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Shannon Bond Shannon Bond is a correspondent at NPR, covering how misleading narratives and false claims circulate online and offline, and their impact on society and democracy.
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Shannon Bond

Correspondent

Shannon Bond is a correspondent at NPR covering how technology, politics, power, and influence intersect.

She previously covered technology for NPR's Business desk, focused on how Silicon Valley's biggest companies are transforming how we live, work and communicate.

Bond joined NPR in 2019. Before that, she spent 11 years as a reporter and editor at the Financial Times in New York City and San Francisco. She also co-hosted the FT's award-winning podcast, Alphachat, about business and economics.

Bond has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School and a bachelor's degree in psychology and religion from Columbia University.

She can be reached via encrypted message at shannonbond.01 on Signal.

Story Archive

Wednesday

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration campus in Silver Spring, Md. Employees at the FDA and other federal agencies say the Trump administration's return-to-office mandate has been marked by confusion, changing guidance and frustrating conditions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration campus in Silver Spring, Md. Employees at the FDA and other federal agencies say the Trump administration's return-to-office mandate has been marked by confusion, changing guidance and frustrating conditions. Andrew Harnik/AP hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/AP

Politics

Federal workers ordered back to office find shortages of desks, Wi-Fi and toilet paper

As agencies scramble to comply with President Trump's Jan. 20 order terminating remote work, employees say the process has been marked by confusion, changing guidance and frustrating conditions.

Federal workers ordered back to office find shortages of desks, Wi-Fi and toilet pape

Listen · 3:20
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Thursday

Members of the Shenandoah National park Search and Rescue go over rope techniques as they train on a mountain cliff in Shenandoah National park, Virginia on June 13, 2019.

Members of Shenandoah National Park Search and Rescue go over rope techniques as they train on a mountain cliff in the park in Virginia on June 13, 2019. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

National

How cuts and $1 payment limits are making federal jobs harder

Interior Department employees say they have been scrambling to keep the lights on and do their jobs as budget cuts driven by the Department of Government efficiency team start to bite.

CHAOS AT DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Listen · 5:00
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Saturday

The General Services Administration, which manages federal real estate, is identifying property to divest, and the agency has abruptly fired more than 1,000 workers and is targeting an overall 63% reduction in headcount at its Public Building Service division.

The General Services Administration, which manages federal real estate, is identifying property to divest, and the agency has abruptly fired more than 1,000 workers and is targeting an overall 63% reduction in headcount at its Public Building Service division. Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Politics

DOGE's effort to slash government is now coming for buildings and people who run them

The federal government is preparing to shed up to a quarter of its 360 million square feet of real estate, an NPR analysis finds. The agency in charge of federal real estate is also slashing staff.

DOGE’s effort to slash government is now coming for buildings and people who run them

Listen · 3:39
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Thursday

Saturday

Leader of the Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk wears a shirt that says "Tech Support" as he speaks during a cabinet meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 26, 2025.

Leader of the Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk wears a shirt that says "Tech Support" as he speaks during a cabinet meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 26, 2025. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

Federal workers get a new email demanding their accomplishments

Federal employees have received a second email from the Office of Personnel Management asking them what they did last week.

Wednesday

How DOGE cuts are impacting federal workers

Elon Musk speaks as President Donald Trump holds his first Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Pool, via AP hide caption

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Pool, via AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

How DOGE cuts are impacting federal workers

Proposals from DOGE, Elon Musk's entity tasked with making the federal government more "efficient," have resulted in lawsuits, pushback from other federal agencies, and a lot of uncertainty for the millions of people who work for the federal government. We look at what's happened & what's to come.

How DOGE cuts are impacting federal workers

Listen · 16:37
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Monday

Friday

The U.S. Department of Agriculture building in a 2019 file photo. Workers around the sprawling federal agency were told Friday that their jobs had been eliminated as part of sweeping layoffs from the new Trump Administration.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture building in a 2019 file photo. Workers around the sprawling federal agency were told Friday that their jobs had been eliminated as part of sweeping layoffs from the new Trump administration. Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

Layoffs accelerate at federal agencies with more cuts to come

Federal agencies continued to lay off workers Friday. The cuts come after President Trump signed an executive order this week directing agencies to prepare for "large-scale" reductions in force.

Politics

Mass layoffs at federal agencies prompt questions about Elon Musk's influence

President Trump has given Elon Musk's DOGE group virtually unfettered access to federal agencies. Meanwhile, mass layoffs at federal agencies this week are prompting questions about Musk's influence.

Mass layoffs at federal agencies prompt questions about Elon Musk's influence

Listen · 5:58
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Thursday

Musk, DOGE continue to try & reshape federal government

Elon Musk speaks during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

Musk, DOGE continue to try & reshape federal government

The unit, led by Elon Musk, has run into legal obstacles as it continues its rapid efforts to change the way the federal government functions. We look at the latest developments.

Musk, DOGE continue to try & reshape federal government

Listen · 12:49
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Tuesday

This 2016 photo shows the General Services Administration headquarters building in Washington, D.C.

The General Services Administration is bracing for deep cuts under the new Trump administration. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

GSA staff facing massive cuts and fears of 'nonstop' surveillance

The remaining employees at the General Services Administration are being warned that their work will be heavily monitored, from their swipes into the office to what they type on their computers.

GSA staff facing massive cuts and fears of 'nonstop' surveillance

Listen · 3:50
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Friday

A worker removes the U.S. Agency for International Development sign on their headquarters on February 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) abruptly shutdown the U.S. aid agency earlier this week leaving thousands unemployed and putting U.S. foreign diplomacy and aid programs in limbo. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

On February 7, a worker removes the U.S. Agency for International Development sign on their headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration has targeted with agency with a series of orders that have put its programs and employees in limbo. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images hide caption

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Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Judge pauses Trump order to put USAID employees on administrative leave

The case, brought by the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees, is intended to block the administration's efforts to dismantle USAID.

The latest on USAID: Judge pauses order putting over 2,000 USAID employees on leave

Listen · 4:45
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Elon Musk at the inauguration of President Trump on Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. Trump tasked Musk with dramatically slashing government via the Department of Government Efficiency team. Its work has been secretive and controversial and has created chaos throughout the federal workforce.

Elon Musk at the inauguration of President Trump on Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. Trump tasked Musk with dramatically slashing government via the Department of Government Efficiency team. Its work has been secretive and controversial and has created chaos throughout the federal workforce. Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Pool/Getty Images

Politics

Who is part of Elon Musk's DOGE, and what are they doing?

The scope of DOGE's work and the identities of the people carrying it out isn't fully clear — leaving agencies and government workers in chaos.

Who is part of DOGE — and what are they actually doing?

Listen · 4:26
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Thursday

In this photo illustration, a message appears on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) website on Feb. 5. The Trump administration issued a directive late Tuesday night that all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, and the administration will terminate contracts that are not determined to be essential. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

In this photo illustration, a message appears on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) website on Feb. 5. The Trump administration issued a directive late Tuesday night that all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally Friday at midnight. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Politics

USAID unions sue Trump administration to halt 'unconstitutional and illegal' cuts

After Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved less than 300 essential personnel to continue in jobs past Friday, unions representing USAID workers sue the Trump administration over cuts to the agency.

Tuesday

A USAID and American flag outside of United States Agency for International Development headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 3, 2025.

A USAID and American flag outside of United States Agency for International Development headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 3, 2025. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

World

'Thank you for your service': Trump administration puts USAID staff on leave

In a brief note posted on the international development agency's website, almost all employees were told they would be put on leave. The note ended with the words, "Thank you for your service."

Elon Musk's DOGE takes control of federal spending

Elon Musk arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Chip Somodevilla/AP hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

Elon Musk's DOGE takes control of federal spending

Elon Musk is keeping his campaign promise of trying to cut $2 trillion of federal spending through his unit, DOGE. After some questions about his role, the White House announced that he is now a "special government employee." What has Musk been able to accomplish thus far?

Elon Musk's DOGE takes control of federal spending

Listen · 15:03
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Monday

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk at President Trump's inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20. Trump has tasked Musk with leading a team focused on cutting costs in the government.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk at President Trump's inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20. Trump has tasked Musk with leading a team focused on cutting costs in the government. Chip Somodevilla/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

Elon Musk is barreling into government with DOGE, raising unusual legal questions

The billionaire's campaign to radically upend federal agencies is stunning former White House officials, even in a political moment when many things are described as unprecedented.

Elon Musk is barreling into government with DOGE, raising unusual legal questions

Listen · 3:38
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Politics

Elon Musk's DOGE unit is causing confusion — and raising security and legal concerns

Elon Musk's taskforce that aims to slash government spending is causing chaos and confusion at federal agencies

Elon Musk’s DOGE unit is causing confusion — and raising security and legal concerns

Listen · 3:42
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Thursday

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seen facing the senators at his confirmation hearing.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is President Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. He faced more tough questions in his second confirmation hearing, held Thursday before the Senate HELP Committee. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

RFK Jr., Trump's pick for HHS, grilled about vaccines again in Day 2 hearing

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he wanted "gold standard science" on vaccines, but when presented with compelling research, he cited reasons to doubt it.

Wednesday

With a U.S. flag in the background, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel on Aug. 23, 2024. in Phoenix, Ariz.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel on Aug. 23, 2024. in Phoenix, Ariz. President Trump has nominated Kennedy to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Rebecca Noble/Getty Images hide caption

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Rebecca Noble/Getty Images

Politics

RFK Jr., Trump's health secretary pick, grilled about vaccines and abortion

Senators grilled Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on vaccines, abortion and Medicaid in his confirmation hearing to lead HHS. RFK Jr. has another hearing Thursday.

Trump's health secretary pick, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faces confirmation hearing

Listen · 3:29
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Thursday

In this photo, Elon Musk is wearing a suit and is standing behind a lectern with the presidential seal on the front. His right arm is raised up and to the side, with the palm of his hand facing down.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

Elon Musk tried to turn the salute controversy into a joke

The incident lasted only seconds, but it sparked what has become a global debate about how to interpret what Musk did. Then Musk started posting Nazi-themed jokes.

MUSK GESTURE

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Wednesday

National

LA-area fire victims search for information sources they can trust

Where do you turn for information during a disaster? People affected by the wildfires and evacuations in Los Angeles are asking that question, and who they can trust.

LA-area fire victims search for information sources they can trust

Listen · 3:51
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