New Poll Shows Trump’s Support Slipping, and Clintons Face Contempt Vote in Epstein Inquiry

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Headlines

Host: Tracy Mumford ([The New York Times])
Episode Title: New Poll Shows Trump’s Support Slipping, and Clintons Face Contempt Vote in Epstein Inquiry
Date: January 22, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Headlines provides a rundown of major political developments, focusing on global repercussions of President Trump's diplomacy at Davos, new findings from a Times/Siena poll showing waning Trump support, a congressional move to hold the Clintons in contempt over the Epstein investigation, Iran’s crackdown on mass protests, and a growing legal challenge against AI-powered job screening.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Davos Diplomacy: Greenland and the “Board of Peace”

• Greenland Negotiations

  • At Davos, President Trump escalated his campaign for U.S. ownership of Greenland, warning of consequences for non-compliance but later suggested a possible deal had been reached with NATO ([00:47]–[01:29]).
  • Quote: “You can say yes and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no and we will remember.”
    — President Trump ([00:59])
  • Sources indicated NATO may compromise by granting U.S. sovereignty over “small pockets of Greenland for military bases,” aimed at curbing Russian and Chinese influence ([01:42]).
  • Local Greenland officials reacted sharply:
    Quote: “Nothing about us without us.”
    — Greenland lawmaker ([02:06])

• The Board of Peace Initiative

  • Trump announced the formation of the “Board of Peace,” initially tied to Gaza’s reconstruction, but the scope is far wider—potentially rivaling the U.N. Security Council ([02:37]).
    • Quote: “One person has the power to veto decisions, invite members, designate his successor, or dissolve the board entirely. Donald Trump.” ([03:18])
    • The charter allows Trump to retain control even after his presidency ([03:30]).
    • Support already from Saudi Arabia, Israel, Belarus; Russia and China invited; France refused and was threatened with steep tariffs ([03:40]–[04:07]).

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2. Times/Siena Poll: Trump’s Approval Slipping

• Poll Findings
  • New poll shows Trump's approval rating is falling: only about one-third of Americans say the country is better off than when he took office, while almost half say it’s worse ([04:14]).
  • Key insights:
    • Declining support especially among young voters and nonwhite voters.
    • Many Americans blame Trump’s policies for making life less affordable ([04:30]).
    • Despite growing disapproval, he retains overwhelming support among Republicans.
      • Quote: “I think he must be doing something right when there are so many people opposed to him.”
        — Unnamed Republican voter ([04:52])
  • Full poll details available at NYT.com ([04:55]).

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3. Immigration Enforcement in Maine

• Fear in Immigrant Communities
  • ICE has targeted Maine in new enforcement operations, with 1,400 arrests planned, focusing partly on Somali immigrants ([05:13]).
  • Reported climate of anxiety among local communities.
    • Quote: “Imagine you are a parent and you step out to put your kid in a school bus. By the time you turn around, you are surrounded by ICE agents.”
      — Immigrant community representative ([05:02])
  • Trump previously made xenophobic comments about these groups ([05:40]).

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4. Clinton Contempt Vote in Epstein Inquiry

• Congressional Drama
  • The House Oversight Committee pushes for Bill and Hillary Clinton to be charged with criminal contempt for refusing to testify publicly about their ties with Jeffrey Epstein ([06:03]).
    • Both Clintons offered to testify privately under oath, not in a public hearing.
    • Quote (Committee): “The committee hereby favorably reports and adopts this report, recommending that the House of Representatives find William J. Clinton in contempt of Congress.” ([05:53])
    • Some Democrats crossed the aisle, especially regarding Bill Clinton’s association with Epstein ([06:20]).
    • Others criticized selective investigation and lack of scrutiny into Trump’s own Epstein connections ([06:40]).
    • If convicted, the Clintons could face up to a $100,000 fine and a year in prison ([07:03]).

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5. Crackdown on Iranian Protests

• Protests Suppressed
  • Iran declares mass protests “over,” following a violent crackdown that reportedly left over 4,500 dead ([07:10]).
  • Internet blackouts hinder access to reliable information about casualties ([07:35]).
  • Officials blame “terrorists and provocateurs” allegedly backed by the U.S. and Israel ([08:10]).

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6. Lawsuit Against AI Job Screening

• Job Seekers Challenge AI Bias
  • A group is suing an AI-powered resume screening company, demanding transparency over automated scoring systems ([08:27]).
    • The software generates a 1-5 score for each applicant, drawing a parallel to credit scores.
    • Quote: “I think I deserve to know what's being collected about me and shared with employers.”
      — Plaintiff/job seeker ([09:18])
  • The case could expand rights to contest errors or misinformation in algorithmic assessments ([09:30]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Greenland Diplomacy:
  “You can say yes and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no and we will remember.” — President Trump ([00:59])

• Greenland Response:
  “Nothing about us without us.” — Greenland lawmaker ([02:06])

• Trump’s New International Order:
  “One person has the power to veto decisions, invite members, designate his successor, or dissolve the board entirely. Donald Trump.” — Tracy Mumford ([03:18])

• Voter Insight:
  “I think he must be doing something right when there are so many people opposed to him.” — Unnamed Republican voter ([04:52])

• Immigration Raid Fear:
  “Imagine you are a parent and you step out to put your kid in a school bus. By the time you turn around, you are surrounded by ICE agents.” — Immigrant community representative ([05:02])

• Job Applicant Rights:
  “I think I deserve to know what's being collected about me and shared with employers.” — Lawsuit plaintiff ([09:18])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:47 — Davos: Trump's demands for Greenland
• 01:29 — Potential NATO compromise for U.S. military bases in Greenland
• 02:37 — Announcement of Trump’s Board of Peace initiative
• 04:14 — Times/Siena poll results: Trump’s declining approval
• 05:13 — ICE enforcement targets immigrant communities in Maine
• 06:03 — Congressional committee votes to hold Clintons in contempt over Epstein inquiry
• 07:10 — Iran declares protest crackdown successful; human rights implications
• 08:27 — AI-powered job screening lawsuit

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Conclusion

This episode encapsulates a series of rapidly evolving stories—Trump’s global maneuvers from Greenland to forming rival world bodies, his political base’s fracture revealed by polling, intensifying immigration enforcement, and the rare congressional move against the Clintons linked to the Epstein case. The sweep and significance of each headline is richly threaded together, setting up further scrutiny and debate for listeners tracking both U.S. and global political currents.

Transcript

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[Tracy Mumford]

From the new York Times, it's the headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. Today's Thursday, January 22nd. Here's what we're covering.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland.

[Tracy Mumford]

At Davos yesterday, a gathering of the world's most rich and powerful, President Trump promised there would be consequences if the US doesn't get free full ownership of Greenland.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

You can say yes and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no and we will remember.

[Tracy Mumford]

He ended the day, though, with talk of a deal. He said that he'd reached the framework of an agreement with NATO over the island's future. The announcement seems to walk the US Back from the brink of open confrontation. Trump withdrew his threat of slapping tariffs on countries that stood up to him and said he would not use force to take Greenland from Denmark.

[Interviewer]

Does it still include the United States having ownership of Greenland like you've said you wanted?

[Reporter/Correspondent]

It's a long term deal. It's the ultimate long term deal.

[Tracy Mumford]

Neither Trump nor NATO provided any details of what's in that framework, but officials tell the Times that earlier this week, NATO had been looking at a possible compromise of giving the US Sovereignty over small pockets of Greenland for military bases. The president has repeatedly said Greenland is necessary for US national security. And in a statement, NATO said negotiations would continue, quote, aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold in Greenland. The lack of detail about the framework, though, has sparked confusion and concern for some. One lawmaker from Greenland rejected Trump's talk of a deal, saying, quote, nothing about us without us.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Meanwhile, many countries have just received their notice and everybody wants to be a part of it and we'll work with many others, including the United Nations.

[Tracy Mumford]

This morning in Switzerland, Trump held a signing ceremony for what he's called the Board of Peace. While it was initially proposed as a group that would oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, the Times got a look at the proposed charter, which shows a much bigger scope. It says the board will secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict, putting it on track to potentially rival the mission of the United Nations Security Council. It would be an example of the president dismantling the international system that's been in place since World War II and putting himself at the center of a new one. According to the charter, one person has the power to veto decisions, invite members democracy, designate his successor, or dissolve the board entirely. Donald Trump. A US Official also confirmed Trump could play a central role even after his presidency is over, saying he can hold the post until he resigns. It Saudi Arabia, Israel, Belarus and several more countries have said they're joining. Russia and China have also been invited. It's unclear what they'll do. And some countries, including France, have said no, after which Trump threatened France with 200% tariffs on wine. A new Time Siena poll out this morning shows that President Trump's approval rating is falling and that only about a third of voters think the country is better off than it was when he took office a year ago. Almost half think it's worse. A growing majority of voters disapprove of how he's handled a range of issues from from immigration to the economy. Half of Americans say Trump's policies have made life less affordable for them. Notably, Trump has lost significant support among younger voters and non white voters, groups who helped him clinch a second term. Still, Trump has managed to retain overwhelming support among Republicans. Almost half view him as one of the best presidents in US History, with one voter telling the Times, quote, I think he must be doing something right when there are so many people opposed to him. You can find the full results of the [e-mail]. Now two more quick updates on the federal government.

[Immigrant Community Representative]

People are afraid. They are scared. Imagine you are a parent and you step out to put your kid in a school bus. By the time you turn around, you are surrounded by ICE agents.

[Tracy Mumford]

Local officials in Maine say that immigrant communities there are on edge as the Trump administration has made that state the latest focus of its ramped up immigration enforcement operations. An ICE official told Fox News that the agency has, quote, approximately 1400 targets in Maine. It started making arrests this week. A number of asylum seekers from African countries have moved to the state in recent years, and the Times has learned that the ICE operation there is aimed in part at immigrants from Somalia. President Trump has railed against them repeatedly in xenophobic comments, calling them garbage.

[Congressional Committee Member]

And the committee hereby favorably reports and adopts this report, recommending that the House of Representatives find William J. Clinton in contempt of Congress.

[Tracy Mumford]

In the House of Representatives yesterday.

[Congressional Committee Member]

The question is now unfavorably reporting the Hillary R. Clinton Contempt Report.

[Tracy Mumford]

The Oversight Committee took an extraordinary step in recommending that Bill and Hillary Clinton be charged with criminal contempt for refusing to testify in its Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The Clintons have accused the Republican chair of the committee of targeting them for political purposes. And they've said that while they're willing to be interviewed under oath in private, they would not agree to testify publicly. After a heated day long debate yesterday, multiple Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the effort to hold them in contempt for that. Some said that Bill Clinton in particular should answer questions about the time he spent socializing with Epstein. Their votes reflected a reluctance to be seen as defending anyone associated with the convicted sex offender. Other Democrats, however, said that the committee was applying a double standard and not doing enough to investigate President Trump's ties to Epstein or to press the Justice Department to release all of the Epstein files, which it has still failed to do. The full House of Representatives will now consider whether or not to refer the Clintons to the Department of Justice for prosecution. If convicted, they could face up to a $100,000 fine and one year in prison. In Iran, government officials have declared that the widespread protests which some had thought might take down the authoritarian regime, have been crushed. Iran's prosecutor general said, quote, the sedition is over now, and the country's foreign minister has claimed that the violence on our streets has subsided. The movement had kicked off last month in response to the country's collapsing economy and led to weeks of unrestricted, with huge crowds of Iranians taking to the streets, burning government buildings and shouting death to the dictator. Authorities responded with a brutal crackdown. At some points, videos showed them opening fire on unarmed protesters. By one estimate, more than 4,500 people were killed. But the government cut Internet access, making it difficult to get a full account of what's happened. Now Iranian officials have vowed to punish people who they say were responsible for the protests. They've called them terrorists and provocateurs, claiming they were backed by foreign governments like the US And Israel. And finally, anyone who has applied for a job recently probably knows the feeling of hitting submit and wondering if anyone AI is just going to filter your resume out before a human ever sees it. Maybe you've even gotten a rejection 10 minutes after applying and wondered, wait, why? How it can feel like a black box. And a group of job seekers is now pushing back on that. They filed a lawsuit against one particular screening company, which pulls together data from sources like LinkedIn. The software then evaluates people's skills and scores each applicant on a scale of 1 to 5. The suit claims. That's basically like a credit score, and so like credit scores, people have a right to know what it is. Congress put the Fair Credit Reporting act in place back in 1970 to make sure people could ask for their scores and dispute them if there were any errors. The job seekers want the same thing, especially if AI is getting something wrong. One plaintiff told the I think I deserve to know what's being collected about me and shared with employers. Those are the headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. We'll be back tomorrow with the latest and the Friday News quiz.

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