WSJ What’s News — "Trump Calls Somali Immigrants ‘Garbage’"

Host: Caitlin McCabe (The Wall Street Journal)
Air Date: December 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This morning’s episode delivers brisk coverage of the day's biggest stories in business, politics, and global developments, with a focus on escalating rhetoric surrounding immigration, shifting U.S. political landscapes, and strain in global geopolitics. The show is anchored by Caitlin McCabe, who guides listeners through the fallout from President Trump's controversial comments on Somali immigrants, a closely watched Tennessee special election, and updates on U.S. car markets and self-driving technology.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Tennessee Special Election Results

• Summary:
  Republican Matt Van Epps wins a special House election in a traditionally safe GOP Nashville suburb, but with a narrower margin than usual.
• Key Quotes:
  • [01:10] Matt Van Epps: “Tonight we showed Running from Trump is how you lose.”
  • [01:16] Caitlin McCabe: “Running with Trump is how you win.”
  • [01:43] Sharon Turlop (Democratic operative): “The Republicans made these districts to be uncompetitive... we did not back down. We showed up.”
• Implications:
  • Despite a GOP victory, the reduced margin signals increased Democratic momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms.
  • Turnout rivaled that of the 2022 midterms, indicating high voter engagement.

2. Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric and Reaction

• Summary:
  President Trump refers to Somali immigrants as "garbage," intensifying his administration’s hardline stance on immigration just ahead of a large ICE operation in Minneapolis.
• Key Quotes:
  • [00:26] Donald Trump: “I don't want them in our country. I'll be honest with you, okay?... Their country is no good for a reason.”
  • [02:47] Donald Trump: “From hell and they complain and do nothing but bitch, we don't want them in our country. Let them go back to where they came from and fix it.”
• Reactions:
  • [03:14] Daniel Bach (quoting Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey): “To our Somali community, we love you and we stand with you.”
  • [03:21] Daniel Bach: “Minneapolis is proud to be home to the largest Somali community in the entire country.”
• Context:
  • The remarks and ICE operation follow a recent shooting involving an Afghan refugee, contributing to heightened tension and fear among immigrants.
  • The U.S. Census estimates about 40,000 Minnesota residents were born in Somalia, with most holding legal status.

3. International Affairs Update

• Venezuela:
  • The Pope urges the Trump administration to use dialogue and economic pressure, not military force, against Maduro’s government.
  • Trump pardons former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, creating fresh political turmoil in Central America ([04:20]).
• Ukraine War:
  • U.S.-Russia talks stalled over demands for Kyiv to cede Donbass.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio notably skips the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels—first U.S. absence since 1999 ([04:57]).
  • [05:23] Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Sakana:
    “Europe never attacks Russia. We will never do it. NATO never attacks nobody. So this is just... playing with our minds.”
• Europe’s Military Preparations:

  • Reporter Matthew Luxmore (from Lithuania) describes new border defenses planned to deter Russian advances ([05:50]):

    “It's clear these fences are not currently designed to withstand a full scale enemy attack... The idea is to install layers of obstacles... from anti-tank ditches to landmines.”

4. U.S. Auto Market in Stagnation

• Summary:
  Despite prior optimism for 2025, new U.S. car sales are slumping as consumers balk at persistently high prices.
• Key Insights:
  • [08:01] Sharon Turlop (WSJ Auto Reporter):
    “A lot of the consumers who were willing to absorb these higher prices have bought their vehicles… We're just seeing more people who are balking at car prices where they're at right now.”
  • [09:27] Sharon Turlop:
    “EV sales have dropped off substantially… We're still selling cars, but they're smaller cars. Consumers are just really, really fighting for discounts.”
  • Repairs and used vehicles are also expensive due to part shortages and high demand ([10:12]).
  • Industry Dilemma:
    Will automakers raise prices further or absorb tariff costs as global economic pressures continue? ([10:47])

5. Waymo’s Assertive Software Update

• Summary:
  Waymo's famously cautious self-driving vehicles are now programmed to drive more assertively—a response to traffic flow realities.
• Key Quotes/Stories:
  • [11:47] Katherine Binley (WSJ Tech Reporter):
    “Waymos actually need to be more, quote, confidently assertive… Because when the cars are so polite and so deferential... it can cause disruptions.”
  • [12:31] Katherine Binley (on a robotaxi’s police run-in):
    “There was a Waymo who actually pulled an illegal U turn ... there was no driver in the front seat, but the window did roll down... The operator... was very apologetic.”
• Stats:
  • Waymo claims a 91% reduction in serious injury crashes versus human drivers ([12:52]).
• Cities Covered:
  • San Francisco, LA, Austin, Phoenix, and Atlanta.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• [00:26] Trump: “I don't want them in our country… Their country is no good for a reason.”
• [02:47] Trump: “From hell and they complain and do nothing but bitch, we don't want them in our country.”
• [01:10] Matt Van Epps: “Tonight we showed Running from Trump is how you lose.”
• [01:43] Sharon Turlop: “The Republicans made these districts to be uncompetitive... we did not back down. We showed up.”
• [03:14] Daniel Bach (quoting Mayor Jacob Frey): “To our Somali community, we love you and we stand with you.”
• [05:23] Margus Sakana: “Europe never attacks Russia. We will never do it. NATO never attacks nobody. So this is just... playing with our minds.”
• [11:47] Katherine Binley: “Waymos actually need to be more, quote, confidently assertive...”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:09] — Headlines: Tennessee election, Trump’s remarks, Waymo’s driving update
• [01:10–01:53] — Tennessee special election coverage
• [02:47–03:27] — Trump’s anti-immigrant comments and Minneapolis response
• [03:27–05:37] — Venezuela, Honduras, Ukraine/NATO updates
• [05:50–06:22] — Lithuanian military border preparations
• [07:23–11:19] — U.S. auto industry discussion
• [11:24–12:52] — Waymo's new assertive driving behaviors

Tone and Language

The episode maintains the Wall Street Journal’s crisp, matter-of-fact reporting, with direct reporting of political rhetoric and reaction, contextual expertise from subject reporters, and a brisk pace through diverse, newsworthy topics. Notable for its straightforward presentation—even when quoting incendiary or politically charged language—providing listeners information to form their own opinions.

For Further Information

• Extended reporting on Europe’s military preparedness is linked in the episode’s show notes.
• Continued coverage of the Minnesota Somali community and national immigration policy expected in future episodes.