The Trump administration’s favored tactic to force companies to act
President Donald Trump is relying on drugmakers to lower U.S. prices on their own, but he might get less than he bargained for.
Today's Liberal News
RFK Jr.’s big vaccine decision
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or the acting CDC director could create new recommendations without a vote from the panel, giving the health secretary broad authority over the childhood vaccine schedule. But there’s little precedent for such a move.
RFK Jr. adviser: We’re trying to get kids with autism into vaccine injury program
Public health experts and program lawyers have warned that adding autism to the compensation program would exhaust the court’s workforce and financial resources.
Thune breaks with Trump admin over Tylenol, government role in free speech
“I think there are an awful lot of people in the medical community who come to a different conclusion about the use of Tylenol,” Thune said.
Is Aziz Ansari Sorry?
The Waves also discusses the Riverside Church controversy and the case of Sarah Milov.
Your Opinions on Her Wardrobe Are Probably Unwelcome
What we say matters, especially depending on whom we say it to.
What Role Does HR Play in the #MeToo Era?
The Waves also discusses the case against Jeffrey Epstein and Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s Fleishman Is in Trouble.
New poll reveals warning signs for Trump with Latino voters
A survey from the liberal-leaning group Somos Votantes shows Latino voters are souring on the president.
Trump is selling a strong economy. Voters aren’t buying it.
Privately, aides concede voters remain uneasy about prices but argue their policies are beginning to turn things around.
Former Trump statistics chief slams Friday firing of Erika McEntarfer
Bill Beach said the president’s suggestions that the jobs report was rigged betrayed a misunderstanding in how those numbers are assembled.
Pete Hegseth Is Living the Dream
In the end, it was mostly blither. When Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth announced a gathering of some 800 generals and admirals (with their senior enlisted advisers), rumors ran wild.
The Commander in Chief Is Not Okay
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s convocation of hundreds of generals and admirals today turned out to be, in the main, a nothingburger.
Hundreds of Generals Try to Keep a Straight Face
In the days before Pete Hegseth stepped onstage to address the hundreds of generals and admirals he summoned for a mysterious meeting outside Washington, D.C., officials at the Pentagon joked that the defense secretary could have saved a lot of time and money by making his remarks via email instead.
If the Urgent Trump-Hegseth Address to the Military Had Been an Email
To: Entire Military Leadership of the United States, Stationed All Over the World, Who Would Have to Be Flown In Very Disruptively and Expensively If This Weren’t an Email but for Some Reason Were an Urgent In-Person Address
From: Pete Hegseth
CC: Donald J. Trump
Subject: WARFIGHTER ETHOS
PLEASE DROP EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING TO READ THIS EMAIL AT ATTENTION.
Today’s Atlantic Trivia
In the 1960s, the authors of one of the world’s first popular compendiums of fun and interesting facts entreated readers not to mistake the “flower of Trivia” for the “weed of minutiae.” Trivia stimulates the mind, Edwin Goodgold and Dan Carlinsky wrote in More Trivial Trivia; minutiae stymie it.
Pfizer, Trump strike drug pricing deal
The deal is a victory for Trump who has pressured drugmakers to voluntarily comply with his policy priorities. If not, they will likely face regulation or high tariffs.
Trump’s approval holds steady despite unpopular policies, per new NYT poll
Trump’s strength with Republicans on the economy could prove to be a boon for the GOP.
Chicago Activist on Organizing Community ICE Patrols as Trump Escalates Immigration Crackdown
Tension between immigration agents and community activists is growing in Chicago, where ICE agents have deployed tear gas and pepper balls against ongoing protests outside Chicago’s Broadview ICE detention facility.
Democracy Now! speaks with community activist Cristóbal Cavazos, who says that the people of Chicago have been steadfast in their mobilization against ICE, with communities engaging in daily protests and community safety patrols.
“We Do Not Want Federal Troops”: Oregon Rejects Trump’s Plan to Send Forces to Portland
President Trump has directed 200 members of the Oregon National Guard to be deployed to Portland, claiming troops are necessary to “protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.” Trump’s order comes after he signed an executive order claiming the decentralized antifa movement is a “domestic terror organization.
“The Government Has Been Shut Down” Since Trump Took Office: David Dayen
The U.S. government appears to be headed to a shutdown at midnight Wednesday after President Trump and Democratic leaders failed to reach an agreement on a spending bill. Democrats are looking to extend subsidies for the Affordable Care Act and reverse cuts to Medicaid and other healthcare programs that were implemented by the tax and spending bill passed earlier this year.
“Break the Blockade and End the Siege”: Nelson Mandela’s Grandson Speaks from Gaza Aid Flotilla
As the Israeli blockade of Gaza continues, a nearly 50-boat flotilla carrying humanitarian aid is currently some 150 nautical miles from Gaza. The grandson of Nelson Mandela, Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela, speaks with Democracy Now! from the Global Sumud Flotilla.
South Africans “are beneficiaries of international solidarity.
Trump’s Gaza Plan Is Mere “Repackaging of Genocide” for Israel’s Benefit: Diana Buttu
After a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump unveiled a 20-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip on Monday that aims to end Israel’s war on Gaza, free the remaining Israeli hostages and remove Hamas from power. Netanyahu expressed support for the deal, but he has already backed away from key elements, including a call for Israel to eventually pull its troops out of Gaza. Hamas has not responded yet to the deal.
Have We Reached Peak AI Bubble?
NVIDIA has announced a $100 billion investment in OpenAI to build out data centers that use its chips.
The Pro-Housing Movement Is More Popular Than Ever. Can It Survive Its Own Success?
The YIMBY movement gathered in New Haven—and revealed its biggest vulnerability.
Trump’s New Central Banker, Stephen Miran Comes in Hot
Trump’s brand new Fed appointee is already going against the grain.
Money Talks: The AI Arms Race
Gary Rivlin joins Elizabeth Spiers to discuss his book on Silicon Valley’s race to cash in on AI.
Will ICE Raids Freeze Foreign Investment?
ICE raided a new Hyundai plant in Georgia detaining hundreds of workers from South Korea.
RFK Jr.’s big vaccine decision
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or the acting CDC director could create new recommendations without a vote from the panel, giving the health secretary broad authority over the childhood vaccine schedule. But there’s little precedent for such a move.