The Daily

When President Trump raised tariffs against China to an astonishing 145 percent last week, he radically changed the cost of doing business for thousands of American companies.Michael Barbaro speaks to Beth Benike, a small-business owner who fears her business will not survive the tariffs.Guest: Beth Benike, the founder and C.E.O. of Busy BabyBackground reading: Small-business owners say tariffs will squeeze them, and their customers.Trump’s tariffs leave no safe harbor for American importers.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Jenn Ackerman for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

When Daniel and Victoria Van Beuningen first toured their future home, a quiet villa in the Polish city of Wroclaw, it had been abandoned for years, its windows sealed up with bricks. But something about its overgrown garden spoke to them. They could imagine raising chickens there, planting tomatoes and cucumbers. They could make something beautiful out of it, they thought — a place where their children could run and play.They moved in knowing very little about what happened at the villa before World War II, when Wroclaw, formerly Breslau, was still part of Germany.The couple wanted to know more, and their inquiries eventually led to the Meinecke family in Heidelberg, Germany, elderly siblings who said they were born in the home. Over a long afternoon, they showed the couple pictures of the place from happier times before the war, but they also offered the Van Beuningens a surprising warning: The couple might find the remains of some German soldiers buried in the garden. Unlock full access to New York Times p

The creator and comedian discusses his penchant for self-reflection, how politics fits into his work and why he’s not interested in representing anyone but himself.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Over the past five years, the activist Christopher Rufo has spearheaded the conservative critique of and assault on critical race theory and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, organizing effective campaigns against government offices, corporations and American universities.In the process, Mr. Rufo has become an influential voice in the ear of the Trump administration as it turns his strategy into a wide-ranging government crackdown on higher education.Michael Barbaro speaks to Mr. Rufo about how far his agenda will go.Guest: Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist and writer.Background reading: Mr. Rufo helped make critical race theory a conservative rallying cry.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Chona Kasinger for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcast

After promising that tariffs against dozens of countries were here to stay, no matter how much they hurt businesses or the stock market, President Trump has abruptly reversed course.But there’s an exception: his levies on China, which he said he would raise to 125 percent.Jonathan Swan, who covers the White House, explains why the president changed his mind, and David Pierson, who covers China, discusses why Beijing won’t back down.Guest:Jonathan Swan, a White House reporter for The New York Times.David Pierson, a foreign correspondent for The New York Times covering China.Background reading: Inside President Trump’s reversal on tariffs.The United States and China are engaged in a risky game of chicken with no off-ramp in sight.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Eric Lee/The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe t

Over the past few weeks, some of the most prestigious universities in the country have faced a threat to their very existence.President Trump has frozen billions of dollars in federal funds in an attempt to rid higher education of what he calls its woke ideology.Rachel Abrams speaks to the president of Princeton University, Christopher L. Eisgruber, who has vowed that to fight.Guest: Christopher L. Eisgruber, the president of Princeton University.Background reading: President Trump paused dozens of federal grants to Princeton.Mr. Trump’s orders threaten the financial foundations of higher education, but few universities have protested openly.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Christopher Goodney/Bloomburg Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

On Monday, global stocks whipsawed over President Trump’s tariffs, a bear market briefly became official in the United States and tit-for-tat retaliation with China intensified.As trillions of dollars in corporate value evaporates and Mr. Trump’s support in the business world is cracking, even Republican members of Congress are debating whether to take away the president’s power to wage a trade war.Andrew Ross Sorkin, who covers business and policy, and Jonathan Swan, who covers the White House, talk through the tumultuous past few days on the stock market.Guest:Andrew Ross Sorkin, a columnist and the founder and editor-at-large of DealBook, which publishes the flagship business and policy newsletter of The New York Times.Jonathan Swan, a White House reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: DealBook: Does Mr. Trump Have an “Off Ramp”?What is a bear market? Are we in one?China says it will “fight to the end” after Mr. Trump threatens more tariffs.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytime

Over the past few weeks, President Trump has used executive orders to wage war on law firms, specifically targeting those whose lawyers have investigated or sued him, or represented his enemies in court.Michael Barbaro speaks to Thomas Sipp, a lawyer who chose to quit after his firm, Skadden, negotiated a deal to placate the president.Guest: Thomas Sipp, a lawyer who left his firm after they negotiated a deal with Mr. Trump.Background reading: Read about how, Paul Weiss, a major democratic law firm, ended up bowing to Mr. Trump.Ever since the elite law firms Skadden and Paul Weiss reached deals with the Trump administration, top partners have closed ranks in support of the agreements.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: John Taggart for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Ap

“The force of his will is the thing I remember about him,” says Taffy Brodesser-Akner, who wrote a profile of Val Kilmer for The New York Times Magazine in May 2020. “He was sure he was going to come back to his exact former self. ”The two met for an interview just as a lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic seemed all but certain to happen.Mr. Kilmer, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and had undergone a tracheotomy, was still performing. Mr. Brodesser-Akner credits him with providing “the first whiff of overarching hope and positivity that I’d witnessed in I couldn’t remember how many months.”“What does somebody do when the thing that they are known for, which is being a superhero, which is being an action hero, which is being handsome, which is being this sort of picture of good health and vigor, what do you do next?” she said. “And a lot of people, they fade away. But that’s not how it went for Val. ”Mr. Kilmer, who played classic roles such as Batman and Iceman in “Top Gun,” died on Tuesday

The actor talks about his new film “The Friend,” his jerky past and what he doesn’t get about himself. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The reverberations from President Trump’s new global tariffs have rocked financial markets and world capitals. American stocks have plunged, and foreign leaders have issued forceful condemnations.The Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Peter Goodman, Natalie Kitroeff and Jeanna Smialek sit down to try to make sense of Mr. Trump’s strategy and its consequences.Guest:Peter S. Goodman, who covers the global economy for The New York Times.Natalie Kitroeff, the Mexico City bureau chief for The New York Times.Jeanna Smialek, the Brussels bureau chief for The New York Times.Background reading: Read about how Mr. Trump’s one-for-one tariff plan threatens the global economy.The trade war set off “max pessimism” in the global markets.The tariffs have widened the chasm between allies and Washington.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Scott McIntyre for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times pod

In a history-making day of tariffs, President Trump imposed charges of at least 10 percent on nearly all of America’s trading partners.Ana Swanson, who covers trade for The Times, discusses who will be affected most and looks at how the levies effectively ended one era of global trade and began a new one.Guest: Ana Swanson, who covers trade and international economics for The New York Times.Background reading: The tariffs are likely to ripple through the global economy, driving up prices for American consumers and manufacturers while inciting retaliation from other nations.Mr. Trump says global trade is unfair. Does he have a point?Read about how the tariff rates are calculated.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts

A few days ago, one of the most ubiquitous live shows in the country, Shen Yun, began its latest run at Lincoln Center, drawing thousands of people to a performance that is colorful, acrobatic and — according to many of its performers — shockingly abusive.Nicole Hong, one of the reporters behind a New York Times investigation of Shen Yun, discusses what that reporting has revealed about the secretive enterprise.Guest: Nicole Hong, an investigative reporter for The New York Times focusing on New York and its surrounding regions.Background reading: An ex-dancer accused Shen Yun of forced labor and trafficking in a lawsuit.Here are five takeaways from The Times’s coverage of Shen Yun.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spo

On paper, the election in Wisconsin on Tuesday is about who should control the state’s highest court. In reality, it has become a referendum on Elon Musk, his agenda in Washington and his willingness to flood American politics with his money.Reid J. Epstein, who has been covering this campaign for The Times, explains why it has become the local election that everyone is watching.Guest: Reid J. Epstein, a New York Times reporter covering politics.Background reading: Tuesday’s election will reveal what’s more powerful: Elon Musk’s millions, or liberal anger at him.Mr. Musk and Tesla have a legal bone to pick with Wisconsin.The billionaire has returned to his Trump playbook in the race.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Jim Vondruska for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Ap

Immigration arrests are taking place at universities across the country. The story of three Columbia students helps explain what’s happening, and why.Hamed Aleaziz, who covers immigration policy, lays out what their cases reveal about the latest immigration crackdown — and about this administration’s views on free speech.Guest: Hamed Aleaziz, who covers the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy in the United States for The New York Times.Background reading: A Columbia student hunted by ICE has sued to prevent deportation.How a Columbia student fled to Canada after ICE came looking for her.What we know about the detentions of student protesters.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Troy Merritt, a pilot for a major U.S. airline, returned from his 30th birthday trip in Croatia in October 2022 — sailing on a catamaran, eating great food, socializing with friends — and cried. This wasn’t back-to-work blues but collapsed-on-the-floor, full-body-shaking misery. When he wasn’t crying, he slept.“I’ve got to find a therapist,” he told himself. And he did, quickly. If that therapist didn’t write down “depression,” Merritt would be OK. He could still fly planes, keep his job — as long as he wasn’t diagnosed with a mental illness.Merritt, like all pilots, knew that if he was formally diagnosed with a mental-health condition, he might never fly a plane again. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The former Fox News and current YouTube host on her professional evolution, conservative media and why she endorsed Trump.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

What does the continuing fallout from the Signal text security breach tell us about President Trump’s cabinet’s approach to blame and accountability?The Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Eric Schmitt, Julian E. Barnes and Maggie Haberman sit down to make sense of the latest week.Guest: Eric Schmitt, a national security correspondent for The New York Times based in Washington.Julian E. Barnes, a reporter covering the U.S. intelligence agencies and international security matters for The New York Times.Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent for The New York Times.Background reading: Analysis: President Trump takes government secrecy seriously. But only when it suits him.Intelligence officials faced a fresh round of questions about the Signal leak.A disregard for the rules trickles down from Mr. Trump to his aides.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images Unlock full acces

For the past three decades, the U.S. government has released documents related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy Jr. with an overriding goal of dispelling conspiracy theories.Julian E. Barnes, who covers the U.S. intelligence agencies, explains why President Trump’s motivations behind releasing the latest batch are far more complicated.Guest: Julian E. Barnes, a reporter covering the U.S. intelligence agencies and international security matters for The New York Times.Background reading: Inside the 24-hour scramble among top national security officials over the Kennedy documents.The thousands of documents posted online this week disappointed assassination buffs. But historians are finding many newly revealed secrets.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Reuters Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcast

This week, top Trump officials inadvertently shared secret U.S. military plans with a prominent journalist after mistakenly adding him to a group chat.The journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, who is editor in chief at The Atlantic, discusses what he was thinking as he read the messages and what he makes of the fallout.Guest: Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief at The Atlantic.Background reading: Read more about Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor mistakenly added to the Signal chat.Here’s the leaked chat, annotated.President Trump has downplayed the leak and pointed the finger at Mr. Goldberg.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.