The Ezra Klein Show - Trump’s Fantasy State of the Union

President Trump’s approval ratings on the economy, immigration and trade are deep in the red. But in Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, he decided to tell the American people: You don’t know what you’re talking about.

“Today our border is secure, our spirit is restored, inflation is plummeting, incomes are rising fast. The roaring economy is roaring like never before,” he said.

I’m not going to fact-check the president in this episode. But I do want to ask: Even if he can’t be honest with the American people, is he at least being honest with himself?

My editor Aaron Retica joins me to discuss.

Mentioned:

I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration” by Miles Taylor

Has Trump Achieved a Lot Less Than It Seems?” with Yuval Levin on “The Ezra Klein Show”

Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.

You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.

This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Claire Gordon and Marie Cascione. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Kate Sinclair and Mary Marge Locker. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Isaac Jones & Aman Sahota. Our executive producer is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin, Rollin Hu, Kristin Lin, Emma Kehlbeck, Jack McCordick, Marina King and Jan Kobal. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The director of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


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WSJ Minute Briefing - Record Nvidia Earnings Ease Fears of AI Bubble

Plus: Salesforce revenue outlook falls below expectations. Cava shares surge as the restaurant chain reports positive sales. Katherine Sullivan hosts.


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An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor.

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WSJ What’s News - Why Businesses Are Selling Their Tariff Refund Claims to Wall Street

P.M. Edition for Feb. 25. Businesses are still figuring out whether they’ll get tariff refunds after last week’s Supreme Court decision. But some aren’t waiting for an answer; WSJ reporter Caitlin McCabe discusses how they’re selling their tariff refund claims to Wall Street traders. Plus, four people on a U.S.-registered speedboat were shot and killed after exchanging fire with Cuba's border guard. And prediction-market platform Kalshi has fined two users for breaking its rules. While it’s the first time the company has done so publicly, Journal reporter Krystal Hur says it likely won’t be the last. Alex Ossola hosts.


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Newshour - US cuts health aid to Zimbabwe

The United States is ending its health programmes in Zimbabwe, including HIV treatment for one point two million people. The US embassy said Harare had pulled out of negotiations over a new health aid agreement which would have provided 367 million dollars over five years. The US has been renegotiating aid to Africa following the abolition of USAID by President Trump.   Also on the programme: The influential economist, Larry Summers, resigns from Harvard over the Epstein files and the Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, apologises to staff about his links with the convicted sex offender; and we'll hear why Emperor penguins are facing the threat of extinction.   (Photo shows a health official opening a rapid HIV test during the launch of Lenacapavir, a long‑acting HIV prevention injection outside Harare, Zimbabwe on 19 February 2026.Credit: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters)

Federalist Radio Hour - ‘You’re Wrong’ With Mollie Hemingway And David Harsanyi, Ep. 188: The State Of The Union

Join Washington Examiner Senior Writer David Harsanyi and Federalist Editor-In-Chief Mollie Hemingway as they analyze President Donald Trump's State of the Union address and Democrats' reaction and response, examine whether Congress will pass the SAVE America Act, and discuss the Supreme Court's tariffs decision. Mollie and David also reflect on the U.S. men's hockey team's gold medal Olympics victory and review The Night Manager. 

Pre-order Mollie's book Alito: The Justice Who Reshaped the Supreme Court and Restored the Constitution here.

The Federalist is a nonprofit, and we depend entirely on our listeners and readers — not corporations. If you value fearless, independent journalism, please consider a tax-deductible gift today at TheFederalist.com/donate. Your support keeps us going.

Motley Fool Money - Who Pays for PayPal?

The market is buzzing with rumors of companies interested in buying Paypal. We look into whether there’s fire behind the smoke. We also cover earnings from Axon and Cava.


Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss:


- Potential buyers for PayPal

- Axon earnings

- Cava Earnings


Companies discussed: PayPal (PYPL), Adyen, Axon (AXON), Cava (CAVA).


Host: Travis Hoium

Guests: Lou Whiteman, Rachel Warren

Engineer: Dan Boyd, Kristi Waterworth


Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement.


We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode.


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The Journal. - Inside Mexico’s Decision to Take Down a Drug Lord

After Mexican authorities killed El Mencho, the country’s most powerful drug lord, his cartel responded with violence across the country. The operation came amid pressure from the U.S. government on Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum. WSJ’s José De Córdoba explains the power struggle that will ensue among the cartels and what it means for the global drug trade. Ryan Knutson hosts.

Further Listening:
- Mexico's New Cocaine Kingpin is Cashing In
- Drug Cartels' New Weapon: Chinese Money Launderers

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Lost Debate - The People vs. AI

In this episode, Ravi Gupta talks with Time’s Andrew Chow about an unlikely coalition rising up against AI — from MAGA-aligned tech skeptics to democratic socialists pushing for data center moratoriums. They trace how local activism is already stalling major infrastructure projects, even as Big Tech prepares to flood elections with money to keep regulation at bay. The conversation zeroes in on the highest-stakes frontier: AI’s role in weapons and domestic surveillance, and whether any company will hold firm on its “red lines” when contracts and market pressure hit. Ultimately, Ravi frames it as a defining political fight of the decade: can everyday people set the terms, or will the machines — and the companies building them — decide for us?


Andrew Chow’s The People vs. AI (Time, Feb 2026)

Ravi’s recent substack post: The Melt-Up

Join Squadra, Ravi's fitness community


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Time To Say Goodbye - Alysa Liu charms the country and the Right annoys everyone

Hello!

Today, we talk about Graham Platner’s lead in Maine, the Olympics Patriotism Complex and everything Alysa Liu. Also, is the right annoying everyone away right now? That question and more in this week’s episode.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe