Here's the Scoop – Episode Summary

Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Yasmin Vossoughian
Podcast: NBC News "Here's the Scoop"
Main Themes:

• President Trump’s economic tour and public perception of his policies
• Exclusive report: “Pastors and Prey” investigating sexual abuse within the Assemblies of God’s Royal Rangers program
• News headlines: campaign finance law, Miami mayoral election, Australia’s youth social media ban, and the phasing out of landlines

1. President Trump’s Economic Road Show

Overview

President Trump is actively promoting his economic record through campaign-style events in battleground states. The segment explores the disconnect between the White House's upbeat economic messaging and the financial realities faced by ordinary Americans.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

• White House Messaging vs. Public Sentiment ([01:00–03:37])

  • Trump claims the economy is “A plus plus plus plus” and describes affordability concerns as a Democrat “hoax.”
  • NBC polling reveals 66% of Americans feel his administration has underperformed on inflation and cost of living.
  • Quote: “There are a limited number of tools at the President's disposal... There’s kind of a dual track thing going on... making sure they’re getting the maximum amount of credit for the relatively little that they're actually able to do on prices.” — Garrett Hake (03:13)

• Tariffs and Affordability ([04:39–05:38])

  • Both Trump supporters and opponents believe tariffs affect prices, especially at the grocery store.
  • Some Trump supporters are willing to accept higher costs for the promise of job creation.
  • Quote: “There’s an absolute realization that the tariffs made the grocery prices much more expensive… talking to a lot of folks... complaining about the price of beef, the price of coffee, the price of some of these other staples.” — Garrett Hake (05:11)

• Aid to Farmers and Economic Admission ([05:38–07:00])

  • The $12 billion aid package for farmers is seen as a tacit acknowledgment of tariff harm.
  • Quote: “It absolutely is the case where you have tariff revenue... being turned around and given to another segment of the American economy. American farmers... But you do hear farmers say, we want trade, not aid.” — Garrett Hake (06:59)

• Foreign Policy vs. Domestic Concerns ([07:10–08:41])

  • Core supporters feel Trump is distracted by foreign affairs, while economic issues remain unresolved at home.
  • Quote: “Venezuela and Israel and Ukraine feel like a very long way from northeastern Pennsylvania when you’re having a hard time putting food on the table.” — Garrett Hake (07:34)
  • “You got to get back to basics.” — Citing criticisms from both voters and political figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene (08:36)

2. Supreme Court Hears Campaign Finance Case

([08:53–09:19])

• The Supreme Court is reviewing a Republican-led effort to remove coordinated party spending limits, stemming from a case pursued by J.D. Vance (now vice president).

3. “Pastors and Prey”: Investigating Abuse in the Assemblies of God

Overview ([11:03–18:21])

NBC News exposes decades of child sexual abuse within the Assemblies of God’s Royal Rangers boys’ mentorship program and institutional failures to enact meaningful protections.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

• Investigative Scope

  • At least 29 Royal Rangers leaders accused of abuse; 17 lawsuits in the last four years. Over 50 years, 83 known cases.

• Survivor Testimony: Travis Rieger ([12:19–14:25])

  • At age 10 (1984), Travis was abused by his troop commander. He promptly reported to his family; the pastor’s response was to ensure counseling for the abuser rather than contact police.
  • Quote: “Travis told us that he recalled going to a sleepover with one of his Royal Rangers commanders... and began to masturbate him in his sleep… he also struggled for years to bury the guilt... when he heard the man turned and started molesting the boy on the other side of him.” — Mike Hixenbaugh (13:09)

• Patterns of Institutional Response ([14:25–16:16])

  • Church leaders routinely responded to allegations with redemption, counseling, or probation instead of police involvement.
  • Two troop commanders in Travis’s unit abused 18 children over years, with abuse persisting even after initial reports.
  • Unlike the Boy Scouts, Assemblies of God only “guidelines” for screening/child safety, not enforceable mandates.

• Accountability and Autonomy ([16:16–17:29])

  • The Assemblies of God insists their decentralized structure prevents them from imposing mandatory policies. Survivors and advocates argue this is a legal shield and a moral failure.
  • Quote: “Anytime the Assemblies of God has been sued... the national office has said, we exercise no control over local troops, therefore we cannot be held responsible.” — Mike Hixenbaugh (16:52)
  • Survivors view their advocacy as a way of living out the Royal Rangers’ code despite institutional betrayal.

4. Headlines Roundup

Unsealing Epstein/Maxwell Grand Jury Records ([18:24–19:11])

• Federal judges in NY and FL order release of grand jury materials related to Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein, in response to new legal mandates. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence.

Miami Mayoral Election ([19:11–19:56])

• Democrat Eileen Higgins aims to end the GOP’s long control of Miami’s mayoralty. Race closely watched as a bellwether.
  • Quote: “We haven’t had a Democrat serving as mayor in Miami since the 90s. …this is seen as a potential bellwether for the midterms next year.” — Jesse Kirsch (19:26)

Australia’s Social Media Youth Ban ([19:59–20:36])

• Australia becomes the first country to ban social media accounts for those under 16, pressuring platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Teens are already suing the government, arguing social media is vital for information on issues like consent and mental health.

AT&T Phasing Out Landlines ([20:38–21:18])

• Landlines to be discontinued in Illinois by 2027 due to a 96% drop in orders. Host Yasmin predicts a future nostalgic revival: “I give it three years for landlines to become a hot new trend. Remember, you heard it here first.” (21:10)

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A plus plus plus plus plus.” — President Trump, on his self-evaluation of the economy ([01:12])
• “We want trade, not aid.” — Sentiment among American farmers receiving tariff-related payouts ([07:00])
• “You got to get back to basics.” — Reflecting criticism of Trump’s foreign policy focus ([08:36])
• “That hands off approach… has been used as a legal defense by the Assemblies of God… protecting yourself from lawsuits ahead of protecting children.” — Mike Hixenbaugh ([17:10])
• “They’re living out that motto and trying to bring healing for themselves and changes to protect kids in the future.” — Mike Hixenbaugh, on survivors’ advocacy ([18:03])
• “I give it three years for landlines to become a hot new trend. Remember, you heard it here first.” — Yasmin Vossoughian ([21:10])

6. Segment Timestamps

• Trump’s Economic Road Show: 00:55–08:53
• Supreme Court Campaign Finance: 08:53–09:19
• Pastors and Prey Investigation: 11:03–18:21
• Headlines: 18:24–21:18
• Landline Nostalgia: 20:38–21:18

This episode delivers a candid look at the gap between political messaging and public economic experience, exposes longstanding institutional abuse coverups, and rounds out with quick takes on breaking headlines—true to the show’s promise of clear, insightful daily news.