The Headlines – November 18, 2025

Podcast: The Headlines
Host: Tracy Mumford (The New York Times)
Featured Reporter: Vivian Nehriim, Times Gulf Bureau Chief
Main Theme: Deep dives into President Trump’s Saudi business ties, high-stakes U.S.-Saudi deals, new developments in the Israel-Gaza conflict, and the mysterious evacuation of Gazans to South Africa.

Episode Overview

This episode explores two major stories:

1. The intersection of President Trump’s family business interests and U.S. diplomatic efforts with Saudi Arabia during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first U.S. visit in seven years.
2. The mysterious evacuation of hundreds of Gazans to South Africa amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, with questions about transparency and international involvement.

Leaning on original reporting and analysis, the episode spotlights the tangled web of politics, business, and diplomacy shaping global headlines.

Key Discussion Points

1. Saudi Crown Prince’s Turnabout and Trump Family Business Ties (00:33–03:27)

• Saudi Crown Prince’s Global Rehabilitation:
  Mohammed bin Salman, once shunned after Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, is now being welcomed at the White House.

  “Back in 2018, Mohammed bin Salman became a global pariah after Saudi agents killed and dismembered the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi ... Since then, the crown prince has leveraged Saudi Arabia's vast wealth and the kingdom's sway over oil markets to get back on the world stage.” – Tracy Mumford (00:33)

• U.S.-Saudi Business Entanglements:
  Vivian Nehriim details several Trump Organization projects in Saudi Arabia, including plans for a Trump Tower in Jeddah, developments in Riyadh, and Trump-linked involvement with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournaments.

  • Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, received significant Saudi investment—$2 billion for his private equity fund and a major buyout in a deal with Electronic Arts.
  • Further Trump Organization projects linked to Saudi government real estate are reportedly in negotiation.
  • Gulf norms around business and politics starkly contrast with U.S. ethical expectations.

  “In the Gulf, where hereditary ruling families hold nearly absolute power, this kind of mingling of politics and business is normal. But for the United States, it's really shattered ... decades of norms and raised concerns among ethics experts.” – Vivian Nehriim (02:56)

  • Memorable Quote:

    “Essentially, it just presents a lot of questions around potential conflicts of interest.” – Vivian Nehriim (03:19)

2. U.S. Arms Sales and Shifting Congressional Pressure (03:27–05:49)

• F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia:
  President Trump announces intent to sell F-35 fighter jets—some of the U.S.'s most advanced military technology—despite Pentagon concerns about potential Chinese access and existing Saudi-China security ties.

  • Congress could still block the sale; Trump bypassed Congress similarly in his first term.

  “[Trump] used emergency powers and a presidential veto to push through arms sales to Saudi Arabia over the objections of lawmakers.” – Tracy Mumford (04:11)

• Epstein Files and Congressional Dynamics:
  Bipartisan support surges for public release of Epstein-related files, with Trump reversing his position under party and public pressure.

  “A rare case of the President bending to political pressure after spending most of his term ruling over his party with an iron grip.” – Tracy Mumford (05:12)

  • Raises a pointed question about the president’s reluctance to directly order the file release, given his clear precedent in declassifying other historic documents.

  “If the President wants the files to be released, why doesn’t he just do it himself?” – Tracy Mumford (05:26)

3. UN Backs Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan (05:49–06:23)

• UN Security Council Approval:
  Trump’s plan for Gaza, including a two-year “Board of Peace” led by himself, wins Security Council endorsement.
  • Plan lacks support for Palestinian statehood, drawing some objections from council members.
  • Calls for an “international stabilization force” to demilitarize and govern Gaza.

  “The plan includes a so-called Board of Peace, which Trump says he will lead to oversee Gaza for at least the next two years, and among other provisions, calls for an international stabilization force to demilitarize and govern the territory.” – Tracy Mumford (06:23)

4. Inside Gaza Postwar Planning (06:23–07:55)

• Base Operations:
  The Times gets inside access to a U.S.-run coordination base in Israel, where civilian and military staff scramble to plan Gaza’s future.
  • Described as “a kind of frenzied, chaotic startup,” with experienced and novice staff alike.
  • Meetings with playful names (“Wellness Wednesdays” for health and education, “Thirsty Thursdays” for water infrastructure).
  • Proposals to create “alternate safe communities” to draw civilians from Hamas-controlled areas.

  “Despite the flurry of planning happening at the base, there is no formal Palestinian representation there. That's prompted criticism from some diplomats and aid workers …” – Tracy Mumford (07:34)

5. Mysterious Evacuation Flights from Gaza to South Africa (07:55–09:10)

• Surprise Relocation:
  Hundreds of Gazans land in South Africa after flights arranged by an obscure charity (Almage Europe); South African officials claim the Israeli government is behind it—an allegation Israel denies.
  • Evacuees paid $1,600 in cryptocurrency, believed they were part of a French embassy evacuation.
  • The relocated families had little idea where they were going; now living on 90-day visas.
  • Emotional details of families, especially children, experiencing normal life for the first time:

    “The other day she was telling me, dad, we are living like the YouTube life.” – 37-year-old father of two recounting his daughter’s awe (09:03)

6. Monarch Butterfly Migration Breakthrough (09:10–End)

• Tagging Technology:
  New solar-powered radio tags allow researchers and the public to track monarch butterflies’ remarkable migrations, revealing new details about their journeys.
  • Hope that granular data will help efforts to conserve the threatened species.

  “There's nothing that's not amazing about this.” – U.S. monarch butterfly researcher (09:32)

Notable Quotes

• On Trump-Saudi Business Links and Conflicts of Interest:

  “Essentially, it just presents a lot of questions around potential conflicts of interest.”
  — Vivian Nehriim (02:56)

• On Congressional Pressure and Transparency:

  “A rare case of the President bending to political pressure after spending most of his term ruling over his party with an iron grip.”
  — Tracy Mumford (05:12)

• On Gazan Children’s Reaction to Freedom:

  “The other day she was telling me, dad, we are living like the YouTube life.”
  — Gazan father (09:03)

• On Monarch Migrations:

  “There's nothing that's not amazing about this.”
  — Monarch butterfly researcher (09:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:33–03:27: Trump family’s Saudi business ties, new projects, and potential conflicts of interest
• 03:27–05:49: F-35 fighter jet sale, Trump’s political maneuvers on the Epstein files
• 05:49–06:23: UN \ Security Council approves Trump’s plan for Gaza
• 06:23–07:55: Inside Gaza planning base, proposals for post-conflict reconstruction
• 07:55–09:10: Mysterious flights exporting Gazans to South Africa, human impact stories
• 09:10–End: Monarch butterfly migration, scientific advances in tracking

Summary

Today’s episode unpacks the complex entanglement of business, diplomacy, and ethics looming over President Trump’s renewed relationship with Saudi Arabia—placing personal financial interests in the spotlight. It also covers controversial U.S. arms sales, rare concessions to Congressional pressure, and a globally significant UN vote on Gaza’s future, while examining both on-the-ground humanitarian issues (with mystery evacuation flights) and inspirational scientific progress (in butterfly research). The reporting mixes political intrigue, global impact, and moments of hope—painting a vivid picture of the whirlwind shaping this day’s headlines.