Apple News Today – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Trump says he’s fixing the economy. Voters are still unhappy.
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Gideon Reznick (in for Shumita Basu)

Overview of Main Theme

This episode covers President Trump’s primetime address on the economy, his administration’s attempts to handle public dissatisfaction with high living costs, and the political challenges arising from economic realities. The episode also explores efforts to free a convicted MAGA loyalist, the unveiling of a new Capitol statue honoring civil rights trailblazer Barbara Rose Johns, significant developments in healthcare and NASA leadership, and the Oscars’ move to YouTube.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump's Economic Address: Voters Unconvinced

• [00:30] President Trump delivered a primetime address focused on the U.S. economy.
• He blamed Democrats for prior economic woes and credited his administration for rapidly lowering prices.
  • Quote: “We’re bringing our economy back from the brink of ruin… I am bringing those high prices down and bringing them down very fast.” – President Trump [00:42]
• Trump asserted he revitalized the country within a year:
  • Quote: “One year ago, our country was dead. …Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world.” – President Trump [01:06]
• Despite these claims, widespread voter dissatisfaction over cost of living persists.
• Trump’s prior strength on the economy has become a political liability amidst persistent inflation.
• Guest Analysis:
  • Jacob Bogage (Washington Post): Explained that presidents have limited tools to lower consumer costs, and Trump may have overpromised on economic results.
    • Quote: “There actually isn’t very much the president can do to lower consumer costs by himself.” – Jacob Bogage [01:43]

2. Economic Data & Political Challenges

• [02:03] Latest polls: Only 36% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the economy (lowest mark during his two terms).
• Economic indicators show rising prices during Trump’s first year back in office.
• Recent White House measures include:
  • Rolling back tariffs on groceries (Brazilian coffee & beef) [02:26]
  • Plans to lower weight-loss drug prices
  • Relaxing fuel efficiency rules for cheaper cars [02:32]
  • Announcing checks for US military members [02:38]
• Ongoing messaging from Trump, VP J.D. Vance, and Republicans to project action on affordability [02:44–02:49]
• Persistent Voter Gloom:
  • Quote: “They feel the economy legitimately is on pretty steady footing… yet they’re not getting credit for it.” – Jacob Bogage [03:04]
• Recent jobs numbers: 64,000 jobs added in November, but 105,000 lost in October. Unemployment rose to 4.6%. [03:23–03:31]
  • Bogage: “They ran for office by promising these instant economic results… now that they can’t achieve them because they promised some impossible results. How do you put the genie back in the bottle?” [03:39]

3. The Tina Peters Case: Pardons and Politics

• [04:17] Trump has granted over 1,700 pardons but is unable to free Tina Peters, a Colorado official convicted of tampering with voting equipment post-2020 election (state, not federal, charges).
• Judge’s memorable quote:
  • “You are no hero. You abused your position and you’re a charlatan… peddle a snake oil that’s been proven to be junk time and time again.” [04:40]
• Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (The Atlantic): Details Peters’ downfall and her subsequent prison sentence.
• Peters insists on her innocence and compares her plight to a calling:
  • Quote: “I believe I’m a child of God and I believe that it was important for someone to stand up, and I chose to do that.” – Tina Peters [05:42]
• Trump has pressured Colorado’s Democratic governor Jared Polis for a pardon, and instructed federal agencies to intercede; all efforts have failed.
  • Trump: “The poorly run state of Colorado with a governor who’s incompetent… won’t allow our wonderful Tina to come out of jail.” [06:15]
• Local Republicans mixed on support:
  • Quote: “…you do the crime, you do the time, and she did the crime.” – Republican source via Yvonne Wingett Sanchez [07:14]
• Peters is appealing her conviction, referencing Trump’s (symbolic) “pardon” in court.

4. Barbara Rose Johns: A New Statue at the Capitol

• [08:04] Barbara Rose Johns (16-year-old civil rights activist) honored with a new statue in Emancipation Hall.
• Led a pivotal student walkout in 1951 for equal schooling in Farmville, Virginia; her case helped end school segregation (Brown v. Board of Education).
  • Mike Johnson (House Speaker): “Today we are here to honor one of America’s true trailblazers… Barbara Rose Johns.” [08:26]
  • Rachel Treisman (NPR): Details Johns’ life and activism in context of shifting which historical figures are honored in the Capitol:
    • Virginia removed Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s statue to install Johns’ [09:31–09:39]
    • Quote: “Classrooms were in these freestanding tar paper shacks… no plumbing or heat…” [09:50, Treisman]
    • Joan Johns Cobbs (Barbara’s sister): Recalls the shock and resolve behind the walkout:
      • Quote: “I remember her saying that our parents had tried to get a new school and… the only way… was for us to walk out.” [10:27]
  • The strike drew NAACP support and fed into the landmark Supreme Court case.
• Timing of the statue’s unveiling is notable amid a White House push to reinstate Confederate monuments.
  • Quote: “We don’t see a lot of Confederate statues being replaced in 2025… because now under the second Trump administration, there is sort of this push from the White House to reinstall some of those Confederate statues…” – Rachel Treisman [11:33]

5. Other Notable Stories

Health Care Showdown in Congress

• [12:29] Four Republicans defected, joining Democrats in a petition to force a floor vote restoring ACA subsidies—prime example of House GOP fissures.
  • Bill passed the House but faces Senate opposition.
  • Johnson: “I have not lost control of the House.” [13:06]

NASA’s New Administrator

• [13:24] Jared Isaacman, billionaire astronaut with SpaceX ties, finally confirmed as NASA chief after Trump initially rescinded support over his donations and connections to Musk.
  • Observers concerned about potential conflicts of interest.
  • Isaacman pledged to resign private sector posts if confirmed. [14:05–14:18]

Oscars Move to YouTube

• [14:18] Oscars to stream exclusively on YouTube from 2029, ending its long ABC run.
  • Industry commentary:
    • “YouTube, broadcasting the Oscars is like shaking hands with the guy who’s trying to kill you.” – unnamed screenwriter [14:45]
  • Potential benefits: More time, less censorship, fewer orchestra cut-offs for speeches.

Noteworthy Quotes

• President Trump:
  • “We’re bringing our economy back from the brink of ruin.” [00:42]
  • “One year ago, our country was dead… now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world.” [01:06]
• Jacob Bogage (WaPo):
  • “There actually isn’t very much the president can do to lower consumer costs by himself.” [01:43]
  • “How do you put the genie back in the bottle there? You can’t do it.” [03:39]
• Judge (Tina Peters trial):
  • “You are no hero… you abused your position…” [04:40]
• Tina Peters:
  • “I believe I’m a child of God and… it was important for someone to stand up…” [05:42]
• Joan Johns Cobbs:
  • “We all followed her out that day, even though… all of us were shocked.” [10:27]
• Screenwriter (Oscars/YouTube):
  • “YouTube, broadcasting the Oscars is like shaking hands with the guy who’s trying to kill you.” [14:45]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:30] Trump’s Economic Address
• [01:43] Political/Polling Analysis (Jacob Bogage)
• [02:24] White House Cost-of-Living Actions
• [03:23] Job Numbers & Unemployment
• [04:17] Trump’s Pardon Push for Tina Peters
• [08:04] Barbara Rose Johns Statue Unveiling
• [12:29] House Revolt on ACA Subsidies
• [13:24] NASA Administrator Confirmation
• [14:18] Oscars Move to YouTube

Tone & Language:
The episode maintains an analytical, fact-based tone with frequent use of direct quotes to both inform and illustrate the emotional climate surrounding the topics. There are notable moments of candor, especially regarding the futility of some political efforts and the symbolic significance of historical change.

For More Information:
Listeners can access all stories via the Apple News app. Narrated articles and further news updates are available through the service.