Consider This from NPR Folgen

Former president Donald Trump is facing dozens of criminal charges, including four felony counts on charges of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Trump says he's being persecuted, and that idea resonates with his Christian base.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

For people in the US, 2020 was one of the most dangerous years in decades. The first year of the pandemic saw a huge spike in violence. The number of homicides in the country rose about 30 percent from 2019.Fast forward a couple of years – and things look very different. According to crime analyst Jeff Asher, "2023 featured one of the lowest rates of violent crime in the US in more than 50 years."In big cities and small, from the East coast to the West, violence has dropped dramatically. Despite a significant and measurable drop in violent crime, Americans feel less safe. According to a Gallup poll released in November, more than three quarters of Americans believe there's more crime in the country than there was last year. We explore the reasons why the good news on crime isn't getting through.Sign up for Consider This+ to hear every episode sponsor-free and support NPR. More at plus.npr.org/considerthisEmail us at considerthis@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Fox News has been the Republican Party's biggest cheerleader almost since it premiered in 1996.Nearly three decades later, many Republicans perceive Fox as the de facto kingmaker for all kinds of Republican candidates — including presidential. That kingmaker status brought Fox News power, ratings and billions in profits and has spawned a succession of imitators and competition.But for Fox, that synergy with Trump and the Republicans has come with significant risk and significant consequences.Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox for defamation after network anchors amplified Trump's false election claims. The company settled, at a cost of nearly $790 million.Nevertheless, Fox News still has the power to shape Republican politics as the country heads into another presidential election cycle. But is that power diminished in 2024? Sign up for Consider This+ to hear every episode sponsor-free and support NPR. More at plus.npr.org/considerthisEmail us at considerthis@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy