Apple News Today: Episode Summary Episode: What Trump’s Early Actions Mean for Public Health
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Host: Shemitah Basu

Donald Trump's Shift in America's Public Health Priorities

Shemitah Basu begins the episode by outlining significant changes initiated by former President Donald Trump impacting America's public health landscape:

• Communication Blockades: Trump has temporarily blocked officials from the Health and Human Services (HHS), CDC, FDA, and NIH from communicating with the public until at least February 1st.

• Censorship of Abortion Information: The administration has scrubbed information about abortion from federal health websites and shut down a website created by the Biden administration dedicated to reproductive rights and resources.

• Halt on HIV/AIDS Programs: Trump has halted the PEPFAR program, which distributes HIV medications in poorer countries, instructing organizations on the ground to cease distribution even for already purchased medications.

• Withdrawal from WHO: Trump has announced plans to pull the United States out of the World Health Organization (WHO), with US public health officials instructed to stop collaborating with the organization immediately.

Expert Insights

Dan Diamond, Washington Post White House reporter, provides a critical perspective on these actions:

• Importance of WHO: At [01:52], Diamond emphasizes the WHO's role in identifying global health threats, citing its instrumental efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as sharing data and facilitating vaccine development.

• Trump's Criticism of WHO: At [02:12], Diamond explains Trump's rationale, including his blaming of the WHO for the delayed identification of COVID-19 threats in China and accusing the organization of being overly deferential to Chinese experts.

• Consequences of Withdrawal: Diamond warns at [03:03] that leaving the WHO could be catastrophic for global health and stresses that while some experts advocate for reforms within the WHO to address perceived bureaucratic inefficiencies and favoritism towards China, the consensus is against the US complete withdrawal.

• Potential for Rejoining: At [03:40], Diamond speculates that Trump might consider rejoining the WHO if significant reforms are made, possibly along the lines of the US providing less financial support.

Political Developments

Shemitah Basu notes that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been nominated by Trump to lead HHS, a position pivotal for executing Trump's domestic health agenda. Senators are preparing to question him in confirmation hearings starting the following day.

Palestinians Return to a Devastated Gaza

The episode shifts focus to Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians are beginning to return amidst extensive destruction:

• Destruction in Gaza: Anas Baba, an NPR producer, reports from Rafah in southern Gaza, describing the obliteration of infrastructure:

  “[04:44] Anas Baba: This street was called Paris street in Rafah. By now, it seems that the Israeli bombardment left nothing... water pipes, every single thing that's needed for a human in order to be inhabited in place is lacking here in Rafah.”

• Personal Accounts: Baba himself is among those returning to Gaza City. He shares the emotional experience of reuniting with loved ones:

  “[05:17] Anas Baba: I only want to move to my house together... after all of that patience, after all of that missing for Gaza City. Now we've been reunited again.”

Trump's Stance and Palestinian Response

President Trump has advocated for Palestinians to leave Gaza, urging Jordan and Egypt to accept them as refugees to "clean out that whole thing." This stance has been met with strong resistance:

• Palestinian Rejection: A Palestinian man responds to Trump's comments:

  “[05:57] Palestinian Man: We don't want to immigrate. Why should we do that? If we wanted to immigrate, we could have done that a long time ago.”

• Regional Leaders' Opposition: Both Egypt and Jordan have rejected Trump's proposal, as has the Palestinian Authority. The idea of relocating Palestinians en masse has historical precedents among far-right members of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's government but lacks support from broader political actors.

Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies

Israel plans to shut down the UNRWA operations in Gaza, the primary aid agency for Palestinians, following the dismissal of nine staff members over alleged involvement in the October 7 attack on Israel. This move threatens the flow of humanitarian aid:

• Aid Disruption: The United Nations has yet to establish a contingency plan to maintain aid delivery, jeopardizing the requirement of at least 600 truckloads of humanitarian aid entering Gaza daily to comply with the ceasefire agreement.

New York City's Preparations for Immigration Raids and Deportations

The episode highlights New York City's strategic responses to potential immigration raids under Trump's deportation crackdown:

• Surge in Migrants: Since 2022, over 200,000 migrants have arrived in New York City, including more than 40,000 children. Local hotels have been repurposed into shelters to accommodate these arrivals.

• Fear Among Immigrants: Gwen Hogan, a local reporter, describes the palpable fear among immigrant families:

  “[08:14] Gwen Hogan: People are terrified of being separated... 'It's just too soon to know exactly how this is going to play out. But the fear is very real and it's changing people's day to days.'”

• Immigration Enforcement: Last week, the Trump administration authorized ICE to conduct raids in previously off-limits locations such as schools and hospitals. Hogan recounts interactions with parents who are anxious about their children's safety:

  “[08:55] Gwen Hogan: A father sent his kids with copies of their asylum applications... 'I was panicking. I didn't know if something happened to them.' Thankfully, they were fine, but the anxiety remains.”

Official Preparations and Political Dynamics

City officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, have been proactive in preparing for potential ICE encounters:

• Training and Protocols: Hogan explains the measures taken:

  “[09:20] Gwen Hogan: They’ve conducted trainings for principals and teachers... ensuring that any immigration enforcement requires a judicial warrant and legal review before allowing entry into buildings.”

• Mayor Adams' Position: Despite being a Democrat, Adams has been seen aligning with Trump recently, including meeting with him and attending his inauguration. He addresses community concerns by affirming commitment to protect both documented and undocumented students:

  “Mayor Adams says all kids should go to school and the city would protect them... In a local TV interview, he mentioned that potential raids would only target individuals accused of criminal behavior.”

• Public Opinion: The city's diverse population reflects mixed sentiments, balancing accommodation for migrants with concerns over stretched resources.

Other Notable Stories

Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek Disrupts American Markets

• DeepSeek's Rise: The Chinese startup DeepSeek released AI models comparable or superior to leading American technologies, notably surpassing ChatGPT in Apple's App Store.

• Market Impact: This development triggered a significant sell-off in tech stocks, particularly affecting Nvidia, whose shares plummeted by up to 18% ([timestamp not specified]).

• Censorship Concerns: American users discovered extensive censorship within DeepSeek, including real-time deletions of responses related to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown:

  “One user captured Deep Seek deleting a response in real time about Chinese President Xi Jinping... unable to answer questions about Tiananmen Square.”

The Four-Day Work Week Gains Traction in the UK

• Pilot Programs: The UK is witnessing a growing interest in reducing the workweek to four days without loss of pay. The Guardian reports that around 1,000 workers are participating in the latest pilot program by the Four Day Week Campaign.

• Permanent Changes: Over 200 businesses in the UK have already adopted the four-day workweek permanently. Pilot results will be presented to the UK’s new Labour government in hopes of inspiring broader reforms.

AG1 Supplement's Popularity and Scrutiny

• Widespread Adoption: AG1, a diet supplement promoted heavily by influencers and celebrities, is set to expand into vending machines and grocery stores nationwide.

• Health Claims Under Review: While AG1's CEO asserts the company conducts rigorous clinical studies, nutritional scientists argue that its formula lacks scientific rigor and is essentially an expensive multivitamin.

• Cost and Accessibility: The supplement costs approximately $100 per month, raising questions about its value proposition versus traditional multivitamins.

  “[12:47] Dan Diamond: AG1 provides all of my foundational nutritional needs. It provides insurance.”

Conclusion

Shemitah Basu encapsulates the diverse range of topics covered in this episode, from Trump's controversial public health policies and their global repercussions to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the evolving immigration landscape in New York City. Additionally, the episode delves into significant technological disruptions and societal trends, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of current events shaping the world.

For more detailed stories and updates, listeners are encouraged to explore the Apple News app and follow Apple News Narrated on the Podcasts app.