The Headlines – Trump’s Big Flip on Ukraine, and a Defiant Jimmy Kimmel

The New York Times | September 24, 2025
Host: Tracy Mumford

Overview

This episode of The Headlines delivers a concise examination of several developing stories: an impending government shutdown and the political standoff driving it, Donald Trump’s dramatic reversal on Ukraine policy at the United Nations, the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial late-night monologue and subsequent clash with the FCC, and a roundup of headlines including a Trump assassination attempt trial and San Francisco’s blossoming robot fight scene.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Looms: Partisan Standoff Intensifies

• Correspondent: Katie Edmondson, from Washington
• Summary:
  • The U.S. faces the threat of a government shutdown, similar to earlier in the year but with “very different” political dynamics (01:09).
  • Trump cancels negotiations: President Trump called off a planned meeting with Democratic leaders, escalating tensions (01:19).
  • Democrats hold firm: This time, Democrats are unwilling to compromise unless Republicans reverse summer cuts to Medicaid and health care programs and extend Obamacare subsidies (01:50).
  • Schumer’s stance:
    • “He’s made the case that voters have seen what Republicans' agenda is...and that voters don’t like it and want Democrats to push back and fight for them on things like health care.” — Katie Edmondson (01:50)
  • Stakes: Without action, insurance premiums could spike for millions.

2. Trump’s UN Speech and Sudden Ukraine Policy Flip

• UN General Assembly:

  • Trump delivers a long, unscripted, grievance-filled speech—four times over his allotted schedule (03:02).
  • Mocked the UN and global climate action:
    • “The carbon footprint is a hoax made up by people with evil intentions...” — Donald Trump (03:19)
  • Railed against immigration; makes false claims about Sharia law in the West (03:28–03:52).

• Foreign Reception:

  • Despite open antagonism toward the UN, Trump drew global leaders seeking private meetings—including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (04:31).

• Sudden shift on Ukraine:

  • Before: Trump insisted for months that Ukraine would “have to give up land to Russia.”
  • Now: Trump signals Ukraine can “win all of Ukraine back in its original form,” catching allies—including Zelensky—off guard (04:48–05:13).
    • “A little bit.” — Volodymyr Zelensky, when asked if he was surprised by Trump’s statement (04:48).
  • International reaction:
    • David Sanger: Allies see the move as a possible attempt by Trump to “wash his hands of the entire war and say, ‘I tried to bring peace. I can’t bring peace. You guys go fight it out.’” (05:24)
    • European officials question whether Trump’s motives are genuine or a play to distance himself and possibly reset relations with Russia.

3. Jimmy Kimmel’s Defiant Return and FCC Fallout

• Kimmel’s comeback:

  • Jimmy Kimmel resumes his late-night show after a network pause, though 20% of ABC affiliates (including those aligned with Sinclair) refuse to air it (06:26).
  • Addresses controversy:
    • “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” — Jimmy Kimmel, in an emotional apology (06:43)
    • Speaks out against pressure from the Trump administration:
      • “A government threat to silence a comedian the President doesn’t like is anti-American. That’s anti-American.” — Jimmy Kimmel (07:15)

• FCC Chairman stands firm:

  • Brendan Carr: Suggests the FCC could take regulatory action over Kimmel’s statements, raising bipartisan free speech concerns (07:42).
  • Cecilia Kang, NYT reporter:
    • Explains Carr’s strategy to “correct imbalances” in media, targeting shows like The View for “bias” and defending his aggressive approach on conservative media (08:02).

4. Other Headlines

• Assassination Attempt Trial:

  • The man who plotted to kill Trump found guilty; the trial spotlighted questions about Secret Service protocols after multiple attempts on the President’s life (08:40).

• San Francisco’s Robot Fight Club:

  • Underground, ticketed robot boxing matches are gaining popularity among the city’s tech-obsessed youth.
  • Tech entrepreneur: “It felt like something that should be happening in like 2040.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“He’s made the case that voters have seen what Republicans' agenda is… and that voters don’t like it and want Democrats to push back and fight for them on things like health care.”
— Katie Edmondson, Capitol Hill correspondent (01:50)

“The carbon footprint is a hoax made up by people with evil intentions to…”
— Donald Trump, UN speech (03:19)

“A little bit.”
— Volodymyr Zelensky, on being surprised by Trump’s Ukraine policy reversal (04:48)

“A government threat to silence a comedian the President doesn’t like is anti-American. That's anti-American.”
— Jimmy Kimmel, late-night monologue (07:15)

“He has suggested that ABC's daytime talk show The View should be investigated for being too biased.”
— Cecilia Kang, media correspondent, on FCC interventions (08:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Government Shutdown Update – 00:45–02:16
• Trump at the UN / Ukraine Flip – 03:02–06:15
• Jimmy Kimmel’s Return / FCC controversy – 06:15–08:40
• Assassination Attempt Trial – 08:40–09:36
• San Francisco Robot Fight Club – 09:36–End

Episode Tone

The reporting strikes an urgent, analytical tone, blending policy breakdowns, political analysis, and cultural commentary. Direct quotes and present-tense recaps capture the energy of the day’s confrontations—on the Hill, at the UN, and on late-night TV.

This summary reflects the major content of the episode and the nuances in the day’s top stories, providing context and key quotes for listeners who may have missed the episode.