The Washington National Opera announced it would end its affiliation with the Kennedy Center and operate independently, citing financial constraints imposed after President Trump’s takeover of the venue. The opera will reduce its spring season and move performances to other venues, aiming to ensure fiscal prudence. The opera’s leadership stated that the new business model, which requires productions to be fully funded in advance, is incompatible with opera operations. This decision follows a trend of event cancellations at the venue since Trump ousted the previous leadership and rebranded the center.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s influence on American public health has been detrimental, marked by a rapid ascent to a position of authority despite lacking relevant experience. His policies, implemented after securing a high-ranking government position, have led to the resurgence of eradicated diseases, cuts to healthcare coverage, and significant staff reductions. The “Make America Healthy Again” plan, characterized by unsubstantiated claims and controversial proposals, further reveals Kennedy’s unorthodox approach. This shift in power followed a failed presidential bid, during which Kennedy’s past controversies, including troubling allegations and erratic behavior, were largely overlooked.
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Trump wades into House races, putting endorsement force to the test, and it’s pretty clear this could be a major test of his political clout. The general sentiment seems to be that his endorsements might actually be more of a hindrance than a help at this point. It’s like, instead of giving a boost, it could be a “kiss of death” for the candidates he backs. The idea is that voters might see a Trump endorsement as a negative, perhaps associating the candidate with his controversial past and policies. There’s even a reference to the Miami mayoral race, which seems to have bolstered this theory.… Continue reading
TikTok CEO Shou Chew informed employees of an agreement to spin off its US assets into a new entity with primarily American investors. This move, which comes after a law mandated divestiture from parent company ByteDance, aims to secure TikTok’s future in the US. The joint venture will be 50% owned by a group including Oracle and Silver Lake, with ByteDance retaining nearly 20% ownership. The deal, which includes data storage and content moderation by the new entity, is expected to close by January 22, 2026, pending approvals from both the US and Chinese governments.
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Scoop: Elon Musk diving into 2026 midterms for the GOP? It’s hardly a surprise, is it? We’re talking about the richest person on the planet, a real-life “super villain” in some people’s eyes, and someone who seems to be treating our country like his personal playground, similar to how he treated Twitter. The idea of him pouring resources into the 2026 midterms for the Republican party isn’t shocking; it’s almost expected.
This feels like it’s flirting with the line of what’s acceptable. We already have to deal with his network of satellites, his public persona and now his deep pockets. It’s difficult to avoid the sinking feeling that we’re watching a wealthy individual actively trying to buy influence in our political system.… Continue reading
Despite Donald Trump’s enduring influence, his grip on the Republican Party is demonstrably weakening. Following Trump’s controversial social media post regarding Rob Reiner’s death, numerous Republicans proactively criticized his remarks, a notable shift from past behavior. This change suggests a decreasing fear of Trump’s political repercussions, amplified by his recent political setbacks, including a failed attempt to gerrymander Indiana. While Trump remains a powerful figure, the willingness to rebuke him on less critical issues, combined with his diminishing approval ratings and electoral struggles, indicates a slow erosion of his authority.
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Prosecutors have alleged that Jonathan Bullock, Julia Reid, and Steven Woolfe followed a script provided by an alleged Russian asset when giving interviews to a pro-Russian TV channel. This comes as part of an ongoing police investigation into a case involving former MEP Nathan Gill, who is accused of taking bribes to promote Russian interests. The investigation has raised questions about the extent of Gill’s influence over his colleagues elected for Ukip or the Brexit party. The Labour party has called on Nigel Farage to cooperate with the investigation voluntarily.
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Following a student’s submission of a paper labeling transgender people as “demonic” and gender roles as “Biblically ordained,” the University of Oklahoma placed a trans graduate instructor on administrative leave. The instructor, who graded the paper with a zero for failing to meet academic criteria, received backlash from the student and right-wing media outlets. The university, after receiving a religious discrimination complaint, initiated a review process, supported by a statement from Governor Kevin Stitt. This has escalated the situation into a statewide debate concerning LGBTQ+ inclusion and the boundaries of academic freedom.
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John Banuelos, a supporter of Donald Trump who fired a gun at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6th attack, was arrested in October on charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault in Illinois. He was previously identified as the individual who fired a weapon at the Capitol, and later fatally stabbed a man in Salt Lake City in July 2021, though he was not charged. Banuelos predicted in court that Donald Trump would be elected and pardon Jan. 6 rioters. The Justice Department moved to dismiss the case on January 21, 2025, after Trump took office.
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Obama Calls Mamdani to Praise His Campaign, Offers to Be Sounding Board
It seems former President Barack Obama has been paying close attention to Zohran Mamdani’s campaign, calling it “impressive to watch,” and offering a helping hand. The idea is that Obama wants to be more than just a well-wisher, he’s offering to be a sounding board. This has naturally sparked a lot of discussion about what this means, what Obama’s motivations might be, and what the impact could be.
The speculation begins with what Obama sees in Mamdani. There’s a feeling that Obama recognizes a kindred spirit, someone who speaks well and understands how to connect with voters.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood