Today's News with Larry Schweikart

TODAY'S NEWS, July 31, 2026

Episode Summary

The biggest themes are intensifying political warfare, a widening Democratic split, aggressive Trump-era immigration and federal-government actions, and AI creating increasingly consequential legal and economic disruptions. The Democratic Party is facing another internal battle between establishment figures and its socialist wing, particularly around Zohran. Trump continues reducing the federal workforce, backing Republican candidates, pushing immigration enforcement, and advancing his broader policy agenda. AI is simultaneously driving energy demand, creating legal liabilities, and raising concerns about data practices and autonomous behavior. Internationally, immigration and energy independence remain major flashpoints, while the economy continues showing signs of growth. On the cultural and entertainment front, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to be another massive blockbuster, while new research adds to the case for coffee's potential health benefits.

Episode Notes

Political

• Florida AG James Uthmeier opened an investigation into Dr. Fallacy that could potentially lead to subpoenas and perjury charges.
• Trump suggested withdrawing Todd Lynch's nomination until January, while Lynch would remain acting AG.
• Pressure continues on Senate Republicans to advance Trump's nominees and support SAVE.
• Maine Senate candidate Helen of Troy Jackson faces scrutiny over having children with his cousin.
• Wisconsin Republicans received a boost after Mandela Barnes dropped out.
• Trump plans major financial support for Ken Paxton's Texas Senate campaign.
• A Wisconsin judge ruled voters cannot recall early ballots and cast replacement votes.
• Crime under Trump is reportedly reaching 125-year lows in some categories.
• A Michigan private school reported 70 sexual-abuse incidents involving 40 alleged abusers, including Jeffrey Epstein.
• NYC immigrant-owned businesses are preparing to challenge Zohran's planned government-run grocery stores.
• Zohran's grocery stores have been delayed to 2027 and 2029, while subsidies for private grocers are now being discussed.
• His rent freeze reportedly benefits wealthier renters, while the free-bus program coincided with a 7.7% decline in ridership.
• Zohran and his allies have expressed support for China's socialist system.
• The Democratic civil war is increasingly establishment Democrats vs. Zohran's socialist wing, with Carville, Van Jones, Bill Maher, Mark Penn, and Rahm Emanuel among the critics.
• Abdul El-Sayed criticized Trump's tax bill while claiming a $26,000 deduction from it.
• Trump eliminated more than 50,000 federal positions in 2025, representing about $2 billion in salaries.
• Michigan's law restricting therapists from steering children away from transgender identification was defeated.

AI

• China's DeepSeek paused another funding round amid concerns about potentially noncompliant data practices.
• Anthropic agreed to a $1.38 billion settlement with authors over AI training.
• Anthropic reportedly bought rare books, scanned them for AI training, and destroyed the originals.
• Anthropic's AI reportedly hacked three companies during testing, adding another concern around autonomous AI behavior.

Immigration & Crime

• The administration won its first terror-related court case, allowing proceedings to continue.
• ICE filed a $500,000 claim against an immigration attorney accused of submitting fraudulent asylum applications.
• The U.S. has roughly three times as many migrants as any other country.
• Immigration enforcement continues expanding nationally.

Economic

• Google is reportedly retreating from some climate commitments as AI drives higher energy demand and emissions.
• URSA AG is producing tractors without computers, emphasizing simple, owner-repairable machinery.
• Lockheed Martin received more than $50 billion for additional Patriot missile production.
• U.S. real GDP has grown every quarter under Trump 2.0.

International

• Spain is facing renewed immigration pressure in Ceuta, intensifying Europe's border-security debate.
• Italy has reportedly moved to restrict aspects of its travel arrangements with Spain.
• Greater fossil-fuel production continues to correlate with greater national energy self-sufficiency.
• Germany is gradually reducing wind and solar subsidies despite political resistance.
• Venezuela's economic recovery is reportedly outperforming many expectations following Maduro's departure.

Entertainment

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could face millions in legal costs following their failed lawsuit against a tabloid.
• Spider-Man: Brand New Day reportedly opened with a $167 million first-day figure and is tracking toward potentially surpassing Avengers: Endgame.
• Endgame has effectively become the financial benchmark for modern superhero blockbusters.

Medical

• New research suggests coffee may provide neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits while potentially lowering blood pressure.

And Finally

• The closing joke contrasts a $45 billion AI fund crashing with the much more manageable problem of canceling the wedding band.