Apple News Today — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Why both parties are holding out as the shutdown drags on
Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Shumita Basu
Featured Guests: Siobhan Hughes (The Wall Street Journal), James Pogue (Vanity Fair), Jonathan D. Cohen (Author)

Overview

In this episode, host Shumita Basu unpacks the ongoing government shutdown, discussing why negotiations remain stalled as both parties hold their ground. The episode also touches on New York City's mayoral race, the financial realities behind sports betting, legal troubles for a former national security adviser, President Trump's latest statement on Gaza, and a cultural tidbit about Taylor Swift fans flocking to a German museum.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Government Shutdown Stalemate

[00:05–04:11]

• The government shutdown enters its 17th day, with President Trump halting grants for Democrat-run cities and significant airport staffing shortages.
• Federal workers face uncertain pay, and many have just received their final paycheck until the impasse is resolved.
• Siobhan Hughes (WSJ) explains both party perspectives:
  • Republican Position:
    Republicans claim they're following precedent, seeking a short-term funding bill with previous spending levels, blaming Democrats for attaching conditions.
    • "We're just trying to do what Democrats have done for decades..." — Siobhan Hughes [01:09]
  • Democratic Position:
    Democrats want guarantees on extended ACA health plan tax credits, arguing the pressure will shift to Republicans due to the high number of their constituencies reliant on these subsidies.
    • "A lot of these Affordable Care Act subsidies go to Republican constituencies..." — Siobhan Hughes [01:39]
  • Both sides believe they have the leverage to wait out the other.
  • Republicans: Say they'll negotiate after reopening government – a "non-starter" for Democrats.
  • Democrats: Skeptical any deal would be honored, given the OMB's history of firing workers and withholding funds.
    • "We need something really ironclad here and need the president to be on board." — Siobhan Hughes [02:26]
• President Trump:
  Has been largely disengaged, focusing on international affairs, using tactics like freezing infrastructure spending and targeting unionized federal workers.
  • "...he has put the bulk of his energy...on pressuring Democrats by doing things like freezing infrastructure spending..." — Siobhan Hughes [03:13]
• Impending Pressure Point:
  October 24, the first date when many federal workers won’t be paid at all.
  • "...this is the first paycheck when they will either be furloughed or else working without pay and could really feel money running dry." — Siobhan Hughes [03:42]

2. New York City Mayoral Race Upset

[04:11–07:32]

• Last night marked the first candidate debate for NYC’s mayoral race, marked by scandals, the collapse of a prominent re-election campaign, and the rise of Zahran Mamdani—a Democratic Socialist assembly member.
• Debate Highlight:
  • Cuomo accused Mamdani of not being a true Democrat.
    • "You're not a Democrat...you didn't vote for Kamala Harris, right?" — Andrew Cuomo [04:36]
  • Mamdani defended his record, stating primaries are for dissent.
    • "I said leave it blank in the presidential primary because primaries [are] a place to air dissent." — Zahran Mamdani [04:51]
• Mamdani's Impact:
  • Holds a double-digit poll lead.
  • His agenda: free childcare, free buses, rent freezes.
  • His unique background and criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza have drawn national attention.
  • James Pogue (Vanity Fair) describes Mamdani's celebrity-like appeal:
    • "[Mamdani] can walk down the street and you have people sort of melt...and you have people try to clutch the hem of his garment." — James Pogue [05:29]
  • Mamdani bridges support from immigrants, progressive "hipsters," and even some prior Cuomo base.
• Strategic Discipline:
  • Strictly on-message, sometimes evasive on topics outside his platform.
    • "He has an amazing and well trained ability to just sort of blather on about nothing, which is...an important skill in politics." — James Pogue [07:04]
  • National significance: Speculation on whether his model could be adopted more broadly by Democrats.
    • "...difficulty when someone like Bernie tries to run on populist politics and then gets caught up in culture. And I think that's going to be the big thing for testing whether or not a Zahran model can go national." — James Pogue [07:32]

3. The Truth About Sports Betting Profits

[08:02–10:06]

• Explosion in legal sports betting since 2018; expected to surpass $150 billion in 2025.
• Jonathan D. Cohen (Author of Losing America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling) explains:
  • Ordinary bettors usually lose a small fraction—90–95% of money is returned; profits (5–10%) go to sportsbooks and are taxed.
    • "Ordinary bettors are absolutely not making money." — Jonathan D. Cohen [08:41]
  • Taxed revenue for state programs is touted as a benefit, but the real payoff is comparatively small:
    • "It is, of course, a drop in the bucket." — Jonathan D. Cohen [09:17]
  • Industry's Profits:
    • 82% of revenue comes from just 3% of bettors.
    • Significant portion driven by VIPs and those affected by gambling addiction.
      • "82% of the revenue comes from just 3% of bettors. And some of those are VIP types...but some of them are just like guys who get caught up and have a period of addiction." — Jonathan D. Cohen [09:44]

4. Other Notable News and Pop Culture Moments

[10:06–End]

• John Bolton Indicted: Former national security adviser faces charges of mishandling classified information via unsecured emails later hacked by Iranian-linked actors.
• President Trump on Gaza: Issues a strong statement on Truth Social about potentially escalating American military involvement if Hamas kills more civilians.
  • "If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, quote, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them." — President Trump [paraphrased, post-10:06]
• Taylor Swift & Ophelia: Swift's song "The Fate of Ophelia" hits number one; fans flock to a German museum to see the painting that inspired her music video. Museum staff credit Swift with a new influx of visitors.
  • "...it's brought hundreds of additional visitors through their doors. It's a great opportunity to introduce people to the museum who aren't familiar with it." — Museum art director [paraphrased]

Notable Quotes

• "We're just trying to do what Democrats have done for decades..." — Siobhan Hughes [01:09]
• "A lot of these Affordable Care Act subsidies go to Republican constituencies..." — Siobhan Hughes [01:39]
• "We need something really ironclad here and need the president to be on board." — Siobhan Hughes [02:26]
• "You're not a Democrat...you didn't vote for Kamala Harris, right?" — Andrew Cuomo [04:36]
• "[Mamdani] can walk down the street and you have people sort of melt..." — James Pogue [05:29]
• "Ordinary bettors are absolutely not making money." — Jonathan D. Cohen [08:41]
• "82% of the revenue comes from just 3% of bettors..." — Jonathan D. Cohen [09:44]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:05] — Shutdown status update and introduction
• [01:09] — Siobhan Hughes on each party’s position
• [02:26] — Democrats' mistrust and demand for guarantees
• [03:13] — Trump’s “hands-off” role and pressure tactics
• [03:42] — Potential crisis point for federal workers
• [04:36] — Debate fireworks and Mamdani’s platform
• [05:29] — Pogue on Mamdani’s celebrity status
• [07:04] — Campaign discipline and national implications
• [08:41] — Cohen’s analysis of sports betting
• [09:44] — Problem gambling and where the industry's profits come from
• [10:06] — Bolton indictment, Trump on Gaza, Taylor Swift museum boom

Tone and Style

The episode blends journalistic clarity with conversational analysis and includes insightful guest commentary, memorable debate moments, and pop culture tie-ins. Reporting is balanced and accessible, offering both policy background and human-interest angles.

For Further Listening

• Full interview with Jonathan D. Cohen on sports gambling issues (available in Apple News after-show)
• Coverage and analysis of the NYC mayoral race and the government shutdown available in the Apple News app