The Headlines – February 26, 2026
Podcast: The Headlines (The New York Times)
Host: Traci Mumford
Summary of Main Theme:
This episode covers several top news stories, focusing on the missing records from the Jeffrey Epstein files—especially documents relating to allegations involving former President Trump. The episode also discusses critical developments in US-Iran nuclear negotiations, the Senate’s hearings for President Trump’s nominee for Surgeon General, recent firings in the FBI, a deadly armed encounter off the Cuban coast, and the shifting US housing market. Insight and analysis are provided by Times reporters and subject experts.
Missing Records from the Epstein Files
[00:35 – 04:42]
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New York Times Review:
A Times review of Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein found key documents missing regarding a woman’s claim that Epstein and President Trump assaulted her when she was a minor. -
Missing FBI Summaries:
- The FBI conducted four interviews related to this woman’s claims and wrote summaries of each, but only one summary—detailing accusations against Epstein—was released.
- Over 50 pages of material are missing.
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Details on Trump Allegations:
- One document describes the woman’s account of Trump assaulting her in the mid-1980s, when she was roughly 14.
- No government assessment of her credibility is available in the files.
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DOJ Response:
- DOJ initially said withheld materials were duplicates or privileged.
- Now says it’s reviewing the files and may release more documents.
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Legal Requirements:
- By law, the DOJ can only redact Epstein file materials for victim privacy or ongoing investigations, not to spare public figures embarrassment.
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Calls for Investigation:
- Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), top Democrat on House Oversight, said DOJ hasn’t properly explained missing Trump materials.
- House Democrats are launching an investigation.
“The DOJ has given various responses over the past few days. It first said that the only materials it withheld were either duplicates or privileged information. It now says it's reviewing the files and will publish any documents it should have made public.”
— Traci Mumford [03:34]
High Stakes US-Iran Nuclear Talks
[04:00 – 04:42]
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Current Situation:
- Critical negotiations are underway; outcome may determine if President Trump orders military action against Iran.
- Trump demands complete abandonment of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
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Iran’s Offer:
- May propose allowing some civilian nuclear enrichment while pledging not to make weapons.
- Sweetens deal by offering to buy US goods and open markets to US investors, aiming for sanctions relief.
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Expert Analysis:
- Both sides face a pivotal moment; lack of compromise could lead to a crisis.
“Today will be the day for both sides to lay all their cards out on the table and, quote, if Iran doesn't show enough willingness to compromise and the US doesn't show willingness to provide enough sanctions relief, things are going to explode.”
— Traci Mumford (quoting a Middle East expert) [04:35]
Updates from the Trump Administration
[04:42 – 07:34]
Senate Hearing for Surgeon General Nominee
[04:54 – 06:21]
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Casey Means Nomination:
- Author and wellness influencer, nominated for US Surgeon General.
- A central figure in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr's "Make America Healthy Again" movement.
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During Confirmation Hearing:
- Means deflected on issues like pesticides, birth control, and vaccines.
- Focused on chronic diseases driven by processed foods, stress, and lack of exercise.
- Not licensed to practice medicine despite medical school graduation.
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Reporter Analysis:
“I think what's really striking is that part of why RFK said that he wanted her to be surgeon general is because she's rejected the traditional medical system.”
— Danny Bloom, Times health reporter [05:36]“A lot of her supporters say that … that is precisely the kind of person we need in charge…But a lot of critics also think that…condemnation of the medical system is exactly why she shouldn't have this role.”
— Danny Bloom [06:02] -
Confirmation Outlook:
- Republican-led committee expected to advance Means’ nomination.
FBI Firings
[06:21 – 07:34]
- Director Cash Patel:
- Fired ~10 employees involved in the Trump documents investigation (Mar-a-Lago case, 2022).
- Patel’s phone records had been subpoenaed during earlier investigation.
- Accused of politically motivated dismissals, breaking internal protections for FBI agents.
Deadly Gunfight Off the Coast of Cuba
[07:34 – 08:01]
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Incident Details:
- Cuban media: Florida-registered speedboat approached Cuba; boat occupants fired at border guards, who returned fire.
- Result: 4 dead, 6 injured. Cuban authorities say boaters were armed Cuban nationals with guns, bulletproof vests, and Molotov cocktails.
- Cuba: Claims this was a terrorist infiltration attempt.
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US Response:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio says US investigating, no evidence of formal US involvement.
- Rep. Carlos Jimenez (R-FL): Called incident a massacre.
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Rampant Tensions:
- US has cut oil shipments and other economic lifelines to Cuba.
- Cuba is facing severe inflation, blackouts, food shortages, threatening regime stability.
“Suffice it to say it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that. It's not something that happens every day. It's something, frankly, that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time.”
— Health Expert [07:34]
“The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently.”
— Secretary of State Marco Rubio [07:54]
Housing Market Shifts
[08:01 – End (~09:40)]
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Market Dynamics:
- Shift from unequivocal sellers’ market: previously, buyers made extravagant offers and waived inspections.
- Currently: For every 3 sellers, only 2 buyers; homes linger on the market.
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Seller Desperation:
- Sellers now turn to new paint, staged photos, incentives to entice buyers.
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Reasons for Shift:
- Life events—“the four Ds: diamonds, diapers, divorce, and death”—are forcing some owners with low mortgage rates to finally sell.
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Affordability Issues:
- Prices have eased but not enough; buyers now need almost twice pre-pandemic incomes.
“Essentially, it is a buyer's market, but only if you have the resources to buy.”
— Traci Mumford [09:25]
Memorable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp
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On Missing Records:
"The DOJ has given various responses over the past few days. It first said that the only materials it withheld were either duplicates or privileged information. It now says it's reviewing the files and will publish any documents it should have made public."
— Traci Mumford [03:34] -
On US-Iran Nuclear Talks:
"...if Iran doesn't show enough willingness to compromise and the US doesn't show willingness to provide enough sanctions relief, things are going to explode."
— Middle East expert (quoted by Traci Mumford) [04:35] -
On Means Nomination:
"I think what's really striking is that part of why RFK said that he wanted her to be surgeon general is because she's rejected the traditional medical system."
— Danny Bloom [05:36] -
On Cuba Gunfight:
"Suffice it to say it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that. It's not something that happens every day. It's something, frankly, that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time."
— Health Expert [07:34] -
On Housing Market:
"Essentially, it is a buyer's market, but only if you have the resources to buy."
— Traci Mumford [09:25]
Episode Structure (with Timestamps)
- Epstein Files – Missing Records – [00:35 – 04:42]
- US-Iran Nuclear Talks – [04:00 – 04:42]
- Senate Hearing/Surgeon General Nominee – [04:54 – 06:21]
- FBI Director Firings – [06:21 – 07:34]
- Cuba Gunfight – [07:34 – 08:01]
- Housing Market Update – [08:01 – End]