The Most Expensive Judicial Race in U.S. History, and a Growing Demand for Ivermectin

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Headlines
Episode: The Most Expensive Judicial Race in U.S. History, and a Growing Demand for Ivermectin
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Host: Tracy Mumford, The New York Times

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1. Introduction

In this episode of The Headlines, host Tracy Mumford delves into two pivotal elections shaping the current political landscape, the administration’s recent deportation actions, significant changes in military policy, the surge in ivermectin interest, and the nostalgic revival of rotating restaurants. Each segment provides in-depth analysis and expert insights to help listeners understand the complexities of these topics.

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2. The Most Expensive Judicial Race in U.S. History

Timestamp: 00:27 – 03:02

Tracy Mumford opens with an examination of the historic judicial race in Wisconsin, highlighting its significance in the broader context of American politics. This election is to fill a seat on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court, a decision that could sway the court’s balance between liberal and conservative ideologies. The race has amassed nearly $100 million, making it the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history.

Key Points:

• Candidates and Funding: The conservative candidate, Brad Schimmel, has received substantial financial backing from Elon Musk and affiliated groups, mirroring Musk’s previous involvement in political campaigns. “A vote for Schimmel is a way to also show their support for what Musk and Trump are doing in Washington,” explains Ernesto Londonio, a Times reporter traveling through western Wisconsin. (02:25)

• Musk’s Involvement: Over the weekend, Musk actively supported Schimmel by distributing oversized $1 million checks at a rally, a tactic reminiscent of his support during the presidential election. “We should not allow a seat on our Supreme Court to be bought,” Mumford asserts, emphasizing the campaign against Musk’s financial influence. (01:34)

• Voter Sentiment: Among conservatives, supporting Schimmel equates to endorsing Trump’s administration, while liberals express deep concern over authoritarian shifts. “They think Trump has gone too far in eroding core Democratic norms,” Mumford reports, underscoring the election’s potential national implications. (02:37)

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3. Special Election in Florida

Timestamp: 03:02 – 04:44

The episode transitions to Florida, where a special election for Michael Waltz’s former House seat becomes a focal point. Despite being a majority Republican district, the Democratic candidate has gained unexpected traction, hinting at possible shifts in voter sentiment amid Trump's presidency.

Key Points:

• Candidate Dynamics: The Democrat’s significant fundraising advantage—outraising the Republican opponent 10 to 1—has sparked concern within GOP ranks. “A close race could be a warning sign for the GOP that concerns over Trump's presidency could be eroding Republican support down the ballot,” Mumford explains. (03:14)

• Political Implications: This election serves as a barometer for Republican strength and the potential ripple effects of Trump’s policies on local and national elections.

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4. Trump Administration's Deportation Actions

Timestamp: 04:44 – 05:14

Mumford covers the Trump administration’s recent deportation of 17 individuals to a high-security prison in El Salvador. The administration presented the deportees as gang members convicted of serious crimes under standard U.S. immigration law.

Key Points:

• Deportation Details: “All 17 men… were accused or convicted of a crime that would make them eligible for deportation,” states Mumford, referencing the administration’s justification. (04:53)

• Legal Challenges: The previous rationale based on the Alien Enemies Act has been blocked by a federal judge, leaving the latest deportation without the same legal footing. (04:53)

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5. Changes in Military Fitness Standards for Women

Timestamp: 05:14 – 07:09

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces the elimination of lower physical fitness requirements for women in combat roles, advocating for standardized standards across all genders.

Key Points:

• Policy Shift: “We will have nothing but the highest and equal standards for men and women in combat,” Hegseth declares. (05:14)

• Historical Context: Since 2015, some military branches maintained separate fitness standards for women, sparking debates over unit readiness and gender equality. Hegseth’s directive aims to unify these standards by the end of October. (05:14)

• Personal Stance: Although Hegseth previously opposed women in combat roles, his current stance emphasizes equality in fitness requirements, aligning elite units’ standards with the broader military. (05:05)

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6. Growing Demand for Ivermectin

Timestamp: 07:09 – 08:27

The podcast shifts to healthcare, addressing the resurgence of interest in ivermectin—a drug traditionally used to treat parasites but controversially touted during the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential treatment.

Key Points:

• Misinformation Surge: The demand for ivermectin has surged, fueled by misinformation and endorsements from public figures like Mel Gibson. “There is very early research into ivermectin and cancer,” explains Danny Blume, a Times health reporter. (06:59)

• Health Risks: Doctors warn against self-medicating with ivermectin due to severe side effects, including central nervous system damage. “It can lead to seizures. It can even be fatal,” Blume cautions. (07:09)

• Legislative Actions: Despite medical warnings, several Republican-controlled states, including Arkansas, have enacted laws making ivermectin more accessible over the counter, raising concerns among healthcare professionals. (08:27)

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7. Revival of Rotating Restaurants

Timestamp: 08:27 – End

Concluding the episode, Mumford explores the nostalgic comeback of rotating restaurants—glass-walled dining establishments that offer panoramic city views through their slow rotation.

Key Points:

• Historical Popularity: Originating in the 1960s and 70s, rotating restaurants like La Ronde in Honolulu and those atop the Space Needle in Seattle became symbols of urban modernity. (08:27)

• Decline and Resurgence: While maintenance issues and safety concerns led to the decline of these establishments, recent renovations and innovative features have sparked a revival. New York’s Marriott Marquis now boasts a spinning restaurant with added landmarks to prevent diner disorientation. (08:27)

• Modern Enhancements: The rotation speed is carefully managed to ensure a seamless dining experience, with a full rotation taking approximately 45 minutes, eliminating the risk of items like salads spinning off plates. (08:27)

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8. Conclusion

Tracy Mumford wraps up the episode by highlighting the significance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race and Elon Musk’s pivotal role in it, directing listeners to further coverage available on the New York Times audio app.

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Notable Quotes:

• “We should not allow a seat on our Supreme Court to be bought.” — Tracy Mumford (01:34)
• “A vote for Schimmel is a way to also show their support for what Musk and Trump are doing in Washington.” — Ernesto Londonio (02:25)
• “They think Trump has gone too far in eroding core Democratic norms.” — Tracy Mumford (02:37)
• “It can lead to seizures. It can even be fatal.” — Danny Blume (07:11)
• “We will have nothing but the highest and equal standards for men and women in combat.” — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (05:05)

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This episode of The Headlines provides a comprehensive overview of critical political races, administrative actions, policy changes, health concerns, and cultural trends, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of current events shaping the United States.

Transcript

[Unknown Speaker 1]

The New York Times app has all this stuff that you may not have seen.

[Unknown Speaker 2]

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[Tracy Mumford]

Matches what I'm feeling.

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Click wordle or Connections and then swipe over to read today's headlines.

[Tracy Mumford]

There's an article next to a recipe next to games and it's just easy to get everything in one place.

[Unknown Speaker 3]

This app is essential.

[Unknown Speaker 2]

The New York Times app All of the Times all in one place.

[Tracy Mumford]

Download it [e-mail] Apple from the new York Times, it's the headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. Today's Tuesday, April 1st. Here's what we're covering. Two elections today in two different states could offer the clearest view yet of how American voters are feeling about Donald Trump's presidency so far. First, in Wisconsin, there's an election to fill a seat on the state Supreme Court, which will determine whether the court keeps its liberal majority or flips conservative. The outcome could have national impact since the court will likely oversee key election related cases in the battleground state. The race has now become the most expensive judicial race in American history. The candidates and their supporters have spent nearly $100 million. A huge portion of that money has come from Elon Musk and groups tied to him as the billionaire has thrown his support behind the Trump backed conservative candidate.

[Unknown Speaker 3]

Let me first hand out two $1 million checks in apprecia.

[Tracy Mumford]

Over the weekend, Musk took to the stage at a rally in support of the candidate Brad Schimmel and handed out two oversized checks to voters, the same stunt he used during the presidential election. At the same time, I'm working hard to make sure that voters understand that they should not stand for this, that we should not allow a seat on our Supreme Court to be bought. The liberal candidate, Susan Crawford and her campaign have been calling out Musk's involvement and trying to mobilize voters who are upset with the drastic government cuts he's carried out under President Trump.

[Unknown Speaker 3]

I spent several days traveling through a handful of towns in western Wisconsin and to a person, when you stop Wisconsinites to talk about this local race, you will get an earful about what has been happening in D.C. over the first couple of months of the Trump administration.

[Tracy Mumford]

My colleague Ernesto Londonio has been reporting on the race. He says that for some supporters of the conservative candidate, a vote for Schimmel is a way to also show their support for what Musk and Trump are doing in Washington.

[Unknown Speaker 3]

But when you talk to liberals, you know you get a real sense of indignation, outrage and fear. They think Trump has gone too far in eroding core Democratic norms, and they see this election as a way to send a strong message from one of the battlegrounds in the country that has loomed largest throughout the last few cycles of presidential racist the second key race.

[Tracy Mumford]

To watch today is a special election in Florida. The House seat that Michael Waltz used to hold is up for grabs. He vacated it to become President Trump's national security advisor. It's a majority Republican district, and the Republican candidate is expected to win. But the Democrat has been picking up momentum. As of a few weeks ago, he'd outraised his opponent 10 to 1, and the surge of support has Republican leaders nervously watching what the final margin will be. A close race could be a warning sign for the GOP that concerns over Trump's presidency could be eroding Republican support down the ballot. The Trump administration announced yesterday that it has sent another plane of deportees to a high security prison in El Salvador. On social media, President Trump shared a video produced like a trailer for an action movie, showing a U.S. air Force plane landing, troops marching and handcuffed men being led away. The men are then shown kneeling in the prison while their heads are shaved. The White house says all 17 men who they described as gang members were deported under standard US Immigration law. The administration supplied a list showing they'd either been accused or convicted of a crime that would make them eligible for deportation, including murder, assault and theft. The administration did not cite the Alien Enemies act, the rationale it gave for its previous deportation flights to El Salvador. That justification has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

For far too long. We allowed standards to slip and different standards for men and women and combat arms jobs. That's not acceptable.

[Tracy Mumford]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced he's eliminating the lower physical fitness requirements that had been in place for women in some combat roles. He announced the requirements must now be standardized for everyone.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

I'm signing this memorandum today. The services will review and soon we will have nothing but the highest and equal standards for men and women in combat.

[Tracy Mumford]

When the military first opened up all combat roles to Women back in 2015, some branches set separate fitness standards for things like push ups, sit ups and distance runs. In the Marines, for example, where men had to complete 34 push ups in two minutes, women had to complete 15. Some officials saw that as essential for recruiting and retaining female soldiers. But it also sparked a heated debate over whether that was compromising the readiness of combat units. Hegseth has a history of saying women should not be in combat roles at all, though he softened that during his confirmation hearing, where he essentially previewed this approach of allowing women to serve only if they meet the same standards as men. The most elite units in the military, like the Navy seals or Army Rangers, have always required all soldiers to pass the same physical tests. Hegseth has ordered military leadership to implement the new standards by the end of October. Recently, online searches for the drug ivermectin have been spiking, and doctors say they're fielding more and more questions about it, fueled in part by misinformation. The drug is primarily used as a treatment for parasites in humans and animals, but it became a household name during the pandemic when people claimed it could treat Covid. Research has shown it does not, though claims it can treat other illnesses are still spreading, particularly among right wing influencers. Earlier this year, the actor Mel Gibson went on the Joe Rogan podcast and said he had friends Recover from stage 4 cancer after taking ivermectin and other drugs. A video of that episode got 10 million views.

[Unknown Speaker 2]

The problem is that ivermectin is, as far as we know now, not a miracle drug and that there are a number of things people are trying to use it for that just have not been proven.

[Tracy Mumford]

Danny Blume covers health for the Times.

[Unknown Speaker 2]

There is very early research into ivermectin and cancer. The problem is that that research currently is mostly in animals or in petri dishes. We don't have large clinical trials done in humans, and so it just hasn't been proven whether or not ivermectin can be beneficial in cancer. What we do know for sure is that if you take ivermectin in high doses, it can have these pretty devastating effects on the central nervous system. It cause people to go into comas. It could lead to seizures. It can even be fatal. A number of doctors that I spoke with expressed concern that people would turn to these unproven treatments without much input from a doctor and see if they can work for very serious and damaging illnesses. And this doctor I spoke with said that he has seen patients with early stage, highly treatable tumors who forego cancer drugs and instead take ivermectin and come back months later with cancers that have spread. And so doctors are really getting concerned about not only the risks from the drug itself, but also people having this sort of do it yourself approach to medicine and people wind up getting sicker.

[Tracy Mumford]

Dani says, even as health providers are warning about the dangers of people taking ivermectin on their own. Lawmakers in multiple Republican controlled states are trying to make it easier for people to get the drug. Last week, the governor of Arkansas signed a law allowing it to be sold over the counter. And finally, the rotating restaurant, an architectural novelty from the 1960s and 70s is making a comeback. That's those glass walled circular dining rooms perched atop skyscrapers that spin around so you can take in the whole view. The first one opened in the US in 1961. That was La Ronde, perched above a shopping center in Honolulu. Then everybody wanted one. There's a rotating restaurant on top of the Space Needle in Seattle, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Houston and Detroit all had one. They sprang up in an age when construction in cities was booming and people wanted to see the changing skylines up close. But over the decades, the trend faded. The machinery, essentially a wheel that moves around a stationary core, got old. Maintenance costs soared, there were safety concerns, even gruesome accidents. Many of the restaurants stopped spinning or closed entirely. Now, though, what goes around comes back around. The revolving bar and restaurant on top of the New York Marriott Marquis is spinning again, as are sky high restaurants in Atlanta and San Francisco. In New York, they had to add a trick to make sure that diners don't get disoriented. Often when people get up to use the bathroom, they had trouble finding their table again because everything outside the windows had shifted. So they've added a bunch of highly visible landmarks inside the restaurant to help people find their way. And just to be clear, if you are picturing a carnival ride kind of thing, these restaurants are not that they do not go fast. Your side salad is not going to spin off of your plate. In New York, the restaurant takes about 45 minutes to make a full rotation. Those are the headlines today on the Daily More on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race and how Elon Musk has put himself at the center of it. That's next in the New York Times audio app. Or you can listen wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Tracy Mumford. We'll be back tomorrow.