Apple News Today – Episode Summary

Title: How MAGA is coming around to Trump’s military attacks abroad
Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Shumita Basu

Overview

This episode of Apple News Today dives into the shifting stance among Trump’s MAGA supporters regarding U.S. military action abroad, particularly in the context of recent strikes targeting alleged narco-terrorists. The show also explores Trump’s growing relationship with FIFA, the repercussions of cuts to scientific research under his administration, and other top news stories, including developments at the Supreme Court and Eurovision Song Contest.

Main Segment: Congressional Fallout from U.S. Military Strikes

[00:34–05:22]

The Military Briefing that Split Congress

• Lawmakers viewed video of a U.S. strike in September targeting an alleged drug boat. Footage showed two survivors attempting to right their capsized vessel before they were attacked again, resulting in 11 deaths.
• Members of Congress had starkly different interpretations of what they saw:
  • Rep. Jim Himes (D): “What I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service.” [01:00]
  • “You have two individuals in clear distress... who are killed by the United States.” [01:07]
  • Sen. Tom Cotton (R): “I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat loaded with drugs... so they could stay in the fight.” [01:19]

Investigation and Orders

• Admiral Frank M. Bradley, commanding officer, clarified before Congress that he had not received an explicit kill-all order, refuting earlier media reports.
  • Cotton: “Admiral Bradley was very clear that he was given no such order... he was given an order that of course was written down in great detail as our military always does.” [01:48]
• Critics cite the Pentagon's manual, cautioning that firing upon the shipwrecked is illegal; Congress is investigating the follow-up strike’s legality and process.

Shifting Trump Doctrine – From No Foreign Wars to Intervention

• Trump campaigned on keeping America out of new wars (“No new wars” was a central slogan), making the recent lethal strikes a significant pivot.
• The administration claims the strikes target narco-terrorists and are vital to “domestic interests,” hinting at possible escalation.
• President Trump has publicly warned Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, signaling openness to further intervention.

Reporter Insight

• Megan Messerly (Politico) [03:12]:
  • Describes how “this is the kind of reality that would have been unthinkable for a lot of supporters of the president’s back in January.”
  • Anti-interventionist Trump supporters are conflicted: “A lot of folks around the president... were of the mind that they were getting a president who... would not be taking military action against other countries.” [03:48]
  • Some warn that ousting Maduro could spark a dangerous power vacuum and potentially a civil war, compelling U.S. involvement.
    • “What's the Day Two plan? What's the Hundred Day plan? ...those folks have significant concerns that... you would have this power vacuum that could lead to very significant fighting...” [04:28]
  • The debate within MAGA is shifting from whether to intervene to how and how much: “The debate... has shifted from a philosophical one about whether America first should support intervention at all to a technical one about what counts as intervention and how much force is needed.” [05:22]

FIFA, Trump, and the World Cup Draw

[05:22–08:36]

Trump’s Relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino

• The World Cup draw is being held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with notable attendees including President Trump and sports stars.

• Trump and Infantino’s relationship has grown notably close:

  • Adam Crafton (The Athletic) [06:12]: “They became close during his first presidency when FIFA awarded the United States... the bid, and Infantino was one of those figures that actually remained pretty loyal to Trump... even in some of his most challenging times.”
  • Infantino has had more Oval Office visits than any other world leader and often appears at major geopolitical events (Davos, Gaza Peace Summit, etc.).

• Financial arrangement raises eyebrows: FIFA is paying $7 million via donations rather than a traditional rental fee. Democrats criticize Trump’s use of the Kennedy Center for political benefit.

  • Crafton [07:34]: “That $7 million going to an institution that is now being chaired by the president and his allies, which again is a conscious decision that FIFA have made...”

FIFA Peace Prize and Trump

• FIFA is unveiling its first ever Peace Prize—widely expected to go to Trump, after he missed out on the Nobel Peace Prize.
  • Infantino (quoted by Crafton): “On the 5th of December, you will see. ... I have a great relationship with President Trump, who I consider really a close friend.” [08:04–08:15]

Entertainment and Symbolism

• The Village People will perform “YMCA,” a nod to Trump’s rally traditions.

Cuts to Science Research and Medical Trials

[08:54–12:13]

Impact of Research Funding Cuts

• The Washington Post reports on the consequences of Trump administration withdrawing billions from research budgets, affecting HIV, cancer, and other clinical trials.

  • Allison Chu (Washington Post) [09:06]: “Starting in sort of around late February... we started to see a lot of funding being cut from health research... related to HIV or cancer, other infectious diseases.”
  • More than 100 grants (cancer, HIV) were canceled; 1 in 30 clinical trials was disrupted, impacting tens of thousands.

• Real-life impact:

  • Studies focusing on PrEP for HIV prevention among black and Hispanic men, and mental health in the LGBTQ community, lost funding—even causing clinics to close. [10:03]

  • Even when funding resumes, disruptions can harm the consistency and reliability of medical trials.

  • Chu [10:43]: “When there's pauses, people aren't receiving the medication... You could lose trial participants, which can ultimately make it more difficult to develop vaccines, antivirals and treatments over years to come.”

• The Department of Health and Human Services called the Post’s analysis selective; Congress is pushing back, with the latest budget proposals rejecting Trump’s NIH cuts.

  • Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) [11:53]: “...You try as a senator to pick one or two areas and really make a difference. ... 60% increase in NIH research over the last 10 years. You've wiped it out.”

Quick News Updates

[12:28–14:35]

Supreme Court and Texas Gerrymandering

• The Supreme Court allows Texas to use controversial congressional maps that favor Republicans, adding up to five seats.

Eurovision Song Contest Boycott

• Multiple countries boycott Eurovision due to Israel’s inclusion amid the Gaza war; major acts from Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands will not participate.

Apple Podcasts Show of the Year

• “The Rest Is History” wins Show of the Year, with hosts reflecting on the historic meeting between Aztecs and Spanish conquistadors.
  • Tom Holland [14:35]: “What you are seeing there is two previously hermetically sealed ways of being human, clashing with one another with the consequences that we know.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jim Himes [01:00]: “What I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service.”
• Tom Cotton [01:19]: “I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat loaded with drugs... so they could stay in the fight.”
• Megan Messerly [03:22]: “There’s 14, 15,000 troops stationed in the area, more than a dozen warships. I mean, this is the kind of reality that would have been unthinkable... back in January.”
• Adam Crafton [06:12]: “They became close during his first presidency... Infantino was still introducing him at events at Davos, calling him a fighter.”
• Allison Chu [09:06]: “We started to see a lot of funding being cut from health research in many cases related to HIV or cancer, other infectious diseases.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:34–05:22]: Trump’s military strikes and MAGA reaction
• [05:22–08:36]: Trump, FIFA, and the World Cup
• [08:54–12:13]: Science research cuts and their fallout
• [12:28–13:57]: Supreme Court and Eurovision headlines
• [13:57–14:35]: Apple Podcasts’ Show of the Year

This episode paints a nuanced portrait of evolving Trump-era priorities, Republican and MAGA realignments on military policy, behind-the-scenes international alliances, and big-picture consequences of funding cutbacks in American science and health. The reporting is brisk and accessible, with direct input from journalists and decision-makers shaping the news.