Background Briefing

Trump mocks his own supporters, Epstein’s prosecutor is fired under political pressure, and Senate Democrats stage a walkout over a far-right judicial nominee. Ask ChatGPT

After Feeding Them Lies and Delusions For Years, Trump Now Calls His MAGA Cultists “Stupid” and “Weaklings” We begin with a reporter who I spoke with live on January 6, 2021 from the scene as the US Capitol was being stormed by Trump’s insurrectionists. We discuss how Trump is now castigating his followers for being … Continued


Background Briefing

Michael Kimmage/Casey Michel/Juan Cole

Trump’s Tough Talk Threatening Russia With a 50 Day Deadline For a Ceasefire We begin with Trump’s Oval Office meeting today with the NATO head Mark Rutte and assess his announcement that he is “very, very unhappy” with Russia and plans to deliver “top-of-the-line” weapons to Ukraine, threatening 100% tariffs on Russia if no ceasefire … Continued


Background Briefing

Jeremi Suri/Tom Mockaitis/Dr. Annelle Sheline

Intergenerational Greed and Inaction Led to Underinvestment in Flood Prevention in Kerr County, Texas We begin with a local reaction to the deadly floods that took the lives of over 100 mostly young girls and we explore how intergenerational greed and inaction in Kerr County, whose capital Kerrville has the second-highest concentration of millionaires per … Continued


Background Briefing

Jeff Masters/Olga Lautman/Sarang Shidore

Extreme Weather and Its Connection to Climate Change as Trump and DOGE’s Cuts Impacted The National Weather Service’s Response to the Tragic Flash Floods in Texas We begin with the White House’s overheated pushback against questions of whether cuts to The National Weather Service by Trump and DOGE contributed to the tragic loss of life … Continued


Background Briefing

Paul Farhi/Patrick Sullivan/Oona Hathaway

Another Big Media Company Caves to Trump’s Extortion We begin with another big media company caving in to Trump’s extortion with Paramount having settled Trump’s $20 billion nuisance lawsuit against CBS’s 60 Minutes for $16 million so that Shari Redstone’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media can go through. Joining us to assess how Trump … Continued