Podcast Summary: The Headlines by The New York Times

Episode: Jimmy Kimmel Pulled Off Air ‘Indefinitely,’ and Former C.D.C. Head Issues Warning
Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Tracy Mumford

Main Theme

This episode covers a turbulent day in American media, health policy, economics, and technology, highlighting:

• The indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show due to political pressure following on-air comments about the killing of Charlie Kirk.
• A stark warning from the former head of the CDC about public health risks in the current political climate.
• Breaking economic news with the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision.
• A tragic police shooting in Pennsylvania.
• The advance of AI-powered translation tech from Apple and Meta.

Key Discussion Points

1. Jimmy Kimmel Pulled Off Air Amid FCC and Political Pressure

[00:33 - 04:38]

• Incident: ABC abruptly suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show after Kimmel’s monologue linked Charlie Kirk’s murderer to right-wing ideology. This triggered a backlash from conservatives and the Trump administration.
• Political Reaction:
  • Brendan Carr, head of the FCC, strongly criticized Kimmel and called for affiliates to stop airing the show.
    • Quote: “You know, when you look at the conduct that has taken place by Jimmy Kimmel, it appears to be some of the sickest conduct possible.” — Brendan Carr [01:28]
  • Carr’s statement led some ABC affiliates to immediately drop Kimmel.
  • Carr, author of the “Project 2025” chapter on media regulation, is portrayed as a conservative ideologue determined to “create more balance” in national media, wielding regulatory power to challenge perceived liberal bias.
    • Quote: “What is in the public interest and what is considered politically fair is often in the eye of the beholder.” — Michael Grimbaum, NYT Media Correspondent [03:35]
• Democratic Response: Lawmakers, including Chuck Schumer, denounced Kimmel’s suspension as an attack on democratic values.
  • Quote: “That is not what democracies do, that is what autocracies do. And it doesn't matter whether you agree with Kimmel or not, he has the right to free speech.” — Democratic Lawmaker [04:02]
• Context: Kimmel is the second late-night host ousted recently (Colbert was dropped in July), raising fears about media independence under regulatory pressure.

2. Former CDC Head Warns of Public Health Risks

[04:38 - 07:19]

• Capitol Hill Testimony: Susan Menarez, recently fired as CDC director by Health Secretary RFK Jr., testified to the Senate, warning that Kennedy is disregarding science and endangering public health.
  • Quote: “He called CDC the most corrupt federal agency in the world. He said that CDC employees were killing children and they don't care.” — Susan Menarez [05:12]
• Allegations Against Kennedy:
  • Wants to change the CDC’s immunization recommendations against longstanding medical consensus.
  • Recently fired scientific panel members and replaced them with vaccine skeptics, raising concerns that childhood vaccine schedules could be weakened.
• Potential Fallout:
  • Insurance may stop covering some childhood vaccines if official recommendations change; for now, coverage remains through the end of next year.
  • New CDC acting director, Jim O’Neill, lacks medical/scientific training and has criticized vaccine mandates.

3. Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates

[07:19 - 08:52]

• Decision: The Fed cut interest rates by a quarter point for the first time this year, citing labor market deterioration.
  • Quote: “Today, the Federal Open Market Committee decided to lower our policy interest rate by a quarter percentage point.” — Jerome Powell [07:19]
  • “What's different now is that you see a very different picture of the risks.” — Jerome Powell [07:40]
• Context: President Trump has ramped up pressure on the Fed, appointed a new board member (Stephen Myron) who is technically still employed at the White House, raising questions about Fed independence.

4. Pennsylvania Police Shooting

[08:52 - 09:46]

• Incident: Three police officers shot and killed while serving a warrant in York County, Pennsylvania.
  • Quote: “I can confirm that the shooter is dead.” — Gov. Josh Shapiro [09:09]
• Context: The shooting occurred during a domestic violence investigation, the most dangerous type of call for police.
  • Quote: “We need to help the people who think that picking up a gun, picking up a weapon is the answer to resolving disputes so we don't have to deal with tragedies like this.” — Gov. Josh Shapiro [09:46]

5. Tech Giants Race to Launch Real-Time AI Translators

[10:09 - 11:19]

• Advances: Apple introduces AirPods with real-time AI translation; Meta launches new smart glasses with a built-in display, camera, and AI assistant.
• Field Test: NYT tech columnist Brian Chen tested Apple’s translation: “Other than a few minor mistakes, the headphones gave a solid translation.” [10:47]
• Demo Mishap: Mark Zuckerberg’s live demo of Meta’s glasses failed on stage, which he laughed off.
  • Quote: “They tell us not to do live demos.” — Mark Zuckerberg (paraphrased by Tracy Mumford) [11:19]

Notable Quotes

• “You know, when you look at the conduct that has taken place by Jimmy Kimmel, it appears to be some of the sickest conduct possible.” — Brendan Carr, FCC [01:28]
• “Carr is actually the author of the Project 2025 chapter on media regulation, and he himself is an ideologue.” — Michael Grimbaum, Media Correspondent [02:55]
• “That is not what democracies do, that is what autocracies do. And it doesn't matter whether you agree with Kimmel or not, he has the right to free speech.” — Democratic Lawmaker [04:02]
• “He called CDC the most corrupt federal agency in the world. He said that CDC employees were killing children and they don't care.” — Susan Menarez [05:12]
• “Today, the Federal Open Market Committee decided to lower our policy interest rate by a quarter percentage point.” — Jerome Powell [07:19]
• “We need to do better as a society. We need to help the people who think that picking up a gun, picking up a weapon is the answer to resolving disputes so we don't have to deal with tragedies like this.” — Gov. Josh Shapiro [09:46]

Timeline & Timestamps

• 00:33: Kimmel’s suspension announced
• 01:28: FCC head Brendan Carr’s sharp comments
• 03:35: Discussion of Carr’s ideology
• 04:02: Democratic criticism of Kimmel’s suspension
• 04:38: CDC leader Susan Menarez’s testimony
• 05:12: Menarez recounts Kennedy’s claims about CDC
• 07:19: Jerome Powell announces rate cut
• 08:52: Gov. Josh Shapiro addresses police shooting
• 10:09: Segment on AI-powered translation devices from Apple and Meta
• 11:19: Zuckerberg’s demo mishap

Tone

The episode maintains a brisk, urgent, journalistic tone, with reporters and officials speaking in direct, sometimes emotional language, and the host providing focused, neutral narration.

Summary Takeaway

In one consequential morning, “The Headlines” documents the escalating collision between media freedom and political power, the possible unraveling of longstanding public health protections, shifting economic policy in an election year, the dangerous realities faced by police, and the relentless march of AI into everyday life. This episode brings sobering analysis, factual updates, and glimpses of tomorrow’s technological world—all in The New York Times’ signature style.