Today's News with Larry Schweikart
TODAY'S NEWS, May 14-15, 2026
Episode Summary
Avoided the usual “Trump collapse” narrative and argued Republicans are quietly strengthening their electoral position through redistricting, voter-registration trends, deportations, and Democratic infighting, while also highlighting tougher immigration enforcement, pressure on Iran, energy realism, and continued skepticism toward progressive cultural and climate policies. Framed Democrats as divided and strategically lost, portrayed Trump’s foreign and economic posture as gaining leverage globally, and emphasized broader institutional shifts around AI energy demand, border enforcement, and federal restructuring.
Episode Notes
IN POLITICAL NEWS
- Trump received a major diplomatic welcome in China, alongside renewed U.S. beef trade and promises of large Chinese investment commitments.
- Concerns remained over Chinese influence operations after a Chinese-American was convicted as a foreign agent tied to a covert NYC police outpost.
- Democrats reportedly facing internal factional battles, with Senate leadership taking heat.
- ODNI denied claims that the CIA “raided” Tulsi Gabbard’s offices.
- A Texas Democratic official running for reelection was arrested again.
- Federal government withholding $1.3B from California over alleged healthcare fraud concerns.
- Senate advanced legislation to withhold congressional pay during shutdowns.
- Appeals court blocked E. Jean Carroll from immediately collecting Trump-related damages.
- Trump’s Iran pressure strategy described as economically squeezing Tehran through sanctions and oil restrictions.
- Senate GOP leadership praised for rapidly confirming Trump nominees and judges.
- Voluntary deportations reportedly surged sharply under Trump administration policies.
- Claims surfaced that Biden-era officials explored post-presidency legal strategies against Trump.
- Washington state proposal criticized for restricting “aimless driving.”
- Kamala Harris floated proposals including abolishing the Electoral College and expanding SCOTUS.
- Explosive device discovered beneath an Alabama dam.
- Ohio moving to suspend Medicaid payments tied to fraud investigations.
- Georgia signed election-law changes and called a special session for redistricting, potentially favoring Republicans.
- FBI intensifying investigations into the “764” online predator network.
- Former Kansas mayor surrendered to ICE.
- Pete Hegseth canceled deployment of additional U.S. troops to Poland.
IN AI NEWS
- Microsoft reportedly scaling back “clean energy” ambitions due to AI power demands.
- Amazon and other firms using regulatory loopholes to classify gas-powered AI infrastructure under clean-energy frameworks.
IN ILLEGAL CRIMINAL ALIEN NEWS
- ICE reportedly identified over 10,000 foreign students linked to suspect employers.
IN CULTURAL NEWS
- Seminary enrollment trends showed modest growth, with Southern Baptist institutions and Liberty University dominating portions of the field.
- Trump announced plans for a National Garden of American Heroes in West Potomac Park.
IN TRANSOID NEWS
- Texas AG Ken Paxton pushed Texas Children’s Hospital to establish a detransition clinic.
IN UFO NEWS
- Reports of increasing underwater UFO sightings continued circulating online and in disclosure communities.
IN ECONOMIC NEWS
- U.S. banks warned about possible Iranian money-laundering operations.
- Walgreens closed another Chicago-area location amid crime and operating-cost concerns.
- Jerome Powell officially departed the Federal Reserve leadership role.
- Commentary suggested global eurodollar markets now dilute the Fed’s traditional influence over inflation.
IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- Spain sentenced parents who isolated their children for years during COVID-era fears.
- China reportedly exploring increased U.S. oil purchases.
- Cuba facing severe rolling blackouts due to fuel shortages.
- UAE accelerating construction of an east-west oil pipeline to bypass Hormuz vulnerabilities.
IN MEDICAL NEWS
- Additional accusations surfaced against Anthony Fauci regarding alleged influence over COVID-origin narratives.
- U.S. overdose deaths reportedly declined amid cartel crackdowns.
- New allegations emerged involving NIH handling of a monkey-bite incident.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. moved to reduce overprescription of psychedelic drugs.
AND FINALLY…
- A man reportedly pulled a car with his genitals to raise prostate-cancer awareness. Internet historians immediately dusted off the phrase: “human tow hitch.”