Morning Joe Podcast Summary – May 15, 2025 Episode

Podcast Information:

• Title: Morning Joe
• Hosts: Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski
• Co-Host: Willie Geist
• Guest: Jonathan Lemire, David Ignatius, Derrick White, Mark Levin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Steve Ratner, Kier Simmons
• Release Date: May 15, 2025

1. Opening Segment: Sports Highlights

The episode kicks off with a lively discussion on recent sports events, focusing primarily on the basketball and baseball seasons.

Celtics vs. Knicks Series

• Derrick White highlights the Celtics' strong performance despite Jayson Tatum’s injury:
  “Even without him, Celtics are still really good.” [02:27]
• David Ignatius echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the team's heart and the thrilling second-half performance that led to a 20-point victory over the Knicks:
  “Celtics showed a lot of heart last night. They kind of won it for Tatum.” [03:07]
• Joe Scarborough and Derrick White discuss the high stakes of Game Six at Madison Square Garden, underlining the tension and the fans' desire to avoid a Game Seven in Boston.

Red Sox Struggles

• The conversation shifts to the Red Sox, who are experiencing another critical loss against the Tigers. Joe Scarborough expresses frustration over the team’s recurring blown saves despite leading the league:
  “We lead the league and blown saves. We lead the league in one game losses.” [04:21]
• Derrick White notes the exceptional defensive play that kept the loss slim:
  “They only lost by one run.” [04:23]

2. President Trump’s Middle East Diplomacy

A significant portion of the episode delves into President Donald Trump's recent diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and the ensuing political fallout.

Trump’s Engagement in Qatar

• Jonathan Lemire sets the stage by reporting Trump’s speech to US troops in Qatar and his subsequent trip to the UAE:
  “President Trump is speaking to US Troops at a military base in Qatar.” [01:27]
• Donald Trump comments on lifting sanctions in Syria and his approval of the new Syrian leader:
  “He’s got a strong past, but I liked him a lot. I think you'll be a great representative.” [01:01]

Shift in US Foreign Policy

• Joe Scarborough and Mark Levin discuss Trump's unconventional approach, including negotiating with Iran and Syria's new leader, Al Shara, a former Al Qaeda affiliate: “Trump is calmly saying, 'We’re negotiating directly with Hamas...'” [07:14]
• Mark Levin criticizes Trump’s departure from traditional Israeli alliances and his willingness to negotiate with groups previously deemed terrorists:
  “He's moving further and further away from Israeli positions.” [07:13]

Conservative Backlash

• The hosts explore the backlash from conservatives, including criticism from prominent figures like Mark Levin, Ben Shapiro, and Ted Cruz regarding Trump’s Middle East strategies and the controversial proposal to use a Qatari jet for travel: “It's an absolutely dreadful idea.” [13:18]
• David Ignatius adds that even Trump supporters find it hard to defend the jet proposal, highlighting bipartisan disapproval:
  “No one thinks this is a good idea.” [12:16]

3. Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Turkey

The show transitions to discuss the stalled peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the complexities and low expectations for success.

Current State of Negotiations

• Kier Simmons provides a live update from Istanbul, detailing the limited Russian delegation and Ukraine's skepticism:
  “President Putin is not coming... the negotiations don’t seem to be going very well.” [17:27]
• Mark Levin voices frustration over Russia’s limited engagement, suggesting Trump’s absence influenced Putin’s decision not to attend:
  “If I'm not there, why would he go?” [16:48]

Hostile Dynamics

• Jonathan Lemire notes the antagonistic atmosphere, with Ukrainians demanding a ceasefire and Russians pushing for discussions on root causes: “Ukrainians are making clear that the only thing they really want is a full and lasting ceasefire.” [20:07]
• David Ignatius emphasizes the skepticism within Washington and Kyiv about the effectiveness of these talks:
  “There is skepticism... this might be the moment to do so.” [22:25]

4. Harvard’s Funding Cuts and Impact on R&D

A critical analysis of the Trump administration’s actions against Harvard University and the broader implications for U.S. research and development.

Federal Funding Blockades

• Jonathan Lemire reports on Harvard’s President taking a symbolic 25% pay cut amidst blocked federal funding totaling over $2.5 billion:
  “Harvard is trying to offset those costs by pausing hiring and merit-based raises for some non-union faculty members.” [24:41]
• Joe Scarborough underscores the long-term consequences of reduced federal investment in R&D:
  “America's falling further and further behind in R&D.” [26:04]

Economic and Academic Repercussions

• David Ignatius discusses the spillover effects on the Boston economy and other universities:
  “Harvard and some of those other schools... are already seeing real changes.” [26:39]
• Mark Levin warns of irreversible damage to elite research institutions:
  “Once you begin to break apart a lab, it’s hard to put it back together.” [28:27]

5. Discovery of Nazi Propaganda in Argentina

Brief coverage of a historical discovery with potential political and social implications.

• Jonathan Lemire reports on the uncovering of boxes containing Nazi propaganda from World War II in Argentina’s Supreme Court basement, sparking research and community ceremonies:
  “The documents, stamped with swastikas, had been stored... since 1941.” [29:36]

6. Decline in US Overdose Deaths

Positive public health news counterbalanced by concerns over potential funding cuts.

Statistical Improvements

• Jonathan Lemire shares CDC data indicating a nearly 30,000 decrease in overdose deaths last year, marking the largest annual decline on record:
  “Overdose deaths fell by nearly 30,000 last year, the largest one-year death decline.” [29:36]
• Derrick White and David Ignatius discuss contributing factors such as increased availability of overdose-reversing medications and expanded addiction treatment:
  “Doctors are saying, please, we're moving in the right direction on this epidemic.” [31:05]

Threat of Funding Cuts

• Concerns arise over the Trump administration’s plans to cut Health and Human Services (HHS) budgets, potentially undermining progress:
  “HHS Secretary Kennedy is up on Capitol Hill talking about the cuts he’s going to be making.” [31:57]

7. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Vaccination

A contentious segment where Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the HHS Secretary, faces tough questioning regarding his stance on vaccines.

Congressional Hearing Highlights

• Jonathan Lemire and Joe Scarborough detail Kennedy’s evasive responses when pressed on whether he would vaccinate his own children against diseases like measles and polio: “Would you vaccinate your child against chickenpox?” [35:54]
• Kennedy’s non-committal answers fuel skepticism about his leadership and the administration’s health policies:
  “I don’t want to give advice. I want people to make.” [35:50]

Administrative Tensions

• David Ignatius highlights the potential conflict between Kennedy’s anti-vaccination stance and President Trump’s legacy of Operation Warp Speed, which significantly boosted vaccine development:
  “Operation Warp Speed created the mRNA vaccines that arguably saved a lot of lives.” [38:24]
• Mark Levin criticizes Kennedy’s opportunistic positioning, suggesting a rebellion from healthcare professionals against the administration’s policies:
  “He created through warp speed the mRNA vaccines... but now he's tucking himself behind the anti-vax movement.” [40:09]

8. President Trump’s Executive Order on Drug Prices

An in-depth analysis by former treasury official and economic analyst Steve Ratner on Trump’s attempt to lower prescription drug prices.

Executive Order's Limitations

• Steve Ratner explains that Trump’s executive order lacks the authority to enforce significant price reductions, contrasting it with the broader, yet unrelated, tax bill discussions:
  “The executive order actually does nothing.” [43:05]

Global Drug Pricing Disparities

• Ratner presents data showing that the U.S. pays approximately 36% more for drugs compared to 25 other developed nations, especially for branded medications: “We pay almost three times as much.” [44:41]
• He attributes high U.S. drug prices to fragmented healthcare negotiations and the willingness to pay more for new, expensive biologics: “Another reason is we're a wealthier country and we're willing to pay more.” [45:35]

Market Impact and Pharmaceutical Performance

• Despite high prices, Ratner notes that drug stocks haven’t soared as expected due to the hefty costs of drug development: “When you take those two companies out of the index... drug companies have underperformed the S&P.” [46:31]

Global Drug Availability

• The U.S. leads in the number of new drugs available, with significantly more launched domestically than in countries like Germany and the UK: “We have the most drugs because we pay the most.” [47:24]

Photographic Commentary

• The segment humorously touches on the disconnect between political promises and practical outcomes, with Steve Ratner acknowledging the show's light-hearted banter about presentations and audience reactions:
  “There will not be applause at the end of this, there might be booing.” [43:05]

9. Closing Remarks and Teasers for Upcoming Segments

The episode concludes with lighthearted interactions among the hosts, teasing upcoming topics and maintaining audience engagement.

• Joe Scarborough and Jonathan Lemire joke about the need for laugh tracks and applause, emphasizing the blend of serious analysis and entertainment:
  “Do you have any cheering here? Can you press a button and get some cheering?” [42:35]
• Jonathan Lemire previews additional stories, including a Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship and Harvard’s financial struggles:
  “Plus, Steve Ratner has charts on President Trump's executive order focused on cutting prescription drug prices.” [23:39]

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump: “There are two steps. There's a very, very nice step and there's a violent step... We’re in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace.” [05:55]
• Mark Levin: “He’s moving further and further away from Israeli positions and finally negotiating directly with Hamas.” [07:13]
• Steve Ratner: “The executive order actually does nothing. He doesn't have the authority to do any of those things.” [43:05]
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: “I don’t want to give advice. I want people to make.” [35:37]

This episode of Morning Joe provides a comprehensive overview of critical political developments, from President Trump’s controversial Middle East strategies and their domestic backlash to significant shifts in U.S. research funding and public health achievements amid administrative challenges. Engaging discussions, informed analysis, and timely updates ensure listeners are well-informed on the day’s most pressing issues.