This daily news preview is available to free subscribers thanks to the support of our Substack paid members. Thank you to all subscribers for reading, listening to, and watching our work, which in total generates 150 million views/listens per month.
Here’s what we’re talking about today.
This is a quick rundown of the topics we’ll be covering on today’s show. You can hit play to listen, or read the transcript below if that’s more your style.
Transcript:
Today is Friday, October 17, 2025, and this is your news and preview of today’s show.
On The View, tensions ran high when co-host Sunny Hostin confronted actress Cheryl Hines about her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Hostin said Kennedy was “the least qualified HHS head in history,” accusing him of spreading misinformation and confusion.
Donald Trump is holding a new high-dollar fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, charging one million dollars per guest for a candlelight dinner organized by his super PAC. Trump, who cannot legally run again, is reportedly using the funds to back congressional candidates aligned with him in next year’s midterm elections. Reports show Trump’s PAC raised $177 million in the first half of the year.
Meanwhile, Trump supporters are expressing anger over what they describe as a scam involving “Trump watches,” sold for between $499 and $3,000. Buyers claim many of the watches never arrived, customer service was unresponsive, and refunds were denied. On Trustpilot, 57 percent of reviewers gave the company one star. The brand, advertised as “Swiss-made,” is registered to a Wyoming shopping center, and although Trump’s organization doesn’t manage it, the ads feature Trump himself.
In media news, podcaster Joe Rogan is rethinking his support for Trump. Rogan said he supports pathways for noncriminal immigrants, a position similar to what Democrats have long promoted. His remarks come after previously endorsing Trump before the last election.
Trump also reacted strongly this week to a Time magazine cover photo that he called “the worst of all time.” In posts on Truth Social, he complained that editors “disappeared” his hair and mocked the image as a “floating crown.” The cover accompanied a feature about Trump’s recent foreign policy maneuvering.
Eric Trump made headlines after claiming special counsel Jack Smith planted folders during the Mar-a-Lago search. Records show the search occurred in August 2022, while Smith was not appointed until November of that year.
And finally, online posts show some Trump voters voicing regret, citing rising costs and unfulfilled promises, though many continue to support him despite dissatisfaction.
On the Bonus Show today:
John Bolton gets indicted as part of Trump’s revenge tour.
Highlights from the New York City mayoral debate, and much more...
Don’t miss the full show with these stories and others, plus all of our analysis. Tune in at 2:30 pm eastern on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or catch the video show at 9:00 pm eastern on YouTube. Consider becoming a paid Substack supporter to support extras like these news episodes. Thank you.
