The Daily

Nicolas Cage Made Himself a Legend. Then He Had to Live With It.

The iconic actor on his thrillingly risky choices, on screen and off, and becoming a meme. * Thoughts? Email us at theinterview@nytimes.com * Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theinterviewpodcast] * For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview [https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-interview] Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://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 [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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump’s National Support Is Cratering

A new major poll from The Times/Siena suggests that despite his seemingly unchecked power over the federal government and his own party, President Trump’s national support is crumbling to record lows and Democrats are poised to win back many of the key voters who got him into office in 2024. Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times, walks us through the poll’s results and what they mean for the midterms this fall. Guest: Nate Cohn [https://www.nytimes.com/by/nate-cohn], the chief political analyst for The New York Times. I cover American politics, with a focus on elections, public opinion, demographics and polling. Background reading:  * A crack in the polling floor puts Mr. Trump in new territory [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/upshot/trump-poll-times-siena-analyis.html]. Photo: Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://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 [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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why the U.S. Just Indicted Cuba’s Former President

The U.S. charged Raúl Castro, Cuba’s former leader and Communist general, with murder on Wednesday. It was the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s campaign to force political change on the island. The New York Times reporters Frances Robles and Julian Barnes break down what is behind the charges against Mr. Castro and what the American government really wants from Cuba. Guest: * Frances Robles [https://www.nytimes.com/by/frances-robles], an international correspondent covering Latin America and the Caribbean for The New York Times. * Julian E. Barnes [https://www.nytimes.com/by/julian-e-barnes], a reporter covering the U.S. intelligence agencies and international security matters for The New York Times. Background reading:  * The Justice Department charged the former Cuban president [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/raul-castro-cuba-doj-indictment.html] in fatal downing of planes. * Here’s what happened [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/world/americas/cuba-raul-castro-us-indictment.html] on the day Cuba shot down two civilian planes. Photo: Norlys Perez/Reuters For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://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 [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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump’s Taxpayer-Funded Revenge Plan

The Trump administration announced the creation of a $1.8 billion fund to compensate those who claim they were targeted by the Biden Justice Department and Democrats. Andrew Duehren, who covers tax policy, explains how the fund came about and who might get the money.  Guest: Andrew Duehren [https://www.nytimes.com/by/andrew-duehren], who writes about tax policy for The New York Times from Washington. Background reading:  * The Justice Department announced the $1.8 billion fund [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/trump-irs-lawsuit.html] on Monday. * Mr. Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund, explained [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/trump-anti-weaponization-fund.html]. Photo: Eric Lee for The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://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 [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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Trump Dissenter Fights for His Political Life

In Kentucky today, amid record-low approval ratings, President Trump is asking Republican primary voters to reject Representative Thomas Massie, who has broken with Mr. Trump on a handful of votes. Instead, he wants them to elect his handpicked challenger. Robert Draper, who covers domestic politics for The Times, and “The Daily” producer Caitlin O’Keefe, travel to Kentucky to cover what has become the most expensive House primary in American history. Guest: * Robert Draper [https://www.nytimes.com/by/robert-draper], a Washington, D.C.-based journalist for The New York Times. * Caitlin O’Keefe [https://www.nytimes.com/by/caitlin-o-keefe], an audio producer on “The Daily.” Background reading:  * In Kentucky, fidelity to Mr. Trump is once again on the ballot [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/thomas-massie-kentucky-trump-election.html]. Photo: Michael Swensen for The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://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 [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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.