“Skimm This” is a weekly news program that breaks down important stories from the past week and adds context and clarity to answer the questions on your mind. Every Thursday evening.
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Ready to Launch: Libra, Trump’s 2020 Campaign, and Boaty McBoatface
It’s only June, but Facebook’s ready for Libra season. The social media giant is about to roll out a new global cryptocurrency called Libra. We’ll explain why Facebook thinks you should turn your $ into ≋. Meanwhile, President Trump will officially announce his re-election campaign tonight at a rally in Orlando. Technically he’s been running ever since he took office in 2017. But there are some nitty-gritty rules sitting presidents are supposed to follow on the campaign trail. We’ll explain. Also on today’s episode: pride flags abound, and Boaty McBoatface is making waves. Again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Decisions, Decisions: Iran Nuclear Deal, SCOTUS, and Gloria Vanderbilt
The Iran Nuclear Deal is on the rocks. This is the deal Iran, the US and a bunch of major EU and other powers signed back in 2015 to prevent Iran from making a nuclear weapon. Now, Iran’s says it’s about to break one of the promises it made in that deal. We’ll tell you why this is important. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court laid down the law today. We’re breaking down two of the big decisions: double jeopardy and racial gerrymandering. One may impact President Trump’s former campaign chairman, and one is just the first chapter from SCOTUS on the subject. Also on today’s episode: 2020 presidential candidate Cory Booker chatted with theSkimm about a potential question on the upcoming census, and we reflect on the life of the late fashion icon Gloria Vanderbilt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
History Rhymes: the US and Iran, Flint, and Father’s Day
There were explosions on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman this week. The US is pointing the finger at Iran, who’s saying ‘not us.’ These two countries have been going at it for a while – but the implications of this latest fight are global. We’ll break it down. Meanwhile, Michigan prosecutors are dropping criminal charges against officials accused of contributing to the Flint water crisis. But prosecutors say they’re still investigating. We’ll explain. Also on today’s episode: Dads. We asked you to call in and tell us about the fathers or father figures in your life. Hear what our listeners had to say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fake It Till You Make It: Russia Probe Inquiry, ‘Deepfakes’, and Dads
Special Counsel Robert Mueller dropped the mic a couple weeks ago, but Washington still has some unfinished business with the Russia investigation. The Attorney General has launched an investigation into the original investigation. Pre-Mueller. We’ll tell you more about it – and what it has to do with comments President Trump made on TV last night. Meanwhile, the House Intelligence Committee met today to talk about ‘deepfakes’ - aka manipulated videos that seem real. AI experts warned today: they’re not ready to detect them all. Also on today’s episode: a new poll about dads feeling ‘dad shamed,’ and the Stanley Cup’s post-victory journey. PS: Father’s Day is this Sunday, and we want to hear about the dads or dad figures in your life. Leave a message at 646-461-6370 and you may hear your voice on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Waving Flags: Hong Kong Protests, Executive Privilege, and Pulse
There were massive protests in Hong Kong today over a bill that would allow fugitives to be extradited to mainland China. Hong Kong is technically a semi-autonomous part of China. And protesters say this bill is really about China exerting more control over them. We’ll explain. Meanwhile, President Trump dusted off his executive privilege card over documents related to a new question on the 2020 census. The Trump admin wants to ask people if they’re citizens. And Dems in Congress want to see the docs. We’ll break this down for you. Also on today’s episode: the third anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, and C-section parties in Brazil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Game Time: ‘Safe Third Country’, Iowa, and Kickoff
The US and Mexico struck a deal on immigration before President Trump could impose tariffs on all Mexican imports. But now, Trump is saying ‘more to come.’ That could have to do with Mexico being named a ‘safe third country’ – something Mexico doesn’t really want. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile, 2020 presidential candidates are practically tripping over each other in Iowa. The reason: it’s the first state to say ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ in the presidential primaries. And Iowans want candidates to ‘think local.’ Also on today’s episode: Botswana is the latest African country to decriminalize gay sex, and the US women’s team kicked off its first match in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Everything's Goin' My Way: Mueller Report, Health Care, and Ali Stroker
This week, lawmakers in Congress are nose-deep in a page-turner: the Mueller Report. Mueller’s not talking … but Dems are hearing from some old school political junkies - like President Nixon’s former White House counsel John Dean - and trying to force other people to show up. We'll explain why. Meanwhile, California lawmakers say it’s time for a check-up. Their new budget plan would give some undocumented immigrants state health care coverage - the first state to do so. Also on today’s episode: Broadway actress Ali Stroker made history at the Tony Awards, and Starbucks is trying green on for size. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flip it and Reverse it: Emissions Rules, Robocallers, and the Women’s World Cup
Major automakers wrote a letter to two of their pen pals: President Trump and CA Gov. Gavin Newsom. They’re asking them to, pretty please, compromise on emissions standards. Before it’s too late. We’ll tell you why the auto industry wants to pump the brakes. Meanwhile, the FCC passed new rules that could make your hotline bling a little less. Because robocallers. Also on today’s episode: the Women’s World Cup kicks today, and NASA hopes your weekend is out of this world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Not Forgotten: D-Day and Today, Hyde Amendment, and Long Weekend Forever
World leaders gathered today to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and remember those who fought and those who lost their lives. But the alliances in place since D-Day between the US and Europe are now being tested. We’ll explain how we got here. Meanwhile, 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden is singling himself out from the rest of the democratic pack in supporting the Hyde Amendment. Which bars the federal government from funding most abortions. We’ll tell you why Biden’s taking heat for backing it. Also on today’s episode: a Gen-Z is making history at the French Open, and the people in the UK want Summer Fridays all year long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Work, Work, Work: Arms Sales, Mexican Tariffs, and a Mass Wedding
The Trump administration wants to sell $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia and some other Middle East countries. But many US lawmakers are saying: ‘bad idea.’ We’ll explain why they don’t want this sale to go through, and how they plan to stop it. Meanwhile, Mexico’s foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard is in DC trying to talk the Trump administration down from raising tariffs. We’ll tell you where that debate stands now - it’s taxing. Also on today’s episode: a mass wedding in Israel with a lot of pride, and 600 million reasons to work, work, work, work, work, work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Old Wounds: Tiananmen Square, Cuba, and High Heels
It’s been 30 years since Beijing's Tiananmen Square massacre, in which the Chinese government turned the military on its own people. China doesn’t want to talk about it – but some survivors do. And the US has a lot to say. We’ll explain the complex dynamics here. Meanwhile, if you haven’t booked your summer trip to Cuba yet: you may be too late. The Trump administration is restricting some travel to Cuba. We’ll give you the history on this. Also on today’s episode: the end of Ramadan has Muslims on a lunar watch, and Japanese women are taking a stand … against high heels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Breakin’ Up is Hard to Do: Big Tech, Trump’s UK Visit, and T-Swift
Two major government agencies reportedly have their eyes on Google and Amazon. Because they’ve got antitrust issues. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile, President Trump and the First Lady are across the pond visiting the Royals and UK politicians - but British politics are in a bit of a shambles at the moment. We’ll tell you what you should know. Also on today’s episode: Taylor Swift’s petition for equality, and a (possible) “Jeopardy” spoiler alert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Pressure’s On: Mexico Tariffs, Hollywood Boycotts, and Drake
President Trump is threatening Mexico with tariffs. Because of immigration. While the US, Mexico and Canada are trying to seal the deal on a new trade agreement. We’ll explain what it all means. Meanwhile, some Hollywood studios are threatening to boycott the state of Georgia after its governor signed one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the US. The film industry has brought 90k new jobs to Georgia. But there’s also a precedent here – we’ll break it down. Also on today’s episode: the FDA wants to take the WTF out of CBD, and an NBA superfan is being asked to stop making headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Now You See Me: Israel’s Parliament, Women Suing the FBI, and Spelling
Israel’s parliament has dissolved. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu couldn’t get enough support to form a government, and now the country has to vote all over again.This has never happened before in Israel’s history -- we’ll explain what might be coming next. Meanwhile, 16 women filed a lawsuit alleging that they were discriminated against at Quantico, the FBI’s training ground. Some say they faced a hostile work environment and sexual harassment, and they’re calling out some of the FBI’s top guys. We’ll tell you more. Also on today’s episode: New Zealand is budgeting for well-being, and the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals. T-o-u-g-h. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Is This Thing On?: Mueller Speaks, Abortion in Missouri, and Graduation Trees
Special Counsel Robert Mueller turned off his “do not disturb” mode today to give a brief statement. The message: his Russia investigation is officially over and he’s clocking out. He said some words about whether President Trump committed a crime. And went back on silent. We’ll explain. Meanwhile, the last clinic that provides abortions in Missouri might have to stop doing so on Friday. This would make Missouri the first state since 1974 without access to abortion services. We’ll break this down for you. Also on today’s episode: a group that is trying to help farmers deal with stress, and grads with very green thumbs in the Philippines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices