Summary of "On the Media" Episode: "Trump's Presidential Library Grift. Plus, the Hacker Behind the NYT’s Mamdani Story"

Podcast Information:

• Title: On the Media
• Host/Author: WNYC Studios
• Description: The Peabody Award-winning On the Media podcast explores the intricacies of media production, scrutinizes threats to free speech and government transparency, and dissects media coverage of significant weekly events. Hosted by Brooke Gladstone and Michael Olinger, the show delves into hidden political narratives in various media forms.
• Episode: Trump's Presidential Library Grift. Plus, the Hacker Behind the NYT’s Mamdani Story
• Release Date: July 25, 2025

1. Trump's Presidential Library Grift

a. Media Settlements Funding the Presidential Library

The episode opens with a revelation that ABC News has settled a lawsuit by agreeing to pay $15 million towards Donald Trump’s presidential library ([00:02] Timothy Naftali). Brooke Gladstone highlights that Trump has amassed significant funds for what appears to be a private presidential library, raising concerns among lawmakers and historians ([00:09]).

b. Timothy Naftali on Presidential Libraries and Implications

Timothy Naftali, a senior research scholar at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, provides an in-depth analysis of the growing trend of presidents funding their own libraries through settlements and donations. He explains the historical context, referencing the Presidential Records Act of 1978, which mandates that presidential papers belong to the American people and be housed in federally managed archives ([09:47]).

Naftali expresses concern over Trump’s approach, suggesting that his library will serve as a "Trump land" presenting an alternative narrative of his presidency. He warns that Trump's disregard for proper documentation practices poses a threat to the integrity of historical records ([13:17]).

Notable Quote:
"President Trump's ability to now manipulate his own record because of this permissive climate is yet more license for misdeeds." — Timothy Naftali ([15:07])

c. Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Anti-Corruption Act

The discussion shifts to Senator Elizabeth Warren introducing the Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act, designed to implement safeguards on donations to presidential libraries. Elizabeth Lopatto emphasizes that this legislation aims to prevent corruption by ensuring transparency in contributions, thereby mitigating the risk of undue influence over presidential legacies ([17:17]).

Notable Quote:
"If President Trump has started to raise money so early in his second term, the opportunity for outside interests and foreign governments to make him happy is huge." — Timothy Naftali ([07:33])

d. The Broader Implications for Cultural Memory

Naftali draws parallels between Trump’s efforts and past presidents, noting differences in intent and execution. He underscores the importance of nonpartisan public history and the dangers of privatizing presidential archives, which can lead to biased interpretations of a president’s legacy ([12:33]).

Notable Quote:
"The problem is much bigger than just a library foundation. The problem is the climate we are living in and the fact that the American people don't seem to care about a president who's enriching himself while in office." — Timothy Naftali ([18:45])

2. The Administration’s War on Universities

a. Legal Actions Against Harvard and Columbia

The episode transitions to the Trump administration’s intensified attacks on higher education. Harvard University is taken to court over more than $2 billion in promised but frozen research funding, with the administration citing Harvard's eligibility to sponsor visa programs as a key issue ([22:22]).

b. Investigation into George Mason University

Gregory Washington, President of George Mason University, discusses the administration’s investigation into his university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Despite proactive measures to engage the Jewish community and implement protest rules, Washington finds the investigation unwarranted and politically motivated ([24:27]).

Notable Quote:
"Diversity is something we run toward." — Gregory Washington ([27:18])

c. Coordinated Conservative Attacks

Michael Olinger highlights the coordinated efforts between conservative media outlets and Trump-appointed officials to target universities. This includes connections to Project 2025 and the Heritage Foundation, indicating a broader strategy to dismantle DEI initiatives in academia ([28:00]).

d. Resignation and Pressure on University Leadership

The episode notes recent resignations, such as James Ryan, president of the University of Virginia, amid investigations into DEI practices. Washington interprets these as part of a deliberate campaign to pressure university leaders into stepping down ([29:28]).

Notable Quote:
"I have detected this very same pattern. Universities targeted by Donald Trump are hit with multiple investigations filed in quick succession with leaks to conservative news outlets in tow." — Gregory Washington ([32:52])

3. The Hacker Behind the NYT’s Mamdani Story

a. Columbia’s Data Breach and NYT’s Reporting

The discussion moves to a significant data breach at Columbia University, where an alleged hacker accessed 1.6 gigabytes of data, including 2.5 million applications. Michael Olinger outlines how The New York Times reported on mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani’s application, revealing discrepancies in his racial identification ([38:33]).

b. Elizabeth Lopatto’s Investigation

Elizabeth Lopatto, a senior writer at The Verge, investigates the hacker, referred to as the "Anime Nazi" due to their use of a slur and racist ideologies. She criticizes The New York Times for not disclosing the hacker’s motivations and biases, arguing that this omission compromises journalistic integrity ([43:04]).

Notable Quote:
"I think there was a significant failure of news judgment in both newsrooms. A choice was made not to identify this particular hacker, their particular MO and the fact that they had stolen data from millions of people and very likely might do it again. That is a tremendous journalistic failure." — Elizabeth Lopatto ([51:03])

c. Impact on Media Trust and Affirmative Action Debate

Lopatto connects the hacker’s racial animus to the broader conservative agenda against elite universities and affirmative action. She argues that such incidents exacerbate public distrust in the media, especially when reporting is perceived as biased or incomplete ([53:16]).

Notable Quote:
"If the media, if we want to win back trust, we have to figure out how to be honest. And I don't think that the way that that story was conducted was honest." — Elizabeth Lopatto ([53:18])

d. Media's Role and Responsibility

The hosts discuss the responsibility of major media outlets like The New York Times in maintaining transparency and contextualizing sources, especially when dealing with hacked or biased information. Lopatto emphasizes that honesty and thorough reporting are essential to restoring trust in the media ([47:19]).

Brooke Gladstone remarks on the New York Times' approach:
"We already see the President's efforts to whitewash the entire history of the United States by almost any means necessary... But really, how much do presidential libraries, which only a small percentage of us will ever visit, matter when it comes to keeping the truth front and center?" ([16:39])

4. Conclusion and Insights

The episode concludes by synthesizing the discussions on Trump’s use of media settlements to fund his presidential library and the coordinated attacks on universities, highlighting a concerning trend towards corruption and manipulation of historical narratives. Additionally, the case study on the New York Times' handling of hacked data underscores the fragility of media trust in an era of political polarization and misinformation.

Timothy Naftali encapsulates the overarching concern:
"The archivists of the National Archives, it's an understaffed team, but they're very professional. I think they can protect the documents that are already there, but I worry about them being able to ensure good archival practice during the life of this administration." ([17:05])

Brooke Gladstone and Michael Olinger wrap up the episode by emphasizing the critical need for media accountability and the protection of academic integrity against political and ideological attacks.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and notable quotes to provide a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the full podcast.