Trump Era

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has a lot to juggle, from a federal government shutdown to immigration enforcement to the state’s affordability crisis. In a conversation taped at The Journal live event, Hochul joins host Ryan Knutson to talk about how she’s managing those challenges, what her private conversations are like with President Donald Trump, and her take on New York City’s next potential mayor, Zohran Mamdani.  Further Listening:  - Why This Government Shutdown Is Different - Is NYC’s Mayoral Race All About Rent? Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump assembles his Cabinet as the government shutdown continues, and a peace deal in Gaza takes shape, candidates in the N.J. Governor’s race clash, and wait times for Emergency Rooms have exploded nationwide. We explore what’s behind that spike. Get the facts first with Morning Wire. - - - Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 - - - Today's Sponsor: NetSuite - Download the CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning for FREE at https://NetSuite.com/MORNINGWIRE - - - Privacy Policy: https://www.dailywire.com/privacy morning wire,morning wire podcast,the morning wire podcast,Georgia Howe,John Bickley,daily wire podcast,podcast,news podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a new poll, The New York Times asked voters what they thought of the first eight months of President Trump’s second term. Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst at The Times, explains what the survey found and what it may tell us about where the country is heading next.

Plus, censoring prestige TV.

Plus, your Friday news quiz.

A big name among Democrats backs New York mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, California Governor Gavin Newsom butts into the Texas redistricting fight, and Oklahoma sets a new requirement for teachers from out of state. Get the facts first with Morning Wire. - - - Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 - - - Today's Sponsors: Good Ranchers - Visit https://goodranchers.com and subscribe to any box using code WIRE to claim $40 off + free meat for life! Shopify - Go to https://Shopify.com/morningwire to sign up for your $1-per-month trial period and upgrade your selling today. - - - Privacy Policy: https://www.dailywire.com/privacy morning wire,morning wire podcast,the morning wire podcast,Georgia Howe,John Bickley,daily wire podcast,podcast,news podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vice President JD Vance gave a speech recently that deserved more attention than it got. Accepting an award at a right-wing think tank, he argued that there’s a fundamental brokenness in how we define who is an American. He explained that this is the root of many of our country’s problems: a national identity that has become too broad. That was also a core idea of the 2018 book “The Virtue of Nationalism,” which caused a sensation on the right. Its author, the Israeli political theorist Yoram Hazony, went on to build a movement. For years, he has hosted NatCon — short for National Conservatism — conferences. Those events have featured speakers like Marco Rubio, who is now the secretary of state, and Senator Josh Hawley. And one of the most reliable speakers, year after year, has been Vance. I wanted to talk to Hazony. What exactly is his argument, his worldview? And are the Trump administration’s policies putting it into practice? Mentioned: JD Vance’s speech at The Claremont Institute Book Recommendations: The Demon in Democracy by Ryszard Legutko The Strategy of Denial by Elbridge Colby Israel and Civilization by Josh Hammer Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. You can find the transcript and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.html This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Elias Isquith. Fact-checking by Will Peischel. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota. Our executive producer is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Marie Cascione, Annie Galvin, Michelle Harris, Rollin Hu, Marina King, Jan Kobal, Kristin Lin and Jack McCordick. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The director of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

From culture wars to economic shifts, Cygnal pollster Brent Buchanan joins us to analyze the data behind Trump's rising approval and the Democrats’ deepening identity crisis. Get the facts first on Morning Wire. Shopify: Go to https://Shopify.com/morningwire to sign up for your $1 per month trial period and upgrade your selling today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Biden’s cancer controversy prompts more questions, the Trump White House reacts, and Trump’s big, beautiful bill moves forward. Get the facts first with Morning Wire. Vanta: Get $1,000 off Vanta at https://vanta.com/morningwire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hundreds of U.S.-based scholars say the United States is swiftly heading away from liberal democracy and towards some form of authoritarianism. In this episode of The Sunday Story, NPR's Frank Langfitt speaks to people who have fled authoritarian regimes for America. They say some of the Trump administration's tactics remind them of home.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

After years of leadership failures, California voters may flip the state Republican in 2026. Entrepreneur, author and now candidate for Governor Steve Hilton reveals his road map for saving the state. Get the facts first on Morning Wire. You can find Steve Hilton’s book here: Califailure: Reversing the Ruin of America’s Worst-Run State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After years of leadership failures, California voters may flip the state Republican in 2026. Entrepreneur and author Steve Hilton reveals his road map for saving the state. Get the facts first on Morning Wire. You can find Steve Hilton’s book here: Califailure: Reversing the Ruin of America’s Worst-Run State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, says she thinks Republicans have begun making mistakes... and her party is resolved to strike back.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Susan Davis, Kelsey Snell and Reena Advani. It was produced by Adam Bearne. We get engineering support from Neil Tevault and Hannah Gluvna. Our Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

There are two pieces to this episode. First, a tour of what Donald Trump has done — and what he has backed down from doing — over the last few days. There’s a lesson there. Perhaps Democrats are starting to learn it. Then I wanted to hear the view of Trump’s first weeks back in office from someone on the right — someone who agrees with many of Trump’s policies, but also understands how the government works and who cares about our Constitution. Yuval Levin is the director of social, cultural and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute. His latest book is “American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation — and Could Again.” What struck me about our conversation is that, on the one hand, Levin is less alarmed about much of what’s happening than I am. But on the other hand, he’s a lot less impressed by what Trump is actually getting done — and how these moves are likely to work out for him — than most Democrats I know. It’s a perspective very much worth hearing. Mentioned: “Don’t Believe Him” by Ezra Klein Book Recommendations: The Rhetorical Presidency by Jeffrey K. Tulis Why Congress by Philip Wallach The Extinction of Experience by Christine Rosen Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs. This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Elias Isquith and Jack McCordick. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris. Mixing by Isaac Jones, with Efim Shapiro and Aman Sahota. Our supervising editor is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Rollin Hu and Kristin Lin. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

Senate Republicans are promising no drama for Trump's cabinet nominees in hearings this week. Do Democrats have anything to say about that? Plus, L.A. neighborhoods remain on lockdown after wildfires, and anti-corruption officials arrest South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

For more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today's episode of Up First was edited by Ryland Barton, Jason Breslow, Gigi Douban, Ally Schweitzer and Lisa Thomson. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Iman Ma'ani and Lilly Quiroz. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent and our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

European officials investigate whether severed Baltic internet cables were an act of Russian sabotage, raising fears about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. President-elect Trump names Matthew Whitaker, a loyalist with no foreign policy experience, as U.S. ambassador to NATO. And, with historic voter turnout helping Donald Trump secure a sweeping victory, will Republicans shift their stance on policies that make voting easier?

Your feedback helps us make Up First better. Tell us what you like and what you don't like by taking our survey at npr.org/upfirstsurvey

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today's episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Tara Neill, Andrea DeLeon, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Milton Guevara.
We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent.
And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball explore what we know about both candidates’ approach to foreign policy. Plus, Molly shares what she learned about the future of MAGA from an interview with Donald Trump Jr. and JD Vance. Further Listening: - Red, White and Who? Playlist  - Red, White and Who? Veep Veep! All Eyes on Vance and Walz  - Red, White and Who? It's Always the Economy!  Further Reading: - How Donald Trump Jr. Became the Crown Prince of MAGA World  - JD Vance’s Version of Trump Is Better Than the Real Thing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday night was the first — perhaps the only — debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. And it proved one of Harris’s stump speech lines right: Turns out she really does know Trump’s type. She had a theory of who Trump was and how he worked, and she used it to take control of the collision. But this was a substantive debate, too. The candidates clashed on abortion, health care, the economy, energy, immigration and more. And so we delve into the policy arguments to untangle what was really being said — and what wasn’t. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs. This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Claire Gordon. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Kate Sinclair and Jack McCordick. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin, Rollin Hu, Elias Isquith, Kristin Lin and Aman Sahota. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

On Thursday night, Kamala Harris reintroduced herself to America. And by the standards of Democratic convention speeches, this one was pretty unusual. In this conversation I’m joined by my editor, Aaron Retica, to discuss what Harris’s speech reveals about the candidate, the campaign she’s going to run and how she believes she can win in November. Mentioned: The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs. This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Claire Gordon. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Jack McCordick. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin, Rollin Hu, Elias Isquith and Kristin Lin. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz introduced himself to the American public with a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. Vice President Harris will carry on portions of President Biden's agenda but there are some key differences she will campaign on, and a new survey finds Gen Z'ers feeling optimistic about the future but unprepared and disengaged at school.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today's episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Roberta Rampton, Adriana Gallardo, Nicole Cohen, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Hannah Gluvna. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy