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The little-known official quietly driving Trump’s second term

The little-known official quietly driving Trump’s second term

Apple News Today
Nov 1, 2025 35 min
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About this episode

<p>From <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apple-news-in-conversation/id1577591053"><em>Apple News In Conversation</em></a>: Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, has become one of the most influential figures shaping Trump&rsquo;s second term. He&rsquo;s the main driver of efforts to weaken federal agencies and push through sweeping government layoffs. In a recent piece copublished by <a href="https://apple.news/A6B1FaYmQQx6B_IvJIDbWeg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>ProPublica</em></a> and the<em> New Yorker</em>, reporter Andy Kroll reveals how Vought&rsquo;s ideas about federal bureaucracy are being put into action. Kroll joins <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> host Shumita Basu to explain why some in Washington call Vought the &ldquo;shadow president.&rdquo;</p>

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