Abortion Access In Trump's America 2.0

Summary

Podcast Summary: What A Day – "Abortion Access In Trump's America 2.0"

Podcast Information:

• Title: What A Day
• Host: Jane Coston
• Episode: Abortion Access In Trump's America 2.0
• Release Date: May 27, 2025

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1. Introduction

In this episode of What A Day, hosted by Jane Coston, the focus centers on reproductive rights in the United States amidst the evolving political landscape under President Donald Trump's administration. Jane sets the stage by highlighting recent political maneuvers and conflicts, particularly emphasizing efforts by the Republican Party to restrict abortion access through legislative and judicial means.

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2. Reproductive Rights and the Battle Over Mifepristone

[00:02] Jane Coston introduces the day's primary topic: the ongoing struggle over abortion access, specifically targeting the use of mifepristone, a medication approved by the FDA to terminate early-stage pregnancies.

• RFK Jr.'s Request to the FDA:

  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services Secretary, has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to re-examine its approval of mifepristone. This request stems from a report by the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), a conservative think tank, titled "The Abortion Pill Harms Women". The EPPC claims that adverse events from mifepristone are 22 times more likely than currently recognized by the FDA.

• Political Pushback:

  • Missouri Senator Josh Hawley questioned RFK Jr. during a Senate health hearing:

    "Don't you think that this new data shows that the need to do a review is in fact very pressing? And it's alarming. And clearly it indicates that at very least the label should be changed." [03:15]

  • Jane counters by noting the EPPC report was neither peer-reviewed nor published in a reputable scientific journal, contradicting over 100 peer-reviewed studies that affirm the safety of mifepristone. She humorously suggests that even if mifepristone had ludicrous side effects like making hair grow faster, the EPPC would still oppose it due to their ideological stance.

• Legal Actions:

  • Three red states—Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri—have filed a lawsuit against the FDA, aiming to prohibit telehealth access to mifepristone. This drug represents over 60% of all abortions in the U.S. since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
  • The lawsuit was initially filed in a Texas district court, a strategic choice since Judge Matthew Kaczmarek is known for his anti-abortion stance. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested the judge to dismiss the case due to inappropriate venue selection.

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3. Interview with Jessica Valenti on Reproductive Rights

To provide deeper insights, Jane interviews Jessica Valenti, author of "Our Bodies, Their Lives, and the Truths We Use to Win", discussing the implications of current legislative actions on reproductive rights.

• Adriana Smith's Case in Georgia:

  [03:30] Jessica shares a poignant case from Georgia:

  "Georgia has an abortion ban and Adriana Smith's family was told that because she was pregnant when she was declared brain dead and she was just nine weeks that they wouldn't be able to let her go. So essentially this is a woman who's being forcibly kept alive against her family's wishes because of the state's abortion ban."

  • This case has ignited national and international outrage, highlighting the human cost of stringent abortion laws.

• Anti-Abortion Group Responses:

  [04:34] Jessica observes varied reactions from anti-abortion factions:

  "Some groups have remained just completely silent on the case... Others are trying to shirk responsibility... It really shows that they understand just how incredibly unpopular something like this is and how horrified voters are."

  • This indicates a disconnect between the anti-abortion movement's strategies and public sentiment.

• Fetal Personhood Laws:

  [05:26] Jessica explains the broader legal landscape:

  "Pretty much every anti-abortion state has some sort of attempt to get fetal personhood on the books... In Kansas, they want child support to start at conception... It has nothing to do with child support. It has to do with codifying fetal personhood."

  • These laws attempt to grant legal personhood to fetuses, severely restricting abortion and other reproductive rights.

• Telehealth Access to Mifepristone:

  [06:50] The significance of telehealth is emphasized:

  "Telehealth is sort of the finger in the dam of access... Argentina have been really, really pissed off about this... They are trying to paint this picture of a dangerous abortion drug..."

  • Telehealth access allows individuals in restrictive states to obtain abortion pills from more permissive regions, thereby circumventing state bans.

• Post-Roe Era Dynamics:

  [08:54] Jessica reflects on the post-Roe landscape:

  "They have been throwing everything they can at the wall... They are doing every single possible thing... to further restrict any sort of reproductive healthcare like birth control, like IVF."

  • The anti-abortion movement is expanding its legislative agenda beyond abortion to other reproductive health services.

• Public Backlash and Political Implications:

  [10:38] Discussing political strategies:

  "They were surprised by the backlash against bans... Trump really understands that... They're framing it... as just about women's safety."

  • The Trump administration is navigating political backlash by reframing the narrative around abortion restrictions.

• Strategies for Democrats:

  [11:42] Jessica advises Democrats on addressing the issue:

  "They need to let go of the restore Roe language... We have an opportunity... support doctors, and we think that people, pregnant people and their families are the best folks to decide what happens to them and their bodies."

  • A proactive and affirming approach is recommended, focusing on supporting reproductive autonomy without solely relying on the restore Roe narrative.

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4. The Anti-Abortion Movement and Political Dynamics

Jane delves into the organizational strength of the anti-abortion movement, highlighting its extensive lobbying and legislative efforts aimed at entrenching abortion restrictions.

• Republican Support and Public Opinion:

  [09:49] Jane contrasts Republican legislative efforts with public opinion:

  "Most Americans approve of legal abortion. According to a Pew study... and I'm pretty sure those numbers have gone up since Dobbs."

  • Despite strong voter support for abortion rights, Republican legislators continue to push for restrictive measures, possibly overestimating their support base.

• Trump's Position:

  [10:38] The administration's stance is nuanced:

  "The Trump administration is trying to sort of distance themselves... selling it to the press as about women's safety."

  • This strategic distancing seeks to mitigate backlash while advancing restrictive policies.

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5. Other News Segments

Beyond reproductive rights, the episode covers a range of current events and political developments:

• Republican Tax and Spending Plan Controversy:

  [16:15] President Trump supports a new spending bill despite moderate cuts:

  "I support spending cuts... the cuts currently in the bill are wimpy and anemic... the math doesn't add up." [16:10]

  • Senators Rand Paul and Ron Johnson express concerns over the bill's fiscal impact, potentially impeding its passage despite House approval by a single vote.

• Russia's Drone and Missile Strikes on Ukraine:

  [17:46] Russia launched a significant aerial assault on Ukraine, totaling around 900 drones over three days. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the actions, citing a sense of Russian impunity.

• Trump's Remarks on Putin and Tariffs:

  [19:43] President Trump's frustration with Vladimir Putin:

  "I'm not happy with what Putin's doing. He's killing a lot of people... he's sending rockets into cities and killing people." [19:43]

  • Later, Trump delays a 50% tariff on EU imports after a request from Ursula von der Leyen, only to simultaneously threaten hefty tariffs on non-US-manufactured iPhones and Samsung products. This move follows Apple CEO Tim Cook’s investment in India and represents a strategic trade maneuver by Trump.

• Harvard's Student Visa Issues:

  [21:08] Trump proposes reallocating $3 billion in federal grants from Harvard to trade schools, amidst Harvard's lawsuit against the administration's attempts to end the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. This action adversely affects 7,000 visa holders, leading to legal battles over retaliatory and unconstitutional measures.

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6. Conclusion

Jane Coston wraps up the episode by recapping the intense political battles surrounding reproductive rights and broader geopolitical tensions. She underscores the persistent efforts by the anti-abortion movement to entrench restrictive laws, while highlighting the challenges faced by Democrats in countering these measures amidst public support for abortion rights. The episode also touches upon international conflicts and domestic policy struggles, painting a comprehensive picture of the current socio-political climate in the United States.

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Notable Quotes:

• Senator Josh Hawley on mifepristone review:

  "Don't you think that this new data shows that the need to do a review is in fact very pressing? And it's alarming. And clearly it indicates that at very least the label should be changed." [03:15]

• Jessica Valenti on Adriana Smith's case:

  "Essentially this is a woman who's being forcibly kept alive against her family's wishes because of the state's abortion ban." [03:30]

• President Trump on tariffs:

  "I'm not happy with what Putin's doing. He's killing a lot of people, and I don't know what the hell happened to Putin." [19:43]

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This episode of What A Day provides a thorough exploration of the current state of reproductive rights in the U.S., the strategic maneuvers by political factions, and the broader implications for American society and its political future. Through insightful interviews and comprehensive analysis, Jane Coston offers listeners a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between legislation, public opinion, and individual rights.

Transcript

[Jane Coston]

It's Tuesday, May 27th. I'm Jane Coston and this is what a day. A show that hopes you enjoyed your holiday weekend and didn't spend any time online. So you don't know about anything involving the wife of the president of France because life is just better that way. On today's show, President Donald Trump threatens more terrorists, then backtracks again and Russia unleashes another massive drone and missile strike on Ukraine. But let's start with reproductive rights in America and the creative ways the Republican Party has sought to undermine them. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Asked the food and Drug Administration earlier this month to review its decades old approval of mifepristone, a drug that can end early stage pregnancies. He did so in light of a report from the Ethics and Public Policy center, or eppc, and a conservative think tank that creatively entitled its report the Abortion Pill Harms Women. The report argues that adverse events caused by mifepristone are 22 times more likely than the FDA currently recognizes. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley asked RFK Jr. About the report in a Senate health hearing earlier this month. Don't you think that this new data shows that the need to do a review is in fact very pressing? And it's alarming. And clearly it indicates that at very least the label should be changed. I've asked Marty Makary, who's the director of fda, to do a complete review and to report back. Good. It's important to mention that the report was neither peer reviewed nor published in an academic or scientific journal. It also contradicts over 100 peer reviewed studies that have shown the abortion pill to be safe. In fact, some research shows that the pill is safer than Tylenol and Viagra. And let's be real here. Even if mifepristone made women's hair grow faster and also, I don't know, eliminated carbon from the atmosphere, I'm guessing that the eppc, whose stated goal is to, quote, apply the riches of the Christian and Jewish traditions to contemporary problems, might still have a problem with it. But late last year, three red states, Idaho, Kansas and Missouri brought a lawsuit against the FDA arguing that it should prohibit telehealth access to mifepristone. The pill has accounted for more than 60% of all abortions in the U.S. since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The states brought their case to a United States district court in Texas, a venue the Trump administration says is inappropriate for their complaint. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice asked U.S. district Judge Matthew Kaczmarek to drop the case. By taking issue with the suit's venue, the Trump administration was able to weigh in on the case without making a judgment on abortion itself. President Trump has consistently sidestepped the issue of reproductive rights, repeatedly saying on the campaign trail that he would leave abortion to the states. But RFK Jr says he thinks that any policy changes on mifepristone would ultimately come from the White House. To help us make sense of mifepristone and more and the fight over abortion in the United States, I spoke to Jessica Valenti, the author of Our Bodies, Their Lives and the Truths We Use to Win. Jessica, welcome to what a day.

[Jessica Valenti]

Thank you for having me.

[Jane Coston]

So I want to start by talking about the case in Georgia that you wrote about recently on your substack where a brain dead pregnant woman is being kept alive at Emory University Hospital to save the life of her unborn child. Can you tell us more about what's happening?

[Jessica Valenti]

That's pretty much the gist of it. Georgia has an abortion ban and Adriana Smith's family was told that because she was pregnant when she was declared brain dead and she was just nine weeks that they wouldn't be able to let her go. So essentially this is a woman who's being forcibly kept alive against her family's wishes because of the state's abortion ban. And obviously it sparked all sort of national and international outrage because it's such a horrific case. What's been really telling, though, has been the response of anti abortion groups. There are some groups that have remained just completely silent on the case. They don't want to attach their name to this at all. There are other groups who are trying to shirk responsibility and say that the state's ban is not responsible for what is happening to Adriana. But it really shows that they understand just how incredibly unpopular something like this is and how horrified voters are. And so, so they're really doing a lot to try to distance themselves from what's happening in Georgia. But this is what happens when you have fetal personhood laws. Right?

[Jane Coston]

Right. I want to get into that because are there other states that are currently fighting for their ability to do this?

[Jessica Valenti]

Pretty much every anti abortion state has some sort of attempt to get fetal personhood on the books, if they don't already. There are a lot of states who have some sort of fetal personhood law. We've seen in Alabama, for example, women who are pregnant who have been arrested if they are suspected of using drugs. They're putting them in jail to protect the life of the fetus. Preemptively. This sort of thing is happening all over the place. In Kansas. They want child support to start at conception. And this is like a very common tactic with Republicans. They'll say this is something to help women and families. But in reality, it has nothing to do with child support. It has to do with codifying that fetal personhood.

[Jane Coston]

Earlier this month, the Department of Justice asked a Texas judge to toss a case brought by Missouri, Idaho and Kansas that sought to cut off access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The DOJ said there was no reason the case should be filed in Texas. I think I can guess. But why was it filed in Texas?

[Jessica Valenti]

It was filed in Texas because there is a judge there, Matthew Kaczmieric, who is extremely, extremely anti abortion. All of these states, all of these anti abortion groups really love to get their cases in front of him because they know exactly what's to happen. And so they've been putting a lot of mifepristone cases in front of this particular judge. But what is so interesting to me is the response to the DOJ's request was sort of this idea that, oh, look, the Trump administration is defending mifepristone. Isn't this great? And the Trump administration, again, knowing that abortion bans are incredibly unpopular, really did try to milk that as much as possible. But in reality, what they were really trying to do was get a legal precedent that says states can't intervene in FDA regulations, so that when Trump's FDA starts to restrict mifepristone even further, that pro choice states can't sue. So it's all part of this sort of like, broader anti abortion plan.

[Jane Coston]

One of the restrictions on mifepristone that these states are seeking is telehealth access to the drug. Why does telehealth access to mifepristone matter so much?

[Jessica Valenti]

Telehealth is sort of the finger in the dam of access. Right now, about 20%, 1 in 5American abortions are happening via telehealth, and that's largely because of abortion bans. So if you're in Texas, you're in Tennessee, and you want to get an abortion, you can contact a provider who is in a shield state, a place like New York or California, and get abortion pills shipped to you. Essentially, it's been a way for abortion patients or abortion seekers to get around state bans. And so Republicans, anti abortion groups have been really, really pissed off about this. And that's why they're putting out all of these junk studies saying that mifepristone is unsafe, that people are being harmed from mifepristone, when that is not tr. So they want to paint this picture of a dangerous abortion drug that doctors are surreptitiously, like drug trafficking. They're using a lot of like, really scary language for a medication that's been safely used for years.

[Jane Coston]

I have to add onto that very quickly that it's funny to me because I joked somewhere that like, if mifepristone were the perfect medication and made your hair long and shiny and made you smarter, but also ensured the end of a pregnancy, I don't think that these groups would be like, oh, okay, well, right, carry on.

[Jessica Valenti]

They just want it safe.

[Jane Coston]

Oh, yeah, sure.

[Jessica Valenti]

No, I mean it's, it's, it's just completely ridiculous. I mean, it is really. They have been so afraid of this drug for so long because when it first came around, all of a sudden people didn't have to go to clinics. They didn't have to go through this gauntlet of anti abortion protesters. So yeah, it has nothing to do with safety. It has to. With one, it's allowing people to get abortions and two, it's allowing people to get abortions without that like, right of humiliation that they like so much now.

[Jane Coston]

It's almost been three years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, declaring that Americans no longer have a constitutional right to an abortion. We've seen a lot of court filings and bans take place. What surprises you most about this post Roe era?

[Jessica Valenti]

I mean, I managed to be surprised every day. I always knew that we would be inundated and overwhelmed by, by the anti abortion movement with anti abortion legislation. I don't think I was fully prepared for just how big that onslaught would be. I mean, they've had 50 years to prepare for this moment and they really did prepare. They are throwing everything they can at the wall. Whether it is potential travel bans or these bills that claim abortion medication and birth control are poisoning the groundwater and therefore we need to, you know, restrict these medications to protect the environment. They are doing every single possible thing that they can on every single level, not just to make sure that their bans stay in place, but to further restrict any sort of reproductive healthcare like birth control, like IVF. They really have their eye sort of 30 years down the line for their next goal.

[Jane Coston]

It's interesting you say that because I'm not sure if we disagree exactly, but something I've been struck by is the anti abortion movement and the degree to which they were like the dog that caught the car on this issue, that was something that surprised me because I think Republicans dramatically, to me, overestimated how much support they actually had because most Americans approve of legal abortion. According to a Pew study published last year, 63% said it should be legal in all or most cases. And I'm pretty sure those numbers have gone up since Dobbs. And on the campaign trail, Trump kept being like, abortion is an issue for the states now. That's what he said, not what he's done. And yet Republican legislators who have supported Trump are pushing hard on this issue. Where do you think this leaves Trump? And how do we see those conflicting interests manifesting right now in the fight over reproductive rights?

[Jessica Valenti]

Yeah, that's a really interesting question. And this is the one thing that they were surprised by was the backlash against bans. And they really underestimated support for abortion rights and opposition to bans. And I think Trump really understands that. And so I think what we're seeing right now is very much the White House trying to sort of distance themselves. But at the same time, he's sort of letting the anti abortion folks in his administration, in all of these agencies do what they want. They're just framing it in a way that they can sell to the press, like what they're trying to do right now with this junk science report that says mifepristone is unsafe. They can say, this isn't about abortion, this isn't about reproductive health care. This is just about women's safety.

[Jane Coston]

You wrote on your sub stock that the anti abortion movement is more organized than ever and that Democrats need to, quote, wake the fuck up. I think we've seen in many states, Democrats have recognized that this is an issue you can put on the ballot and it gets people to vote. But how else do you think Democrats should talk about this issue, be about this issue moving forward?

[Jessica Valenti]

Honestly, I think that they need to let go of the restore Roe language and this idea that we just need to go back to the way things are. People were still being denied care under Roe. We have an opportunity. As I said, there's just tremendous, tremendous support for no government involvement in pregnancy. And every single day, we're seeing stories like Adriana Smith's, like people who are being arrested for miscarriages. We're seeing stories that prove how important it is that there is zero government involvement in pregnancy and abortion at any point. And I think Democrats have a real opportunity to talk about this proactively to get off the defense so that when they start saying things about post birth abortion and everything else, we can just say no. We support families, we support medicine, we support doctors, and we think that people, pregnant people and their families are the best folks to decide what happens to them and their bodies.

[Jane Coston]

Jessica, thank you so much for joining me.

[Jessica Valenti]

Thank you.

[Jane Coston]

That was my conversation with Jessica Valenti, author of the book Our Bodies, Their Lives and the Truths We Use to Win. We'll get to more of the news in a moment, but if you like the show, make sure to subscribe, leave a five star review on Apple Podcasts, watch us on YouTube and share with your friends. More to come after some ads what a day is Brought to you by Zebiotics Pre Alcohol let's face it, after a night or day with drinks, I don't bounce back the next day like I used to. I have to make a choice. I can either have a great night or a great next day. That is, until I found Pre Alcohol Zebiotics Pre Alcohol Probiotic Drink is the world's first genetically engineered probiotic. It was invented by PhD scientists to tackle rough mornings after drinking. Here's how it when you drink, alcohol gets converted into a toxic byproduct in the gut. It's a buildup of this byproduct, not dehydration, that's to blame for rough days after drinking. Pre alcohol produces an enzyme to break this byproduct down. Just remember to make Pre alcohol your first drink of the night. Drink responsibly and you'll feel your best tomorrow. Every time I have pre alcohol before I go for drinks, I do notice a difference the next day. Even after a night out, I can confidently plan on getting in my long run without worry. Summer is here, which means more opportunities to celebrate the warm weather. So before that, backyard barbecue, glasses of pinot, watching the sunset at the beach, or a cocktail by the campfire. Don't forget your Zebiotics Pre Alcohol Drink one before drinking and wake up feeling great and ready to take on the next day and all that summer has to offer. Go to zbiotics.com wad to learn more and get 15% off your first order. When you use Code WAD at checkout, Zbiotics is backed with a 100% money back guarantee, so if you're unsatisfied for any reason, they'll refund your money, no questions asked. Remember to head to zebiotics.com wad and use the code WAD at checkout for.

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[Jane Coston]

Here'S what else we're following today. Head of Lines.

[Donald Trump]

I support spending cuts. I think the cuts currently in the bill are wimpy and anemic. But I still would support the bill, even with wimpy and anemic cuts, if they weren't going to explode the debt. The problem is the math doesn't add up.

[Jane Coston]

Some Republican senators are already throwing cold water on the tax and spending plan that squeaked by in the House last week, AKA President Trump's big, beautiful bill. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is one of them. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, he pointed out that the tax provisions in the bill are projected to increase the federal deficit by trillions of dollars over the next decade. That's according to a recent government analysis of the bill. Paul isn't a lone voice of opposition either. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson also blasted the bill over spending worries in an interview with CNN Sunday. He said he is not afraid to buck President Trump on this.

[Donald Trump]

My campaign promise in 2010 and every.

[Jane Coston]

Campaign after that was to stop, stop mortgaging our children's future.

[Donald Trump]

It's immoral, it's wrong, it has to stop. And so he may not be worried about that.

[Jane Coston]

I am extremely worried about that. Johnson promised major changes to the bill and said there are enough Senate Republicans willing to hold it up until, quote, the president gets serious about spending reduction and reducing the deficit. And I'm waiting on protein bars to rain down on me from the sky, which seems equally probable in a party line vote. Senate Republicans can only lose three votes and still pass the measure. So all these complaints are probably not what House Speaker Mike Johnson wants to hear. He managed to thread a proverbial needle between the ultra conservative Freedom Caucus and the more moderate blue state Republicans, but just barely. The bill passed the House early Thursday by a single vote. The House speaker warned senators not to mess with the bill too much during an interview with CNN Sunday because they risk losing more votes in the House.

[Unknown]

I have a very delicate balance here.

[Jane Coston]

A very delicate equilibrium that we've reached over a long period of time, and it's best not to meddle with it too much. Meddle? The House will have to vote on the bill again to OK any changes made in the Senate version. Congressional Republicans say they want to get the final bill to Trump by July 4th. Look, I realize Republicans will probably find some way to pass some version of this big bullshit bill that literally takes from the poor to give more to the rich. I hope it fails, but at the absolute very least, it's fun to watch them fight. Over the weekend, Russia launched one of its biggest aerial attacks on Ukraine in the three years since the war began. On Sunday night, a Bombardment featuring around 350 Russian drones hammered Ukrainian territory in the biggest such shelling of the war. That's according to the Ukrainian Air Force's communications department, based on statements made by Ukrainian officials. From Friday to Sunday, Russia launched around 900 drones at Ukrainian targets. On telegram, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky wrote, quote, only a sense of complete impunity can allow Russia to carry out such attacks and continually escalate their scale. On the Russian side, the Russian Defense Ministry alleges that it intercepted more than 100 Ukrainian drones flying over Russian airspace on Sunday night. All of this made President Donald Trump, who repeatedly claimed during his campaign for the White House that he could end the war in Ukraine and, quote, 24 hours before saying in March that he was being, quote, a little bit sarcastic when he said that, because he is not clear on what sarcasm is. A little miffed. On Sunday, the president seemed to be rather peeved at Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to a question from a journalist about the attacks on Ukraine.

[Donald Trump]

I'm not happy with what Putin's doing. He's killing a lot of people, and I don't know what the hell happened to Putin. I've known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he's sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don't like it at all. Okay, we're in the middle of talking and he's shooting rockets into Kiev and other cities. I don't like it at all.

[Jane Coston]

Whoa. Vladimir Putin killing a lot of people for no reason. That doesn't sound like Vladimir Putin. What happened to that guy?

[Donald Trump]

She just called me, as you know, and she asked for an extension on the June 1 date, and she said she wants to get down to serious negotiation.

[Jane Coston]

President Trump confirmed to reporters Sunday that he agreed to delay a 50% tariff on imports from the EU for 90 days. The truce came following a telephone call from EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, who requested the delay. Trade representatives from both parties were due to hold talks on Monday, according to a European Commission spokesperson. Trump threatened the tariff hike Friday, complaining on Truth Social that trade discussions with the EU are going nowhere. Exclamation point. President Trump discussed his strategy with reporters in the Oval Office on Friday.

[Donald Trump]

I just said it's time that we play the game the way I know how to play the game. You know, nobody. They've taken advantage of other people representing this country, and they're not going to do that any longer.

[Jane Coston]

But he didn't stop there. Trump took once again to his Truth Social account on Friday, this time to cyberbully Apple CEO Tim Cook and declare that iPhones not manufactured in the US will be subject to a 25% import tariff. On Saturday, Trump told reporters the tariffs would apply to Samsung, too, and would take effect at the end of June.

[Donald Trump]

But I had an understanding with him that he wouldn't be doing this. He said he's going to India to build plants. I said that's okay to go to India, but you're not going to sell into here without tariffs.

[Jane Coston]

Cook met with Trump at the White House last Tuesday, according to reporting from Politico. That same day, one of Apple's biggest suppliers announced plans to invest $1.5 billion in its India operations. President Trump has a new idea for what he wants to do with $3 billion of federal grant money previously awarded to Harvard. In a truth Social post Monday, Trump said he's considering taking the money away from, quote, a very anti Semitic Harvard and giving it to trade schools all across our land. But he didn't elaborate on the idea. Harvard already sued the administration last month over its attempt to freeze billions in funding. Trump's new threat comes amidst an ongoing battle between the White House and university. Last week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem directed DHS to end Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, meaning Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status. In another lawsuit filed by the university, Harvard called the action retaliatory and unconstitutional. It said the termination had a devastating effect on the university and more than 7,000 visa holders. A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the government's bid to stop foreign students from enrolling at Harvard. And that's the news. Before we go Can Democrats recapture the Senate? On the newest episode of Polar Coaster, Dan spoke to the co founder of Split Ticket about the Democrats difficult path to doing so. They dug into whether it's strategic to run independent campaigns in deep red states like Montana and Idaho, and how partisanship and polarization are shaping the political landscape. To hear the full episode, subscribe to Friends of the [e-mail] friends that's all for today. If you liked the show, make sure you subscribe. Leave a review. Go see a movie this week and tell your friends to listen. And if you're into reading, I'm not just about how sure there are lots of things you could go do, but seeing a movie in a theater with other people is fun and enjoyable, even when you are convinced Tom Cruise is about to drown in a submarine like me. What a Day is also a nightly newsletter. Check it out and [e-mail] subscribe I'm Jane Coston and Movies in theaters what a concept. What a Day is a production of Crooked Media. It's recorded and mixed by Desmond Taylor. Our associate producers are Raven Yamamoto and Emily Foer. Our producer is Michelle Aloy. We had production help today from Johanna Case, Joseph Dutra, Greg Walters and Julia Claire. Our senior producer is Erica Morrison and our executive producer is Adrienne Hill. Our theme music is by Colin Gilliard and Kashaka. Our production staff is proudly unionized with the writers Guild of America east this.

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