4 Things To Know This Afternoon
Your essential end-of-day rundown of the four most important stories breaking while you were busy. Hosted by nationally syndicated radio host Erick Erickson, 4 Things to Know This Afternoon delivers smart, conservative analysis of the four biggest headlines shaping the nation and the world in less than ten minutes. From national security to culture, economics to politics, Erick distills the noise into clarity—cutting through the spin with conviction, context, and a clear-eyed view of where things stand. Subscribe for daily insight before dinner.
Episodes
January 7, 2026 • 5 mins
- Trump targets defense contractors: The president announces plans to restrict executive compensation, dividends, and stock buybacks at publicly traded defense companies unless they invest in modernizing weapons manufacturing and improving maintenance and delivery timelines.
- Minnesota ICE shooting controversy: A deadly encounter involving ICE agents sparks debate after video shows a suspect vehicle lunging forward before shots w...
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- Ukraine Peace Deal Framework Lacks Real Buy-In: Steve Witkoff claims a framework for a Ukraine peace deal is in place, with Britain and France even willing to deploy peacekeeping troops. But behind the scenes, European leaders do not believe Vladimir Putin wants peace and are deeply skeptical of Witkoff's role.
- Venezuela Halts Oil Shipments to China: Venezuela has suspended oil ship...
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- Maduro Faces Federal Charges: Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro has pleaded not guilty in U.S. federal court to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, claiming he is the lawful president and a kidnapping victim.
- Tim Walz and Minnesota Welfare Fraud Fallout: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faces growing political backlash over massive welfare fraud schemes tied to the Somali com...
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December 19, 2025 • 7 mins
- Brown & MIT Shooting Update: Federal authorities confirm the Brown University shooter was also responsible for the MIT killing.
- Home Sales Tick Up Amid Rate Pressure: Home sales rose for the third straight month in November, though 2025 is still shaping up as one of the weakest housing markets in three decades. .
- Green Card Lottery Suspended: The Department of Homeland Security has ...
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December 18, 2025 • 3 mins
- U.S. Approves $11B Arms Package to Taiwan: The Trump administration greenlights an $11 billion weapons sale to Taiwan, systems proven effective against Chinese technology on the Ukrainian battlefield. China is furious, but the move signals renewed U.S. commitment to Taiwan's defense, reportedly encouraged by quiet diplomacy with Japan's new prime minister.
- The "Warrior Dividend" Expl...
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December 17, 2025 • 3 mins
- President Trump to Address the Nation Tonight: The president is scheduled to speak at 9 p.m. Eastern, with speculation centered on Venezuela. The administration is escalating pressure on Nicolás Maduro, including plans to seize oil tankers, signaling a broader effort to destabilize the regime and potentially accelerate the collapse of allied authoritarian governments.
- Congress Passes National Defense Authorization Act: The Sen...
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December 16, 2025 • 6 mins
- Obamacare reform stalls: Top Republicans in Congress reject a centrist push to reform Obamacare, led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and a bipartisan group. With no consensus inside the GOP, Republicans again lack a unified health-care strategy, leaving Democrats with the messaging advantage.
- Brown University shooting raises alarms: A masked gunman opens fire at Brown University, exposing ...
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December 15, 2025 • 4 mins
- Trump vs. pro-life allies: The Trump administration is doubling down on access to the abortion drug while publicly clashing with pro-life leaders. Josh Hawley and Mike Pence are now targets, raising alarms that the White House is alienating a key part of the Republican base ahead of the midterms.
- Ukraine peace deal gamble: President Trump is offering Ukraine U.S. security guarantees ...
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December 12, 2025 • 7 mins
- RNC Alarm Bells: Leaked audio reveals Republican leadership privately warning of "almost certain defeat," raising concerns about messaging failures, low morale, and a fractured coalition heading into critical elections.
- Economic Stress Signals: Budget food staples like beans are surging in sales as grocery prices remain high, signaling growing financial strain on American families despite claims of economic stability.
- Epstein ...
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December 11, 2025 • 5 mins
- Trump approval drops sharply: New AP polling shows President Trump at just 31% approval on the economy and 38% on immigration, signaling growing voter backlash tied largely to tariffs and cost-of-living concerns.
- Obamacare subsidies collapse in the Senate: Democrats fail to overcome a filibuster to extend enhanced ACA subsidies, while House Republicans scramble without a unified alternative health care plan.
- U.S. blocks global...
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December 10, 2025 • 4 mins
- Federal Reserve Rejects Larger Rate Cut: Donald Trump's own Fed appointee declines a half-point cut, holding at a quarter-point instead. The Fed signals it is unlikely to issue additional rate cuts, leaving markets uneasy as investors wait for clearer labor-market data.
- AI Bubble Warning Signs Grow: AI markets continue surging, but regulators warn of a debt-fueled bubble driven by circular investment deals and massive leverage...
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December 9, 2025 • 5 mins
- Trump hits the campaign trail in Pennsylvania: The president focuses on affordability after walking back comments that affordability concerns were a "scam." Susie Wiles signals Trump will campaign aggressively to reshape the economic narrative.
- NVIDIA's controversial China workaround: NVIDIA plans to route chips through the U.S. for a "security review" before exporting them to China, while paying a 25% fee.
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December 8, 2025 • 5 mins
- Republican Health Care Breakdown: GOP leaders admit there is no viable alternative to Obamacare, with no White House leadership and rising premiums ahead.
- New Jersey U.S. Attorney Blocked: Federal judges refused to appoint Habba as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. The Trump administration is now creating a vague consulting role for her within the DOJ.
- $12 Billion Farm B...
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- Supreme Court takes up birthright citizenship: The justices will hear President Trump's challenge to birthright citizenship tied to illegal entry, revisiting long-standing interpretations of the 14th Amendment and the landmark Wong Kim Ark decision.
- High-risk lending rules eased: Federal regulators move to loosen post-2008 lending restrictions, raising concerns about future financial instability as banks and private credit exp...
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December 4, 2025 • 7 mins
- Trump tightens migrant work-permit rules: Annual renewals return as the administration cracks down on temporary work authorizations and orders stricter vetting of H-1B visas to curb fraud and abuse.
- Admiral Alvin Halsey forced out at the Pentagon: The Wall Street Journal reports Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Halsey for being "too cautious," fueling rising GOP frustration with Hegseth's leadership and handling of milit...
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December 3, 2025 • 6 mins
- ADP job losses outweigh corporate hiring: Small businesses with under 50 employees shed tens of thousands of jobs, driving a bleak private-sector snapshot now shaping the national narrative.
- Elise Stefanik escalates her fight with Speaker Mike Johnson: She's attacking him over a long-running provision she wants added to the defense bill.
- Pentagon Inspector General bla...
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December 2, 2025 • 5 mins
- Trump Pardons Honduran Ex-President Accused of Flooding the U.S. With Cocaine - Juan Orlando Hernández, the former Honduran president prosecuted by Trump's first administration for drug trafficking and aiding narco-terrorists, is now a free man.
- Confusion Deepens Over the Narco-Boat Strike - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims he did not know survivors were on the targeted vessel ...
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December 1, 2025 • 7 mins
- Zelenskyy seeks new security guarantees
- Tennessee's Special Election warning sign for GOP
- Trump's preventative MRI stirs media frenzy
- Federal court rules Alina Haba was serving unlawfully as U.S. Attorney
Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking de...
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November 25, 2025 • 5 mins
- Ukraine peace talks fracture: President Trump declines Zelensky's request for a meeting and instead sends Steve Whitkoff to Moscow. Republican senators and European leaders warn the deal heavily favors Russia, and new reporting shows Whitkoff may have coordinated strategy directly with the Kremlin.
- FBI Director Kash Patel under fire: Trump is considering firing Patel after reports he...
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November 24, 2025 • 8 mins
- Bizarre Haiti Plot Exposed: Federal prosecutors charge two Texans for allegedly planning to recruit homeless Americans as a mercenary force to seize Haiti's Gonâve Island, a surreal and disturbing scheme raising serious questions about motive and intent.
- Comey Case Tossed: A federal judge dismisses cases against James Comey and Letitia James after ruling the interim U.S. attorney was...
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