Political Challenges and Foreign Aid Impacts During Crisis Management

On today’s show: The top Social Security official exited after a clash with Elon Musk’s DOGE over data. The Washington Post’s Jacob Bogage explains what is happening.

Are 150-year-old Americans receiving Social Security checks, as Elon Musk said? Poynter examines the claim.

Trump proposed eliminating FEMA and putting states in charge of disaster response. Politico reports red states don’t like that idea.

Counter-narcotics programs in Mexico are suffering because of the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid. Reuters’s Laura Gottesdiener explains the reporting. 

Plus, Trump signs an executive order aimed at making IVF treatment more affordable. Israel and Hamas agreed to expedite a hostage and prisoner release by one week. And how did everyone survive the Delta plane crash in Toronto?

Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.