The Take: More than $5 trillion in US taxes. Who gets it?
From war spending to healthcare cuts, US budget choices have real impacts. So who is the system really working for?
![A child holds a poster as people take part in a "Tax the Rich" protest in New York City, U.S., November 16, 2025. [Eduardo Munoz/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2025-11-16T203042Z_184581133_RC2TXHABN047_RTRMADP_3_USA-PROTEST-1776275059.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
On tax day, trillions of dollars flow into the United States government. But a new analysis shows a significant share is directed towards war, defence contractors and border enforcement while healthcare and food assistance face mounting pressures and cuts. As the deficit grows and everyday costs rise, what do these budget choices reveal about who the system is built to serve, both in the US and beyond?
In this episode:
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- Lindsay Koshgarian (@lindsaykosh), programme director, National Priorities Project
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolome and David Enders with Tamara Khandaker, Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, Adhil Veetil, Firas Yateem, Michel Bou Dagher and our guest host Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Sari el-Khalili.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.
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