Post Reports

After six weeks of intense testimony and cross-examination, the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is coming to a close. This week, both the prosecution and defense rested their cases and delivered closing arguments. Soon the case will be in the jury’s hands. Today, style reporter Anne Branigin gives us an update on the defense’s closing arguments, which will wrap up Friday. Then, court reporter Shayna Jacobs breaks down the potential strategy behind Combs’s minimal defense presentation earlier in the week, how prosecutors approached closing arguments and the possible outcomes once the case is handed over to the jury. Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos. Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Mamdani’s primary win in New York excited progressives as the Democratic Party tries to find its footing after its 2024 losses. Host Colby Itkowitz talks with national enterprise reporter Sarah Ellison about whether Mamdani’s victory could be a road map for the party. They also talk with senior congressional reporter Paul Kane about whether the Senate will pass Trump’s big tax bill and how congressional Republicans have continued to cede power to the executive branch. Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Reena Flores. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks also to Arjun Singh. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Many people who visit Zillow aren’t even buying houses — they’re just looking, sharing and daydreaming about their ideal home. The site has such a powerful hold on the market that one real estate company filed a lawsuit this week calling Zillow a monopoly. Elahe Izadi talks with reporter Rachel Kurzius about how we got here and what this house-hunting obsession says about us. Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff and Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. Need a gut check? Find the new season of “Try This” here.

Today: a view of the war from Israel. Elahe Izadi sits down with Jerusalem Bureau Chief Gerry Shih to discuss Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long march to war with Iran. They walk through why Netanyahu attacked Iran when he did, and what he may have gained politically in the process. This episode was produced by Rennie Svirnovsky with help from Arjun Singh and edited by Lucy Perkins. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. Need a gut check? Find the new season of “Try This” here.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump ordered strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. His proxies insisted this was a simple one-and-done mission. But on social media Trump raised the prospect of regime change in Tehran. Today on “Post Reports,” we hear from White House reporter Natalie Allison about how Trump made this decision and the divisions it is causing among his MAGA base. Plus, military reporter Alex Horton explains the operation and the consequences we could feel for years to come. Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Thank you to Andy DeGrandpre.

Kate Marvel watches the world end all the time. She’s a physicist who works with climate models, so it’s her job to run experiments in computer simulations, watching sea levels rise and temperatures climb. But climate change isn’t happening just in models. It’s happening here, and now – and Marvel has some feelings about it. In her new book Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet, Marvel explores the many emotions she has been feeling surrounding climate change – grief, fear and anger, of course, but also hope, wonder and love. In today’s Post Reports, she explains how we can all feel a little more empowered and motivated to change the world. Today’s show was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Sean “Diddy” Combs is a master imagemaker and influencer who rose to the top of multiple industries. But now he is on trial facing federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution – which he denies and has pleaded not guilty to. Still, Combs is trying to maintain some control over public perception. Host Elahe Izadi speaks with culture reporter Helena Andrews-Dyer and style reporter Anne Branigin about Combs’s image and the societal issues at the center of the trial, including race and consent in a post-#MeToo era. Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos. Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Every 19th of October, Grenadians mark a somber anniversary: the 1983 execution of the country’s former prime minister and revolutionary leader, Maurice Bishop, and others who died alongside him. The people of this Caribbean nation still have no closure more than 40 years later. The remains of Bishop and his supporters were never returned to their family members and are missing to this day. In the first episode of “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop,” The Washington Post’s Martine Powers takes us on the personal journey that led her to learn about Grenada’s history. Martine delves into why Bishop was such an influential figure, what made the United States nervous about him and why the mystery of his missing remains continues to haunt so many on the island. If you haven’t listened to the series yet, we hope you check it out on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you’ve already listened, we would be grateful if you shared it and left a review. You can find photos and documents from the investigation in our special episode guide here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Six days into the exchange of blows between Israel and Iran, President Donald Trump is weighing a direct attack on Iran. The decision would have massive implications — entangling the United States in yet another foreign conflict that some members of Trump’s base say would be a betrayal of his “America First” campaign promise. Trump says he’s issued an “ultimatum” to Iran to dismantle its nuclear program. How would American involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict further inflame hostilities in the region — and what could retaliation against the U.S. look like? Host Elahe Izadi speaks with Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe and investigative reporter Carol Leonnig about this pivotal moment for Trump, the United States and the world. Today’s episode was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and Maggie Penman. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Another story we’re following today: The Supreme Court has ruled that states can ban some gender transition treatments for minors. In December, when the court heard arguments in U.S. v. Skrmetti, Post Reports followed a family at the center of the case. Listen to that episode here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Israel launched attacks on Iran last week. Iran quickly retaliated. The fighting has left many feeling both fearful and hopeful. Now, it is unclear whether this escalation in a long-simmering conflict could turn into a wider war. Elahe Izadi speaks with Post reporter Yeganeh Torbati about why Israel chose this moment to launch strikes against Iran, whether Iran’s government could fall, and whether the U.S. and President Donald Trump will get involved. Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Last night, police arrested Vance Boelter, the man suspected of shooting two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers and their spouses. One couple died. The other survived. The details of Boelter’s life and what might have pushed him to commit these crimes are still coming into focus. But police say he planned the attack meticulously. We also know he is a devout Christian, fervently antiabortion, and kept a long hit list of other Democrats. Colby Itkowitz speaks with national reporter Patrick Marley about the shootings and how Boelter was apprehended. Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and Maggie Penman, and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Until the past week, not much was known about “Jane,” one of the alleged victims at the center of the government’s case against Sean Combs. Jane — who is going by a court-approved alias to protect her identity — testified earlier this week that she was seeing Combs on and off until he was arrested in September. She alleges she was pressured into participating in sex parties with Combs and male escorts — events that allegedly happened while he was being investigated by the government for similar acts. Combs faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty and has denied wrongdoing. Style reporter Anne Branigin talks with host Elahe Izadi about how Jane's testimony could be a game changer in this trial and why the government believes she’s a victim of sex-trafficking. Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos. Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) faced a violent attack on his home in April. A man with a history of mental illness, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, has been charged with breaking in and setting fire to a dining room at the Governor’s Residence. The alleged arsonist said part of his motivation was Shapiro’s support for Israel. Since this incident, there have been other high-profile attacks against Jewish people in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with Shapiro about the attack and the recent spike in antisemitic actions in the United States. She also asks him about President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to California, and why so many people think he’s a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair, who also edited the video. Peter Stevenson and HyoJung Kim shot the video. Thanks also to Nick Baumann, Sean Sullivan and Ariel Plotnick. Watch the full interview on YouTube. And you can subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Since 2000, the rate of new cancer diagnoses for people ages 15 to 49 has climbed by 10 percent. This year, more than 200,000 people in that age group will be newly diagnosed with cancer. They will join more than 2.1 million Americans who were also diagnosed as young adults and are living with the disease.In today’s episode, Post video journalist Drea Cornejo sits down with host Elahe Izadi to talk about how Drea’s own cancer diagnosis three years ago, when she was 26, motivated her to report on the realities facing more younger adults. Drea documented the lives of Tanner and Shay Martin over the past six months as they navigated Tanner’s terminal colon cancer diagnosis with big life decisions including starting a family. While most young adults survive their cancer diagnosis, they still face the potential of a greatly altered future with implications for relationships, careers, finances and family planning. You can watch The Post’s short documentary about Tanner and Shay here. Be sure to also check out the comic about Drea’s diagnosis here. Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Ted Muldoon and edited by Renita Jablonski with additional editing by Lynh Bui, Mary-Ellen Deily and Dan Keating. Additional reporting for this story came from Dan Keating, Ariana Cha and Julia Wall. Special thanks to Wendy Galietta, Whitney Leaming, Jessica Koscielniak and Stephen Smith. Subscribe to The Washington Post here

Washington’s juvenile justice agency appeared to finally be reformed. After decades of court monitoring, a judge declared in late 2020 that the long-troubled Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services could return to the mayor’s control. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) promised “a focus on restorative justice, love, and empowerment” that would “serve and improve the lives of our young people, their families, and our entire community.” Instead, progress at the agency – charged with setting serious and repeat teen offenders on a better path – unraveled as youth crime spiked, a Washington Post investigation found. Today on the show, investigative reporter Nicole Dungca tells “Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi about some of the teens and children who spent months in a violent detention center as waits grew longer for rehabilitation programs. Read more here. If you value this reporting, please subscribe to The Washington Post. Today’s episode was produced by Peter Bresnan with help from Sean Carter, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Reena Flores. Thank you to Lisa Gartner and David Fallis.

On Monday, President Donald Trump restricted the entry of travelers to the United States from more than a dozen countries, resurrecting and expanding sweeping restrictions from his first term that are expected to draw swift legal challenges. The travel ban has been criticized by immigrant rights groups for targeting several African and Muslim-majority nations, and for appearing to capitalize on a moment of public grief: Earlier this month, a man seeking asylum in the United States threw an incendiary device at an event organized by a Jewish group in Boulder, Colorado. Trump cited the attack in his announcement of the ban. Today on Post Reports, host Elahe Izadi speaks with immigration reporter David Nakamura about who will be most affected by this ban, how the Trump administration crafted it to hold up in court, and why the public response to this iteration has felt muted. Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy and Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Lucy Perkins and Christine Armario. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Demonstrators turned out in Los Angeles to oppose ICE raids. Trump called in the National Guard. Read more: Over the weekend, President Donald Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to intervene in protests over federal immigration sweeps. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called the move “unconstitutional” and on Monday sued the administration. “Let me be clear: There is no invasion. There is no rebellion,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said in a statement. “The President is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends.” Today on “Post Reports,” host Colby Itkowitz talks with Supreme Court reporter Justin Jouvenal about the move – the first time in about 60 years that an American president has taken such action without a governor’s consent, and a chilling sign that Trump is prepared to send troops into other cities in response to protests. We also hear from reporter Arelis R. Hernández about the people detained by ICE, and the people who turned out to defend them. Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Maggie Penman, with help from Lucy Perkins. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Ariel Plotnick, Peter Bresnan, Efrain Hernandez Jr. and Susan Levine. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

When President Donald Trump took office in January, 2.4 million people worked for the federal government. It was America’s largest employer. Four months later, Trump — and Elon Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service — have hacked off chunks of government in the name of efficiency, with tactics rarely seen in public or private industry: Some federal workers have found themselves fired, rehired, then let go again. Many have been ridiculed as “lazy” and “corrupt.” They’ve been locked out of offices by police, fired for political “disloyalty,” and told to check their email to see if they still draw a paycheck. More than 30 former and current federal workers told The Washington Post that the chaos and mass firings had left them feeling devalued, demoralized and scared for themselves and the country. Many described problems they’d never experienced before: insomnia, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts. Others with a history of mental struggles said they’d found themselves pushed into terrifying territory. Today on “Post Reports,” host Colby Itkowitz speaks with investigative reporter William Wan about the administration’s immense toll on federal workers’ mental health. We hear from the husband of Caitlin Cross-Barnet, a public health worker who died by suicide in March. And, in the second half of the episode, Wan reflects on years spent covering the nation’s mental health crisis for The Post. Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Sean Carter, and edited by Maggie Penman. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also reach a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Contact William Wan at william.wan@washpost.com or (202) 725-2121 on Signal. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

As the government has built its case against Sean “Diddy” Combs over the past few weeks, they have called witnesses to build out the story around an incident that many are familiar with – the violent 2016 encounter at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. A video of it was first released by CNN last year, and depicts Combs dragging and kicking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway. Witnesses, including former hotel security employees, have alleged that Combs and his employees attempted to cover up the incident through a $100,000 payoff. This week, another one of Combs’s alleged victims, “Jane,” took the stand and began delivering harrowing testimony about encounters she had with him and male escorts – similar to what Ventura alleged she experienced. She’s testifying under a pseudonym. Style reporter Anne Branigin explains how this anonymous testimony works and how the 2016 hotel incident ties into many of the government’s charges. Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos. Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today on the podcast, host Colby Itkowitz speaks with two veteran political reporters: co-anchor of the Early Brief newsletter Dan Merica and national breaking news reporter Patrick Svitek. They talk about the public split between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump – and other news out of the White House, including a new travel ban. Plus, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst doubles down on a flippant comment about Medicaid cuts as Republicans struggle to defend Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.