Balance of Power

Trump Accuses China of Election Meddling, Sows Doubt Ahead of Midterms 17.07.2026 36min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.President Trump accused China of meddling in the 2020 elections and alleged a cover up by the US intelligence community in his primetime address to the nation Thursday night. Trump said, 'great damage has been done to our country. Our elections were left vulnerable to being rigged and stolen, and the trust of the American people was lost,' and urged Congress to pass a the SAVE act, voter identification legislation backed by the president. President Trump also briefly mentioned the conflict in Iran, as the US unleashed more strikes Thursday night and into Friday morning. Bloomberg Washington Correspondent 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: J Street Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Ilan Goldenberg Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino Bloomberg Senior Editor for Technology & Strategic Industries Michael Shepard CIBC Private Wealth Senior Equity Trader and Managing Director Rebecca Babin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump to Release Election Integrity 'Findings' in Primetime Address 16.07.2026 38min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that President Trump will be releasing 'findings' on the 2020 election in his address from the White House tonight and that all of his claims around election integrity will be 'backed by facts.' Leavitt also told reporters that a longtime teleprompter operator who has been found betting on presidential speeches on Kalshi has been put on leave. Leavitt called the actions 'deeply unfortunate and frankly a disgrace' and said that the prediction market alerted the CFTC about the bets.Bloomberg Washington Correspondent 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 Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall Emory University Associate Professor of Political Science Andra Gillespie.Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino.Host of Bloomberg's 'This Weekend' and 'The Big Take' Podcast David Gura. Bloomberg Congress Reporter Erik Wasson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Vows To Escalate Attacks on Iran; GOP Releases Spending Blueprint 15.07.2026 36min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.The United States launched more strikes against Iran Wednesday with the President pledging to keep up the barrage until Iran stops attacking targets in the Strait of Hormuz. Talking to Fox News last night President Trump said, 'We’re going to hit them very hard the night after. And then next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. We’re going to knock out all of their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.' Lawmakers also released a spending blueprint that would allocate more than $60 billion in funding for armed services. Bloomberg Washington Correspondent 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 Lead for Economic Statecraft Chris Kennedy Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino Former Republican Congressman from North Carolina and former House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall speaks with President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States John Jovanovic, on the sidelines of the Pennsylvania Defense & Innovation Summit See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Goes Back on Hormuz Fee In Favor of US Investment 14.07.2026 34min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.President Trump said that he is shelving the potential 20% fee for cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz after gulf states urged him to drop it. 'I don’t like the concept of a fee,' Trump told reporters during an oval office meeting with the Prime Minister of Iraq. 'They’re going to be making massive investments into the United States, and I like that much better.' Trump said that he spoke to representatives of the Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates who urged him to change course.Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Joe Mathieu delivers 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 International Economics and Policy Correspondent Mike McKee-Bloomberg Economics Chief Geoeconomics Analyst Jennifer Welch-Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino.-Republican Congressman from Montana Troy Downing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekly Washington Policy Pulse: Graham Death, Crypto Bill Pass Odds? 13.07.2026 13min

A look at the fallout from Senator Lindsey Graham's unexpected death and the impact it has on reconciliation 3.0 chances, a potential for $350 billion in defense funding and the appropriations process led Bloomberg Intelligence's July 13 Washington Policy Pulse.  The death of the Senate Budget Committee chairman -- who was a key proponent of another reconciliation package -- probably puts further roadblocks on the idea and supports our view that such a package has a low chance of success in 2026. We also discussed the forecast for the CLARITY Act and whether or not a crypto bill can pass in July. For crypto platforms like Robinhood and Coinbase, the failure to pass the bill in 2026 likely leaves the industry with regulatory certainty only for a few years, not long-term.  Finally, we previewed Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh's testimony on Capitol Hill and whether or not he will address bank regulatory matters important to Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo.  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.

Washington Mourns Foreign Policy Hawk Senator Lindsey Graham 13.07.2026 39min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. President Trump and lawmakers spoke out Monday in memory of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham after his sudden death early Sunday morning. In a social media post over the weekend Trump remembered Graham as, "one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.” Graham was known as a staunch foreign policy hawk and had spent his final days in Ukraine working to support the country's fight against Russia and was pushing for an increased Russian sanctions package. Graham's death opens up questions about the legislative path forward in the Senate, as well as questions about who will succeed him in his seat.  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 Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall Bloomberg Congressional Reporter Erik Wasson Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Rebeccah Heinrichs Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino Chairman of Advancing American Freedom and Former Director of Legislative Affairs at the White House Marc Short See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Says Iran Ceasefire Is Over 10.07.2026 41min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. President Donald Trump said the US would continue talks with Iran but considers the ceasefire between the countries to be over.“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!,” Trump said Friday on social media.The president’s comments follow several nights of US airstrikes and Iranian retaliation that sent oil prices higher and raised doubts about further talks toward a broader peace deal. The recent tensions, along with a US Treasury move to revoke a waiver allowing Iran to sell its oil globally posed the biggest challenges yet to an interim peace deal between Washington and Tehran. 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: Former US Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey. Bloomberg Tech Host Ed Ludlow Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Bloomberg Television Markets Correspondent Norah Mulinda. Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft Executive Vice President Trita Parsi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US, Iran Trade Airstrikes as Fears Grow of a Return to War 09.07.2026 34min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. The US military attacked Iran for a second day and Tehran retaliated against American allies in the Persian Gulf, raising fears of a return to war after little progress in efforts to secure a diplomatic outcome.US Central Command said on X about 90 targets were hit overnight — after 80 the previous day — “to further degrade” Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reported strikes on the perimeter of a nuclear power plant and two railway bridges connecting the capital to the city of Mashhad, where former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is being buried on Thursday. 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 Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Bloomberg Economics Defense Lead Becca Wasser. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Former Director for Iran at the National Security Council Emily Harding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Says US May Strike Iran Again 08.07.2026 40min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. President Donald Trump said the US would probably launch further strikes on Iran and could resume a blockade on the country’s ports, ratcheting up pressure on Tehran and raising the prospect of a return to all-out war.“We hit them very hard last night,” Trump said Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. “Probably hit them hard again tonight.”Trump spoke hours after the US launched strikes on Iran, with almost 40 fighter jets — F-35s, F-15s, F-16s and F/A-18s as well as drones — hitting targets with precision-guided weapons, according to a US official.  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 Chief Political Correspondent Annmarie Hordern. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Senior Fellow Aaron David Miller. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Bloomberg TV Markets Correspondent Norah Mulinda. Former Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NATO Tries to Keep Trump Onside 07.07.2026 37min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. NATO allies have agreed to at least $50 billion in defense industry deals, according to an alliance official, to show to US President Donald Trump that Europe is heeding his spending demands.Secretary General Mark Rutte revealed some of the contracts on Tuesday during a defense industry forum in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, where the military alliance’s leaders are meeting for their annual summit this week. Those included $12 billion in deals to buy next-generation drones, surveillance planes and military aircraft.Notably, some of the contracts show Europe moving to locally source some equipment it previously bought from the US. Eleven countries, for instance, will now buy airborne radar-detection systems from Swedish aerospace firm Saab AB, replacing a US-made Boeing Co. model. The deal is worth $5 billion, according to a NATO diplomat. 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 Chief Political Correspondent Annmarie Hordern. Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow Melinda Haring. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. EqualAI President and CEO Miriam Vogel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Rings Opening Bell, Heads to NATO Summit 06.07.2026 34min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. President Donald Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday that will be charged with tension over the US leader’s views on Greenland, European defense spending and the Iran war.Trump arrives in Turkey on Tuesday, when he will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before a summit with the full defense alliance the next day, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said.Trump, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Zelenskyy, had pledged as a presidential candidate to end Russia’s war with Ukraine within a day once he returned to office. He has been frustrated by an inability to do that.  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 Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Former US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder. Bloomberg News Business of Sports Reporter Randall Williams. BGR Group Principal Lester Munson and Vantage Global Media Founder Jamie Jackson. SMBC Americas Chief Economist Joe Lavorgna. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Hiring Slows, Curbing Momentum 02.07.2026 41min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. US hiring slowed sharply in June even as the unemployment rate fell, curbing some of the budding momentum in job growth this year. Nonfarm payrolls increased 57,000 last month after downward revisions to the prior two months took some of the shine off recent blockbuster reports, Bureau of Labor Statistics data Thursday showed. The unemployment rate fell to 4.2% as labor force participation plunged. 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 International Economics and Policy Correspondent Michael McKee. Republican Congressman Jason Smith of Missouri, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Democratic Strategist Matt Robison. Democratic Congresswoman Suzan DelBene of Washington, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran Wraps Up Doha Meetings 01.07.2026 40min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. US President Donald Trump said negotiators had made progress in indirect talks with Iran, as the two countries seek to move past last week’s tit-for-tat strikes and convert their interim truce into a lasting peace.Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff visited Qatar on Tuesday for technical discussions on the initial agreement, which set a 60-day negotiating period between Washington and Tehran. “They’ve had very good meetings, and we’ll see. We hit them very hard for three nights, as you know, but we’re getting along very well, so I call it the denuclearization, and it’s all taking place,” Trump said, without specifying what, if any, breakthroughs were made.  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 Washington Correspondent Jeff Mason. Rebelle Communications CEO Laura Fink and Digital Push Vice President T.W. Arrighi. Former Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry. Bloomberg Television Markets Correspondent Norah Mulinda. National Association of Manufacturers President Jay Timmons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supreme Court Backs Birthright Citizenship in Blow to Trump 30.06.2026 41min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. A divided US Supreme Court upheld the constitutional right of birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump’s planned restrictions and invalidating a central plank of his immigration agenda.The court said an executive order Trump issued hours after his inauguration last year couldn’t be squared with the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which has long been understood as guaranteeing citizenship to virtually everyone born on US soil. The case tested what it means to be an American. Trump’s order sought to restrict birthright citizenship to babies with at least one parent who is a US citizen or green-card holder, affecting an estimated 250,000 children born to undocumented immigrants and temporary visitors each year.  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 Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Maywood Strategies Principal Doug Farrar. Bloomberg News Legal Reporter Erik Larson. Former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. Bloomberg White House and Washington Correspondent Jeff Mason. Kpler Head of Policy and Geopolitical Risk Michelle Brouhard. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekly Washington Policy Pulse: Defense Spending, Farm Aid, Fed, AI (June 29, 2026) 29.06.2026 11min

A look at the $87.6 billion supplemental spending request from the White House, which would earmark most of that to the Department of Defense and the conflict with Iran, led Bloomberg Intelligence's July 29 Washington Policy Pulse. However, the request may get a frosty reception on Capitol Hill from both sides of the aisle. Democrats will likely oppose any larger request tied to the conflict with Iran and Republicans may be concerned with messaging ahead of the US midterms. And while $11 billion in farm aid that was included in the request would have bipartisan support, it's inclusion in a larger bill makes it less of a chance of passing in 2026. Increased defense spending, if enacted, would likely be tied to counter-drone and anti-missile technology, aiding contractors like Lockheed Martin, RTX and Northrop Grumman. Finally, we gave a slight preview of the Supreme Court's decision on the Federal Reserve Lisa Cook case, as well as highlighted upcoming legislation and hearings in July tied to artificial intelligence. While US policy on AI remains high-level and "light-touch", there is growing dissent with the sector with both Republicans and Democrats. 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.

Cook Stays at Fed But Trump Wins Power Over Other Agencies 29.06.2026 44min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. A closely divided US Supreme Court reinforced the Federal Reserve’s independence from the White House, protecting governors from being fired by the president without proof of wrongdoing.The Fed shield came even as the court in a separate ruling Monday expanded the president’s power to fire top government officials at other federal agencies in a blockbuster ruling that overturns a 91-year-old precedent.Voting 5-4, the high court said Fed Governor Lisa Cook can stay in her job while she fights Trump’s bid to oust her over unproven mortgage fraud allegations. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts pointed to what he said was a long tradition of keeping the Fed’s exercise of monetary policy independent from the White House. 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 Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Former Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Hicks Evaluation Group CEO Fredrick Hicks. Constitutional Accountability Center President Elizabeth Wydra. Bloomberg International Economics and Policy Correspondent Michael McKee. Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis of New York. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Instant Reaction: Supreme Court Blocks Trump from Firing Fed's Lisa Cook 29.06.2026 28min

The US Supreme Court ruled that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can stay in her job for now, reinforcing the central bank’s independence from the White House and dealing a setback to President Donald Trump.In a separate ruling, the court expanded the president’s power to fire top government officials at other federal agencies.Voting 5-4, the high court said Cook can remain at the Fed while she fights Trump’s bid to oust her over unproven mortgage fraud allegations. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the three liberals in the majority. Bloomberg's Paul Sweeney and Scarlet Fu got reaction from: June Grasso, Bloomberg Law Host Elliot Stein, Bloomberg Intelligence litigation analyst  Tyler Kendall, Bloomberg Washington correspondent  Gautam Mukunda, Lecturer at Yale School of Management and Bloomberg Opinion contributor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Says Iran Violated Ceasefire With Hormuz Drone Attack 26.06.2026 40min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. US President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating their ceasefire agreement by firing at cargo ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring how unsettled the situation remains in a waterway critical to global energy flows. In a social media post Friday, Trump said “at least four” one-way attack drones targeted ships in the strait and that one of them “solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive” cargo ship.The vessel was “able to proceed,” Trump said, adding that the other three drones were downed.“Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” the president posted, without saying what the consequences of a violation might be.  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 Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Democratic Congresswoman Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery (Ret.), Foundation for Defense of Democracies Senior Fellow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Spars With Disaffected Senate 25.06.2026 36min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Tensions between Donald Trump and US Senate Republicans crescendoed to a fever-pitch during a Wednesday lunch after a 24-hour exchange that saw lawmakers rebuke the president over the war with Iran while he abruptly canceled a signing ceremony for legislation that the GOP sees as essential to its midterm election efforts. Trump refused to sign a bipartisan housing bill before attending a private luncheon with lawmakers at the US Capitol. A day earlier, as Trump was holding a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, the Republican-led Senate for the first time passed a largely symbolic measure to curb his ability to wage war with Iran. US Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters that Trump was “mad as a murder hornet” at the war powers vote because it undermined his ongoing negotiations with Iran. 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 Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Former US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison. Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino and American Principles Project Political Director Katie Frost. Taxpayers for Common Sense President Steve Ellis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump, GOP Clash After President Scraps Housing Bill Signing 24.06.2026 47min

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill. Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Donald Trump and Republicans in the US Senate squabbled on Wednesday, as the president abruptly canceled plans to sign a bipartisan housing bill and lawmakers pressed him over his handling of the war in Iran.Trump’s refusal to sign the legislation came shortly before a private luncheon with Senate Republicans at the US Capitol, where tensions quickly flared. Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy, whose Senate career Trump helped end, repeatedly criticized the president over the Middle East conflict, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune tried to play peacemaker, a person familiar said. Spokespeople for Cassidy and Thune did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The president defended his war effort, telling senators he is the first president to do something to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, said another person familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity to describe the closed-door exchange. Senator Jon Husted, a Republican from Ohio, described the Cassidy-Trump exchange as “memorable” but declined to say more. 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 Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Bloomberg Government Senior Washington Reporter Jonathan Tamari. Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York. Burway Group Senior Advisor Roger Fisk and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Partner Rosemary Becchi. Bloomberg White House Correspondent Jennifer Dlouhy. Former US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.