American Fever Dream

Today’s Headlines: ABC yanked Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air “indefinitely” after Kimmel joked in his monologue about conservatives spinning the Charlie Kirk shooting, with the FCC chair threatening action against Disney and ABC. Meanwhile, the DOJ quietly pulled a study from its site showing far-right violence vastly outpaces left-wing or Islamist extremism—though archived versions and even a Cato Institute report back that up. On Capitol Hill, FBI Director Kash Patel’s second day of testimony was another loud but empty circus, while former CDC Director Susan Monarez dropped bigger bombshells: RFK Jr allegedly pressured her daily to change the vaccine schedule, demanded pre-approval of advisory panel recs, and called CDC staff “child killers.” She says she was fired for defending science; meanwhile, the CDC just announced it will ban remote work for employees with health conditions. The Fed cut rates by a quarter point and hinted at two more cuts this year as inflation lingers but jobs weaken. The Trump admin ordered the National Park Service to remove references to slavery and Native American history in the name of “patriotism,” because nothing says history like a good whitewash. In the UK, police arrested four members of Led By Donkeys for projecting Epstein/Trump/Prince Andrew images onto Windsor Castle during Trump’s state visit. And finally, Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s is walking away after 47 years, accusing Unilever of muzzling the brand on social issues—especially Gaza. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NBC News: Disney's ABC pulls 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' after FCC chair criticizes the host's Charlie Kirk comments Spectrum News: Vance, Trump falsely claim left-wing violence outpaces the right as DOJ deletes report stating otherwise CNN: Takeaways from FBI Director Kash Patel’s testimony on Jeffrey Epstein WaPo: Takeaways from fired CDC director’s Senate testimony CNBC: Fed meeting recap: Fed Chair Powell calls quarter-point trim a 'risk management cut' NYT: National Parks Ordered To Remove Some Materials on Slavery and Tribes  Axios: 4 arrested after Trump, Epstein images beamed onto Windsor Castle WSJ: Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Quits After 47 Years, Cites Loss of Independence Under Unilever Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Today’s Headlines: Trump touched down in the UK for a rare second state visit, where King Charles is rolling out the red carpet even as protesters projected images of Epstein, Trump, and Prince Andrew onto Windsor Castle. Back home, Trump sued The New York Times for $15 million, claiming their endorsement of Kamala Harris in 2024 was an election hit job. Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel got grilled in the Senate over Epstein, Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and political meddling—he also bizarrely claimed Epstein only trafficked for himself. In Utah, the man accused of killing Kirk was charged with seven counts, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. In New York, a judge tossed terrorism charges against the man who killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO but kept a murder charge intact. In darker news, Mississippi mourned the death of 21-year-old Trey Reed, whose body was found hanging on campus, while Missouri Republicans pushed through a new congressional map that wipes out a Democratic seat, part of a broader GOP redistricting wave. Elsewhere, a court ruled Fed Governor Lisa Cook can’t be fired by Trump despite his attempts, and all eyes are on the Fed board’s rate decision today. TikTok’s U.S. takeover deal is nearly done, with Oracle, Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake set to take an 80% stake and rebrand the app under a new U.S.-based entity. And finally, the Emmys had their best ratings in years, pulling 7.4 million viewers. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: The Guardian: Donald Trump lands in UK for second state visit as protesters gather in Windsor NYT: Trump Sues The New York Times For Articles Questioning His Success CNN: Takeaways from FBI Director Kash Patel’s Senate hearing CNN: Live updates: Charlie Kirk shooting investigation, suspect Tyler Robinson hearing AP News: New York judge tosses terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, lets murder count stand NBC News: Body of a Black student is found hanging from a tree in Mississippi NBC News: Missouri Legislature passes new Republican-drawn congressional map MO Independent: Judge hears arguments in case seeking to toss Missouri’s new congressional maps CNBC: Bill Pulte's relatives claimed primary residence on two properties in two states Axios: Appeals court rules Fed governor Cook can continue to serve The Wrap: TikTok in Final Talks to Be Bought by Oracle, Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz Axios: Emmys hit four-year viewership high Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson