A recent YouGov poll, released in the second quarter of 2025, indicates that President Donald Trump’s popularity has fallen below that of former President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Trump currently holds the 17th position in the rankings, with only 37% of adults holding a positive opinion of him. The top of the list is dominated by Democrats, including former President Jimmy Carter at number one and former President Barack Obama at number two. Trump’s recent policy moves, such as the “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT,” are mentioned in his Truth Social post, where he discusses plans for mass deportations.
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The IRS has proposed a policy change that would allow pastors to endorse political candidates from the pulpit without jeopardizing their church’s tax-exempt status, effectively creating an exemption from the Johnson Amendment. This proposed interpretation stems from a joint court filing with the National Religious Broadcasters Association, aiming to halt enforcement of the amendment against the plaintiffs. The Johnson Amendment currently prohibits tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates, but the IRS now suggests this should not apply to communications during religious services through regular channels. This stance, though largely mirroring existing IRS practices, could significantly increase political expression within churches, as noted by experts in nonprofit law.
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The far-right AfD party in Germany, now the largest opposition group, faces growing calls for a ban due to its classification as an extremist entity by the country’s domestic intelligence agency, citing racist and anti-Muslim sentiments. This classification has reignited attempts to outlaw the party, despite its significant electoral success. The legal process to ban the AfD is lengthy and unprecedented, requiring proof of actively working against the free democratic order and posing a tangible threat to democracy. However, the CDU, a major political party, has expressed caution about the ban, fearing it could backfire and further radicalize the AfD’s supporters, while the party has also enjoyed vocal support from the Trump administration.
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No tax on tips. It sounds simple, right? Almost too good to be true. And, as it turns out, that’s because it was. The promise, a shiny bauble dangled before a hungry electorate, came with a hefty dose of “fine print,” transforming a seemingly straightforward proposition into a complex and, for many, disappointing reality.
The devil, as they say, is in the details. In this case, the details revealed that the “no tax on tips” pledge wasn’t a complete exemption. Instead, it was capped at a specific income level, meaning that those whose earnings exceeded a certain threshold would still be subject to taxation on their tips.… Continue reading
A White House insider claims the Trump administration’s trade talks are more about entertainment than achieving actual trade deals. The insider stated that the president enjoys the attention the “tariff conversation” brings, dismissing the self-imposed deadlines as a theatrical production. Despite announcing a three-month window for new agreements, and hinting at numerous finalized deals, only a few limited arrangements have been made before the deadline. This ambivalence has led to concerns from some of the president’s allies who question his commitment to securing new trade opportunities.
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Elon Musk announced the formation of the “America Party” on X, motivated by a poll showing significant support for a new political party. The tech mogul, who cannot run for president due to his foreign birth, aims to target key Senate and House seats to influence legislation. While polls indicate potential support, experts like Kevin Madden and Dafydd Townley express skepticism about the long-term viability and impact of a third party in the U.S. political landscape, citing challenges related to funding, organization, and the potential for vote splitting.
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Recent polling indicates a significant decline in former President Donald Trump’s approval rating among Generation Z voters. This shift follows modest gains made in 2024, with multiple polls revealing a sharp drop in support within a short timeframe. The YouGov/Yahoo poll shows a substantial decrease in Trump’s net rating among this demographic. Experts suggest this trend may be due to young voters’ prioritization of specific issues over party affiliation, particularly economic concerns and anxieties surrounding inflation and immigration.
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Maxwell Frost: 20 House Republicans a ‘no’ on ‘big, beautiful bill’ – The headlines are buzzing, and the air is thick with the anticipation of political theater. Right now, the focus is on a “big, beautiful bill,” and the surprising stance of 20 House Republicans. But let’s be real, how much of this is genuine opposition and how much is a carefully choreographed performance?
The reality, as many suspect, is that the “no” votes are strategically planned, perhaps with a little wink and a nod among the party members. It’s all part of a well-worn playbook: create the illusion of dissent, put on a show for the base, and then, at the eleventh hour, fall in line.… Continue reading
Mitch McConnell’s support for Medicaid cuts, as part of the “big, beautiful bill,” reveals a disconnect between his reality and that of many Kentuckians. Nearly a third of Kentucky’s population relies on Medicaid, and cuts could lead to a decrease in healthcare access. Many rural counties already lack essential medical specialists, and Medicaid cuts could exacerbate these issues, potentially leading to hospital closures and preventable deaths. This indifference to the struggles of working-class and vulnerable populations is a direct attack on their dignity and survival.
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In response to Republican criticism of a bill, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reminded officials to vote “no” if they believe a bill is bad and “yes” if they think it’s good. This followed comments from Republicans like Rep. Chip Roy, who claimed the Senate “failed” them by sending a bill with increased deficit concerns. Other GOP members, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, also voiced strong opposition, questioning House Speaker Mike Johnson’s ability to secure enough votes. The bill, which has faced criticism from both deficit hawks and moderates, with competing estimates on its impact on the national debt and insurance coverage.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood