Up First from NPR

In this special episode of Up First, we’re sharing the latest episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, featuring UFC president Dana White.

When Donald Trump celebrated his imminent return to the White House on election night in November 2024, a parade of high-profile supporters joined him on stage. They included White, the president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the multibillion-dollar mixed martial arts organization. White calls Trump "a friend." This June 14, UFC will host a fight on the South Lawn of the White House -- commemorating the nation's 250th birthday. That day happens to be President Trump's birthday, too. 

White sat down with Steve Inskeep to discuss the growth and success of UFC, political polarization, and masculinity in the Trump era. 

NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. New episodes drop as soon as they're available -- any day of the week. To stay caught up, follow the show on Spotify, subscribe on YouTube, or find Newsmakers on the NPR app.

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Senator Bill Cassidy became the latest Republican casualty in President Trump’s campaign against disloyal members of his party, losing his primary in Louisiana after voting to convict Trump following the January 6th insurrection.
The World Health Organization has declared an international public health emergency over a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has already killed more than 80 people and spread to neighboring Uganda.
A jury in California has begun deliberating in Elon Musk’s high-profile lawsuit against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, with Musk claiming he was misled when he helped found the company as a nonprofit.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Anna Yukhananov, Carmel Wroth, Kara Platoni, Mohamad ElBardicy and HJ Mai.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:54) Cassidy Loses Louisiana Primary
(05:35) Ebola Outbreak
(09:14) Musk Sues Altman Over OpenAI

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For many of the poorest residents in Lagos, Nigeria, the land their families have lived on for generations is now being violently seized by the government to build luxury condos. The communities are fighting back, but even court injunctions haven’t stopped the bulldozers. This week on The Sunday Story, NPR’s Emmanuel Akinwotu goes to these sites of destruction and talks to those who have lost everything in this race to develop one of the world’s fastest-growing megacities.

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Cuba experienced blackouts and protests this week, and the CIA director made a visit to Havana. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., faces primary voters today. Trump administration travel restrictions are complicating travel plans for World Cup soccer fans.

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President Trump is heading home from Beijing claiming he made fantastic trade deals with China, including a commitment for 200 Boeing jets and soybean purchases.
The Supreme Court kept the abortion pill mifepristone available over telemedicine, putting a hold on an appeals court order that would have required patients to visit a clinic in person to get the medication. 
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a rebellion within his own party, with candidates already emerging to replace him after Labour was trounced in local elections and his approval ratings hit historic lows.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Kate Bartlett, Diane Webber, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and John Stolnis.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:55) Trump's China Visit Wraps
(05:47) SCOTUS Mifepristone
(09:42) Keir Starmer Under Pressure To Resign

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NPR Privacy Policy