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Closing arguments for Trump's trial have been made. What now? : Consider This from NPR

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Closing arguments for Trump's trial have been made. What now? : Consider This from NPR

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 28, 2024 in New York City.

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 28, 2024 in New York City.

Pool/Getty Images

Nearly two dozen witnesses and 21 days of court later, Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial is coming to a close.

Twelve New Yorkers have been listening to witnesses like adult film actor Stormy Daniels and Trump’s former fixer Michael Cohen.

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Today, those jurors heard closing arguments, first from the defense, and then the prosecution. Now, they have to determine whether Trump falsified business records to cover up an alleged affair with Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

What final impressions did the closing arguments leave, and what could that mean for Donald Trump?

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Jonaki Mehta. It was edited by Courtney Dorning.Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Video: An Inside Look at the State of the Union

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Video: An Inside Look at the State of the Union

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Our photojournalist Kenny Holston was the only news photographer on the House floor during President Trump’s State of the Union speech. Here’s how he captured his images.

By Kenny Holston, Sutton Raphael, Mac Schneider and Nikolay Nikolov

February 25, 2026

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How prison staffing shortages are driving away mental health staff : Consider This from NPR

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How prison staffing shortages are driving away mental health staff : Consider This from NPR

The entrance of the Metropolitan Detention Center, (MDC) in Brooklyn, a United States federal administrative detention facility is pictured on July 6, 2020 in New York City.

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Johannes EISELE/AFP via Getty Images

Correctional officers are leaving their jobs at federal prisons. 

And when these prisons are understaffed – psychologists and other staff are asked to act as guards. 

Recent reporting from The Marshall Project says it’s pushing mental health professionals out of prisons. 

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For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Jason Fuller and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane.

It was edited by Jeanette Woods and Courtney Dorning.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Video: Trump Heralds Economic Policies in Combative State of the Union Speech

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Video: Trump Heralds Economic Policies in Combative State of the Union Speech

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Trump Heralds Economic Policies in Combative State of the Union Speech

President Trump portrayed the United States as safe and “winning” in his State of the Union address. He also derided Democrats, repeating baseless claims that they cheat in elections and assailing them on immigration.

“Our country is winning again. In fact, we’re winning so much that we really don’t know what to do about it. The cost of chicken, butter, fruit, hotels, automobiles, rent is lower today than when I took office by a lot. Why would anybody not want voter ID? One reason. Because they want to cheat. There’s only one reason. They want to cheat. They have cheated, and their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat. And we’re going to stop it. You should be ashamed of yourself. That is why I’m also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals. They’re blocking the removal of these people out of our country. And you should be ashamed of yourselves.” [Chanting] “U-S-A” “The good news is that almost all countries and corporations want to keep the deal that they already made. Right Scott? Knowing that the legal power that I as president, have to make a new deal could be far worse for them, and therefore they will continue to work along the same successful path that we had negotiated before the Supreme Court’s unfortunate involvement. One thing is certain, I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.” “We did not hear the truth from our president. Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? We all know the answer is no. Every minute spent sowing fear is a minute not spent investigating murders, crimes against children, or the criminals defrauding seniors of their life savings.”

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President Trump portrayed the United States as safe and “winning” in his State of the Union address. He also derided Democrats, repeating baseless claims that they cheat in elections and assailing them on immigration.

By Meg Felling

February 25, 2026

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