CNN One Thing

Kennith Gonzalez, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Republican State Committee, and Hector Lora, the Mayor of Passaic, delve into the pivotal shift in Latino voter dynamics. They discuss the GOP's evolving outreach strategies, moving from superficial ads to genuine engagement. Lora highlights local concerns around public safety and immigration, expressing his support for a Democratic candidate while acknowledging Republican appeals. Both emphasize the importance of addressing affordability and education to win back Latino trust in upcoming elections.

Nearly 42 million Americans could lose critical food assistance this week because of the ongoing government shutdown. But it’s far from the only real-world impact people are starting to feel. So why are both sides of the aisle still refusing to budge? We hear what it might take to end the stalemate and why one SNAP recipient feels like a political pawn as she tries to put food on the table for her family.  Guest: Aaron Blake, CNN Senior Reporter  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Tami Luhby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since the pandemic, the US economy has been resilient – but a weakening labor market and stubborn inflation have some experts concerned. We hear from two job seekers about their struggles and look at whether certain ‘recession indicators’ are actually worth worrying about.  Guests: Elie Bryan, Amy Suman, & Diane Swonk, KPMG Chief Economist  ---  Host/Producer: David Rind  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Alicia Wallace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video of himself wearing a crown and flying a fighter jet dumping what appears to be waste on peaceful protestors. While experts say this kind of online trolling is not out of the norm for some politicians in 2025, the continued coarsening of political dialogue could have profound consequences for all Americans. Guests: Steve Heimler & Nicole Hemmer, Associate Professor of History, Vanderbilt University  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump publicly admitted he has authorized he authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela to crack down on flows of illegal drugs and migrants to the US. It comes as Trump continues to authorize deadly strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean. But is this really about drugs – or regime change?  Guests: Natasha Bertrand, CNN Correspondent & Steven Dudley, co-director, InSight Crime  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Dan Bloom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump hailed the “historic dawn of a new Middle East” after Hamas freed all living hostages from Gaza and Israel released Palestinian prisoners as part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal. But while many have commended his peace efforts, critics say it’s unlikely he will take the same approach with his domestic moves. We break down what might be coming next and whether he has a chance at winning the Nobel Peace Prize next year. Guest: Stephen Collinson, CNN Politics Senior Reporter  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the appetite for artificial intelligence rises, so does the need for power-hungry data centers. While residents who live near them complain of the noise and pollution, data suggests they could spike utility bills far and wide. We hear from an electricity law expert on why regulators are thinking of reforms – but will it be too late?  Guest: Elizabeth Martorana & Ari Peksoe, Director, Harvard Law School Electricity Law Initiative  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump’s move to deploy National Guard troops to Portland and Chicago has been met with outrage from locals and pushback from judges. We hear what’s really happening on the ground in Chicago and why community leaders say the ingredients for dangerous escalation are already in place. Guests: Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf, Senior Minister, Lake Street Church of Evanston & Omar Jimenez, CNN Anchor & Correspondent ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Whitney Wild Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a lively discussion, guest Vanessa Diaz, an associate professor of Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies, dives into the phenomenon of Bad Bunny, Puerto Rico's music icon. She explores the mixed reactions to his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, especially from right-wing critics due to his LGBTQ advocacy and outspoken views on immigration. Diaz highlights Bad Bunny's musical blend and political messages that resonate deeply with fans. She also examines how his global appeal aligns with the NFL's expansion goals, challenging cultural and linguistic barriers.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth summoned US generals and admirals from around the world for an extraordinary meeting in Virginia on Tuesday, where he railed against ‘woke’ policies and stressed the need for stricter physical fitness standards. But what kind of ‘warriors’ does he actually want in uniform? Guest: Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, US Army (Ret.)  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices