuela. Today, host Colby Itkowitz speaks with national security reporter Alex Horton about the survivors of this recent U.S. boat strike in the Caribbean and how it’s fueling more political tension in Latin America and speculation about a larger U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Peter Bresnan with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Andy deGrandpre. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Are you happy? How would you answer that question if a stranger with a camera asked?Five years ago, filmmaker Atdhe Trepca quit his job and drove across the country with a camera, asking hundreds of people that question.His videos reach millions on TikTok and Instagram, and now he’s made a documentary.Today, Optimist reporter Maggie Penman shares what Trepca has learned – and the research that backs up his observations.If you want to hear more stories like this, please let us know. You can reach the whole team at [email protected] or email Maggie at [email protected]’s episode was reported and produced by Maggie Penman, with help from Ted Muldoon, Emma Talkoff, Reena Flores, and Sean Carter, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Allison Klein. The Optimist has a newsletter! Subscribe here.And, subscribe to The Washington Post here.

As the federal government shutdown stretches on, Republicans and Democrats are still far apart on a path to reopening. One major sticking point is the Democrats’ demand to include renewed health care subsidies for ACA marketplace enrollees as a part of any vote to end the shutdown.Host Colby Itkowitz sits with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) to ask about how Republicans view that demand, how the politics of health care are playing in this moment, and the White House’s moves to fire federal workers during a shutdown.Today’s show was produced by Josh Carroll, Laura Benshoff and Elana Gordon. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And watch the video on YouTube here.

For over a quarter-century, Tom Sietsema has eaten at and reviewed thousands of restaurants. Now, he’s hanging up his fork and knife. Today, we dip into our archives and bring you a delightful night out at a restaurant with The Post’s longtime beloved food critic. He talks about his love for the theater of dining out, and why he cares so much about guiding readers toward truly delicious food.Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here, or give someone a gift subscription.

As the federal government shutdown stretches into its third week, its effects are starting to ripple across the country. National parks are closed, flights are delayed, and this week, some federal workers will miss their first paychecks. For some of those workers, things are even more stressful: President Donald Trump is making good on his threat to use the shutdown to shutter government programs and offices he disagrees with. Thousands of workers have received notices that they may lose their jobs.The Trump administration has claimed the cuts will help them keep the lights on during the shutdown. But experts say that’s not true – and the action may not be legal.Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with reporter Hannah Natanson about Trump’s attempt to close swaths of the federal government – permanently.Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And tell us a ghost story here!