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Crooked Media

If you’re looking for hype, fake outrage, and groupthink, kindly keep moving. Our mission at What a Day is simple: to be your guide to what truly matters each morning (and the fun stuff you might have missed) in just 20 minutes. Host Jane Coaston brings you in-depth reporting and substantive analysis on the big stories shaping today and the creeping trends shaping tomorrow—and when she doesn’t know the answers, she asks someone even smarter to fill us all in. Radical, right? New episodes at 5:00 a.m. EST, Monday–Friday in your favorite podcast app and on YouTube. Being informed was never this easy.

What A Day

The What A Day team is off. But we’re excited to bring you the first episode of Season 2 of Crooked’s award-winning limited series, Shadow Kingdom: Coal Survivor.

On New Year’s Eve 1969, Jock Yablonski, a union hero, is mysteriously gunned down in his bed. Jock’s son is convinced the head of the United Mine Workers’ Union is behind it. But why, and can he prove it? Decades later, lawyer Nicolo Majnoni embarks on a journey to uncover who killed Jock and discovers a conspiracy at the heart of the union.

Shadow Kingdom is a series from Crooked Media and Campside Media. Each season begins with a crime, and as the layers are peeled back to uncover the perpetrator, a larger system at play is revealed.

Get early access to the full season by joining Crooked’s Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends or subscribe directly on the Shadow Kingdom Apple Podcasts feed.

Introducing Shadow Kingdom: Coal Survivor

This week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending cash bail in Washington D.C. and other jurisdictions around the country. He summarized the largely successful criminal justice reform policy like this: "They kill people and they get out." Well, it may come as a surprise (to no one) that this statement is… not accurate. All it means is that a person's release, before they stand trial, is NOT determined by how much money is in their wallet. But despite the data showing the policy works, Trump and his MAGA buddies want to end it. To gain a better understanding of all this, we spoke with Rena Karefa-Johnson, Vice President of National Initiatives at FWD.U.S.

And in headlines: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is undergoing a major staffing shake-up, National Guard members are picking up trash in D.C., and President Donald Trump proposes military funeral honors for the January 6th rioter who was killed by an officer at the insurrection…. four and a half years later.

 

Show Notes:

 • Learn more about 
FWD.us • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday

Cash Bail Keeps People In Jail

President Donald Trump’s administration is full of sycophants. That was made quite apparent this week (if it wasn't already) during a three-hour-long televised Cabinet meeting. The lengthy meeting allowed for department secretaries to sing their lord and savior’s praises while the world watched on. The excessive fawning over the dear leader would raise more suspicions if it were taking place literally anywhere else. But it’s happening in the United States. And we are in trouble. We spoke with Bill Kristol, editor at large for The Bulwark, to find out what we can do to meet the challenge of the moment.

And in headlines: the Department of Homeland Security now prohibits state agencies and volunteer groups from receiving federal funds if they help undocumented immigrants, an alleged sandwich thrower dodged federal charges, and the Food and Drug Administration approved updated Covid-19 vaccines.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Bill's piece – 
https://tinyurl.com/2ynd2f8v • Watch Favs sandwich guy interview – 
https://tinyurl.com/aaf4ajh3 • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday

Why Conservatism Is Dead In The Trump Era

In the federal government’s latest excursion into the private sector, the US announced last week that it took a 10% stake in Intel. The move comes after the Defense Department became the biggest shareholder in a mining company, and the Trump administration made deals with AI chipmakers. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is continuing to direct his ire at the Federal Reserve— this time specifically on Fed Governor Lisa Cook, whom he tried to fire on Monday. So for more on state-sponsored capitalism and the seemingly never-ending Federal Reserve fight, we spoke with Scott Lincicome. He’s the vice president of general economics at the Cato Institute.

And in headlines: President Trump makes a lengthy television appearance with his Cabinet, a whistleblower says the Department of Government Efficiency put Social Security data at risk, and a federal judge dismisses a Department of Justice lawsuit against Maryland's entire federal bench.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Scott's Op-Ed – 
https://tinyurl.com/2ud35mxw • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday

Three Signs Of The Trumpification Of The Economy

A lot has happened so far since President Donald Trump took office for a second term, but one thing is certain- he's indisputably unpopular. According to Gallup, Trump's six-month approval rating was around 37-percent, which is lower than that of any other president at that point in their presidency. That's, of course, with the exception of Trump in his first term. But polling can be confusing. Because while Trump's approval ratings have taken a dive, so has the Democratic Party's favorability. According to The Wall Street Journal, 63-percent of voters have a negative view of the Democratic Party. So where does that leave us? Can we trust the polls to tell us how Americans really feel? To find out more, we spoke with Crooked's resident polling expert, Dan Pfeiffer.

And in headlines: President Trump hosts South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a strike on a hospital in Gaza was a "tragic mishap", and Trump signs an executive order to crack down on anyone who burns or desecrates the American flag.

Show Notes:

 • Subscribe to Crooked's substack –
crookedmedia.substack.com/s/exclusive-content • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday

Trump's Trolling Weakens Polling

Third Way, a center-left think tank, released a list of words it thinks Democrats should stop using on Friday. The list included words like “intersectionality,” “body shaming,” “cisgender,” and “LGBTQIA+.” It sparked an online debate around the terms, which has caused many people to ask “what do Democrats and liberals actually believe?” Jerusalem Demsas is CEO and founder of a new media outlet called “The Argument,” and she joins the show to answer the question: What is a liberal?

And in headlines, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov defends the Russian war in Ukraine on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Kilmar Abrego Garcia – a Salvadoran immigrant who was deported despite a court order allowing him to stay in the country – returns home to Maryland only to be immediately threatened with deportation to Uganda, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticizes President Trump over threats to deploy the National guard to Chicago, and the Department of Justice releases hundreds of pages of interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell, a collaborator of Jeffrey Epstein.

Show Notes:

 • Check out The Argument – 
www.theargumentmag.com/ • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday

What Do Liberals Actually Believe?

On Thursday, California lawmakers passed a redistricting plan aimed at winning Democrats up to five more U.S. House seats in the 2026 elections. It was the latest escalation in a gerrymandering battle between red and blue states, after the GOP-controlled Texas House approved redrawn congressional maps Wednesday. Other states, like New York and Indiana, may soon follow. Former U.S. Representative and current Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, Colin Allred of Texas, breaks down what this means for the Lone Star State and the 2026 midterms.

And in headlines, Russia strikes an American-owned electronics plant in Ukraine, the Department of Justice goes after gender-affirming care for young people, and President Donald Trump thanks troops patrolling Washington, D.C.

Show Notes:

 • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday

Why We’re In A Redistricting Race To The Bottom

The White House announced it's leading a "comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions" to ensure that the museums "celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions."Why? One reason is that White House special assistant Lindsey Halligan got in Trump's ear and complained that there was too much focus on slavery across the Smithsonian Institution. Halligan even told Fox News that in museums, there should QUOTE: "be more of an overemphasis on how far we've come since slavery." To discuss who's behind the changes in our cultural institutions, we spoke with Zachary Small. He's a New York Times reporter with a focus on the art world.

And in headlines, the Israeli army says it's calling up 60,000 reservists ahead of its expanded assault on Gaza City, the Trump administration announces cuts to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the new price of the PS-5 Pro is making gamers angry.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Zachary's article – 
https://tinyurl.com/rt222e7t • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday

The Smithsonian Gets The Trump Edit

On Tuesday, the Department of Justice announced it's launching a much-needed and super important investigation into Washington D.C.'s crime statistics. The DOJ said it's looking into whether the stats have been QUOTE: "manipulated" to make the crime rate seem lower. Why, might you ask, is the DOJ using time, money, and resources to look into this? Probably because it's searching for a way to justify President Donald Trump's takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployment of National Guard troops to the district. However, it has been roughly two weeks since Trump's takeover, and we have some questions. Is DC's crime problem really that bad? And is it better now after federal intervention? We spoke with journalist Josh Barro. He's also co-host of the podcast "Serious Trouble".

And in headlines, the Trump administration decides it doesn't want feedback from its federal employees, the White House says arrangements for a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Putin are underway, and Oklahoma is making sure teachers from California and New York aren't "woke".

Show Notes:

 • Check out Josh's post – 
https://tinyurl.com/2rrxxrsf • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday

Does Washington, D.C. Need Federal Intervention?

The conversation surrounding artificial intelligence in the US is hard to avoid right now. Powerful companies like Nvidia are making AI chips, doctors are using AI to revolutionize and enhance healthcare, and companies like Waymo have implemented the technology in self-driving cars. But even with all these advances, concerns continue to grow over how children are using AI. Reports about chatbots engaging children in "sensual" conversations have led to amplified concerns. However, others have found that students and teachers alike are using AI to complete schoolwork and create class assignments. For more information about the intersection of AI and America's children, we spoke with Lila Shroff, Assistant Editor at The Atlantic.

And in headlines, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spruces up for his White House visit, President Donald Trump rants about the evil that is mail-in ballots, and MSNBC is changing its name to MS NOW.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Lila's work – 
theatlantic.com/author/lila-shroff/ • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – 
https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – 
https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – 
https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit 
crooked.com/whataday

The AI Chatbot Childhood Is Officially Here

Over 80 million Americans should have seen their coronavirus stimulus payments deposited in their bank accounts yesterday. For the rest of us, we'll have to wait for the mail version. Small businesses are seeing their loan program, which has been overloaded and clunky, run out money.

Conservative activists gathered in Ohio and Michigan yesterday to protest the pandemic lockdown status in those states. But polls show they are in the minority.

And in headlines: universities are dropping standardized testing requirements for fall applicants, retirees discover lost apples, and Reese Witherspoon’s dress company bungles a giveaway.

Stimulus Check, Please!

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