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First Of All with Victor Blackwell

First Of All with Victor Blackwell

By: CNN Podcasts
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About this listen

 Victor Blackwell brings a fresh perspective on the week's news with a focus on stories affecting communities of color.2024-2025 CNN Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Somali-American Trump Supporter Reacts to “Garbage” Comments; Citizen Chased by Feds Speaks Out

    Somali-American Trump Supporter Reacts to “Garbage” Comments; Citizen Chased by Feds Speaks Out
    Dec 6 2025
    President Trump says he wants all people from Somalia out of the country and calls Somali people “garbage”. How does a Republican Somali-American who supported Trump in 2024 feel about that? Victor asks Salman Fiqy, a business owner in Minnesota who says the President’s rhetoric has “crossed a line”. Immigration enforcement is surging in the New Orleans area, and a U.S. citizen got caught up in it this week. Home security camera video shows the moment a woman is chased into her home by federal agents, before her stepfather came out to confront them. Both Jacelynn and Juan Carlos Anglin join Victor to talk about what happened and react to an explanation offered by the Department of Homeland Security. The Trump administration's crackdown on programs and initiatives seen as "DEI" appears to have made its way to the University of Alabama. The school is shutting down two university-funded student magazines, citing "legal obligations". Victor speaks with the current editor-in-chief of Alice Magazine, Gabrielle Gunter, and the founding editor of Nineteen Fifty-Six Magazine, Tionna Taite, about the concern among students that their first amendment rights are being violated. Victor follows-up on the story of Mercedes Wells, the mom who was escorted out of an Indiana hospital while in labor, only to give birth minutes later. Her husband Leon Wells and attorney Cannon Lambert share their reaction to a meeting the family just had with hospital leadership, and an update on the health of Mercedes and her newborn. Plus, there are reports that "Rush Hour 4" could soon be a thing, apparently at the urging of President Trump. Does bringing back the franchise make sense in this era? Victor speaks to writer Isaac Rouse, who says it's not the right time for that kind of comedy. And in our “Art is Life” series this week, Victor shares the story of a performance that asks: What would it sound like if Franklin produced the soundtrack to the iconic holiday special “A Charlie Brown Christmas"? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • "We Ain't Buying It!": Protest Movement Targets Major Stores on Holiday Weekend

    "We Ain't Buying It!": Protest Movement Targets Major Stores on Holiday Weekend
    Nov 29 2025
    On a special holiday edition of the show, there is a new movement calling out Target, Home Depot and Amazon during the busiest shopping time of the year. Victor speaks with LaTosha Brown, an organizer of “We Ain’t Buying It”. She explains why we shouldn’t call the movement a “boycott”. Plus, “Beyond the Gates” actor Brandon Claybon talks to Victor about his personal connection to Alzheimer's and his mission to raise awareness of the disproportionate impacts of the disease on Black Americans. Later, Chef Shawn Osbey reacts to Victor’s very controversial opinion of certain classic holiday recipes and shares some alternatives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Victor Interviews Mom Who Gave Birth on Side of Road Minutes After Hospital Sent Her Home

    Victor Interviews Mom Who Gave Birth on Side of Road Minutes After Hospital Sent Her Home
    Nov 22 2025
    The story of Mercedes Wells went viral this week, after video showed the mom being led out of a hospital in Indiana despite saying she was in labor. Minutes after leaving, she gave birth on the side of the road to a baby girl. The hospital is now apologizing and taking action. Victor speaks with Mercedes and her husband Leon, along with their attorney Cannon Lambert. Plus, Charlotte business owner T.R. Burns explains to Victor his decision to close his restaurant to protect Latino employees fearful of federal law enforcement cracking down on immigrants. 18-year-old landscaper and U.S. citizen Fernando Vazquez speaks out about being detained by immigration enforcement, only to be left behind in a wooded area a short time later. Victor also gets perspective from Allison Socol on new research revealing how race can be a factor in which students get access to algebra classes.And the first known Native American woman to have a production on Broadway, Larissa FastHorse, explains the inspiration behind “The Thanksgiving Play,” which imagines the struggles of four white people trying to stage a "politically correct" holiday performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
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