The Daily

The former U.S. Labor Secretary on how complacency and corporate ties created a “bully in chief.”Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This year, “The Great Gatsby” turns 100. A.O. Scott, a critic at large for The New York Times Book Review, tells the story of how an overlooked book by a 28-year-old author eventually became the great American novel, and explores why all of these decades later, we still see ourselves in its pages. Guest: A.O. Scott [https://www.nytimes.com/by/a-o-scott], a critic at large for The New York Times Book Review, writing about literature and ideas. Background reading:  * What the hero in “The Great Gatsby” tell us about how we see ourselves [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/27/books/great-gatsby-100.html]. 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.  Photo: Abigail Cole/University of South Carolina Libraries Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The suffering in Gaza has reached new depths, and now finding food, which was already scarce, has become a deadly endeavor. Israeli forces have opened fire on crowds of desperate and hungry people who were trying to reach aid sites established by a new and controversial humanitarian group. Hundreds of people have been killed, according to Gaza health officials. Aaron Boxerman, who covers Gaza for The Times, explains who is behind the distribution system and why it has been so deadly. Guest: Aaron Boxerman [https://www.nytimes.com/by/aaron-boxerman], a reporter for The New York Times covering Israel and Gaza. Background reading:  * Dozens were killed in shootings [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-military-evacuation.html] that took place after thousands of Palestinians gathered in the hope of getting humanitarian aid from U.N. trucks entering the Gaza Strip. * Israel-backed aid sites in Gaza pose a lethal risk for Palestinians [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/world/middleeast/gaza-aid-violence.html]. 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.  Photo: Eyad Baba/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Warning: This episode contains strong language. An explosive whistle-blower report claims that the Justice Department is asking government lawyers to lie to the courts, and that this has forced career officials to chose between upholding the Constitution and pledging loyalty to the president. Rachel Abrams speaks to the whistle-blower about his career in the Justice Department and his complaint saying he was fired for telling the truth. Guest: Erez Reuveni, who filed a whistle-blower complaint against the Department of Justice. Background reading:  * Mr. Reuveni has warned of an assault on the law by the Trump administration [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/us/politics/trump-bove-reuveni-whistleblower-doj-deportations.html]. * At the Justice Department, Emil Bove III suggested violating court orders, according to the complaint [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/us/politics/justice-department-emil-bove-trump-deportations-reuveni.html]. 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.  Photo: Kent Nishimura for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In the global fight to dominate A.I., China is quickly catching up to the United States — which is why President Trump barred the tech giant Nvidia from selling its superpowered computer chips to Chinese companies. Then, a few days ago, Mr. Trump abruptly changed course. Tripp Mickle, who covers Silicon Valley for The New York Times, explains how Nvidia’s C.E.O. persuaded the president that the best way to beat China at A.I. is to help them compete. Guest: Tripp Mickle [https://www.nytimes.com/by/tripp-mickle], who reports about Silicon Valley for The New York Times. Background reading:  * Nvidia said that the U.S. had lifted restrictions [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/technology/nvidia-ai-chip-sales-china.html] on A.I. chip sales to China. * How Nvidia’s Jensen Huang persuaded Mr. Trump [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/technology/nvidia-trump-ai-chips-china.html] to sell A.I. chips to China. 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.  Photo: Pete Marovich for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.