The article discusses President Donald Trump's cabinet meetings, where officials praise him and his leadership style. It contrasts his approach with past presidents and suggests a focus on media influence over traditional governance.
Key Facts
President Trump holds televised cabinet meetings where officials praise him.
During a meeting, Trump claimed economic commitments of $18 trillion, a figure which is almost as large as the entire U.S. economy.
Cabinet members, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, offered high praise for Trump, suggesting a positive spirit in the ranks.
The article contrasts Trump's style with past presidents like Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, who used their cabinets to explore diverse ideas.
The influence of appointed cabinet members has decreased over decades in U.S. politics.
President Trump relies on media figures and White House staffers more than traditional cabinet members for policy influence.
The article implies that Trump's policy decisions are often announced on social media and may not always be clear or consistent.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new rules requiring most Medicaid recipients to complete at least 80 hours of work or community service each month. These changes are part of President Donald Trump's administration's efforts to modify Medicaid, aiming to decrease improper enrollment and encourage employment.
Key Facts
Medicaid recipients must now do 80 hours of work or service per month to stay eligible.
The rules are part of changes under the Working Families Tax Cut legislation.
The changes aim to connect able-bodied adults to work and community activities.
The goal is to reduce improper Medicaid enrollment and improve sustainability.
These requirements align Medicaid with programs like SNAP and TANF.
States need to implement these changes by January 1, 2027.
Some states had similar rules before this new bill was passed.
CMS provides $200 million to help states set up these systems by fiscal year 2026.
Two Republican senators have proposed a plan to send direct payments of $1,000 to $1,500 to Americans' Health Savings Accounts to help with healthcare costs. This proposal aims to address the upcoming expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which could affect healthcare costs for millions. The plan supports President Trump's call to redirect ACA subsidies into these savings accounts.
Key Facts
Senators Bill Cassidy and Mike Crapo introduced the proposal.
The proposal offers $1,000 to $1,500 for people making below 700% of the federal poverty level.
Checks would go to Health Savings Accounts for medical expenses.
The ACA tax credits are expiring soon, affecting healthcare costs.
Proposed funds cannot be used for abortion or gender transition services.
The proposal also aims to lower overall insurance premiums.
The plan is part of Republican efforts to address healthcare without extending ACA tax credits.
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh voiced concerns that past rulings have weakened U.S. political parties. The Supreme Court is reviewing a case (NRSC v. FEC) that might change rules on how political parties can spend money in elections. This case could impact how parties support candidates financially.
Key Facts
Justice Brett Kavanaugh is concerned about the impact of past Supreme Court rulings on political parties.
The case NRSC v. FEC concerns spending limits for political parties during elections.
Current rules prevent parties from spending unlimited money to avoid big donors bypassing contribution limits.
Republicans want these spending limits removed to allow more spending on ads and organizing.
The Federal Election Commission originally defended the limits.
The Trump administration is not defending these limits, so the Democratic National Committee and a court-appointed attorney will argue for keeping them.
The case could change how political parties support candidates financially.
The proceedings are ongoing and subject to updates.
President Donald Trump's approval rating rose to 41% according to a recent poll, up from 38% last month. This increase comes as he plans to visit Pennsylvania and talk about the economy and inflation. The midterm elections in 2026 will test how his approval rating impacts his party.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating increased from 38% to 41% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The poll surveyed 4,434 U.S. adults and was conducted from December 3 to December 8.
The margin of error for the poll is +/- 2 percentage points.
Trump's approval rating was 47% at the start of his current term.
He plans to speak in Pennsylvania about economic issues like inflation.
Trump announced a $12-billion aid package to support farmers affected by tariffs on China.
The midterm elections in November 2026 will reflect public opinion on his administration.
Different polls show varying approval ratings, with one finding a 39% approval and another showing a -3 net approval.
A mayoral race in Miami features a candidate supported by President Trump and another backed by national Democratic figures. The election outcome may indicate political party preferences among Hispanic voters.
Key Facts
The mayoral election is happening in Miami.
One candidate has the support of President Donald Trump.
The other candidate has backing from national Democratic leaders.
Eileen Higgins, the Democratic candidate, could be Miami's first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years.
Emilio Gonzalez, the Republican candidate, aims to strengthen his party's influence in the city.
Miami has a population of 487,000 people.
Both political parties consider this election important for understanding their appeal to Hispanic voters.
Crystal Wilsey was fired from her job at a Cinnabon after a video showed her making racist comments towards a Somali couple. The incident has sparked discussions about discrimination, especially concerning the Somali community and remarks by President Trump. Wilsey has defended herself on social media, but Cinnabon condemned her actions and terminated her employment.
Key Facts
Crystal Wilsey lost her job at Cinnabon after a video showed her using racist language against a Somali couple.
The incident involved mocking the woman’s hijab and using the n-word.
Cinnabon stated that Wilsey's behavior does not represent their values and that they hold their staff to high standards of respect and kindness.
President Trump's comments about the Somali community have raised concerns over discrimination.
Federal immigration enforcement focused on Somali immigrants is reportedly being planned in Minnesota.
Wilsey has multiple social media accounts where she has spoken about the incident.
A fundraiser on GiveSendGo has raised over $100,000 for Wilsey, with some donations accompanied by racist remarks.
Wilsey has a criminal record for past charges of disorderly conduct and drug possession.
A man with autism, Tom Boyd, who volunteered at Waitrose for four years, lost his unpaid job but has now found paid work at Asda. After public support on social media, Waitrose also offered him a paid position, which he will begin in the new year. His mother met with a government minister to discuss bringing back a program to help people in similar situations.
Key Facts
Tom Boyd, who is autistic, had volunteered at a Waitrose supermarket for over four years.
His volunteer role ended after his mother requested paid hours for him, prompting public support.
Asda offered Tom a paid job, which he has started, and Waitrose also offered a paid role beginning next year.
Tom required a support worker for his tasks due to his autism.
His mother, Frances, discussed the situation with a government minister to advocate for job support programs for autistic individuals.
A program called Access to Work Plus, which offered ongoing support for employment, ended in March 2024.
The government plans to invest £1 billion annually by the end of the decade for employment support for people with disabilities.
Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett has joined the race for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas. She and other Democratic candidates are working to gain enough support to challenge the Republican nominee. The race is important as it could impact Republican control in Congress.
Key Facts
Jasmine Crockett is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas.
Other potential Democratic candidates include James Talarico, Joaquin Castro, and Beto O'Rourke.
Former Representative Colin Allred exited the Senate race to focus on a new district.
Recent polls show tight races between the Democratic candidates and their potential Republican opponents.
Polls indicate Republicans are currently favored to win by 1 to 6 points.
Texas is a key state for the 2026 midterm elections, with GOP redistricting efforts in the spotlight.
Crockett has garnered attention for her political battles against prominent Republicans.
President Donald Trump is set to hold a rally in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania to promote his economic message. The rally aims to address public concerns over inflation as Republicans adjust their economic strategy before the 2026 midterms. The event will be held at Mount Airy Casino Resort and is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Key Facts
President Trump will give a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday.
The event will take place at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Monroe County.
Trump aims to highlight his economic strategies and address inflation concerns.
The rally is part of a series of events to highlight economic policies before the 2026 midterms.
Trump has blamed Democrats, including Joe Biden, for inflation issues.
Monroe County switched from supporting Biden in 2020 to Trump in 2024.
Economic topics like federal fuel-efficiency rules and interest rates will be discussed.
Trump's rallies are typically broadcast on major networks and the White House's YouTube channel.
Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, has labeled the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a "foreign terrorist organisation." This action follows a similar move by Texas and comes as both states face legal challenges from CAIR. DeSantis's order imposes restrictions that prevent CAIR from receiving state contracts and funds.
Key Facts
Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, issued an executive order designating CAIR as a "foreign terrorist organisation."
The executive order was shared on social media by DeSantis.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott made a similar declaration about CAIR last month.
CAIR has rejected the designation and is pursuing legal action against it.
The designation results in increased oversight and restricts CAIR from accessing state contracts and funds.
The Muslim Brotherhood, claimed by DeSantis to be linked to CAIR, was also designated in the order.
The U.S. government does not list CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organisations.
President Donald Trump initiated a process to label branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East as terrorist organisations.
President Donald Trump commented on Bruce Blakeman's decision to run against Representative Elise Stefanik in New York's Republican primary for governor. Blakeman is known as a longtime friend of President Trump and serves as the Nassau County Executive. President Trump has not yet decided on endorsing a candidate in this race.
Key Facts
Bruce Blakeman is running against Elise Stefanik in New York's Republican primary for governor.
Blakeman is an attorney and has been the Nassau County Executive since 2022.
He previously worked as a commissioner for the New York-New Jersey Port Authority.
Elise Stefanik announced her campaign for governor in November.
Stefanik is considered an important ally of President Trump in Congress.
President Trump described both Blakeman and Stefanik as great people and has not decided on endorsing either candidate yet.
This news article is part of an ongoing story with more updates expected.
In Texas and other states, progressive Democrats are challenging traditional Democratic party leaders in the 2026 elections, much like the Tea Party revolt within the Republican Party years ago. Texas's Senate race is heating up with notable candidates like Jasmine Crockett, notable for her progressive stance and social media presence, entering the race after Colin Allred withdrew. National Democratic leaders are struggling to maintain control as similar challenges occur in other states.
Key Facts
Colin Allred dropped out of the Texas Senate race, and Jasmine Crockett entered.
Chuck Schumer and Democratic leaders face challenges from progressive Democrats in several states.
The primary in Texas has stirred interest due to the entrants and growing liberal activism.
Jasmine Crockett gained attention for her opposition to President Trump and has a strong online following.
Many Democrats doubt Crockett's ability to win a general election in conservative Texas.
Progressive candidates in other states are also challenging party-backed candidates.
This situation resembles the Tea Party movement that affected the Republican Party.
President Trump's advisers are telling key Republican donors that two upcoming Supreme Court cases could help increase Republican power in future elections, including the 2026 midterms. These cases involve voting district rules and campaign finance laws, with decisions potentially affecting how districts are drawn and how much money can be spent in elections.
Key Facts
President Trump's advisers spoke to Republican donors about upcoming Supreme Court cases.
The cases could affect the 2026 midterm elections by changing election rules.
One case, Louisiana v. Callais, might change how voting districts are drawn, affecting minority representation.
The Supreme Court has a conservative majority, which may influence the rulings.
A second case involves campaign finance limits and freedom of political speech.
Republicans believe these changes could help them win more elections.
The Supreme Court's decisions are expected to influence both major political parties.
If the voting district rules change, it could impact elections as soon as 2028.
A study by the CDC found that substance use disorders cost the U.S. economy nearly $93 billion in 2023. The costs come from factors like missed work, lower productivity, and reduced household contributions. The study highlights the ongoing issue of substance abuse affecting many Americans.
Key Facts
Substance use disorders cost the U.S. economy about $93 billion in 2023.
The study was published by the CDC and appeared in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Costs included $45.25 billion for inability to work, $25.65 billion for absenteeism, and $12.06 billion due to reduced work quality when sick.
Household productivity loss due to substance use disorders was $9.68 billion.
The study used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, focusing on adults 18 and older.
Men accounted for $61.19 billion of the total cost, while women accounted for $31.45 billion.
Young adults aged 18-25 had the highest absenteeism days, while older adults 65 and over had the highest presenteeism days.
According to a 2023 report, 48.5 million Americans aged 12 and above have a substance use disorder.
The Supreme Court is reviewing a Republican push supported by President Donald Trump to remove spending limits on how much political parties can work with candidates in federal elections. Arguments are underway, with Democrats advocating to keep the current law that has been in place for decades.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court is looking at removing limits on party spending in federal elections.
This effort is led by Republicans and supported by President Donald Trump.
The current law, which is over 50 years old, restricts party spending in coordination with candidates.
Oral arguments in this case started at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Democrats want the court to maintain the existing law.
The court is also considering another case about presidential power over independent agencies.
This case revisits a 2001 Supreme Court decision about election laws.
The Miami mayoral election is a runoff between Democrat Eileen Higgins and Republican Emilio González. Higgins is currently leading according to polls and prediction markets, with the election seen as an important indicator for future political trends in Florida and potentially the U.S.
Key Facts
The mayoral race in Miami is between Democrat Eileen Higgins and Republican Emilio González.
The position is officially nonpartisan, meaning it should not be affiliated with any political party.
Miami has not elected a Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years.
Higgins received 36% of the vote, and González got 19% in the first election round.
Polls show Higgins leading González significantly, though some polls indicate a closer race.
Prediction markets heavily favor Higgins, giving her a 94% chance of winning.
Key issues in the campaign include the high cost of housing and immigration policies.
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed González for mayor.
Recent research suggests that the number of Americans identifying as religious has stopped declining and might have leveled off since 2020. This stabilization could have significant effects on American social and political life, especially concerning Christianity, which many Americans follow.
Key Facts
Since 2020, around 70% of U.S. adults identify with a religion, showing stability in religious identification.
Daily prayer, the importance of religion, and regular service attendance rates have shown little change year-over-year.
The U.S. has experienced a significant decline in religiosity over the past decade, with a 17% drop in adults who say religion is important in their daily life from 2015 to 2025.
Young adults (ages 23-30) are less religious compared to older adults, with only 55% identifying with a religion compared to 83% of the oldest adults.
Religious practices differ by age, with 59% of the oldest Americans praying daily compared to 30% of the youngest adults.
Some young adults may follow their family's religious customs while living at home, which could change as they grow older and move out.
Patterns of religiosity may reflect typical generational changes rather than a significant shift in American religious life.
Democrats responded humorously to the Republican plan of putting President Donald Trump on the campaign trail ahead of the midterms. The strategy aims to increase voter turnout by making Trump a central figure in the elections. Republicans are trying this approach after seeing poor results in recent elections.
Key Facts
The GOP plans to feature President Donald Trump prominently in midterm elections.
Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff, suggested Trump will be a "difference maker."
A series of recent GOP election losses prompted this strategy change.
The GOP holds a slim majority in the House and Senate, making midterm wins crucial.
Traditionally, the party not holding the presidency performs better in midterms.
Negative polls show Trump's approval rating is low, with only 39% approving.
Some Democrats sarcastically praised the strategy, hoping it would backfire.
A polar vortex is causing very cold air and potential heavy snow across central and eastern parts of the United States. This weather pattern will persist through mid-December, producing dangerous travel conditions and increased energy demands.
Key Facts
A polar vortex is bringing Arctic air to the central and eastern U.S.
The Midwest is already experiencing subzero temperatures.
There will be three waves of cold air, expected to last until mid-December.
The cold weather may cause hazardous travel and increased heating needs.
The polar vortex is a pattern of cold air that usually stays near the poles.
This unstable polar vortex allows cold air to move southward.
AccuWeather predicts continued cold temperatures and potential snowfall.
The cold will affect areas as far south as the central Plains and Southeast.
