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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

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

The Trump administration’s crackdown on universities across the country for alleged antisemitism has made its way from the East Coast to the West Coast. Earlier this month, the administration demanded the University of California Los Angeles pay $1-billion to the federal government to resolve what it’s calling civil rights violations. That was on top of more than half a billion dollars in cuts to federal research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and other federal sources. But, a federal judge on Friday said the cuts to UCLA’s funding violated a previous order and ruled some of the funding must be restored. To talk more about the impact the funding cuts have had, we spoke with Dr. Aradhna Tripati, a professor of climate science and geochemistry at UCLA. Joining her in the conversation is Monique Trinh, a program Manager in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine.

And in the headlines: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends the department's decision to halt visitor visas for people from Gaza, and more National Guard troops are headed to DC at the behest of Trump.

Show Notes:

 • Call Congress – 
202-224-3121 • Check out Save Our Science – 
https://sites.google.com/view/saveourscienceinitiative/home?authuser=0 • 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 It’s Like To Have Trump Hold Your Science Research Hostage

Nvidia, a U.S.-based chip manufacturer that's now the richest company on earth, has agreed to pay the federal government 15 percent of its profits from selling its chips to China, in a deal that became public this week. Basically, the United States government is now a partner in not one, but two private companies that are selling AI technology to the country that is supposed to be our biggest competitor. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the model could "expand in the future to other companies." But for critics, the deal is giving serious mob vibes, while also posing a national security risk. Ashley Gold, senior tech and policy reporter at Axios, explains what the deal does and why so many people — including some Republicans — are concerned about it.

And in headlines: President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska today, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a redistricting plan to go head-to-head against Texas Republicans, and the Trump Administration got more bad news from the Labor Department.

Show Notes:

 • Check out Ashley's – work 
www.axios.com/authors/agold • 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 White House's Mob Boss Approach To AI Chips

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine (which Putin started). While Trump insisted Wednesday there would be “very severe consequences” if Putin doesn’t agree to some kind of ceasefire, the Russian president has given no indication he plans to give up his goal of eventually taking over all of Ukraine. And Ukraine continues to insist it will not cede any of its territory to Russia. In short: The war is still at a stalemate, and the president of the United States wants to move the needle by hosting the aggressor — an international pariah who faces an arrest warrant on war crimes from the Hague – right here on American soil. Julia Ioffe, a founding member of Puck News and a long-time Russian politics expert, joins us to talk about the Alaska summit and what could come out of it.

And in headlines: Trump suggested he may extend federal control of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department beyond the 30-day limit, a panel of appeals court judges opened the door for the White House to suspend or terminate billions in foreign aid funding, and fewer Americans say they’re drinking alcohol.

Show Notes:

 • Pre-order Julia's book – 
https://tinyurl.com/2btnv3pk • 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

Can Trump Broker Peace With Putin?

National Guard troops began showing up on the streets of the nation's capital overnight, a little more than a day after President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy hundreds of them to Washington, D.C., and federalize the city's police department. But during his press conference Monday, the president suggested more cities could be next. He specifically called out Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore and Oakland. All of these cities have declining crime rates – as does the United States as a whole. All of them also happen to be majority-minority cities run by Black Democratic mayors in Democratic-run states. Baltimore Democratic Mayor Brandon Scott joins us to talk about the president's ' racist talking points' and how Democratic mayors like him can't let Trump distract them from running their cities.

And in headlines: Trump announced his new pick to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White said UFC will host a first-ever White House fight next year to celebrate the country's 250th birthday, and YouTube will test a new AI feature to determine the age of its users.

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

Baltimore Mayor Responds To Trump Bashing His City

Silicon Valley leaders have been weighing in loudly on the upcoming presidential race. Over four hundred venture capitalists and other tech executives recently signed a pledge to support Vice President Kamala Harris, while some prominent holdouts like Tesla CEO Elon Musk are backing former President Donald Trump. To learn more about the tech figures getting involved in this election and precisely what's at stake for them in the 2024 election, we spoke with New York Times business journalist Erin Griffith.

And in headlines: the United States and Russia complete a major prisoner swap, Israel says it killed the head of the Hamas military in July, the Senate blocks a bill that would've expanded the child tax credit, and an incredible comeback from Team USA's Simone Biles.

Show Notes:

 • 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

Who Will Silicon Valley Support In 2024?

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