WSJ What’s News: "Trump Expected to Nominate Marco Rubio for Secretary of State"

Release Date: November 12, 2024
Host: Luke Vargas
Produced by: The Wall Street Journal

1. Marco Rubio Poised for Secretary of State Nomination

Timestamp: [00:50]

In a significant political development, President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State. This move suggests Trump’s preference for placing a more establishment figure in America’s top diplomatic role. Rubio's potential nomination signals a strategic direction for U.S. foreign policy under the upcoming administration.

Luke Vargas: "President elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, potentially placing a more establishment figure in the role of America's top diplomat."

As of the episode’s release, Rubio had not responded to requests for comment, and it remains possible that Trump could reconsider this nomination.

2. Mike Waltz Targeted for National Security Adviser

Timestamp: [01:53]

Alongside Rubio, Trump is also considering Florida Representative Mike Waltz for the position of White House National Security Adviser. Waltz's appointment could have profound implications for U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding skepticism of U.S. support for Ukraine and advocating for increased European responsibility within NATO.

Thomas Grove: "They certainly see a lot of overlap in different areas. On China, they seem to both be aligned on being tougher on China."

Both Rubio and Waltz share aligned views on several critical issues, including a tougher stance on China and a recalibrated approach to the Ukraine conflict. Grove emphasizes the need to analyze their specific policy proposals to understand the full impact of their potential appointments.

Thomas Grove: "If Vladimir Putin doesn't come to the table to negotiate, the US could take the brakes off of some of the longer-range weapons that could be used inside Russia."

3. Republican Senate Majority Reinforced by Arizona Victory

Timestamp: [04:41]

In the realm of U.S. politics, Democrat Ruben Gallego's victory over Republican Kerry Lake in Arizona has solidified the Republican Party's control of the Senate, securing a 53-47 majority. This outcome reflects a broader trend where Republicans are outperforming expectations in battleground states, including wins in Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin—states that had previously been competitive or leaned Democratic.

Luke Vargas: "Lake's loss was part of a broader trend of Republicans in battleground state Senate races, underperforming Donald Trump as Democrats won races in Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin."

4. Hamas and Fatah Forge Plan for Gaza’s Post-War Recovery

Timestamp: [05:16]

In Middle Eastern affairs, long-standing rivals Hamas and Fatah have agreed on a joint plan to oversee aid distribution and the reconstruction of Gaza. This reconciliation marks a critical step toward stabilizing the region following the recent conflict, where both factions have been significantly weakened.

Thomas Grove: "Both sides are very weakened and they are talking together to try to find an understanding."

The plan involves the creation of a Palestinian committee composed of independent Palestinians to manage humanitarian efforts, aiming to avoid direct control by either Hamas or Fatah, which could complicate international aid and sanctions.

Thomas Grove: "The idea is that it's known that the international committee wouldn't accept Hamas to run humanitarian affairs there."

5. ExxonMobil CEO Advocates for Continued U.S. Participation in Paris Agreement

Timestamp: [07:42]

ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods has publicly urged President-elect Donald Trump to keep the United States in the Paris Climate Agreement. Woods argues that exiting the agreement would introduce significant uncertainty for businesses and hinder international efforts to combat climate change.

Darren Woods: "Trump should keep the US in the Paris climate agreement."

This advocacy comes amid broader discussions at the COP 29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where leaders are debating the effectiveness of limiting fossil fuel supplies versus promoting green energy alternatives.

John Podesta: "Yesterday In January we're going to inaugurate a president whose relationship to climate change is captured by the words hoax and fossil fuels... we should believe him."

6. Shell Wins Appeal Against Emission Reduction Ruling

Timestamp: [08:41]

In environmental legal news, Shell has successfully appealed a Dutch court ruling that mandated a 45% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 from 2019 levels. The Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth criticized the appellate decision as a "shocking setback," though it remains uncertain if further appeals will be pursued.

Shell's Chief Executive, Weil Sawan: "The company believed the court's decision was the right one for the global energy transition."

The ruling's impact on Shell's operations and its commitment to the global energy transition remains a topic of keen interest among environmental stakeholders and investors.

7. Market Movements and Other Business News

Timestamp: [09:01]

a. SoftBank Returns to Profitability

SoftBank reported a net profit of approximately $7.7 billion for the three months ending in September, reversing a net loss from the previous year driven by losses in its WeWorks investment.

b. Cryptocurrency Surge

Bitcoin continues its upward trajectory, briefly surpassing $89,000 amid the political developments surrounding Trump’s election victory. Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Solana, and Dogecoin also experienced significant gains.

c. US Airlines Suspend Haiti Flights

Following an incident where a Spirit Airlines plane was reportedly hit by gunfire while attempting to land in Haiti, several U.S. airlines, including Spirit, American Airlines, and JetBlue Airways, have suspended flights to the country. This suspension comes amid escalating violence and instability in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

Luke Vargas: "US Airlines are suspending flights to Haiti after a Spirit Airlines plane that took off from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, appeared to be hit by gunfire while attempting to land in the country yesterday."

Conclusion

The episode of WSJ What’s News provides a comprehensive overview of pivotal political appointments, significant international agreements, market trends, and critical developments in global conflicts. With Marco Rubio potentially stepping into a key diplomatic role and the stabilization efforts in Gaza showing progress, the geopolitical landscape is poised for substantial shifts under the incoming Trump administration. Additionally, corporate and environmental decisions, such as Exxon’s stance on the Paris Agreement and Shell's legal battles, highlight the ongoing tension between business interests and climate responsibilities.

Notable Quotes:

• Thomas Grove, [01:53]: "They certainly see a lot of overlap in different areas. On China, they seem to both be aligned on being tougher on China."

• Thomas Grove, [02:51]: "If Vladimir Putin doesn't come to the table to negotiate, the US could take the brakes off of some of the longer-range weapons that could be used inside Russia."

• Darren Woods, [07:42]: "Trump should keep the US in the Paris climate agreement."

• John Podesta, [08:41]: "Yesterday In January we're going to inaugurate a president whose relationship to climate change is captured by the words hoax and fossil fuels... we should believe him."

• Weil Sawan, [08:41]: "The company believed the court's decision was the right one for the global energy transition."

This detailed summary encapsulates the essential discussions and analyses from the WSJ What’s News podcast episode, providing listeners and readers with a coherent and comprehensive understanding of the day's significant news events.