How R.F.K. Jr. and ‘Medical Freedom’ Rose to Power
The Daily
01/30/25
•35m
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a crucial nomination hearing on Wednesday where a panel of skeptical senators probed his past, often contentious remarks.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg, who covers health policy for The Times, explains how someone who’s considered on the fringe in a lot of his beliefs came to be picked for health secretary to begin with.
Guests: Sheryl Gay Stolberg, a correspondent based in Washington covering health policy for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- How addiction and trauma shaped Mr. Kennedy’s turbulent life.
- In the hearing, Mr. Kennedy defended his shifting views on vaccines and abortion.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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Trump Freezes Trillions. Chaos Ensues.
January 29, 2025
•24m
In one of his most audacious moves since taking office, President Trump ordered a freeze on Tuesday on trillions of dollars in federal money — from anti-poverty programs to foreign aid — in order to purge the government of what he called woke ideology.
Michael D. Shear, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, discusses the order, the chaos it prompted and whether it is likely to survive in court.
Guests: Michael D. Shear, a White House correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- A judge stayed President Trump’s freeze, but disruption to the Medicaid funding system caused fear.
- Uncertainty around the freeze also caused chaos in education.
Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Next Episode
What We Know About the Plane Crash
January 31, 2025
•22m
The midair collision between a passenger jet and a helicopter over Washington on Wednesday night was the deadliest plane crash in the United States in more than 20 years.
Emily Steel, a Times investigative reporter who has been covering the crash, explains what happened.
Guests: Emily Steel, an investigative reporter for the business desk of The New York Times.
Background reading:
- The crash has renewed concerns about air safety lapses.
- Staffing was “not normal” in the control tower at Ronald Reagan National Airport, according to an F.A.A. report.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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