Back-to-back earthquakes devastate Venezuela

Summary

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Apple News Today – June 25, 2026

Episode Title: Back-to-back earthquakes devastate Venezuela
Host: Gideon Resnick (guest host), Apple News Today Team
Summary Compiled By: Podcast Summarizer

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on three major stories:

1. Back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela causing significant devastation and humanitarian crisis.
2. A surprise political turn on a bipartisan U.S. housing bill, with President Trump abruptly refusing to sign it.
3. Controversy over the planning of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, focusing on the tussle between bipartisan and presidentially led organizing groups.

Additionally, there are quick news updates on Colombia’s new president and a quirky World Cup challenge in Times Square.

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1. Catastrophic Earthquakes in Venezuela

[00:38–03:23]

Key Discussion Points

• Two Major Earthquakes:

  • A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Caracas at around 6 pm local time, followed less than a minute later by a 7.5 magnitude quake.
  • Widespread devastation with severe damage in major population centers.
  • Impact Sites: Heavy damage reported in both Caracas and La Guayra, including infrastructure collapses at a major airport.

• Firsthand Accounts:

  • Maria Alejandra (Survivor):

    “We managed to open the door however we could. There was a cloud of smoke that wouldn't let us see. And when we went downstairs, the scene was like a horror movie. ...from that building, I only saw that one family got out.”
    (01:13)

  • Mary Mina (Journalist):

    “Buildings didn't collapse, but also they have an extensive damage. So they are forced to remain outside of their home because it's too risky for them to be inside...”
    (01:35)

• Human Cost and Official Response:

  • At least 164 dead, nearly a thousand injured as of the morning report, with fears of rising casualty numbers.
  • La Guayra declared a disaster zone by Acting President Delse Rodriguez, who also declared a state of emergency and called for unity. (02:12–02:28)

• International Response:

  • The US, India, and Brazil offer aid. The US pledges search and rescue teams.
  • Loyce Pace (IFRC): Emphasizes the need for both funds and immediate supply transport, as well as supporting volunteers and staff on the ground.

    "It's not just about raising funds ... it's about getting people the supplies they need ... we're surging staff or surging personnel..."
    (02:59)

• Conditions on the Ground:

  • Emergency services working overnight; widespread fear of aftershocks, leading many people to set up tents outdoors.

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2. Political Showdown Over US Housing Bill

[03:38–06:40]

Key Discussion Points

• Surprise Stall on a Bipartisan Bill:

  • A major, widely supported housing affordability bill—described as historic—was stalled after President Trump refused to sign, despite previous signals of support.
  • The President made his signature contingent on new voter ID provisions, though Senate Republicans acknowledged the votes weren’t there for such changes.

• Reactions:

  • Mary Claire Jelanik (AP Congressional Reporter):

    "No one knew that would happen. He had signaled he would support it." (04:01)
    "It's something that they want him to support because they think it will be good for them in an election year." (04:13)

  • Elizabeth Warren (Bill Author, reacting live):

    "I don't have any idea. This just doesn't make any sense other than whatever it is he wants to do. It's a complete indifference to the cost squeeze on American families and to genuine efforts to do something about it..." (04:45)

• Aftermath and Tensions:

  • Trump held a lunch meeting expected to focus on the voter ID bill, but the topic shifted to the Iran War Powers resolution.
  • Senator Bill Cassidy defended his vote, clashing with Trump, who allegedly called him “a lunatic.” (05:22–05:48)
  • Trump’s Own Take:

    "I think we had a really great meeting... I don't like a few people, but that's okay. I think you know who they are." (05:52)

• Bill’s Status and Implications:

  • Trump has 10 days to veto the bill or it automatically becomes law.
  • GOP senators and polls show strong popular support for the affordability measures (89%).

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3. America’s 250th Anniversary: Partisanship and Planning Confusion

[06:40–10:17]

Key Discussion Points

• Competing Planning Groups & Funding Controversy:

  • America 250: Congressional, bipartisan, $150 million budget, now underfunded (received only $25 million), experiencing a $100 million shortfall.
  • Freedom250: Chaired by President Trump, has received substantial redirected funding (~$68 million), focuses on events tied closely to Trump.

• Events and Public Perception:

  • Key Trump-themed events (UFC fight, National Prayer Day) originate from Freedom250.
  • Reports of artists pulling out of the Great American State Fair due to Trump’s direct involvement.
  • Ongoing confusion among the public regarding which events are nonpartisan or political.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Anna Kramer (Reporter):

    "America 250 has received only $25 million out of that $150 million pot...they're asking Congress to cover a $100 million shortfall..." (07:23)
    "Nothing that's being planned is labeled in a way that's straightforward...a lot of confusion around...who's paying for what, and whether something is supposed to be political or...nonpartisan." (09:15)

  • Trump, at the fair opening:

    "There has never been anything like the United States of America, and together we are making it bigger and better and stronger and far more exceptional than ever before." (08:40)

  • Anna Kramer (on depoliticizing celebrations):

    "...maybe try to take the politics out of it for you personally...some of the discord that's happening here in Washington D.C. doesn't necessarily trickle down..." (09:44)

• Upcoming Events:

  • America 250 group planning a nationwide “block party” for July 4th, including major concerts.

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4. Additional Noteworthy Stories

[10:17–11:55]

• Colombia’s Election:

  • Abelardo de la Esprilla, a Trump-backed conservative businessman, wins presidency by narrow margin over progressive opponent—part of a broader regional trend of outsider victories. (10:20–10:55)

• World Cup Superfans:

  • Kevin Okoto and Austin Franklin paid $50,000 to watch all 104 World Cup games from a glass box in Times Square, becoming a tourist attraction.
  • Okoto on his experience:

    "My personal favorite has been in the Brazil match because they've kind of adopted me into their culture ... the excitement was just contagious." (11:15)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Maria Alejandra (Venezuela earthquake survivor):

  "The scene was like a horror movie." (01:13)

• Sen. Warren on Trump's reversal:

  “It's a complete indifference to the cost squeeze on American families...” (04:45)

• Anna Kramer on anniversary events:

  “Nothing that's being planned is labeled in a way that's straightforward either.” (09:15)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment Summary | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:38–03:23 | Venezuela earthquakes: impacts, survivor/journalist accounts, response | | 03:38–06:40 | Housing bill reversal, tense GOP lunch, implications | | 06:40–10:17 | America 250/Freedom250 funding controversy, event confusion, quotes | | 10:17–10:55 | Colombia election result & regional trend | | 10:56–11:55 | World Cup watchers’ unique “dream job” in Times Square |

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Closing Thought

While the episode covers urgent international disaster, shifting U.S. politics, and the fog of partisan celebration planning, it ends on lighter notes of international sports camaraderie and unique human-interest stories.

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Transcript

[Gideon Resnick]

Good morning. Venezuela is hit with its biggest earthquake

[Apple News Today Host]

in more than a century.

[Gideon Resnick]

Democrats and Republicans finally unite behind a plan to tackle housing. But President Trump abruptly refuses to sign it. And America's big birthday is almost here.

[Apple News Today Host]

But how much is the White House controlling the celebrations?

[Anna Kramer]

His administration broadly says he has a vision of what the American people want and he's going to make it happen and nobody else is.

[Gideon Resnick]

It's Thursday, June 25th. I'm Gideon Resnick in First Generation.

[Apple News Today Host]

This is Apple News Today.

[Gideon Resnick]

Back to back. Earthquakes struck Venezuela last night, causing widespread devastation in major population areas. The first quake hit with a 7.2

[Apple News Today Host]

magnitude at around 6pm local time, striking about 12 miles from the capital, Caracas.

[Gideon Resnick]

The second came less than a minute later, a 7.5 magnitude. That's the sound of a major airport

[Apple News Today Host]

in La Guayra beginning to rock as parts of the ceiling crumbled.

[Gideon Resnick]

And CNN translated the account from one

[Apple News Today Host]

survivor, Maria Alejandra, after she escaped her building.

[Maria Alejandra]

We managed to open the door however we could. There was a cloud of smoke that wouldn't let us see. And when we went downstairs, the scene was like a horror movie. We had to climb over the rubble and everything. The building superintendent with a baby and older neighbors coming down. But from that building, I only saw that one family got out.

[Gideon Resnick]

The BBC reached journalist Mary Mina, who

[Apple News Today Host]

was in Caracas surrounded by rubble.

[Mary Mina]

We spoke about with people that the buildings didn't collapse, but also they have an extensive damage. So they are forced to remain outside of their home because it's too risky for them to be inside of their home. Right now, the city of Caracas is populated by large buildings and most of them are in mountain hills. So it's quite difficult. The geography of the city as of

[Gideon Resnick]

this morning, the government says there have

[Apple News Today Host]

been at least 164 deaths and nearly a thousand injured.

[Gideon Resnick]

But there are fears that number will rise significantly. There are specific concerns about the state

[Apple News Today Host]

of La Guayra, described as a disaster zone by the acting president Delse Rodriguez.

[Gideon Resnick]

At around 1am local time last night,

[Apple News Today Host]

she addressed the nation.

[Delse Rodriguez / Elizabeth Warren]

Y estamo genieste momento declarando el estado de emergencia tal como lo contempla nuestra. Continucion.

[Gideon Resnick]

Rodriguez declared a state of emergency and

[Apple News Today Host]

called for unity in the country. Airports have closed, metro lines are down

[Gideon Resnick]

and non essential activity has been canceled. President Trump said the US Stood ready,

[Apple News Today Host]

willing and able to help.

[Gideon Resnick]

And Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that search and rescue teams were being

[Apple News Today Host]

deployed to the country immediately.

[Gideon Resnick]

Other countries like India and nearby Brazil

[Apple News Today Host]

have also offered their support.

[Gideon Resnick]

Loyce Pace from the International Federation of the Red Cross explained to the BBC

[Apple News Today Host]

what would be needed in the days and weeks ahead.

[Loyce Pace]

There's not just about raising funds that's critically important, but it's about getting people the supplies that they need on the ground and also just people. We're surging staff or surging personnel to the degree they can be helpful to the volunteers and staff already there.

[Gideon Resnick]

Search and rescue teams have been working

[Apple News Today Host]

through the night, and many people are

[Gideon Resnick]

setting up tents, fearing the potential aftershocks

[Apple News Today Host]

that could still hit their homes.

[Gideon Resnick]

You can find more of the latest

[Apple News Today Host]

updates in the Apple News app.

[Gideon Resnick]

The stage was quite literally set for President Trump to sign a major housing

[Apple News Today Host]

bill that's been touted as a huge success by Democrats and Republicans, and that was passed with bipartisan support.

[Gideon Resnick]

In fact, Trump's own press secretary described it as one of the most significant

[Apple News Today Host]

pieces of housing affordability legislation in American history.

[Gideon Resnick]

But about an hour and a half before he was scheduled to sign the

[Apple News Today Host]

bill at the Capitol, the president abruptly

[Mary Claire Jelanik]

called it off, which was a total shock. No one knew that would happen. He had signaled he would support it.

[Gideon Resnick]

Mary Claire Jelanik is a congressional reporter

[Apple News Today Host]

for the Associated Press who gave us the GOP's reaction from Capitol Hill.

[Mary Claire Jelanik]

And it's something that they want him to support because they think it will be good for them in an election year.

[Gideon Resnick]

Trump said he'd only support the bill

[Apple News Today Host]

if his party backed plans to pass new voter ID requirements first.

[Gideon Resnick]

That's despite Senate Republicans saying many times

[Apple News Today Host]

before that the votes were not there for it.

[Gideon Resnick]

The decision to not sign the housing

[Apple News Today Host]

bill was so abrupt that one reporter said he had to actually inform a House member at the event that it wasn't happening.

[Gideon Resnick]

And Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of

[Apple News Today Host]

the primary authors of the bill, reacted to the news in real time during a CNBC interview.

[Delse Rodriguez / Elizabeth Warren]

I don't have any idea. This just doesn't make any sense other than whatever it is he wants to do. It's a complete indifference to the cost squeeze on American families and to genuine efforts to do something about it. You know, he could be over here trying to claim a victory lap, and instead he's saying, no, no, he doesn't want anything to do with it.

[Gideon Resnick]

Trump later held a lunch with senators where they'd expected to be pressed on

[Apple News Today Host]

the voter ID bill.

[Gideon Resnick]

Instead, Jelanik told us the conversation quickly

[Apple News Today Host]

turned to an Iran War Powers resolution, which some Republicans helped pass for the first time on Tuesday.

[Mary Claire Jelanik]

Bill Cassidy of Louisiana actually stood up and defended his vote and that's not something we've seen a lot from Republicans, you know, directly pushing back on face to face.

[Gideon Resnick]

Cassidy told reporters after that that he

[Apple News Today Host]

lost his temper a bit as things escalated.

[Mary Claire Jelanik]

He said someone sort of told him to sit down. I think Trump told him to sit down as well. And he did try to de escalate a little bit. But it sounds like at one point Trump called him a lunatic after he was confronting him.

[Gideon Resnick]

The president offered a different version of

[Apple News Today Host]

events to reporters after leaving.

[Donald Trump]

I think we had a really great meeting, and we're very proud of the party. We like our leader. We like everybody really, in the room. I don't like a few people, but that's okay. I think you know who they are.

[Gideon Resnick]

The fate of these two bills remains somewhat murky. Technically Speaking, Trump has 10 days to

[Apple News Today Host]

veto the housing bill, otherwise it automatically becomes law.

[Gideon Resnick]

Jelanik said it's not totally clear what

[Apple News Today Host]

Trump will do next.

[Gideon Resnick]

And some in his own party were

[Apple News Today Host]

left scratching their heads about the choice to walk away.

[Mary Claire Jelanik]

Republican senators are saying today it doesn't really make sense for him to oppose this. What they want to do is show voters that they're concerned with affordability and trying to do things to help it. And this housing bill was overwhelmingly popular.

[Gideon Resnick]

It passed in the Senate with 85

[Apple News Today Host]

votes, and the public seems to want it, too.

[Gideon Resnick]

In a poll earlier this year, 89%

[Apple News Today Host]

of Americans said they'd like to see

[Gideon Resnick]

legislation addressing housing affordability. The celebrations for the country's 250th anniversary have begun, but there's already party controversy

[Apple News Today Host]

over who's planning the party. There are two groups. One is called America 250. It was created by Congress a decade ago with a $150 million budget and a bipartisan organizing committee. The other is called Freedom250, and it's chaired by President Trump. And notice reporter Anna Kramer told us the White House has been quietly rerouting tens of millions of dollars that were supposed to go to Congress's party planners and instead giving that money to the president's group.

[Anna Kramer]

America 250 has received only $25 million out of that $150 million pot. And they're really struggling financially. They don't want to admit it publicly, but I read some of their reports to Congress, and right now they're asking Congress to cover a $100 million shortfall that they're dealing with. And then at least $68 million from that pot of 150 million has so far gone to Freedom 250 Kramer told

[Apple News Today Host]

us the two groups are going down very different paths.

[Anna Kramer]

All of the events that the President is directly involved in come from Freedom250. So the UFC fight for his birthday at the White house was a Freedom250 event. The prayer day on the National Mall, which featured, I believe, a number of folks from his administration, was a Freedom 250 event.

[Gideon Resnick]

Critics say it all amounts to a

[Apple News Today Host]

misuse of public funds which had been appropriated for nonpartisan events.

[Gideon Resnick]

Some artists even pulled out of the

[Apple News Today Host]

Great American State Fair that began last night on the National Mall after discovering Trump's personal involvement. The Trump run group maintains they're nonpartisan.

[Gideon Resnick]

The anniversary was always going to be an important second term moment in his campaign.

[Apple News Today Host]

Trump promised to hold the most spectacular birthday party for America, and last night he marked the opening of the fair.

[Donald Trump]

There has never been anything like the United States of America, and together we are making it bigger and better and stronger and far more exceptional than ever before.

[Gideon Resnick]

Meanwhile, the group created by Congress, America250,

[Apple News Today Host]

is planning a nationwide event called America's block party around July 4th with various events and concerts, including a benefit show in LA on Independence Day featuring Chris Stapleton and the Smashing Pumpkins.

[Gideon Resnick]

But if you're hoping to figure out

[Apple News Today Host]

which event is backed by who, Kramer warns it's not simple.

[Anna Kramer]

Nothing that's being planned is labeled in a way that's straightforward either. So it's kind of hard for an average person to know whether the thing they're participating in is America 250, Freedom 250, somebody else. There's a lot of confusion around, like who is in charge of what and who's paying for what, and whether something is supposed to be political or whether it's really trying to be like nonpartisan celebration of American history.

[Gideon Resnick]

Politics aside, Kramer says that both planning

[Apple News Today Host]

commissions are urging Americans to celebrate the occasion however they see fitness.

[Anna Kramer]

One thing that organizers across the board at every organization and also at the state and local level would say is that if you can focus on celebrating the 250th anniversary in whatever way that means to you and maybe try to take the politics out of it for you personally, I think there are a lot of folks who would love to see the American people do that and hope that maybe some of the discord that's happening here in Washington D.C. doesn't necessarily trickle down to make every celebration discordant.

[Apple News Today Host]

Here are a few other stories we're following today.

[Gideon Resnick]

A Trump backed conservative businessman and lawyer

[Apple News Today Host]

will be the next President of Colombia, Abelardo de la Esprilla a millionaire who is new to politics, was declared the winner yesterday of a close runoff election this past Sunday where he beat his opponent by 1 percentage point.

[Gideon Resnick]

He defeated a progressive candidate who would

[Apple News Today Host]

have effectively continued some of the policies of the current left wing president.

[Gideon Resnick]

Gustavo Petro de la Esprila's win is

[Apple News Today Host]

yet another in a string of victories across Central and South America where voters have turned to firebrand outsiders to help solve their country's difficult issues.

[Gideon Resnick]

And finally, if you've been hit by

[Apple News Today Host]

World cup fever, you might envy the life of these two men. Kevin Okoto and Austin Franklin are getting paid $50,000 to watch every single one of the 104 World cup games. That's after winning a competition with Fox One. They spoke to a local Fox affiliate about their experience. So far.

[Kevin Okoto or Austin Franklin]

My personal favorite has been in the Brazil match because they've kind of adopted me into their culture. And they we probably had close to a thousand people outside and just cheering and the excitement was just contagious.

[Gideon Resnick]

Now, there is a catch.

[Apple News Today Host]

They're not doing this from the comfort of their homes.

[Gideon Resnick]

The broadcaster has set them up in

[Apple News Today Host]

a glass cubicle in Times Square so the thousands of passing tourists can watch them. Well, watch.

[Gideon Resnick]

With up to six games a day,

[Apple News Today Host]

Kevin and Austin said that they have landed a dream job. Dream for them, but for shy people who don't love soccer, maybe a nightmare.

[Gideon Resnick]

You can find all these stories and

[Apple News Today Host]

more in the Apple News app.

[Gideon Resnick]

And if you're already listening in the news app right now, we've got a

[Apple News Today Host]

narrated article coming up next.

[Gideon Resnick]

GQ profiles E.J. lagasse, son of the celebrity chef Emeril

[Apple News Today Host]

Lagasse, and it explores how he escaped the Nepo Baby label by earning two Michelin stars on his own.

[Gideon Resnick]

If you're listening in the podcast app,

[Apple News Today Host]

you can follow Apple News plus narrated to find that story. And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.