Up First from NPR: Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Trump Economy, Federal Reserve December, Afghan Fighters' Struggles
Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Michelle Martin, Leila Fadel
Guests: Tamara Keith, Scott Horsley, Brian Mann

Overview

This episode covers three major stories:

1. President Trump's messaging on the economy and voters' contrasting negative perceptions.
2. The Federal Reserve's looming interest rate decision, amid internal divisions and incomplete economic data.
3. The struggles of CIA-affiliated Afghan "Zero Unit" fighters in the U.S., including mental health crises and immigration issues.

1. President Trump’s Economy Narrative vs. Public Sentiment

Key Discussion Points

• President Trump claims the economy is "thriving" with falling inflation and rising wages.
  • [00:05] Donald Trump: “We're getting inflation, we're crushing it, and you're getting much higher wages.”
• At a Pennsylvania rally, Trump prioritized "making America affordable again," blaming prior administrations for high prices.
  • [02:20] Donald Trump: “They caused the high prices and we're bringing them down. It's a simple message.”
• Trump’s messaging focused on “lower prices, bigger paychecks,” but offered no significant new policies.
  • [02:52] Tamara Keith: “There were no new policies and not a lot of new material… Trump spent much of this 90 minute speech going through the greatest hits…”
• Trump highlighted stock market gains but ignored that many Americans do not benefit directly from those increases.
  • [03:40] Donald Trump: “…The only thing that you—it’s really going up big. It’s called the stock market and your 401ks is going up.”
  • [04:05] Tamara Keith: “The stock market is not the economy.”
• Voters remain pessimistic: A recent Fox News poll found 75% view the economy negatively, 2:1 blaming Trump over Biden.
• Trump appears indifferent to this mood, assigning blame to the former president and dismissing concerns over affordability.
  • [05:20] Donald Trump: “They have a new word, you know, they always have a hoax. The new word is affordability.”
  • [05:25] Tamara Keith: “He says that he inherited a mess. In other words, don't blame me, blame the former guy.”

Notable Moments & Quotes

• [03:58] Michelle Martin: “Okay, that might be true. Stock values are up, but a lot of people, actually more than a third of Americans, don't have money in the stock market.”
• [05:01] Scott Horsley (on Trump’s self-assessment):
  • Leila Fadel: “I wonder what grade you would give.”
  • Scott Horsley (quoting Trump): “A plus. A plus. Plus plus plus plus.”
• [05:25] Tamara Keith (on Trump’s gas price claims): “Prices are down about 8 cents on average a gallon from a year ago...not really enough savings to make up for higher grocery prices and utility bills and health care costs.”

2. Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Decision

Key Discussion Points

• The Fed is expected to cut rates today, but its committee is sharply divided.
  • Some members prioritize combating rising unemployment, others see inflation as the bigger threat.
  • [06:19] Scott Horsley: “We have seen a real slowdown in the job market in recent months and a number of Fed policymakers are very concerned about that. Over the summer, we saw a net loss of jobs in both June and August.”
• Pro-rate cut argument: Slowing job market and warning signs highlighted by Fed Governor Chris Waller.
  • [06:43] Donald Trump (characterizing the labor market): “The labor market is still weak and near stall speed.”
• Counter argument: Prices are still climbing faster than desired, and recent tariffs could worsen inflation.
  • [07:04] Scott Horsley: “We’ve still got the specter of inflation...some policymakers think getting prices under control is a bigger concern right now…”
  • [07:41] Michelle Martin (quoting Susan Collins, Boston Fed): “Absent evidence of a notable labor market deterioration, I'd be hesitant to ease policy further, especially given the limited information on inflation due to the government shutdown.”
• Government shutdown means October and November data gaps—Fed is making decisions with less information.
  • [07:53] Scott Horsley: “Policy makers are a bit of a handicap here as they try to steer the economy through thicker than usual fog.”
• Unusually high division within the Fed: Multiple potential dissents likely.
  • [08:21] Scott Horsley: “It is unusual to have a lot and in particular to have disagreement in both directions…last Fed meeting, we had two dissents…It’s been 33 years since there were four dissents. It’s possible we could see that many today.”
• Looking ahead: More rate cuts possible, but the outlook is uncertain.
  • [08:53] Scott Horsley: “President Trump is certainly calling for more, but we'll see…Investors think there is a better than even chance that we could see more rate cuts next year.”

Notable Quotes

• [06:19] Scott Horsley: “The labor market is still weak and near stall speed.”
• [07:41] Michelle Martin (quoting Susan Collins): “Absent evidence of a notable labor market deterioration, I'd be hesitant to ease policy further, especially given the limited information on inflation due to the government shutdown.”

3. Afghan “Zero Unit” Fighters in the U.S.: Struggles and Crisis

Key Discussion Points

• After serving with CIA-backed “Zero Unit” special forces, many Afghan fighters face severe struggles since resettling in the U.S.
  • [09:27] Michelle Martin: “A community of Afghan soldiers who fought against the Taliban for the CIA now feel abandoned by the agency.”
• One, Rahmanullah Leckinwal, is accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers in D.C.—raising awareness of deep trauma and isolation in this community.
  • [09:33] Leila Fadel: “NPR spoke to people involved in the zero units and learned some have struggled with mental health since coming to the U.S.; at least four soldiers have died by suicide.”
• Zero Units were CIA-led and tasked with highly dangerous operations against the Taliban.
  • [10:18] Former CIA agent Geeta Bakshi: “These guys were the tip of the spear. They were out on the front so that American personnel didn't have to be.”
• Many feel abandoned by the CIA and ensnared in a lengthy immigration limbo, with broken expectations.
  • [11:40] Daoud (Zero Unit veteran): “It's like that feeling of like you did something, but nobody is appreciating. And the promise…by your employer was a fake promise.”
• Severe isolation and stress led some to self-harm or suicide.
  • [12:35] Daoud: “Four people took their lives. We usually do a religious funeral for them just on their behalf, saying a prayer. But, yeah, unfortunately this happened.”
  • [12:57] Geeta Bakshi: “Individuals from the zero units unfortunately suffer death by self harm…we saw a direct connection to prolonged immigration delays.”
• The vetting process for Afghan immigrants is now frozen due to the Leckinwal shooting, leading to fear and uncertainty for families.
  • [13:15] Brian Mann: “The immigration process for all Afghans has been frozen by the Trump admin because of the Leckinwal case…President Trump has suggested many of these Zero Unit fighters may not be allowed to stay in the U.S.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [10:18] Geeta Bakshi: “They were the ones that were facing the maximum danger on the battlefield and taking the maximum risk due to their affiliation with US Intelligence.”
• [11:40] Daoud: “The promise that was given to you by your employer was a fake promise.”
• [12:57] Geeta Bakshi: “We raised this issue to the Biden administration, and it was one that we were very concerned about…we saw a direct connection to prolonged immigration delays.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump Economy/Narrative: [00:02]–[05:48]
• Federal Reserve Interest Rate Debate: [05:55]–[09:20]
• Afghan Zero Unit Fighters’ Struggles: [09:27]–[13:35]

Tone & Style

The episode maintains NPR’s trademark even-handed, fact-based tone, with moments of pointed commentary, especially regarding the human costs of political and economic policy decisions.

For more information or help:

• [13:38] Michelle Martin: “If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.”

Summary by: NPR Up First Podcast Summarizer (2025-12-10)