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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 Thursday, August 21, 2025, and this is your news and preview of today's show.
Republicans in Texas have passed a new congressional map designed to give their party five additional seats in the U.S. House. The plan, approved on a party-line vote in the Texas House, was drawn at the request of President Donald Trump. Democrats attempted to block the measure with a walkout, but Republicans assigned state police to accompany Democratic lawmakers in order to prevent them from leaving again.
Donald Trump celebrated the Texas vote on his social media platform, calling it a “big win” and urging other Republican-led states, including Florida and Indiana, to take similar action. He also repeated calls to end mail-in voting and switch to paper ballots nationwide, claiming it would deliver Republicans numerous additional seats in Congress.
Meanwhile, Trump is facing new scrutiny over his financial holdings. Recent disclosures show he has purchased more than 100 million dollars in corporate, state, and municipal bonds since his second inauguration. At the same time, he has urged the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates sharply. Economists note that if the Fed lowers rates, the value of bonds Trump already purchased at higher yields could increase significantly, potentially giving him a major financial gain. The White House says Trump’s investments are managed by a third party and denies any conflict of interest.
On the economy, several major U.S. industries are grappling with price increases. John Deere announced weaker earnings linked to tariffs recently imposed by the Trump administration. PepsiCo is expected to raise concentrate prices for carbonated soft drinks by 10 percent, Sony is preparing to increase the price of its PlayStation 5 console, and average electric bills in the U.S. are up 10 percent so far this year.
In Washington, Vice President JD Vance faced protests during a visit to National Guard troops deployed in the capital. Reporters questioned why forces were stationed at Union Station and the National Mall instead of higher-crime areas. Vance said crime is high in those locations and referred to homeless individuals as “vagrants.” The remarks drew criticism, and protesters loudly booed Vance, along with adviser Stephen Miller and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Finally, California Governor Gavin Newsom joins us to discuss his redistricting strategy, which is designed to counter Republican gerrymandering efforts in Texas by pushing through a new map in California that could flip several Republican-held seats.
On the Bonus Show today:
A Republican congressman says dead people told him they voted fraudulently.
Trump says the U.S. won't approve new solar and wind projects.
And the African Union wants people to use a map that better represents Africa's size.
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