The Journal.

Last week, Microsoft announced that the company is offering buyouts to 60,000 employees. Like much of corporate America, the tech giant is facing pressure to increase AI spending and shave costs. WSJ’s Chip Cutter reports that buyouts are becoming a trend. These kinds of programs offer a tempting solution for companies that want to avoid the disruption and backlash that comes from mass layoffs. Imani Moise hosts.

Further Listening:

- The Era of AI Layoffs Has Begun

- Corporate America’s Embrace of Trump 2.0

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The Democratic Party has taken control of the Senate and House in what WSJ's Christopher Matthews calls a “rebuke” of President Trump. Chris analyzes Democrats' key Senate wins in Republican strongholds like Texas, Kansas and South Carolina, and looks ahead to the new Congress's future relationship with the president. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Listen to the rest of "Red, White and Who?" to understand the forces that shaped this election:

- A Progressive Gamble in Michigan

- The Swing Voters in South Texas

- The Inflation Election

- The Anti-AI Voters

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Illustration: James Walton
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The world’s largest crypto exchange suffered the biggest crypto hack in history last week. In just 20 minutes, criminals made off with at least $6.3 billion from Binance. The speed and scale of the heist has left the crypto industry reeling. WSJ’s Patricia Kowsmann explains how the hack happened, who did it and the questions it raises about the safety of crypto. Imani Moise hosts.

Further Listening:

- The Crypto President: Part 1

- Severed Fingers and Wrench Attacks: A New Era in Crypto Crime

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In this year’s midterm election, voters in California will decide on a ballot initiative proposing a one-time, 5% tax on the net assets of California residents worth more than $1 billion. Most of California’s billionaires oppose the tax. But unexpectedly, many of the state’s Democrats and unions are also against it. WSJ’s Laura Nelson reports on why support for the wealth tax has been so fractured when so many Democrats say they’re in favor of higher taxes on the ultrarich. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:

- The Rise of the World’s First Trillionaire

- Why Billionaires Are Giving Money to Kids

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There’s been a big sell off in tech stocks this week, as investors question tech companies’ massive spending on AI. This comes days after Anthropic secured a record-breaking $63 billion deal with Broadcom to finance more chip purchases. WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy explains the deal and why it's getting increasingly difficult for AI companies to raise money. Ryan Knutson hosts.



Further Listening:

- A Sneak Peek Into Anthropic’s Business

- Red, White and Who? The Anti-AI Voters

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