Podcast
Balance of Power
Hosted by Bloomberg · EN
Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch us LIVE on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.
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Episodes
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Trump Faces Emboldened Xi in China
May 1200:38:06Summary readyInsight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Donald Trump is expecting economic deals and a “wild” welcome this week in China. In reality, he’ll arrive facing an emboldened Xi Jinping, just as his own hand is constrained by the conflict in Iran. When the US president touches down in Beijing on Wednesday evening for a 36-hour summit, it’ll mark his first overseas trip since waging war in the Middle East. Over talks at the Great Hall of the People and a state dinner, followed by morning tea, the leaders will discuss trade, tariffs and the self-ruled island of Taiwan. Another agenda item, of course, is Iran. As the war extends into its third month, China appears to hold unique sway as the biggest buyer of the Islamic Republic’s oil and a strategic partner of Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged that last week when he called on Beijing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the closure of which has unleashed the biggest oil supply shock in modern history. Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with: Bloomberg White House and National Security Editor Michelle Jamrisko. Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton of Arizona. Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino and BGR Group Principal Lester Munson. Beacon Global Strategies Managing Director Sara Schuman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryWeekly Washington Policy Pulse: Crypto Bill Deal, Trump China Trip (May 11, 2026)
May 1100:14:11Summary readyA more in-depth conversation about the future of the CLARITY Act -- a crypto market structure bill slated for Senate Banking Committee markup on May 14 -- led Bloomberg Intelligence's May 11 Washington Policy Pulse discussion. We think a deal between Senate lawmakers over stablecoins -- which the banking sector has pushed back against -- will likely hold. We also previewed what President Donald Trump's trip to China may bring, including potential deals related to Boeing and soybeans. Finally, we gave updates on housing legislation, Kevin Warsh's confirmation vote and private credit. The Bloomberg Intelligence Financial Policy weekly call is designed to provide investors an opportunity to learn about the most recent relevant policy research, information regarding forthcoming political catalysts and other on-goings within Washington DC. The call is open to all and is held every Monday at 10:00 a.m. EST. You can register for the call here: https://bloomberg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__PqCkwY-S2m3hbQqvVC1_Q#/registrationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryUS-Iran Tensions Flare as Trump Says Ceasefire Is Weakened
May 1100:41:34Summary readyInsight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. The ceasefire between the US and Iran reached a particularly precarious moment Monday as President Donald Trump said the agreement was on “massive life support” after he rejected Tehran’s latest peace offer. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump called Iran’s response to his proposal a “piece of garbage” and that he “didn’t even finish reading it.”Iran responded to last week’s US peace proposal by demanding a lifting of Washington’s naval blockade and sanctions relief, while maintaining a degree of control over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information. Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with: Bloomberg Economics Senior Geoeconomics Analyst for Asia-Pacific Adam Farrar. American Enterprise Institute Nonresident Senior Fellow Heather Conley. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of the Army Brandon Pugh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryIran Response Due Amid New Hormuz Clashes
May 800:41:46Summary readyInsight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Kailey speaks with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Messina Group CEO and Obama 2012 Campaign Manager Jim Messina. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. The Washington Institute Senior Fellow Holly Dagres. Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Defense Research Analyst Col. Wayne Sanders (Ret.). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryUS Awaits Iran's Peace Deal Response, Mulls Restarting 'Project Freedom' in Hormuz
May 700:38:12Summary readyInsight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. The US is waiting on Iran to respond to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end a war that’s killed thousands of people, with tensions still high in both the Persian Gulf and in Lebanon.Iran’s leaders are yet to indicate whether they’ll accept the terms of the deal, though they’ve previously shown little sign of yielding on their nuclear program and accepting a moratorium on enriching uranium, both top US demands. On this edition, Kailey speaks with: Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director of the McCain Institute / Fmr. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia (from 2012-2015, under Obama) Liz Pancotti, Managing Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Groundwork Collaborative Rick Davis, Partner at Stonecourt Capital and Bloomberg Politics Contributor & Jeanne Sheehan Zaino, Democracy Visiting Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center and Bloomberg Politics Contributor Patrick McHenry, Former Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Former Speaker Pro Tempore, Bloomberg Contributor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Summary29th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference Special: Day Three
May 600:32:42Summary readyInsight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Joe Mathieu and Bloomberg Businessweek Daily co-host Carol Massar broadcast live from the 29th annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California. On today's show, Joe and Carol speak with: Fmr. Rep. Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee Breezy Johnson, US Olympic Gold Medalist Alpine Ski Racer & Trisha Worthington, Chief Revenue and Philanthropic Officer for US Ski & Snowboard Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Ben Kennedy, NASCAR EVP & Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer & Jeff Gordon, NASCAR Hall of Famer/Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Summary29th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference Special: Day Two
May 500:49:45Summary readyInsight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Joe Mathieu and Bloomberg Businessweek Daily co-host Carol Massar broadcast live from the 29th annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California. On today's show, Joe and Carol speak with: Steve Mnuchin, Liberty Strategic Capital, Founder and Managing Partner, Former Treasury Secretary under President Trump Amos Hochstein, Former Middle East Senior Advisor to President Biden Denise Leonhard, chief of Zelle Maria Korsnick, Nuclear Energy Institute CEO Suzanne Clark, US Chamber of Commerce President Bridgit Mendler, Co-founder and CEO, Northwood See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Summary29th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference Special: Day One
May 400:48:33Summary readyInsight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Joe Mathieu and Bloomberg Businessweek Daily co-host Carol Massar broadcast live from the 29th annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California. On today's show, Joe and Carol speak with: Ian Bremmer, CEO at Eurasia Group Bill Ackman, Pershing Square CEO John Denton, International Chamber of Commerce Secretary General Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryWeekly Washington Policy Pulse: Trump v. Disney, Stablecoin Accord (May 4th 2026)
May 400:22:25Summary readyA review of the ongoing spat between President Donald Trump and the Disney corporation over comments from Jimmy Kimmel -- and subsequently a FCC investigation into their broadcast licenses -- led Bloomberg Intelligence's May 4 Washington Policy Pulse discussion. The FCC's call for an early TV license renewal review for Disney's broadcast television stations unlikely poses a material business risk to the company. We also discussed an agreement over stablecoin yield -- supported by Coinbase -- and what it means for the CLARITY Act.The Bloomberg Intelligence Financial Policy weekly call is designed to provide investors an opportunity to learn about the most recent relevant policy research, information regarding forthcoming political catalysts and other on-goings within Washington DC. The call is open to all and is held every Monday at 10:00 a.m. EST. You can register for the call here: https://bloomberg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__PqCkwY-S2m3hbQqvVC1_Q#/registrationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryTrump Says He Doesn't Need Congressional Approval on Iran
May 100:27:00Summary readyInsight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiAC President Trump said that he disapproves of the latest framework put forward by Iran in an effort to end hostilities, telling reporters ‘we just had a conversation with Iran. Let’s see what happens. But I would say that I am not happy,’ as he was leaving the White House to travel to an event in Florida. The President is also arguing that because of the ongoing ceasefire with Iran, the war is over and he does not need congressional approval for military operations in the region. Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with: Tyler Kendall, Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Jeanne Sheehan Zaino, Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow & Rosemary Becchi, Partner at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R - Florida) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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