Trump froze federal spending. Confusion and disarray followed.

About this episode

<p>On today&rsquo;s show: The federal government ordered a widespread funding freeze. The <a href="https://apple.news/ATWzRyCkjRpCeTzhfjVo70A">Wall Street Journal</a> details the chaos that ensued.</p> <p>Public trust in America&rsquo;s health institutions <a href="https://apple.news/AQZtQovYFS7-3Yua2LYN4SQ">hasn&rsquo;t recovered from pandemic controversies</a>. The <a href="https://apple.news/A4W9imSMWTGidG_d93QahMw">Washington Post</a>&rsquo;s Rachel Roubein explains how that could impact Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&rsquo;s confirmation hearing.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>What is DeepSeek, and why did it send tremors through financial markets this week? <a href="https://apple.news/AstrjWRLXQQSj68aNeNOx6A">Bloomberg</a> AI reporter Shirin Ghaffary explains.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>Plus, the Trump administration is offering about 2 million federal employees the chance <a href="https://apple.news/Aq0TJamxVQui3jFGodSzvYg">to resign</a>, why the &lsquo;Mona Lisa&rsquo; <a href="https://apple.news/Ag8hnrGagTCORgURdjvvq7g">is moving</a>, and a look at what the <a href="https://apple.news/AjU_O_bRGQReUrY3oJMQeew">Year of the Snake</a> could bring as the Lunar New Year begins. </p> <p>Today&rsquo;s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.</p>