Summary of "Here's the Scoop" Podcast Episode: "Trump Lashes Out at Israel and Iran"

Release Date: June 24, 2025
Host: Morgan Chesky, with contributions from Kier Simmons and Steve Kornacki

1. President Trump's Comments on Israel and Iran

The episode opens with Morgan Chesky addressing President Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Israel and Iran. On the White House lawn, Trump criticized both nations for violating a ceasefire, using notably strong language.

• Morgan Chesky [00:25]:

  "President Donald Trump saying both sides violated a ceasefire and not holding back when he spoke on the White House lawn this morning."

• Tom Yamas [00:59]:

  "They don't know what the fuck they're doing here."

2. Impact and Analysis of Trump's Remarks

To provide deeper insight, Morgan introduces NBC News' chief international correspondent, Kier Simmons, who offers an analysis of Trump's statement.

• Kier Simmons [01:13]:

  "Yeah, it certainly got people's attention and I think it was designed to do that. It was a way, I think, of President Trump trying to get one person to listen, specifically Prime Minister Netanyahu."

Chesky probes whether Trump's harsh language signifies a genuine rift or is merely performative. Simmons responds by suggesting it's a combination of both, highlighting Trump's strategic use of strong language to make an impact while acknowledging genuine underlying tensions.

• Kier Simmons [01:42]:

  "I think it's both. I think President Trump knew very well what he was doing when he used that expletive. He knew that that would have an impact."

Simmons further elaborates on the fluctuating relationship between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, noting that this incident could influence broader regional dynamics.

• Kier Simmons [02:29]:

  "Many of the Arab countries where I am now have been looking for an American president to kind of put their foot down with the Israelis. And they didn't get it from President Biden. And now it looks like they got it from President Trump."

3. Operational Challenges in the Middle East

Chesky shifts the conversation to the logistical challenges present in the Middle East, referencing Simmons' presence in Dubai and his recent travel to Iraq amid ongoing conflicts.

• Kier Simmons [02:40]:

  "The journey here is incredibly difficult right now. I flew into Istanbul, took another flight across Turkey to the Syrian border, drove along the Syrian border for five hours, just changed vehicles, crossed the border into Iraq."

Simmons emphasizes the destabilizing effects of prolonged conflicts on regional economies and infrastructure, stressing the urgent need for stability.

• Kier Simmons [03:33]:

  "Imagine you live in a place where you can't fly in and out. That's not going to lend itself to a thriving economy."

4. The Enigma of Fordo's Uranium

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the mysterious disappearance of 880 pounds of enriched uranium from the Fordo site, where the US previously conducted a large-scale bombing.

• Morgan Chesky [03:33]:

  "We've seen satellite imagery with a line of trucks at the Fordo site. Iran claims they moved the uranium out, while US intelligence suspects not all has been relocated."

• Kier Simmons [04:04]:

  "The uranium that Iran has enriched the most, highly enriched, they call it 60%. It's a lot quicker to get from 60 to 90 than it is to get to 60. So that's important stuff."

Simmons discusses the critical nature of the missing uranium, highlighting its potential to escalate nuclear tensions if not accounted for.

• Kier Simmons [04:49]:

  "It's possible that the intelligence agencies, the Israelis, the US are close to establishing where it is or where it was and whether it has been destroyed."

5. Potential Alliances and Geopolitical Shifts

Chesky inquires about the possible alliance between Iran and Russia in the current geopolitical climate.

• Kier Simmons [04:58]:

  "The Russians are going to turn out to be a pretty fickle friend for the Iranians. Their partnership doesn’t compel either to go to each other's aid."

Simmons expresses skepticism about a solidified alliance, noting Russia's intentions to repair ties with Israel and its reluctance to support Iran's nuclear ambitions.

• Kier Simmons [05:48]:

  "I wouldn't underestimate how much the Russians wouldn't want the Iranians to have nuclear weapons either. They don't want to see nuclear weapons in Central Asia or in the Middle East."

6. New York City Mayoral Election

Transitioning from international affairs, Chesky updates listeners on the New York City mayoral primary, highlighting the crowded Democratic field and the significant competition between former Governor Andrew Cuomo and State Representative Zoran Mamdani.

• Morgan Chesky [07:13]:

  "Voters in New York City are heading to the polls today because it is primary day for the mayoral election. While there's only one candidate on the Republican side, the Democratic field is incredibly crowded with 11 hopefuls in the running."

Chesky brings in political correspondent Steve Kornacki to analyze the election's broader implications.

• Steve Kornacki [07:49]:

  "It is an election day and I do have to give you a bit of a confession here. I am a native Texan that currently resides in Los Angeles."

Kornacki discusses the profile of the candidates and the potential national ripple effects of the election outcome, especially regarding the rising influence of progressive voices within the Democratic Party.

• Steve Kornacki [09:59]:

  "This is a story about the Democratic Party here. Cuomo represents the traditional Democratic base, while Mamdani's campaign has been fueled by younger, college-educated, very liberal voters."

7. Key Headlines

The latter part of the episode covers various national headlines:

• Largest Child Rescue Operation:
  The U.S. Marshals conducted "Dragoneye," rescuing 60 missing children in the Tampa Bay area and arresting eight suspects on human trafficking charges.

• Sean "Diddy" Combs' Trial:
  After 29 days of testimony, the prosecution rested. The defense opted not to call witnesses, planning to submit additional evidence before closing arguments.

• Heat Wave Impact:
  A severe heatwave affected approximately 160 million people across the United States, setting numerous record highs and causing health emergencies during outdoor events.

• BlackBerry's Resurgence:
  Highlighting the trend of nostalgia, BlackBerry phones are making a comeback among Gen Z users for their tactile keyboards and focus-friendly features.

  • Tom Yamas [13:12]:

    "New BlackBerry, huh?"

  • Kier Simmons [13:13]:

    "Yeah, me too. How sick is the web browsing?"

  • Morgan Chesky [13:18]:

    "Why Gen Zers say they are snagging up discontinued models because it's all about focus."

Conclusion

Morgan Chesky wraps up the episode by reflecting on the day's discussions, from high-stakes international tensions to local political shifts and cultural trends. The episode provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of significant events shaping both national and global landscapes.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments to focus solely on the substantive discussions and analyses presented in the episode.