The Daily

Jacob Frey, mayor of Minneapolis and former attorney, leads the city through tense confrontations with federal agents. He discusses federal immigration operations, refusals to enforce federal law, concerns about civil liberties, community fear and protests, and the political and legal pressures facing local government.

Nate Cohn, chief political analyst at The New York Times who deciphers polls and electoral shifts, breaks down who swung to Trump in 2024 and why. He explores why those gains slipped, how voters define affordability, which big-ticket costs matter most, and whether quick fixes can restore confidence. The conversation spotlights generational divides and who remains up for grabs.

Cecilia Kang, a New York Times reporter on technology and regulatory policy, explains a new legal strategy targeting social platforms' design and alleged addiction. She discusses bellwether trials, internal company research, the challenge of proving causation to juries, and the remedies plaintiffs seek like monetary damages and design changes.

Zolan Kanno-Youngs, NYT White House correspondent with homeland security expertise, and Tyler Pager, NYT White House reporter on federal policy, break down Trump's sudden tone change after Alex Preddy’s killing. They discuss White House damage control, personnel shifts, bipartisan pushback, phone calls with Minnesota leaders, and whether softer words meant real operational pullback.

Christiaan Triebert, a New York Times visual investigations reporter who tracks ships, breaks down how secretive “ghost” tanker networks move sanctioned oil. He describes how vessels disappear from tracking, the deceptive tricks used to hide cargo and ownership, and why recent seizures and multinational enforcement could change how these shadow fleets operate.

Ernesto Londoño, a Minnesota-based NYT reporter covering the Midwest, and Devon Lum, a Visual Investigations analyst who reconstructs events from video, examine a fatal Border Patrol shooting in Minneapolis. They walk through video analysis, the sequence of confrontation and shots fired, community reaction and local political fallout. The conversation focuses on visual evidence, investigatory gaps, and the broader impacts on protests and policy.

Franz Lidz, archaeology and culture reporter who writes about human origins, and Carl Zimmer, science writer covering evolution and genomics, explore shifting views of Neanderthals. They trace how early finds shaped stereotypes. They discuss DNA breakthroughs, interbreeding, cultural behaviors, Denisovans and what these discoveries reveal about human identity.

Chloé Zhao, Academy Award–winning filmmaker behind Nomadland and Hamnet, reflects on her creative process and leadership style. She discusses improvisation on set, training as a death doula, confronting impermanence, and how grief, myth, and memory shape her work. Short, candid, and emotionally curious conversation.

Glenn Thrush, a Justice Department reporter for The New York Times, breaks down Jack Smith's pivotal testimony against Trump. He highlights Smith's argument for accountability and the political ramifications of his investigations into January 6th and classified documents. Thrush discusses Trump's response to the testimony and the controversy over investigative tactics. He emphasizes the importance of holding powerful figures accountable for maintaining democracy, offering a glimpse into the intersection of law and politics.

In this discussion, guest Mark Landler, the London bureau chief of The New York Times, unpacks Trump's audacious ambition to acquire Greenland and its ramifications. He delves into the strategic importance of Greenland, from its natural resources to military positioning. Mark reveals how European allies responded with increased military support and how Trump's approach has shifted Europe’s stance from flattery to resolve. The conversation explores NATO's vulnerabilities and how U.S. unpredictability is nudging Europe closer to China.