Trump’s Flurry of Pardons, and Musk’s Goodbye

Summary

The Headlines: Trump’s Flurry of Pardons, and Musk’s Goodbye

Release Date: May 29, 2025
Host: Tracy Mumford, The New York Times

Tracy Mumford delves into the week’s most impactful stories, offering in-depth analysis and insights from The New York Times’ extensive reporting network. This episode covers President Trump’s extensive use of pardon powers, legal challenges to his tariff policies, aggressive visa revocations targeting Chinese students, Elon Musk’s departure from his advisory role, a surge in crypto-related kidnappings, and a tribute to two unsung Hollywood legends.

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I. President Trump’s Extensive Use of Pardons and Commutations

[00:46] Tracy Mumford opens with President Trump’s recent issuance of over two dozen pardons and commutations. These clemencies span a broad spectrum of offenses, including theft, murder, and tax fraud.

High-Profile Pardons:

• Julie and Todd Chrisley: Reality TV stars from Chrisley Knows Best were pardoned after being convicted of significant financial crimes. Their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, had previously advocated for their release, alleging political persecution. At [01:09], Tracy notes, “The Chrisley's case underscores how Trump has redefined the presidential pardon power, turning it from a formal vetted process into a tool to reward his supporters and incentivize loyalty.”

Notable Pardon Recipients:

• Former Arkansas State Senator: Convicted of accepting bribes.
• Major Republican Donor: Violated lobbying and campaign finance laws.
• Larry Hoover: Leader of Chicago’s Gangster Disciples, whose commutation follows relentless advocacy but likely will not end his incarceration due to state convictions.

Advisor's Stance: An advisor emphasized the administration’s inclusive approach with the motto, “No MAGA left behind.”

Implications: Tracy criticizes the transformation of the pardon system into a politicized tool, highlighting concerns about its impact on justice and governance.

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II. Legal Challenges to Trump’s Tariff Policies

Trump’s administration faced judicial pushback on several tariffs imposed under an economic emergency law from the 1970s.

Court Ruling: The U.S. Court of International Trade declared some tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico illegal, stating they “exceed any authority granted to the president” [01:50]. The White House has a 10-day window to comply, with intentions to appeal the decision.

Administration’s Response: A White House spokesperson criticized the ruling, asserting, “It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.”

Analysis: Tracy explores the novel use of the 1970s law to justify tariffs and the implications of the court’s intervention on presidential powers and international trade relations.

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III. Aggressive Revocation of Visas for Chinese Students

[05:58] Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to revoke visas of Chinese students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. This policy shift threatens approximately 250,000 Chinese students, the second-largest international student group in the U.S.

Impact on Education and Research: Historically, Chinese students have been integral to American universities, contributing financially and to research advancements. The policy, as Tracy notes, “could upend the lives of some of the most talented individuals and strain academic institutions that rely on their contributions.”

Notable Cases: The daughter of China’s President Xi Jinping, who graduated from Harvard under a pseudonym, exemplifies the high-profile beneficiaries of previous leniencies.

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IV. Elon Musk’s Departure and Criticism of Trump Administration

[06:07] Elon Musk officially announced his exit from his advisory role in the Trump administration. Initially perceived as the president’s close ally, Musk’s influence led to significant federal program reforms.

Reasons for Departure: Complaints from lawmakers and cabinet members about Musk's overreach and public backlash affecting Tesla’s profits contributed to the estrangement.

Musk’s Critique: In a CBS interview, Musk expressed disappointment with the administration’s spending bill:

“I was like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not decrease it, and undermines the work that the Doge team is doing.” [05:58]

He further stated:

“I think a bill can be, can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it could be both. My personal opinion.” [06:15]

Trump’s Response: When questioned about Musk’s criticisms, President Trump chose not to respond directly.

Implications: Musk’s departure signals a cooling relationship with the administration and raises questions about future policy directions and economic strategies.

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V. Surge in Crypto-Related Kidnappings

Catherine Porter reports on a troubling increase in kidnappings targeting individuals connected to the cryptocurrency sphere.

Recent Incidents:

• A young mother with her baby was attacked in Paris [07:04].
• Crypto influencers have been targets, with methods including torture and mutilation to extract Bitcoin wallet access.

Geographical Spread: While global, France has seen a significant uptick. Authorities suspect drug criminals may be orchestrating these crimes, employing younger men for their operations.

Law Enforcement Perspective: Officials liken these crypto heists to traditional bank robberies, exploiting the digital nature of cryptocurrency transactions. However, experts argue that enhanced security measures in crypto have mitigated some risks.

Case Study: In New York, law enforcement arrested three individuals for a crypto kidnapping where the victim endured nearly three weeks of captivity before escaping.

Analysis: Tracy discusses the evolving nature of financial crimes in the digital age and the challenges law enforcement faces in combating these sophisticated operations.

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VI. Tribute to Master Hollywood Craftsmen

The episode concludes with a heartfelt remembrance of two pivotal figures in the film industry whose behind-the-scenes work left an indelible mark on cinema.

Bruce Logan (Deceased at 78): Renowned for his special effects, Logan was the mastermind behind the iconic Death Star explosion in Star Wars. His practical effects included setting off mini bombs with gasoline, titanium chips, and napalm to achieve realistic explosions [09:25].

Greg Canham (Deceased at 73): An Oscar-winning makeup artist, Canham transformed actors for roles such as Mrs. Doubtfire and the Wayans Brothers in White Chicks. His reverse aging work in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button showcased his unparalleled skill in makeup artistry.

Elon Musk’s Lighthearted Moment: During the tribute, Musk interjects humorously:

“Sorry to frighten you dear. I must look like a yeti in this get up.” [09:40]

Legacy: Tracy emphasizes that while modern CGI has taken over many special effects roles, the craftsmanship of Logan and Canham remains legendary and continues to inspire the industry.

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Conclusion

Tracy Mumford wraps up the episode by teasing the next day’s topic: “A look at how Harvard's battle with the Trump administration is escalating,” available on the New York Times audio app. Listeners are reminded of the comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis that The Headlines consistently provides.

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Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump: “I'm ecstatic. President Trump's order that I got states I hereby designate, direct and empower the Attorney General as my representative.” [00:46]
• Donald Trump: “I'll never forget what the prosecutor said before an Obama appointed judge. He called us the Trumps of the South.” [01:40]
• Elon Musk: “I was like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not decrease it, and undermines the work that the Doge team is doing.” [05:58]
• Elon Musk: “I think a bill can be, can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it could be both. My personal opinion.” [06:15]

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the major topics covered, enriched with direct quotes and contextual analysis.

Transcript

[Feeding America Representative]

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[Tracy Mumford]

From the new York Times, it's the headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. Today's Thursday, May 29th. Here's what we're covering.

[Donald Trump]

I'm ecstatic. President Trump's order that I got states I hereby designate, direct and empower the Attorney General as my representative.

[Tracy Mumford]

President Trump has issued a flurry of pardons and commutations this week, granting clemency to more than two dozen people who'd been convicted of a wide range of crimes, from theft to murder to tax fraud.

[Donald Trump]

The president himself called me to let me know that my family was coming back together.

[Tracy Mumford]

Among the most high profile were pardons for real estate moguls Julie and Todd Chrisley, who starred in the reality TV show Chrisley Knows Best. They'd been convicted of evading taxes and defrauding banks of more than $30 million to support their lavish lifestyle. Their daughter Savannah, who celebrated their release from prison yesterday, had championed their case at the Republican National Convention last year, framing it as political persecution.

[Donald Trump]

I'll never forget what the prosecutor said before an Obama appointed judge. He called us the Trumps of the South.

[Tracy Mumford]

The Chrisley's case underscores how Trump has redefined the presidential pardon power, turning it from a formal vetted process into a tool to reward his supporters and incentivized loyalty. One of Trump's advisors leading the pardon process posted this week, quote, no MAGA left behind. The White House has not released a full list of its latest pardons, but the Times has identified a number of them, including a former Republican state senator from Arkansas who was convicted of accepting bribes, and a major Republican donor from the 2016 campaign who violated lobbying and campaign finance laws. Also on the list, Larry Hoover, who used to run one of Chicago's most notorious gangs, the Gangster Disciples, which raked in more than $100 million a year in drug sales. Hoover had been sentenced to over 200 years in prison for murder, but after years of lobbying from his supporters, including celebrities like Kanye west, his federal sentence is now commuted, though he's expected to remain in prison for the rest of his life since he was also convicted at the state level. In another twist in President Trump's tariffs, many of which were rolled out only for the president to suspend them days later, a panel of federal judges has now ruled that some of them are illegal. The ruling applies to some of the steepest tariffs Trump issued, including ones on China, Canada and Mexico. To put them in place, Trump invoked an economic emergency law from the 1970s. He argued that the US trade deficit is an emergency, giving him the power to act. That was a novel interpretation, since the law doesn't even mention tariffs. Yesterday, the US Court of International Trade said the surcharges, quote, exceed any authority granted to the president. It's not exactly clear if or when tariff collection will grind to a halt. The ruling gave the White House 10 days to comply. The Trump administration has already said it will appeal. And a White House spokesman criticized the court saying, quote, it is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. Now, two other quick updates on the Trump administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced last night that the administration will, quote, aggressively revoke the visas of Chinese students, including those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or who are studying in what he called critical fields. The short announcement, with little detail, could upend the lives of some of the quarter million Chinese students in the US they're the second largest international student group after India. Until now, family members of even the most high ranking Chinese Communist Party officials could attend American universities. The daughter of China's President Xi Jinping, graduated from Harvard in 2014 under a pseudonym. And American universities have long benefited from enrolling Chinese students, both financially from their tuition and at research laboratories, where they've been able to recruit some of China's most talented students. Also, Elon Musk, who once called himself President Trump's first buddy, officially confirmed his time as a government employee is ending. For the first few months of Trump's term, Musk had so much influence with the president that White House aides told the Times they felt he was basically holding the administration captive as he carried out a slash and burn campaign on federal programs. Eventually, though, complaints from lawmakers and cabinet members about Musk became too much for Trump to tune out, and the two have been operating at a distance. Musk has also faced backlash from the public, which hurt profits at his electric car company, Tesla. He said he'll now go back to focusing on his companies. As Musk announced his exit, he also took a swipe at Trump's signature domestic policy legislation.

[Elon Musk]

I was like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not decrease it, and undermines the work that the Doge team is doing.

[Tracy Mumford]

In an interview with cbs, Musk bemoaned the fact that the bill will drive up government spending after he and his team were brought on to cut it.

[Elon Musk]

I think a bill can be, can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it could be both. My personal opinion.

[Tracy Mumford]

When asked about Musk's criticism, Trump declined to respond directly.

[Catherine Porter]

In France recently, two weeks ago, a young mother with her baby was on a street in the 11th rendissment in Paris and a van squealed up. A bunch of men in black with masks jumped out and tried to haul her into the van. It's the latest example of these brazen kidnapping attempts of people who are either related to crypto entrepreneurs or are themselves in the crypto world.

[Tracy Mumford]

My colleague Catherine Porter has been reporting on the recent string of kidnappings related to cryptocurrency. Over the past six months, the attacks have grown brutal. From the daylight attempt on the young mother to dousing a crypto influencer's father in gasoline and shoving him in a car trunk, to kidnappers cutting off victims fingers, all to try and scare up million dollar ransoms.

[Catherine Porter]

This is happening around the world, but there seems to have just been an explosion in France. And why there's this explosion in France, you know, police are not fully clear yet. They're still investigating, but from what we can tell, and some of the theories that have been put out is that they believe the organizers of this are drug criminals that contract out younger men who are looking for quick money and are often in g to do their dirty work and do quick contract jobs.

[Tracy Mumford]

Catherine says officials think crypto heists are basically the new bank robberies, and they're concerned that the digital nature of crypto makes it a prime target, since getting a password may seem easier than drilling into a vault. Some crypto experts, however, say that's a misconception. Crypto may have started as the digital Wild west, but it's become increasingly secure. In one recent case where a ransom was paid, authorities were able to freeze and recover almost all of it. Meanwhile, in the US this past week, police in New York arrested three people in connection with an alleged crypto kidnapping. The victim was held and tortured for nearly three weeks in a Manhattan apartment in an attempt to get access to his bitcoin wallet before he managed to escape. And finally, the Times is remembering the lives of two master Hollywood craftsmen whose names you probably don't know, but whose work you've almost certainly seen first. Bruce Logan, AKA the man who blew up the Death Star in Star wars has died at 78. He was the special effects designer behind the iconic explosion which he had to pull off before CGI was really a thing. Great shot kid. That was one in a million. To get the shot, Logan had to set off a series of mini homemade bombs full of gasoline, titanium chips and napalm.

[Elon Musk]

And I do remember kind of wiping some burning napalm off my arm after one of the explosions as I was walking away.

[Tracy Mumford]

Logan also worked on tron airplane and 2001 A Space Odyssey and oh, I'm.

[Elon Musk]

Sorry to frighten you dear. I must look like a yeti in this get up.

[Tracy Mumford]

Greg Canham died earlier this month at 73. He's the Oscar winning makeup artist who made Robin Williams into the white haired, rosy cheeked nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire and transformed a whole generation of other stars. He gave Jim Carrey his freaky green face in the mask spoken. He turned the Waynes brothers to to black actors into white chicks. In white chicks, you are a girl and you better start acting like one or you're gonna be an unemployed girl. And in what Cannon described as the highlight of his career. How old are you?

[Elon Musk]

Seven. But I look a lot older.

[Tracy Mumford]

He reverse aged Brad Pitt from an old man to a baby in the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. A lot of the movie magic Logan and Cannum were able to pull off is now done with computers, but they did it with foam, paint, silicone and that touch of napalm. Those are the headlines today on the Daily A look at how Harvard's battle with the Trump administration is escalating. That's next in the New York Times audio app where you can listen wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Tracy Mumford. We'll be back tomorrow.