Apple News Today: Detailed Summary of "He’s Nominated to Lead the CDC. His Anti-Vax History Runs Deep"

Release Date: March 13, 2025
Host: Shemitah Basu

1. Elon Musk and the Growing Backlash Against Tesla

Overview:
The episode opens with an in-depth discussion on the escalating backlash against Elon Musk and his electric vehicle company, Tesla. Since Donald Trump's inauguration, Musk has been a prominent figure aligned with efforts to reduce federal spending and eliminate tens of thousands of federal jobs. This alignment has led to significant consumer pushback against Tesla.

Key Points:

• Protests and Vandalism:
  Reporter Becky Peterson from the Wall Street Journal highlights a surge in protests targeting Tesla properties nationwide. She states, "[01:08] We've seen people increasingly come out and protesting Tesla Properties, whether that's showrooms, where there's been a number of peaceful protests across the country."

• Escalation to Violence:
  The backlash has sometimes turned violent, with incidents such as arson at Tesla superchargers and vandalism involving swastikas and other Nazi references. Peterson notes, "[01:29] There have been service centers that have been riddled with bullet holes... folks have been having their Tesla spray painted with graffitis, often swastikas or other references to Nazis."

• Presidential Support Amidst Turmoil:
  In response to the violence, President Trump declared any attacks on Tesla dealerships as economic terrorism, asserting, "[01:44] President Trump on Tuesday vowed to label any violence against Tesla dealerships as economic terrorism, and he told reporters, any perpetrators will, quote, go through hell."

• Stock Market Impact:
  Tesla's stock has plummeted, losing over $800 billion in market cap since mid-December. The stock saw its largest single-day drop since 2020 but briefly rebounded after Trump publicly supported the company. Trump praised Tesla by stating, "[02:41] Number one, it's a great product, as good as it gets."

• Contradictory Stances on EVs:
  Despite his current support, Trump has historically criticized electric vehicles (EVs) on various grounds, including cost and battery life. However, after Elon Musk endorsed his presidential run in August, Trump shifted his stance, albeit inconsistently with his administration's policies, such as rolling back EV incentives and halting federal EV fleet adoptions.

• Changing Political Landscape for Tesla:
  Musk's political evolution has influenced Tesla's customer base. Initially popular in Democratic strongholds like San Francisco and Los Angeles, Tesla now sees increased support among Republicans, marking a significant shift. Peterson observes, "[04:44] We looked at sales and survey data which suggests that politics is definitely affecting demand."

2. Senate Confirmation Hearing: Trump's CDC Nominee with Anti-Vaccine History

Overview:
The focal point of the episode is the Senate confirmation hearing for Dave Weldon, President Trump's nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon, a former Republican congressman from Florida, is known for his anti-vaccine stance, raising concerns about his suitability for the CDC leadership amidst ongoing public health challenges.

Key Points:

• Weldon's Anti-Vaccine Positions:
  Health publication STAT conducted an exhaustive review of Weldon's 14-year congressional career, revealing his persistent skepticism about vaccine safety, particularly the MMR vaccine. Shemitah Basu reports, "[05:46] ...Weldon himself was never convinced."

• Comparisons to Anti-Vaccine Advocates:
  Sarah Overmall from STAT News remarks, "[05:46] He is someone who seems to be totally in line with where RFK Jr is coming from," highlighting Weldon's alignment with prominent anti-vaccine figures.

• Impact of Current Health Crisis:
  The hearing coincides with a measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico. Overmall notes, "[06:07] ...the MMR vaccine used to prevent measles was a particular point of skepticism for him."

• Demand for More Data:
  Weldon advocates for greater transparency and data on vaccine safety, questioning established scientific consensus. Overmall emphasizes, "[07:33] ...he says we just need to see more data... When do we say, okay, I saw what I needed to Vaccines do not cause autism."

• Political Ramifications:
  If confirmed, Weldon would significantly influence US vaccine policy and messaging. Basu anticipates his confirmation, citing precedent, "[08:08] ...most notably, even though there were Republican senators who had concerns... ultimately those senators did vote to confirm him."

• Clinical Approach to Anti-Vaccine Theories:
  Basu describes Weldon's stance as more clinical than passionate, focusing on data over personal freedoms. She anticipates his confirmation based on the handling of similar nominations.

3. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum's Negotiations with Trump

Overview:
Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's president, has adeptly negotiated with President Trump to delay the imposition of tariffs. Her strategic approach centers on showcasing Mexico's efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, thereby persuading Trump to reconsider economic sanctions.

Key Points:

• Strategic Negotiations:
  Sheinbaum effectively demonstrated Mexico's measures against fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration, convincing Trump to delay tariffs. Basu explains, "[09:17] ...she persuaded him to delay tariffs on her country by making the case that Mexico's efforts to deter people from bringing fentanyl across the border were already having measurable impact."

• Praise from Trump:
  Trump publicly commended Sheinbaum's efforts, stating, "[09:17] Donald Trump: I thanked her for that. You know, I make so many calls and I never learn anything from anybody... What a great idea."

• Relationship Dynamics:
  Mary Beth Sheridan from the Washington Post describes the relationship as "surprisingly warm," attributing success to Sheinbaum's meticulous preparation and calm demeanor. She states, "[09:38] ...She tries very hard... to stay very cool. She calls it a cool head."

• Political Acumen:
  Sheinbaum's ability to wait and let market and business pressures influence Trump's decisions has been crucial. Sheridan notes, "[10:29] ...by the time he gets on the phone with Sheinbaum, he seems a bit more ready to make a deal."

• Ongoing Challenges:
  Despite diplomatic successes, Trump continues to threaten tariffs, recently enacting steel and aluminum tariffs affecting Mexico. Sheridan warns of potential volatility, "[11:40] ...there's bound to be more uncertainty because Mexico is at the center of all these issues."

• Public Approval:
  Sheinbaum enjoys high popularity in Mexico, with an 85% approval rating, largely due to her pragmatic and low-key approach. Sheridan adds, "[10:00] ...she has a PhD in energy engineering... She's also being praised for knowing when to wait a situation out."

4. Additional News Stories

a. Detention of Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Halil:

• Case Details:
  Mahmoud Halil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, remains detained in a Louisiana immigration jail. Arrested in New York, his green card was revoked without criminal charges, stemming from a Trump executive order targeting anti-Semitism and college protests.

• Political Response:
  Fourteen Congress members have advocated for his release, labeling his detention as an attempt to criminalize political protest. Trump has indicated that Halil's case could be the first of many under this policy.

b. House Subcommittee Hearing Incident:

• Misgendering Controversy:
  During a House subcommittee hearing, Republican Congressman Keith Self from Texas misgendered Representative Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, referring to her as "Mr." This prompted immediate correction by Congressman William Keating and led to the abrupt adjournment of the hearing.

• Public Statements:
  Self later defended his remarks on social media, asserting, "it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female," referencing a Trump executive order. McBride responded positively despite the incident, expressing gratitude for her role.

c. Greenland's General Election:

• Election Outcome:
  Greenland's center-right opposition party secured a surprise victory in the general election, signaling a potential push for greater independence from Denmark. The Democratic Party, advocating for gradual independence, garnered approximately 30% of the vote.

• Domestic Focus:
  While international relations, particularly with the US under Trump, dominated the election narrative, domestic issues such as healthcare, pensions, and fishing policies also played significant roles. However, concerns linger over Trump's ongoing discussions about taking over Greenland, which could destabilize the currently positive relationship.

Conclusion

Shemitah Basu's episode of Apple News Today delves into the intricate dynamics of political influence, public health, and international negotiations. From the tumultuous relationship between Elon Musk and Tesla's consumer base to the controversial nomination of an anti-vaccine advocate for CDC leadership, the episode underscores the profound impact of political alignments on various facets of society. Additionally, the adept negotiations by Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum highlight the complexities of international diplomacy under the Trump administration. The episode also touches upon pressing social issues and unexpected electoral outcomes, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current political landscape.

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