Here's the Scoop (NBC News)
Episode: Trump’s Approval Slides; 6 Killed in Jerusalem Shooting
Date: September 8, 2025
Host: Morgan Chesky
Guests: Steve Kornacki (NBC Chief Data Analyst), Richard Engel (NBC Chief Foreign Correspondent)
Episode Overview
This episode dives into two major news stories: President Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings, the implications for the 2026 midterms, and the generational divides reflected in new polling; and the latest developments in Jerusalem, where a deadly shooting attack has left six dead amid escalating violence in the region. NBC experts provide data-driven insights and on-the-ground analysis.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. President Trump’s Approval Rating Slips
- [00:27] Morgan Chesky opens with NBC’s latest poll:
- Trump’s job approval stands at 43% with 57% disapproval.
- Data gathered from over 30,000 adults (incl. 3,000 Gen Z), margin of error ±1.9% (±2.2% for Gen Z).
- [01:54] Steve Kornacki analyzes the significance:
- Historically, low-40s approval is “not a great number” for any president.
- For Trump, this is “kind of the normal level…throughout this second term and…first term as well.”
- Key concern: In 2018, similar ratings preceded GOP House losses; concerns now about a repeat in 2026.
- Quote (Kornacki, 02:20):
“Republicans don’t want a repeat of that in 2026. So if numbers like this caused them trouble in 2018, the fear for Republicans is numbers like this will cause trouble for them again.”
- [03:01] Kornacki differentiates 2026 from 2018:
- Redistricting changes may alter outcomes; both parties vying for advantageous maps.
- Republican favorability matches Trump’s approval (43%); Democrats lower at 41%.
- During Trump’s first term, Democrats were more popular than Republicans—this has flipped.
- Quote (Kornacki, 03:51):
“Voters who may be dissatisfied with Trump maybe aren’t going to be so quick to latch on the Democrats. That’s what they’re hoping, certainly.”
Issue-by-Issue Breakdown
- [04:24]
- Economy, esp. inflation, is the top concern for Americans (45% cite inflation/cost of living).
- Trump’s approval on inflation and cost of living: 39% (below overall approval).
- Historically, economy was Trump’s strength; now, it’s a liability.
- Strongest marks are on border security and immigration (close to 50% approval).
- Quote (Kornacki, 05:10):
“Where he does much better is when you ask about border security and immigration. He’s up closer to 50% there.”
Generational & Gender Gaps: The Gen Z Divide
- [05:28] Morgan Chesky observes a “generational divide” evident in the polling.
- [05:43] Kornacki dives deeper:
- Gen Z overall: Trump’s approval at 36%.
- Major gender gap within Gen Z:
- Gen Z women: Far more anti-Trump and progressive than Gen Z men.
- Definitions of success differ starkly:
- Gen Z men who voted Trump: Top definition of success is “having children.”
- Gen Z women who voted Harris: “Having children” is the lowest priority (only 6%); value “fulfilling career” and “emotional stability” foremost.
- Quote (Kornacki, 07:19):
“Gen Z women, much more anti-Trump, much more progressive than Gen Z men...the divide between these two groups in just the basic question of success in life was profound.”
2. Jerusalem Shooting and Escalation in Gaza
- [09:04] Morgan Chesky introduces a breaking story:
- Two gunmen opened fire on commuters at a bus stop in northern Jerusalem.
- Casualties: Six killed, more than a dozen wounded. Attackers were shot dead.
- Attack occurred near an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood; several victims were rabbis and members of the ultra-Orthodox community.
On-the-Ground Reporting from Richard Engel
- [09:32] Richard Engel describes the scene:
- Rapid response from police, first responders, and a unique team responsible for recovery and religious burial practices.
- Quote (Engel, 10:36):
“By the time we got there, there was still blood on the ground, there were still bodies on the ground…there is a system that happens when there’s an attack…unique group…make sure everything is given a proper burial.”
- [11:06] Israel’s reaction:
- Immediate: Both soldiers and armed civilians responded, killing the attackers.
- Attackers identified as Palestinians entering through a gap in the West Bank fence.
- Quote (Engel, 11:27):
“When these two attackers...came from the West Bank...they found a gap in this fence and came into Israel...they were killed on the scene by armed civilians and one soldier.”
Gaza Offensive Context
- [11:58] Engel outlines Israel’s current military operations:
- Focus shifting to Gaza City (“the campaign is underway and it’s intensifying”).
- Israel issuing evacuation orders, destroying buildings—“not a light switch, but the dimmer is on.”
- Potential for “enormously destructive” house-to-house combat, risking civilian and military casualties.
- Quote (Engel, 12:39):
“Israel is threatening right now to go in, clear Gaza City, go street to street, house to house in a campaign that would undoubtedly be enormously destructive...The campaign is underway and it’s intensifying.”
Prospects for a Ceasefire
- [13:25] US-backed ceasefire proposal:
- President Trump issued a “last warning” to Hamas to release hostages—Israel has endorsed the plan.
- Engel: A deal is “possible,” with main sticking point being the future governance and rebuilding of Gaza.
- Both sides closer to agreement on hostages/end of Hamas rule than before.
- Quote (Engel, 13:49):
“The main dispute is what comes next, who controls Gaza, who rebuilds it…and what happens to the Palestinian people. But…the issue of hostages and the end of Hamas rule…seem to be more resolvable and closer than they have been before.”
3. Headlines Round-Up
- [14:39] Morgan Chesky delivers a rapid series of notable headlines:
- Supreme Court Immigration Ruling:
- 6-3 decision allows federal agents to resume “roving patrols” in Los Angeles, sparking controversy over racial profiling concerns.
- Hyundai Plant Immigration Raid:
- US and South Korea negotiating voluntary return of detained South Korean workers to avoid deportation.
- President Trump affirms relations with South Korea are “not damaged.”
- E. Jean Carroll Defamation Case:
- Federal appeals court upholds $83.3 million defamation judgment against Trump.
- Carroll’s attorney welcomes continued progress toward “justice being finalized.”
- Howard Stern Prank:
- Shock jock and Andy Cohen stage fake exit from SiriusXM; Stern appears later to reveal it was all a hoax.
- Quote (Stern, 17:35):
“What pisses me off is now I can’t leave. I was, I’ve been thinking about retiring. Now I can’t, because then they’ll say I got pushed out.”
- Seahawks Crowd-Control Tactics:
- Seattle Seahawks to use undercover police in opposing team jerseys at games to monitor fan behavior.
- Raises questions about boundaries between “healthy heckling” and inappropriate conduct.
- Host’s remark:
“If you are one of those cops getting paid to watch football while on duty, well, working on a Sunday doesn’t sound half bad.”
- Supreme Court Immigration Ruling:
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Steve Kornacki (02:20):
“Republicans don’t want a repeat of that in 2026. So if numbers like this caused them trouble in 2018, the fear for Republicans is numbers like this will cause trouble for them again.”
- Steve Kornacki (07:19):
"The divide between these two groups in just the basic question of success in life was profound."
- Richard Engel (10:36):
“By the time we got there, there was still blood on the ground...And here there is a system that happens when there’s an attack...to make sure everything is given a proper burial.”
- Richard Engel (12:39):
“Israel is threatening right now to go in, clear Gaza City, go street to street, house to house in a campaign that would undoubtedly be enormously destructive, cost many Palestinian lives and potentially many Israeli soldiers as well.”
- Howard Stern (17:35):
“What pisses me off is now I can’t leave. I was, I’ve been thinking about retiring. Now I can’t, because then they’ll say I got pushed out.”
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:27 – Top story: Trump’s approval rating
- 01:54 – Deep dive with Steve Kornacki about poll details
- 05:28 – Generational and gender divides in Gen Z (Kornacki)
- 09:04 – Update on Jerusalem shooting; intro to Richard Engel report
- 09:32 – On-the-ground witness account and response to the attack (Engel)
- 11:58 – Gaza City offensive update (Engel)
- 13:25 – US-backed ceasefire proposal, prospects for peace (Engel)
- 14:39 – Headlines roundup (SCOTUS immigration, Hyundai raid, defamation case, Howard Stern prank, Seahawks policing tactics)
Tone and Delivery
The hosts maintain a brisk, clear, and informative tone throughout, combining concise data analysis, sharp interviews, and direct reporting from the field, making complex stories accessible without sacrificing depth. The episode delivers a blend of seriousness on global and political events with interludes of lighter, pop culture headlines for a comprehensive evening news wrap.
Useful For...
Listeners who missed the episode or seek a thorough, digestible recap of shifting political winds in America, the deepening Middle East crisis, and a quick catch-up on significant headlines of the day.