Overview of Trump's Newsy Cabinet Meeting, GLP-1 Drugs and Cancer, NASA Eyes Return to Moon: AM Update 5/28
This AM Update from SiriusXM, hosted by Emily Jashinsky, covered a broad mix of politics, health, and science. The biggest stories were President Trump’s cabinet meeting focused heavily on Iran and U.S. foreign policy, Pam Bondi’s thyroid cancer diagnosis and return to the administration in a new advisory role, early research suggesting GLP-1 drugs may slow the progression of some cancers, and NASA’s latest contracts and timeline for returning humans to the Moon.
President Trump’s Cabinet Meeting and Iran Tensions
Main themes from the meeting
Trump used the cabinet meeting to highlight what he described as major administration wins, including:
- Border security improvements
- Lower fentanyl flow across the border
- Tax cuts
- Stock market gains and higher 401(k) balances
- Drug price reductions
- Increased military spending
Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
A major portion of the meeting focused on Iran and the push for a deal:
- The administration says pressure is mounting on Iran to negotiate.
- Trump insisted Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and framed that position as a global security issue.
- He rejected any arrangement that would give Iran or Oman control over the Strait of Hormuz, calling it international waters.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed concerns about oil and gas prices, calling them “transitory.”
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to U.S. involvement in Venezuelan oil and warned that Cuba’s instability poses a national security threat.
White House security scare
Trump also commented on the recent shooting near a White House checkpoint:
- One bystander was injured and the suspect was killed.
- Trump said the job comes with real danger and that being a “consequential” president increases the risk.
Pam Bondi’s Cancer Diagnosis and Return to the Administration
Health update
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed she has thyroid cancer:
- She says she received the diagnosis after leaving the DOJ.
- She has already undergone surgery and is in treatment.
- Bondi said she is recovering and “doing well.”
New role in Trump’s orbit
Axios reported that Bondi will return to the administration in a different capacity:
- She is expected to join the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
- The panel is focused on issues like AI and emerging technologies.
- Bondi will reportedly serve as a liaison between the federal government and tech executives advising the White House.
Epstein probe connection
Bondi is also scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee as part of its Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
GLP-1 Drugs and Possible Cancer Benefits
What the new study found
A Cleveland Clinic study suggested that GLP-1 drugs, such as:
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
- Mounjaro
may be associated with slower progression in certain cancers.
Cancers with the strongest associations
Among patients with stage 1 through stage 3 solid tumors, GLP-1 users were less likely to progress to stage 4 in:
- Non-small cell lung cancer: about 50% lower risk
- Breast cancer: 43% lower risk
- Liver cancer: 38% lower risk
- Colorectal cancer: 31% lower risk
Researchers also saw possible benefits in prostate, pancreatic, and kidney cancer, but those results were not statistically significant.
Important caveat
The study was retrospective, so it cannot prove GLP-1 drugs caused the improved outcomes. Possible explanations include:
- Weight loss
- Better metabolic health
- Other underlying differences between patient groups
Researchers said a randomized controlled trial would be needed to confirm the effect.
NASA’s Next Step Toward a Lunar Return
The Moon-to-Mars strategy
NASA is moving ahead with its long-term plan to build a permanent lunar presence as a stepping stone toward Mars:
- The agency is funding missions to test landers, rovers, habitats, and power systems.
- NASA officials described the Moon as an extreme and hostile environment, useful as a testing ground for future deep-space missions.
Major contract awards
NASA announced several major awards, including:
- Blue Origin: $188 million, with potential extension to $280.4 million, to deliver equipment to the Moon’s south pole
- Astrolab: $219 million for lunar terrain vehicle development
- Lunar Outpost: $220 million for similar rover work
These contracts are part of a projected $20 billion investment over seven years.
Mission timeline
NASA laid out a stepped approach:
- Moonbase 1: first privately funded lunar lander mission
- Moonbase 2: large commercial payload delivery to the Moon
- Moonbase 3: scientific mission to expand lunar knowledge
Planned milestones include:
- Artemis 3 in mid-2027, focused on docking and rendezvous systems
- Artemis 4 in 2028, with the goal of returning astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972
Key Takeaways
- Trump is emphasizing strength, border security, and economic wins while keeping Iran at the center of his foreign policy agenda.
- Bondi’s cancer diagnosis adds a personal and political note to an already high-profile figure returning to Trump’s circle.
- GLP-1 drugs may have promising cancer-related effects, but the evidence is still early and not causal.
- NASA is accelerating its Moon program with major private-sector contracts and a clearer roadmap toward a permanent lunar base.