
Loading summary
Commercial Narrator
Before the trophy and bragging rights are rightfully yours. Before your sleeper turns. In a season no one saw coming, before stats and projections turn into points on the board and your lineup falls perfectly into place, you flip the lid on a can of on nicotine pouches. And as you make your first pick, you know this is the season where fantasy's going to surpass reality. It's on products for tobacco consumers 21 years of age or older. Warning, this product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. The holidays mean more travel, more shopping.
Mike Calia
More time online and more personal info.
Commercial Narrator
In more places that could expose you more to identity theft. But LifeLock monitors millions of data points per second. If your identity is stolen, our US Based restoration specialists will fix it, guaranteed your money back. Don't face drained accounts, fraudulent loans or financial losses alone. Get more holiday fun and less Holiday worry with LifeLock. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit LifeLock.com SpecialOffer terms apply.
Yasmin Bisugin
Hey, everybody. Welcome to here's the Script from NBC News. I'm Yasmin Bissugin. Coming up on the podcast today, international visitors may have to disclose their social media histories before entering the United States. We're going to tell you about the Trump administration's new plan. Plus, Miami has a Democratic mayor for the first time in 30 years. And we say goodbye to the author who brought us the iconic Shopaholic series. Up first, though, in its final meeting of 2025, the Federal Reserve says it is lowering interest rates by a quarter of a point, its third rate cut this year. The move could make it cheaper for average Americans who hold a mortgage, have credit card debt, or need to take out or refinance a personal loan. It would also help businesses borrow at lower rates. Investors were glued to this Fed meeting because policymakers went in unusually split. Should they prioritize signs of a weakening job market or stay laser focused on on trying to bring inflation down? Adding to this whole problem, the Fed is basically working in a data blackout, a hangover from the federal shutdown. I want to bring in NBC News managing editor for business and the economy Mike Calia to help us break this all down. Hi, Mike.
Mike Calia
Hi, Yasmine.
Yasmin Bisugin
Had you on a lot the last couple of days.
Mike Calia
Well, you know, we cover it all.
Yasmin Bisugin
Hollywood, Hollywood, the Fed, food, what's next? Whatever comes next. We heard reports that, that going into this Fed meeting today and this vote on a potential interest rate cut, that the members were split and the vote kind of reflected that.
Mike Calia
The Fed's policy setting committee, also known as The FOMC usually tries to work toward consensus, and that's the job of the Fed chair, in this case, Jerome Powell. But there have been cracks showing in this consensus, and a lot of that is because of political pressure from President Trump. He, he recently was able to appoint a governor who's more sympathetic to his desire for deeper rate cuts. So that's kind of thrown things off, but it is an uncertain economy at this point. It's chugging along. Consumer spending is high, but mainly on the higher end. The lower end, we're seeing more difficulties. Hiring is slowing. So there were people who came into this meeting and, and they voted to hold the rate steady. And then Stephen Myron, Trump's most recent appointee, voted for a half point cut.
Yasmin Bisugin
Right.
Mike Calia
Which would, you know, it's not huge, but it's unusual for the Fed to move more than a quarter point as they did here, unless in times of crisis.
Yasmin Bisugin
Right. Going into this meeting, normally they would have a slew of information that they could dig into to understand where we are on the economy and whether or not it was prudent to decrease the interest rates. But they were missing a whole month, plus at this point, of information of official government data because of the government shutdown. How did that contribute to the decision and what did Powell have to say about it?
Mike Calia
Yeah, there's a lot of uncertainty because of that. So the Fed and others have had to look at private people, sources of information.
Yasmin Bisugin
So they're farming October. They're farming October information from private companies, essentially. But doesn't that change the game? And how do they trust the data?
Mike Calia
It does change the game. They're being very cautious. Sure, they cut three times in a row, but these are small cuts, quarter point. They're only projecting one cut all of next year, so that reflects that caution.
Yasmin Bisugin
But in spite of all of what you just said, they still made the decision to, in fact, cut interest rates by a quarter of a point. Right. What is that actually telling us about the state of the economy and how the Fed is thinking, I should say.
Mike Calia
So they're focused on the job market right now, the unemployment rate as of September, because again, we don't have that October data is 4.4%. That is kind of historically low, but it is the result of a slight ticking up over time. And in fact, the Fed today, in their statement, hedged a little bit more and took out some language that said unemployment was up slightly. They just said it was up. Even the government data before the shutdown and the blackout from that was showing a Shaky job market. People aren't really moving too much between jobs. You also have immigration crackdown, taking people out of the workforce. That's part of the reason why the, the unemployment rate isn't even higher. And Powell today said, you know, the average we've been seeing since April, according to the data, is 60,000 jobs added per month since then. But he said, we think based on our analysis, it's probably more like 20,000 jobs lost every month since then. But again, you know, the data is so fuzzy at this point. We'll get a better, better grip on things next week when we get that data. And then the Fed meets again toward the end of January.
Yasmin Bisugin
Can we bring this back down to earth? How does this affect the folks that are worried about putting food on the table, that are worried about job security right now, which is a lot of people? I mean, we have done repeated podcasts about how folks are. There's the feels and there's the reals. So how is this affecting them?
Mike Calia
So.
As my great colleague Christine Romans pointed out, these rate cuts take a while to work through the system. So even though we've had one in September, October, and now in December, it still takes a while. And they're incremental rate cuts. So people will see some relief on their credit card bills, car payments, things like that. But these cuts are geared more toward business, spurring business activity, hiring, spending on improvements at business growth, which leads to more employment.
Yasmin Bisugin
You talk about Jerome Powell and how they have mentioned the fact that they may only do one cut next year. The issue with that is Powell's term is up in May 15, six months.
Mike Calia
May 15, yes.
Yasmin Bisugin
Right. So how could that change?
Mike Calia
Well, funny you should mention that. So, yeah, there are three more Fed meetings under Powell's watch. As chair, he would still be a governor on the Fed board and could stick around until 2028, January 2028, and vote and be a part of. President Trump has made it clear that he does not want Powell in charge of the Fed. And in fact, President Trump's top economic adviser today, Kevin Hassett, said we'll know in about one or two weeks who he's picking to replace Powell come June, which will be the first FOMC meeting after Powell is done with his term as chair. Who's to say we don't see more cuts, deeper cuts? President Trump said the other day that it is a litmus test for him about how willing his next Fed chair would be to cut rates. Trump wants rates cut a lot.
Yasmin Bisugin
And how low does the president want to Go. How much does he want to cut interest rates?
Mike Calia
So the president has said in the past that he would want to cut three full percentage points, maybe bring it under 1%, which, frankly, would be a dramatic move. And that usually happens in a time of economic calamity. Last time that happened was during COVID when the Fed wanted to really, like, support.
The economy. And then the previous time was during the economic crisis of 2008, 2009, the Fed acted. Ben Bernanke, who was the chair at the time, acted dramatically. They had emergency meetings. They cut rates dramatically because, again, the economy was on shaky ground.
Yasmin Bisugin
But the president thinks the economy is on fire right now. A plus plus plus plus plus.
Mike Calia
Exactly. I mean, that's five pluses.
Yasmin Bisugin
I mean, I did five.
Mike Calia
I was a good student. I never did five, though. Okay.
Yasmin Bisugin
But I never got that good of a grade.
Mike Calia
But again, yeah. And that's one of the reasons why Trump's push for, like, dramatically lower rate cuts leaves a lot of people scratching heads like he. If you think the economy is doing great and it's the best, it's the hottest country. We're the hottest country in the world. Why would you mess with that? Right? But to Trump, he sees more. He sees more potential for driving economic activity. He's a real estate guy. He loves low interest rates, more building, more development. He dismisses concerns about inflation. He says it would never happen.
Economists would disagree.
Yasmin Bisugin
Mike Kalia, thank you.
Mike Calia
My pleasure.
Yasmin Bisugin
All right, we are gonna take a very quick break. And when we are back, the Trump administration's plan to check tourists Instagrams before letting them into the country. That's in a minute.
Commercial Narrator
Before the trophy and bragging rights are rightfully yours. Before your sleeper turns In a season no one saw coming before stats and projections turn into points on the board and your lineup falls perfectly into place, you flip the lid on a can of on nicotine pouches. And as you make your first pick, you know this is the season where fantasy's going to surpass reality. It's on products for tobacco consumers 21 years of age or older. Warning, this product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.
Julia Ainsley
Hi there.
Yasmin Bisugin
And happy holidays.
Commercial Narrator
Or as I like to say, Holly Yays. It's Craig and Savannah from the Today show inviting you to spend the holiday season with us.
Yasmin Bisugin
We're spreading holiday cheer with special live.
Julia Ainsley
Performances from Gwen Stefani, Lady A, and Brad Paisley.
Yasmin Bisugin
Plus, some of Hollywood's biggest stars.
Julia Ainsley
Stop by for our annual toy drive. It's the most wonderful time of the.
Commercial Narrator
Year, and there's no better way to spend it than with the Today show family every morning on NBC, from our.
Yasmin Bisugin
Family to yours, Happy holidays.
Commercial Narrator
This week only on MEET THE press. With growing questions over the military's lethal strikes on alleged drug boats and rising concerns over the affordability crisis. Kristen Welker sits down with Senators Tom Cotton and Adam Schiff and Congressman James Clyburn this week only on MEET THE press. Listen to the full episode now, wherever you get your podcasts.
Yasmin Bisugin
Welcome back to here's this group from NBC News. Foreign visitors to the United States may soon have to share their social media along with their passport information. The Trump administration has a new proposal by Customs and Border Protection that would require international tourists to include five years of social media history when applying to come into the country. And it's for all travelers, including those that are visa exempt. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to your request for comment. D.C. news Senior Homeland Security correspondent Julia Ainslie has been reporting on the story and is with us now. Hi, Julia.
Julia Ainsley
Hi, Yasmin. Thanks for having me.
Yasmin Bisugin
I know we got a lot of questions on this and not a lot of answers, but I think it's important for folks to break down what we do know here. And if you would, Julia, take us through these kind of proposed rules and how this could potentially work if in fact it gets through.
Julia Ainsley
It was a proposal put out last night on the Federal Register. That's the place the federal government can put out a policy change that they're thinking about that they believe is within their jurisdiction. But it allows any stakeholders, whether they be members of the public or companies or anyone who says they might be affected by a new rule, to be able to weigh in and to comment. And that's where this stands now. So we have at least 60 days of commenting and then the federal government would move forward based on what is in this proposal that came out and it took a lot of people by surprise, including people at DHS and inside the State Department, is this applies to nationals of more than 40 countries that are part of the United States visa waiver program. That includes countries like Great Britain and France and other countries that the United States has deemed to basically be a low threat and so that they don't need a visa to enter our country, but they do have to input some information into our databases ahead their travel to the United States. The name of that form is esta. And now that website's going to start. If this proposal does become policy, acquiring more information, it would require email addresses of family members, dates of birth, of family members, physical addresses, a lot of stuff that goes beyond individual traveler and out to their networks, but will also involve social media. Social media is something that's already been scanned in the past. I remember talking about this during the Obama administration administration when they wanted to try to screen out anyone who might possibly be affiliated with isis. But this proposal does not say what content would be flagged and used to make someone inadmissible to the United States. And right now, that is all an open question.
Yasmin Bisugin
Let's take a step back for a moment, because how would they come to understand your social media content in the first place? Would this require you uploading, for instance, your Instagram handle?
Julia Ainsley
So that part is unclear. I can read you this exact language on social media where they don't actually say, we need your screenshots, but it just says cbp, Customs and Border Protection is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an ESTA application. The data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last five years. But does that mean everything they posted, everything they liked or simply the name of their account on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, what have you? That's not clear. And when I asked CBP and DHS for more details, all I'm getting back is this is still a proposal. We don't have anything to share with you yet.
Yasmin Bisugin
Julia. I know that we've had some clues in the past as to things that have happened so far when it comes to social media and allowing folks in with visas. What could we point to to possibly figure out what the bar could be if, in fact this thing gets across the finish line?
Julia Ainsley
Well, I think a lot of people are thinking of the example earlier this year where there was a traveler coming in with a kind of doctored, goofy version of Vice President J.D. vance, where his face was blown up, his eyes were all large. It's something the vice president actually made fun of this year and made it his own Halloween costume. But the keeper of that photo was a Norwegian tourist that claimed that he was denied entry to the United States because of that meme. Now, the US Said it was because of drug use, so they never came down to say, this is our new policy. You can't have anything on your phone that is derogatory of anyone in the Trump administration. So this is a place where the government has not drawn a firm line. But what is so ripe for her legal challenge is the idea of interrupting trade and commerce. That would be a place where they could be challenged, that they've actually done harm and that they haven't been able to base it on any real good.
Yasmin Bisugin
Julia, talking about trade and commerce, earlier this year, the World Travel and Tourism council projected the US was on track to lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending. How much of a deterrent could this be if it goes through for international travelers coming here?
Julia Ainsley
That's a startling figure. I didn't even know that. I mean, I think you would also have to look at this in conjunction with other policies. One thing in this case I do think we need to underline is that we wouldn't expect a policy like this, at least the way it's written now, to end in people who were already in the United States being blocked in an airport. This looks like all of that work would be done pre travel, and that could have a very real impact on tourism. But it's more of a matter of would they be denied before they even can purchase their ticket or get on an airplane?
Yasmin Bisugin
Last week we did a story, obviously on the World Cup. FIFA World cup events are being hosted by the United states here in 2026. Is the US prepared for these kinds of screening measures with the influx of potential folks coming for those events?
Julia Ainsley
I'm so glad you asked about that, Yasmin, because as soon as this proposal came out last night, I can't tell you how many people started with one question and it's what about World Cup? Because this administration actually did some pretty good things to start preparations for the World cup very early on. They set up a task force and they've done a lot for security and setting up to make sure everyone feels safe. The part that has been the big question mark even before this policy came out is would people be able to get into the United States to see the games if they wanted to? And they did set up a FIFA fast pass system where you could apply for a visa that's very specific to World cup visitors. With the something like this being added, the question is, will visitors to the World cup now have to hand over five years of social media in order to come see their team? And I will tell you that Customs and Border Protection have asked them three times over the past now, let's see, 15, 17 hours. And each time they say they are looking into it. And the spokeswoman for DHS says that none of those questions can be answered at this point because this is still a proposal and nothing has been finalized.
Yasmin Bisugin
Julia Ainsley, thank you.
Julia Ainsley
Thank you.
Yasmin Bisugin
All right, let's get to some headlines. President Donald Trump says the US military has seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast, calling it, quote, the largest tanker ever seized by American forces. Trump provided few details about the operation, but described it as part of a quote, interesting day with more developments potentially ahead. This follows Trump's recent statement that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's, quote, days are numbered and comes amidst a month long military buildup up in the Caribbean. The Trump administration has intensified operations against alleged drug cartels in the region. In recent months, there has been bipartisan scrutiny of the administration's strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. A federal judge is ordering the Trump administration to end the deployment of California's National Guard to Los Angeles and return control back to the state. Judge Charles Breyer ruled the administration hasn't shown that LA's immigration protests justified federalizing the National Guard. Trump deployed the troops in June when demonstrations erupted over immigration raids there. Six months later, the administration still controls 100 California Guard members. Governor Gavin Newsom's office posted on X quote, another W win for democracy. L lost for the rule of dawn. The order kicks in on December 15, giving Trump time to appeal. The White House has not yet commented.
Miami has elected its first Democratic mayor in nearly three decades. Eileen Higgins, a former county commissioner, crushed Republican emilio Gonzalez by 18 points.
Julia Ainsley
We are turning the page. We are restoring trust. And together we are building a Miami that works for all of us. Mucha gracias.
Yasmin Bisugin
The race got national attention. Trump stumped for Gonzalez on social media, while Pete Buttigieg and Rahm Emanuel threw their support behind Higgins. She'll be the first woman ever to lead the city of Miami. Higgins ran hard on housing affordability in one of the priciest cities in the country. And she's promising to cut red tape and tackle the cost of living crisis.
The Trump administration has reached a deal that could end the Biden administration student loan program, known as SAVE. The program kept loan payments just 5% of a borrower's income, even less for low earners, with forgiveness for some after 10 years of paying small balances. But Missouri and a number of other Republican led states sued the Biden administration over the plan, calling it an illegal $340 billion giveaway. It has been on hold since February. A judge still has to approve the settlement. It would block new enrollments, deny pending applications and shift all Save borrowers into other repayment plans. Rebecca Bloomwood dress Zac Posen belt, Todd Oldham vintage bag, Gucci. That was Becky Bloomwood from the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. Sophie Kinsella, the literary fairy godmother who gave the world Becky Bloomwood and made debt sound almost adorable, has passed away. Born Madeline Wickham, she spent years as a financial journalist before realizing that writing about spending money was more fun than writing about how to save it. Under her pen name, Sophie Kinsella, she wrote the Shopaholic series, giving permission to millions of women to buy the shoes, hide the bills, and figure it out later. Kinsella sold more than 50 million copies of her books in 60 countries, with translations into more than 40 languages. After her 2022 brain cancer diagnosis, she focused on living in the moment, saying, I've already lasted more than the average. That's how we get through, we hope. In lieu of flowers, please buy yourself something unnecessary but also fabulous. Sophie would approve.
All right, that's gonna do it for us at here's this group from NBC News, I'm Yasmin Bisugin. I'll be back tomor whatever the day may bring. And if you like what you heard, subscribe. Wherever you get your podcasts. We'll see you tomorrow.
Commercial Narrator
Before the trophy and bragging rights are rightfully yours. Before your sleeper turns In a season no one saw coming, before stats and projections turn into points on the board and your lineup falls perfectly into place, you flip the lid on a can of on nicotine pouches. And as you make your first pick, you know this is the season where fantasy is going to surpass reality. It's on. Products for tobacco consumers 21 years of age or older. Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.
Podcast: Here's the Scoop (NBC News)
Host: Yasmin Vossoughian
Air date: December 10, 2025
This episode dives into two major topics shaping national headlines:
The show also touches on Miami electing its first Democratic (and female) mayor in 30 years, major moves on the student loan forgiveness front, and the passing of beloved author Sophie Kinsella.
(Segment begins at 01:03)
Main Points:
"There have been cracks showing in this consensus, and a lot of that is because of political pressure from President Trump." (02:33)
"They're farming October information from private companies, essentially. But doesn't that change the game?" – Yasmin (04:09)
"These rate cuts take a while to work through the system...People will see some relief on their credit card bills, car payments...But these cuts are geared more toward business, spurring business activity." – Mike Calia (06:08–06:40)
"President Trump has made it clear that he does not want Powell in charge of the Fed...Trump said it is a litmus test...how willing his next Fed chair would be to cut rates." – Mike Calia (06:55–07:48)
"The president has said in the past that he would want to cut three full percentage points, maybe bring it under 1%, which, frankly, would be a dramatic move." – Mike Calia (07:51)
"But the president thinks the economy is on fire right now. A plus plus plus plus plus." – Yasmin
"Exactly. I mean, that's five pluses." – Mike Calia (08:36–08:42)
(Segment begins at 11:07)
Main Points:
"It applies to nationals of more than 40 countries...countries that the United States has deemed to be a low threat and so they don't need a visa...But now that website's going to start...requiring more information..." – Julia Ainsley (12:01)
"Does that mean everything they posted, everything they liked or simply the name of their account...That's not clear." – Julia Ainsley (13:59)
"What is so ripe for legal challenge is the idea of interrupting trade and commerce." – Julia Ainsley (15:04)
"The World Travel and Tourism council projected the US was on track to lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending. How much of a deterrent could this be if it goes through?” – Yasmin (16:06)
“It could have a very real impact on tourism.” – Julia Ainsley (16:25)
"Will visitors to the World Cup now have to hand over five years of social media in order to come see their team? ... None of those questions can be answered at this point because this is still a proposal and nothing has been finalized." – Julia Ainsley (17:15–18:25)
(Segment begins at 18:31)
Key Highlights:
"We are turning the page. We are restoring trust. And, together, we are building a Miami that works for all of us. Mucha gracias." – Eileen Higgins (20:00)
"In lieu of flowers, please buy yourself something unnecessary but also fabulous. Sophie would approve." – Yasmin (22:07)
On the split Fed decision:
"These are small cuts, quarter point. They're only projecting one cut all of next year, so that reflects that caution." – Mike Calia (04:17)
On the economic mood vs. reality:
"There's the feels and there's the reals. So how is this affecting them?" – Yasmin (05:54)
On Trump’s motivations:
"He's a real estate guy. He loves low interest rates, more building, more development. He dismisses concerns about inflation. He says it would never happen. Economists would disagree." – Mike Calia (08:48–09:23)
On digital privacy and border control:
"Social media is something that's already been scanned in the past...but this proposal does not say what content would be flagged and used to make someone inadmissible." – Julia Ainsley (12:01)
On the legacy of Sophie Kinsella:
"She wrote the Shopaholic series, giving permission to millions of women to buy the shoes, hide the bills, and figure it out later." – Yasmin (21:37)
This summary provided by Here's the Scoop helps you stay on top of the latest political, economic, and cultural shifts—quick, clear, and insightful, as promised.