Up First from NPR

Congressman Ro Khanna says America needs an “economic realignment.”

Fresh off a tour through his birthplace of Pennsylvania, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he is “thinking seriously” about running for president in 2028 — a race he called a “breaking point in America” that could lead to a destructive revolution or a new economic order. 

“If we don't do something dramatically different, we may break,” Khanna tells NPR’s Steve Inskeep in this episode of Newsmakers.  “Have you met these folks in their 30s? They want pitchforks and torches. They want your scalps … politically.” 

The California lawmaker — who acknowledged he sits around 2% in the Democratic presidential polls — does not have the name recognition of some other contenders, including his fellow Californians: former Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Gavin Newsom. He has, however, steadily raised his profile through years of action on issues ranging from the Epstein files to a wealth tax. And his possible bid for president comes as the Democratic Party’s center and left-wing candidates battle over ideological differences within the party.

Khanna said Democrats need to nominate a progressive who will usher in “America’s next New Deal” and shouldn’t fear being labeled “communists” by Republican opponents, including President Trump. 

“We’ve been calling the guy a fascist for 10 years and he’s won two terms,” Khanna said. “Labels usually don’t matter in American politics.”

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Recent primary results were supposed to offer clues on voters’ appetite for progressive candidates. But the results — so far — paint a muddled picture. What does that mean for the party’s midterm strategy? And new inflation numbers are out and lettuce was a highlight. How are the leafy greens impacting the cost of living? Plus, rescue teams in Colombia are racing to find the nearly 500 earthquake victims still buried under rubble.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Arezou Rezvani, Alice Woelfle, Jason Breslow, Rafael Nam and Tina Kraja. 

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Milton Guevara. 

Our director is Christopher Thomas. 

We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange. Our technical director is Zac Coleman.

And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:51) Democratic Party Divide
(05:38) Lettuce is Saving You Green
(09:23) Colombia Rescue Efforts

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Results are in from primary races in six states. How did progressive candidates fare against more moderate Democrats in this run-up to the midterm elections? And President Trump has confirmed he secretly swapped planes as he left a NATO summit in Turkey last month. How unusual was this ruse? Plus, Iraq’s new leader wants to disarm the country’s Iran-backed militias that have hit U.S. military installations across the region in recent months. How challenging will that be?

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 Alice Woelfle, Arezou Rezvani, Padma Rama, Rebekah Metzler and Tina Kraja.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Milton Guevara.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Zac Coleman.

And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:54) Primary Race Results
(05:35) Trump's Plane Swap Ruse
(09:48) Disarming Iraq's Iran-Backed Militias

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

A self-described democratic socialist is shaking up the race for Wisconsin governor and a progressive is up against a moderate in Minnesota. How much of an appetite do voters have for non-mainstream candidates going into the midterm elections? Primary races in six states today will offer clues. And Iran’s demand for war reparations has prompted President Trump to make a reparation demand of his own. Can Trump afford a stalemate that will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed? Plus the view from Colombia, where rescue workers and volunteers are digging through rubble for survivors of a major earthquake.

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 Olivia Hampton, Arezou Rezvani, Larry Kaplow, Rebecca Metzler and Miguel Macias.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Milton Guevara. 

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Zac Coleman.

And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:58) Progressives in Midwest Primaries
(05:29) Trump and Iran Stalemate
(09:37) Colombia Earthquake

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Negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz are dragging. Is Iran stalling to sabotage the midterm elections for President Trump and his party? And new data about the cost of living comes out this week. It's expected to show the cost of living is rising faster than wages. What can the Federal Reserve do about it? Plus, a new report reveals decades of sexual misconduct at an elite arts school in Michigan.

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 Ally Schwietzer, Arezou Rezvani, Miguel Macias, Kara Platoni and Meritt Kennedy.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Milton Guevara. Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Zac Coleman.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:55) Iran Negotiations Drag
(05:39) New Inflation Report
(09:16) Sexual Abuse at Elite School

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy