Apple News Today: How Campaign Texts Became the Next Big Scam

Hosted by Shumita Basu

1. Presidential Transition and Republican Control

Timestamp: 00:05 – 03:08

In the opening segment, Shumita Basu discusses the significant developments following the 2024 election. President-elect Donald Trump returned to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Joe Biden, marking a notable gesture not extended during the 2020 transition. According to the Associated Press, House Republicans have secured a narrow majority, and with the Senate flipping to Republican control, the GOP now holds both chambers.

During their meeting, Trump and Biden covered various domestic and international priorities. Biden assured a seamless transition for Trump's team, to which Trump responded:

Donald Trump [01:05]: "Politics is tough and it's in many cases not a very nice world. But it is a nice world today. And I appreciate very much a transition that's so smooth. It'll be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that."

Political reporter Ben Jacobs provides insight into the Republicans' strategic priorities:

Ben Jacobs [01:48]: "The big thing that Republicans have in the trifecta is that they can at least theoretically pass through budget legislation without dealing with the filibuster for a variety of arcane reasons... This really speeds things up."

Jacobs elaborates that the top priority for the Republicans is extending the 2017 tax cuts. With control over both legislative chambers, the GOP can utilize the Senate's reconciliation process, bypassing the filibuster and enabling swift passage of economic legislation.

2. Leadership Changes in the Senate

Timestamp: 02:23 – 03:43

South Dakota Senator John Thune has been elected as the new Senate Republican leader, succeeding Mitch McConnell, who served for 17 years. Jacobs notes that Thune aligns closely with McConnell's political stance:

Ben Jacobs [02:54]: "He’s probably the closest to McConnell that he was the whip for McConnell, and he's the institutional choice that on one hand, it means Trump has someone who certainly is skeptical of the president elect, but someone who actually understands the Senate."

Despite being less of a Trump loyalist compared to other potential leaders, Thune's extensive experience and understanding of Senate processes make him a strategic choice for maintaining Republican control.

3. California's Political Landscape and Election Results

Timestamp: 04:16 – 07:20

California, traditionally seen as one of the nation's most liberal states, presented a more complex political picture in the recent elections. While statewide voters strongly supported progressive candidates like Vice President Kamala Harris, local results revealed a shift towards conservatism in certain areas.

Notable outcomes include:

• Voters in Los Angeles and the Bay Area ousted progressive-leaning prosecutors.
• San Francisco's mayor was unseated by a centrist Democrat.
• A statewide measure to facilitate rent control was rejected.

MacKenzie Mays of the Louisiana Times explains the defeat of the rent control measure:

MacKenzie Mays [05:05]: "There was a big push to campaign and let voters know that this could actually make California's housing shortage worse. And I think it's a good guess to say that voters were probably pretty spooked by that."

Despite the high cost of living, concerns about unintended consequences led to the measure's failure, demonstrating that California voters are discerning and cautious about policy impacts.

However, not all ballot measures swung to the right. California voters approved several progressive initiatives, including:

• Protecting same-sex marriage.
• Expanding healthcare for low-income residents.
• Allocating funds for climate change initiatives.

Mays notes that these mixed results do not necessarily indicate a significant political shift to the right:

MacKenzie Mays [06:56]: "When it comes to specific issues on the ballot, sometimes the measures are more complicated and there are more nuanced reasons for why voters may reject or approve of them."

Pollsters suggest that California's voting patterns, especially on specific ballot measures, are nuanced and do not straightforwardly reflect a broader political realignment.

4. The Rise of Campaign Text Scams

Timestamp: 07:20 – 09:45

A critical issue discussed is the surge in misleading campaign fundraising texts, which have particularly vulnerable populations at risk. Shumita Basu highlights the prevalence of such scams during the election cycle, with over 13,500 Americans donating daily to major political fundraising groups.

Richard Benjamin, an 81-year-old victim, became a prime example:

Richard Benjamin [08:51]: "I was dealing with President Trump, so it was kind of President Trump and Speaker Johnson were both they want to know how I was, what I was doing."

Benjamin, experiencing cognitive decline, received numerous texts purportedly from Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, leading him to donate over $80,000 of his life savings. His family had to take drastic measures, including selling his house and car and moving him into an assisted living facility.

Political reporter Ben Jacobs comments on the unusual behavior of victims like Benjamin:

Ben Jacobs [08:43]: "Just so out of character. It was almost shocking because he was always very frugal and very responsible with his money."

CNN's investigation revealed that both Republican and Democratic campaigns exploit elderly voters, but Republican tactics are often more aggressive and predatory. Common deceptive practices include:

• Recurring Donations: Optional boxes for recurring donations are sometimes pre-checked, leading donors to unintentionally commit to monthly contributions.
• Misleading Messages: Texts and emails may mimic official communications, deceiving recipients into believing they are directly supporting their favorite candidates.

Despite platforms like WinRed and ActBlue providing notifications and guides for canceling recurring donations, victims report difficulty in recovering lost funds due to convoluted processes and large sums involved.

5. Matt Gaetz Nominated as Attorney General

Timestamp: 09:35 – 10:15

In a surprising political move, former Congressman Matt Gaetz has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the next Attorney General. This nomination comes amidst Gaetz's resignation amid legal investigations, including:

• A Department of Justice probe into potential sexual trafficking, in which he was not charged.
• A House Ethics Committee inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use.

Gaetz had previously denied any wrongdoing, and his nomination has sparked discussions about the implications for the Republican Party and ongoing legal matters.

6. Other News Highlights

Timestamp: 10:15 – End

Additional stories covered include:

• Pennsylvania Senate Recount: The Senate race between Republican Dave McCormick and incumbent Democrat Bob Casey is undergoing a recount following McCormick's initial lead by nearly 30,000 votes. The recount, mandated by Pennsylvania law, is unlikely to alter the declared winner substantially, as suggested by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

• The Onion Acquires Infowars: In an unexpected development, the satirical news outlet The Onion won a bankruptcy auction to acquire Alex Jones' Infowars and its parent company. The move aims to repay over a billion dollars owed to families of Sandy Hook victims. The Onion plans to relaunch Infowars as a parody site supported by the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety.

Shumita Basu concludes by promoting additional content available on the Apple News app, including a narrated article by Esquire exploring the bizarre reality TV show "Kid Nation."

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [01:05]: "Politics is tough and it's in many cases not a very nice world. But it is a nice world today. And I appreciate very much a transition that's so smooth. It'll be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that."

• Ben Jacobs [01:48]: "This really speeds things up."

• Ben Jacobs [02:54]: "He’s probably the closest to McConnell that he was the whip for McConnell, and he's the institutional choice that on one hand, it means Trump has someone who certainly is skeptical of the president elect, but someone who actually understands the Senate."

• MacKenzie Mays [05:05]: "And I think it's a good guess to say that voters were probably pretty spooked by that."

• Richard Benjamin [08:51]: "I was dealing with President Trump, so it was kind of President Trump and Speaker Johnson were both they want to know how I was, what I was doing."

• Ben Jacobs [08:43]: "Just so out of character. It was almost shocking because he was always very frugal and very responsible with his money."

Conclusion

This episode of Apple News Today delves into the intricate dynamics of the recent elections, highlighting the Republican Party's newfound control and the strategies they may employ moving forward. It also sheds light on the alarming rise of deceptive campaign fundraising texts targeting vulnerable populations, underscoring the need for greater vigilance and protective measures. Additionally, the episode touches upon significant political appointments and other noteworthy news, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the current political landscape.

For more detailed insights and updates, listeners are encouraged to access the full episode through the Apple News app.