Apple News Today: How Worried Should You Be About Bird Flu?
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Host: Shemitah Basu
USAID Under Siege: Elon Musk and Trump's Assault on Foreign Aid
The episode opens with a dramatic account of recent turmoil at USAID, the U.S. Agency for International Development. Over the weekend, Elon Musk's team entered USAID's headquarters, declaring intentions to shut down the agency. This sudden move led to staff receiving late-night emails instructing them not to report to work on Monday. When Democratic lawmakers attempted to assess the situation, they were initially blocked by federal officers.
Representative Jamie Raskin expressed concern over the actions taken against USAID employees:
"[01:07] Jamie Raskin: 'I represent thousands of federal workers, and a lot of them work in foreign aid and at USAID. [...] it's an attempt, really, to shut down an essential government function.'"
Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded by positioning himself as the acting administrator of USAID, despite its status as an independent agency for six decades. Rubio suggested that rather than a full shutdown, USAID's functions should undergo significant restructuring.
Democratic Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii announced plans to block all of Trump's State Department nominees, aiming to hinder the administration's efforts to dismantle foreign aid agencies:
"[03:45] Donald Trump: 'This is a constitutional crisis that we are in today. [...] The people get to decide how their taxpayer money is spent. Elon Musk does not get to decide.'"
Trump's Attack on USAID: Radical Lunatics and Budget Cuts
President Donald Trump continued his critique of USAID, labeling the agency as run by "a bunch of radical lunatics":
"[02:29] Donald Trump: 'It's been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we're getting them out.'"
Despite USAID accounting for less than 1% of the federal budget with over $40 billion handled in the 2023 fiscal year, Trump's administration, supported by Musk, is targeting the agency for slashing federal spending. Musk has alleged that USAID is "corrupt and wasteful," though these claims lack substantiated evidence.
Elon Musk's Influence and the Trump Administration's Moves
Elon Musk's intervention echoes his previous management style seen with his acquisition of Twitter. Jess Craig, a fellow at Vox, draws parallels between the two:
"[04:16] Jess Craig: 'We're really watching the Twitter playbook play out here. [...] We're seeing this play out now in the federal government. From Elon Musk.'"
Under Trump's directives, over 10,000 USAID employees across more than 100 countries are now targets in a broader campaign to reduce American foreign aid. This includes the recent halting of programs that supplied heat and electricity to Ukrainian refugees and disease monitoring in Africa. ProPublica describes this as potentially the most significant shift in U.S. humanitarian policy since the Marshall Plan, highlighting the immediate dangers faced by aid workers on the ground, such as those in Sudan who had to choose between following orders or risking the lives of malnourished children.
Tariffs and Trade: Trump's Economic Strategy
Shifting focus to trade policy, President Trump reinstated a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to retaliate with its own tariffs and restrictions on American products. This move followed Trump's initial retreat from tariff threats against Canada and Mexico—two of the U.S.'s largest trading partners. The tariffs against Canada and Mexico have been paused for 30 days to allow mediators to negotiate future steps, with Canada and Mexico already agreeing to some concessions on border security.
Trump frequently references the 25th President, William McKinley, praising his tariff policies:
"[06:25] Donald Trump: 'President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs [...] He was the tariff king.'"
However, historians caution that Trump's portrayal of McKinley's economic success is incomplete. While McKinley did implement significant tariff hikes, the U.S. economy was experiencing steady growth before, during, and after his presidency, driven by factors like technological advancements, unrestricted immigration, and increased banking activities. Moreover, McKinley's tariffs were unpopular among consumers, leading to Republican losses in subsequent elections. Unlike McKinley, who used tariffs as incentives for mutual trade reductions, Trump appears to employ them more as tools for coercion.
Bird Flu Outbreak: Impacts on Agriculture and Public Health
Transitioning to public health, the episode addresses the recent surge in bird flu cases across the United States. Jess Craig explains the ramifications:
"[09:33] Jess Craig: 'When bird flu is detected on a farm, [...] they have to be shut down, cleaned, decontaminated.'"
The outbreak has affected over 13 million birds nationwide, leading to significant shortages and price hikes, such as egg prices doubling from approximately $2.50 to over $4 per carton. Beyond poultry, bird flu has begun affecting cows and, more alarmingly, humans. The CDC reports dozens of human cases, including a fatality in Louisiana, marking the first human death in the U.S. attributed to bird flu.
Despite these concerning developments, Jess Craig reassures listeners about the low risk of bird flu to the general population:
"[10:40] Jess Craig: 'For the most part, the risk of bird flu to most people is very low.'"
Preventative measures like pasteurizing milk and thoroughly cooking eggs and meat effectively mitigate the risk. However, challenges persist, including farmer skepticism and reluctance to report infections, which complicates containment efforts.
Additional Headlines
International Diplomacy: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with President Trump, marking the first meeting with a foreign leader since Trump's return to office. Key discussion points include the implementation of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the potential opening of diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu faces internal political pressure from allies who favor continuing the military campaign against Hamas.
Legal Proceedings in Spain: In Spain, former soccer official Luis Rubiales stands trial for forcibly kissing a female player during the 2023 Women's World Cup victory celebration. The prosecution seeks a one-year prison sentence for sexual assault and an additional year and a half for coercion, alleging that Rubiales and his colleagues pressured the player into claiming the kiss was consensual. Rubiales denies these allegations, while the victim, Jenny Hermoso, has relocated to Mexico following death threats.
Sports Business: As the Super Bowl approaches, the potential three-peat victory by the Kansas City Chiefs faces a legal consideration regarding the use of the term "three peat." Pat Riley, a Miami Heat minority owner and NBA legend, holds the trademark for "three peat" and its variations. Ownership of this trademark means that merchandise bearing the term would require licensing fees, a strategy Riley successfully employed during the Chicago Bulls' three-peat victories in the 1990s.
Conclusion
Shemitah Basu wraps up the episode by directing listeners to the Apple News app for more stories, including a feature on actor Adrien Brody by Vogue and additional content available on the Apple News app and podcast platform.
Notable Quotes:
- Jamie Raskin ([01:07]): "It's an attempt, really, to shut down an essential government function."
- Donald Trump ([02:29]): "It's been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we're getting them out."
- Jess Craig ([04:16]): "We're really watching the Twitter playbook play out here. [...] From Elon Musk."
- Donald Trump ([06:25]): "President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs [...] He was the tariff king."
- Jess Craig ([10:40]): "For the most part, the risk of bird flu to most people is very low."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the February 4, 2025 episode of Apple News Today, providing a clear overview for listeners and those who missed the broadcast.