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Maria Aspan

@mariaaspan.bsky.social
812 followers 63 following 59 posts

Business journalist, on-air correspondent, features writer. Ex-NPR, Fortune, Inc., Reuters, etc. www.mariaaspan.com Newsletter: ladybiz.substack.com

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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Delighted to discover that some of my reporting for NPR was named a finalist for the 2026 Online Journalism Awards. This project took months of work to do properly, and I'm honored by and grateful for the recognition: awards.journalists.org/entries/corp...
awards.journalists.org
Corporate America's retreat from DEI has eliminated thousands of jobs - Online Journalism Awards
Read More
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Wall Street's top banks have long hired workers outside of New York--mostly for less glamorous jobs. But now they want more senior bankers in Texas, as all kinds of business is booming. More from me on Y'all Street @npr.org and coming up on All Things Considered: www.npr.org/2026/08/04/n...
npr.org
Why Texas is betting 'Y'all Street' can take on Wall Street
Dallas' financial industry is growing amid a larger Texas business boom. But can it really steal New York's crown?
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
"We represent the future of capitalism in this country, and we are a sanctuary city from socialism." For today's episode of The Indicator from @planetmoney.bsky.social, I dug into the hype and the reality of Y'all Street in Dallas. Can it really take on Wall Street? www.npr.org/2026/07/22/n...
npr.org
Can Y’all Street outflank Wall Street? : The Indicator from Planet Money
Biz-friendly Texas is opening a stock exchange, built and based in the state. Can it become—or best—Wall Street? And how has politics influenced the birth of Y’all Street?Fact checking by Sierra Juare...
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Reposted by Maria Aspan
Jeff Horwitz @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Maria is wildly talented and I’ve known her since American Banker days. Just an awesome reporter with technical depth and a penchant for simplifying and humanizing complex topics. This sucks, I hate this industry and everyone should hire her.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Some personal news, un-fun edition. Proud of my work for NPR, grateful to have spent the past two years learning the joys of audio/broadcasting/podcasting from some wonderful colleagues, and looking forward to what's next. I'm at maria.aspan@gmail.com
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Cambria’s Marty Davis has held many roles over his career, from Minnesota farmboy to kitchen-countertop mogul. But now his ties to President Trump have turned this wealthy CEO into a business lightning rod. A deep dive into the bitter fights over tariffs, affordability, crony capitalism…and quartz
npr.org
How a CEO and Trump donor is weaponizing tariffs against his rivals
Cambria CEO Marty Davis has successfully asked the U.S. government to put tariffs on quartz. His business competitors are crying foul.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Fun perk of spending the week in DC: Getting to have this @npr.org Politics Podcast conversation in person! www.npr.org/2026/05/14/n...
npr.org
Inflation is up, job growth is flat, and voters don’t like it : The NPR Politics Podcast
In the last week, we’ve gotten seemingly conflicting economic data — inflation is up, consumer spending is up slightly and the job market is holding steady. We discuss what to make of it, how voters a...
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
The state of state capitalism: Intel is doing amazing, quadrupling the value of the U.S. government's stake...and now President Trump might buy Spirit Airlines? I joined the latest @npr.org Politics Podcast to discuss w/@titonka.bsky.social & Miles Parks: www.npr.org/2026/04/28/n...
npr.org
Trump mulls a Spirit Airlines bailout. Is this capitalism? : The NPR Politics Podcast
President Trump has suggested the United States “buy” the struggling Spirit Airlines. We discuss other ways Trump has blurred the lines between government and business and whether Republicans have tur...
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Cockroaches, owls, and AI: They're all related to the risky business of "private credit," the huge lending business that's become Wall Street's latest source of anxiety. I wrote about the recent highs and lows, and how they could affect all of us, for @npr.org: www.npr.org/2026/03/19/n...
npr.org
It's called 'private credit' — and it could lead to big trouble on Wall Street
The risky lending business has been booming, but now its problems are becoming increasingly visible on Wall Street and beyond.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Free healthcare and ... fancy cocktails? It's always fun joining my @npr.org colleagues @ The Indicator from @planetmoney.bsky.social, who this week featured my reporting on how some employers are making health insurance more affordable: www.npr.org/2026/03/09/n...
npr.org
No healthcare premiums? In this economy?! Here's how. : The Indicator from Planet Money
It turns out healthcare in America CAN be cheaper. If your employer wants it to be. Today on the show, we speak with a Canadian-founded startup that has unusually generous benefits for their employees...
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
The letter comes at a time when President Trump is visibly favoring some companies and investors, some of whom have publicly courted him with personal gifts and donations: www.npr.org/2026/02/04/n...
npr.org
Trump grants tariff breaks to 'politically connected' companies, Senate Dems say
The White House's trade policy has "opened the door to corruption," according to a letter from Ron Wyden and Chris Van Hollen.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Davos, Jamie Dimon, Minnesota, crony capitalism and ... Jane Austen? Had a wonderful time joining @wailinwong.bsky.social and my @npr.org colleagues on today's Indicator from @planetmoney.bsky.social: www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
npr.org
Why isn’t corporate America standing up to Trump? : The Indicator from Planet Money
President Trump has been storming through corporate America — taking a stake in Intel, demanding a cut of Nvidia’s sales, restricting skilled workers, among other big footed policies.Meanwhile, corpor...
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
One year into President Trump's second term, I discussed my reporting on "crony capitalism" and how he's blurring the lines between business and government for NPR's Consider This podcast and All Things Considered: www.npr.org/2026/01/19/n...
npr.org
Trump is rewriting the rules of the economy…is it ‘crony capitalism’? : Consider This from NPR
President Trump has spent his first year back in office blurring the lines between business and government. The administration has bought shares in private companies like Intel, NVIDIA, and others inv...
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
"It's just bad for the economy." Looking back at an eventful (and still-evolving) year for business, politics, and U.S. free-market capitalism. @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/12/22/n...
npr.org
How President Trump reshaped capitalism in 2025
His policies are picking winners and losers — and blurring the lines between business and government.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Sometimes it's nice to report on solutions, however partial ... as even the people behind them are quick to point out: "At the end of the day, the single biggest thing we can do in this country is to get SNAP back online."
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
"It really stemmed likely from being Canadian. I ... took for granted, 'Oh, of course I don't pay for health care.'" www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
npr.org
Health insurance premiums are going up next year — unless you work at these companies
As U.S. health insurance costs rise, some companies are paying for all of their workers' premiums. It's a big expense — but they say it pays off.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Looking forward to joining @whyy.org's Studio 2 shortly to discuss the economy, everything going on in the markets, and the recent surge in gold & silver prices: www.npr.org/2025/10/08/n...
npr.org
Why gold is having its best year since 1979
The price of gold hit $4,000 per ounce for the first time ever. It's a bad sign for the U.S. economy
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Trump’s new $100K fee for H-1B visas created panic this weekend for some half a million workers, and their employers. I discussed the fallout, and the longstanding bipartisan criticism of H-1Bs, with @michelmartinnpr.bsky.social this morning: www.npr.org/2025/09/22/n...
npr.org
Trump's $100K fee for H-1B visas creates chaos, confusion for employers and workers
President Trump signed an executive order Friday that adds a $100,000 fee for high-skilled workers to enter the country through the H-1B visa program, creating panic for employers and workers.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
Had fun joining @tamarakeithnpr.bsky.social and @ashleynpr.bsky.social yesterday to talk all things Fed, and why the economy feels like a summer picnic, for the NPR Politics Podcast: www.npr.org/2025/09/19/n...
npr.org
Federal Reserve lowers rates, but less than Trump wants : The NPR Politics Podcast
The Federal Reserve voted this week to cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point. We discuss the factors behind the agency’s decision, as well as President Trump’s legal fight to fire Fed Gover...
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
"In general for workers, it's kind of take it or leave it. And they really don't have much of a choice but to take it."
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
New favorite dystopian corporate-speak dropped
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Listen to our full conversation on Up First here: one.npr.org?sharedMediaI...
one.npr.org
🔊 Listen Now: Lawmakers Call For Epstein Files, Trump's Crypto Token, China's Military Parade
Up First From NPR on NPR One | 13:53
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
"They are now ground zero for a big polarizing political and cultural issue." Great story by @alinaselyukh.bsky.social and Liz Baker: www.npr.org/2025/08/19/n...
npr.org
Home Depot keeps quiet on immigration raids outside its doors
The home-improvement chain is now one of the companies most caught up in Trump's immigration crackdown. The retailer's history with day laborers is long. So far, it's choosing to keep its distance.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
A close read of the complicated, increasingly conflicted (and maybe Chinese-Communist?) relationship between the president and corporate America, for @npr.org: www.npr.org/2025/08/14/n...
npr.org
Trump is tightening the screws on corporate America — and CEOs are staying mum
Critics warn that Trump's demands for business leaders to step down, and for the government to take a cut of sales, threaten American-style capitalism.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
"We are woefully dependent on foreign oil." Olive oil, that is: www.npr.org/2025/08/05/n...
npr.org
This Tuscan startup sold all its olive oil in the U.S. Then came Trump's tariffs
Americans love olive oil — and import 95% of it. But tariffs are making it harder for Europeans to sell it to Americans.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
About to go on @msnbc.com to discuss the economy, the Fed, tariffs, and corporate America’s weird tariff summer with @nicollewallace.bsky.social www.npr.org/2025/07/26/n...
npr.org
Corporate America is having a weird tariff summer
Some big companies are reporting real financial pain from tariffs and economic uncertainty — but for others, business is booming.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
I joined the greats @sarahmccammon.bsky.social and Mara Liasson for today’s @npr.org Politics Podcast, on the Fed, tariffs, earnings, and this really weird time in markets. one.npr.org/i/1256157825...
one.npr.org
🔊 Listen Now: Trump's Attacks On Federal Reserve's Powell Could Bring Economic Pain
The NPR Politics Podcast on NPR One | 15:28
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
"We've done a lot of winning already — and we do have a lot to lose."
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Three years ago, as Zaslav put WBD together, I wrote a cover story for Fortune dubbing him one of "the most overpaid CEOs in America." Today, well:
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Thanks so much to @lorichung.bsky.social and @spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social for inviting me to discuss my reporting on what Corporate America’s DEI retreat means for everyone working in this once-hot professional field www.npr.org/2025/05/27/n...
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
This was a fun conversation!
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
As companies end their DEI promises, what happens to all the people they hired to implement them? “It’s been pretty tough,” one executive told me. She’s one of 2600 people working in DEI whose jobs have been eliminated since 2023, I report for @npr.org: www.npr.org/2025/05/27/n...
npr.org
Corporate America's retreat from DEI has eliminated thousands of jobs
"I just didn't think it would take this long," one veteran head of diversity, who's been job-hunting since last summer, tells NPR.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Verizon joins T-Mobile in cancelling some DEI policies to win FCC approval of a business deal. The FCC has taken an especially active role in the Trump administration's campaign against diversity, also opening investigations into Comcast/NBC and Disney/ABC over “promoting …DEI discrimination."
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
UnitedHealth is the fourth-largest company in the United States. Obviously it has a ton of power in health care … but when it has a terrible week(/month/year) like this one, there are also less obvious ripple effects.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
UnitedHealth, one of the world's largest companies, is having a publicly awful year: The killing of a top executive, a massive data breach, and mounting costs in its key Medicare business. Today, that all caught up w/ now-former CEO Andrew Witty, I report for @npr.org: www.npr.org/2025/05/13/n...
npr.org
UnitedHealth Group abruptly replaces CEO Andrew Witty, deepening a terrible year
The health care conglomerate is facing mounting financial problems – and ongoing consumer anger over high costs and denied claims.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Some final thoughts from Omaha last weekend about Warren Buffett, and how he used some of his billionaire bully pulpit to mourn Charlie Munger. ladybiz.substack.com/p/love-and-l...
ladybiz.substack.com
Love and loss in Omaha
Warren Buffett’s cult of personality includes matter-of-fact mourning for his late best friend.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Thanks so much to @nicollewallace.bsky.social for inviting me on @msnbc.com today to discuss tariffs, business uncertainty, and the economic impact on consumers, with Rev. Al Sharpton and @goangelo.bsky.social m.youtube.com/watch?v=fn-u...
m.youtube.com
'A sliding doors moment': Donald Trump appears backed into a corner on tariffs
YouTube video by MSNBC
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Some thoughts about what Warren Buffett stands for — and how deliberately he’s created his media image — in this era of Elon Musk and unpopular billionaires. For @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/05/09/n...
npr.org
Why Warren Buffett matters beyond Wall Street
The 94-year-old investor is retiring as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO. He's built both a fortune and a reputation as "the nicest billionaire" — at a time when many other billionaires are widely criticized.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
A very eventful day in Omaha, for @npr.org: www.npr.org/2025/05/03/n...
npr.org
Warren Buffett announces his retirement and warns the trade war will hurt America
The billionaire investor, now 94, also said he would be resigning as CEO at the end of the year. He spoke at Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting known as "Woodstock for Capitalists."
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Thanks to @kqedforum.bsky.social & @scottshafer.bsky.social for hosting this conversation about tariff chaos, markets chaos & allegations of insider trading in the White House and in Congress, w/ @erinmansfield.bsky.social @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & @levin.house.gov www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
kqed.org
Democrats Call for Investigations into Trades Surrounding Tariff Pause | KQED
We delve into allegations that some lawmakers are making money off Trump’s trade war and discuss the calls for accountability.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Coming up at 1 pm ET on @kqedforum.bsky.social, I'm looking forward to discussing my reporting on why some lawmakers and government ethics experts are calling for an investigation into whether President Trump enabled insider trading: www.npr.org/2025/04/10/n...
npr.org
Why some are accusing Trump of manipulating stock markets
Sens. Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego have asked for "an urgent inquiry" into whether President Trump or others engaged in insider trading on advanced knowledge of his tariff policy changes.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Listen to me and Scott Simon discuss this week's "unprecedented, uncharted uncertainty," how corporate America is trying to cope, and what it means for us all, on today's @npr.org Weekend Edition: www.npr.org/2025/04/12/n...
npr.org
For CEOs, 'unknown' and 'uncertainty' are the words of the hour with tariffs
President Trump's tariffs are causing chaos for consumers, businesses and investors. Corporate America's CEOs are now embracing a favorite buzzword to talk about the future: "uncertainty."
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
"We can't have senior public officials — including the president — talking about ... whether to buy or to sell at the same time as they are making and announcing decisions that have a dramatic impact on stock prices," @rwpusa.bsky.social tells me for @npr.org.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Went on (my first!) @npr.org Politics Podcast yesterday, to discuss w/ Asma Khalid and @francoordonez.bsky.social all things tariffs, markets whiplash, and the role billionaire Wall Street CEOs played this week: www.npr.org/2025/04/10/1...
npr.org
Trump's tariff tug of war : The NPR Politics Podcast
After days of market turmoil, President Trump walked back some tariffs on some countries, but kept a near universal 10 percent tariff in place and increased tariffs on goods from China. What's behind ...
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Reposted by Maria Aspan
Brett House @brettehouse.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
It’s unlikely we’ll see a shift in direction on tariffs without more voices speaking out—and more pain in financial markets. I joined @mariaaspan.bsky.social on @npr.org to talk about what it may take to change course. www.npr.org/2025/04/07/n...
npr.org
Trump's tariffs spark Wall Street pushback
The U.S. stock market sank for the third consecutive day, as Wall Street CEOs started raising the alarm.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Gold is timeless. Gold is precious. Gold is so hot right now, as we watch a trade war vaporize our more modern forms of money. open.substack.com/pub/ladybiz/...
open.substack.com
All that glitters
Contemplating gold, billionaires, and how quickly our money can vanish, at the Brooklyn Museum.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
The problem with reporting on gold prices, and doing related online research, is that all of my popup ads are now trying to sell me gold. For @npr.org:
npr.org
Why gold prices are surging to record highs
Tariffs are roiling stock markets — but making gold hotter than ever.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Wall Street is worried that President Trump's new tariffs could spark a U.S. recession. On @npr.org’s Up First, I spoke with @steveinskeep.bsky.social about the markets, the tariff whiplash, the U.S. economy ... and the changes in Trump's priorities this term. www.npr.org/2025/03/11/1...
npr.org
Ukraine Ceasefire Talks, Stock Market Slide, Columbia University Arrest Latest : Up First from NPR
As Ukraine begins ceasefire negotiations in Saudi Arabia, the Trump administration signals that aid could resume if Ukraine makes concessions. A steep sell-off on Wall Street followed new tariffs from...
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
“This administration is really sowing the seeds for the next financial crisis.”— @mayramrvassociates.bsky.social
npr.org
The FDIC's goal is to prevent another banking crisis. It's now also a Trump target
President Trump's sweeping cuts to the federal government are also threatening a key banking watchdog.
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Maria Aspan @mariaaspan.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Had a fun time this week looking into the roots of America’s penny problem for @npr.org … and discovered that I’m part of the problem:
npr.org
President Trump's order is latest in the decades-long effort to eliminate the penny
President Trump became the latest U.S. president to say he wants to kill the penny. Both Republicans and Democrats have tried and failed for decades to get rid of America's one-cent coin.
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