Today's News with Larry Schweikart
TODAY'S NEWS, May 19-20, 2026
Episode Summary
Argued that Democrats are entering a long-term structural collapse driven by redistricting losses, voter shifts, and institutional failures, while portraying Trump and the GOP as consolidating overwhelming political control through endorsements, judicial influence, and policy momentum. Emphasized growing U.S. industrial independence from China and Taiwan, aggressive anti-fraud and anti-corruption efforts, skepticism toward EVs and surveillance-heavy technology, and broader global instability tied to authoritarianism, economic decline, and immigration failures.
Episode Notes
IN POLITICAL NEWS
- Commentary claimed prominent conservatives are increasingly agreeing that Democrats face structural long-term decline at both state and national levels.
- Stacey Abrams cited as acknowledging potential major Democratic legislative losses under new electoral maps.
- U.S. semiconductor production projected to expand enough within 18 months to reduce reliance on Taiwan.
- Polling from Democracy Institute showed JD Vance performing competitively against leading Democratic figures.
- Trump DOJ established a $1.8B compensation fund tied to alleged victims of prior federal “lawfare” actions.
- Trump-backed candidates continued winning primaries and judicial races, including victories tied to Senate and Supreme Court contests in Georgia.
- Senator John Cornyn targeted by Trump through endorsement of Ken Paxton.
- Senate Republicans confirmed another large batch of Trump nominees under Majority Leader John Thune.
- Minnesota population decline cited as evidence of migration away from progressive states.
- Another election-fraud case highlighted involving allegations of homeless individuals being paid to vote in Los Angeles.
- Research from Christopher Rufo claimed many homeless residents in Los Angeles originated outside the city.
- Oregon voters rejected proposed gas-tax increases and transportation fees.
- Former Congressman Barney Frank died at 86.
IN AI NEWS
- GE Aerospace reportedly reduced ramjet-engine design time from months to seconds using AI.
- Airbus significantly expanded onboard computing capabilities in newer aircraft.
IN TRANSOID NEWS
- California athlete controversy resurfaced after a biological male reportedly won multiple women’s track titles.
IN ECONOMIC NEWS
- Pentagon drone production constrained by Chinese control over critical magnet supply chains.
- House lawmakers considering EV-related road-use fees due to vehicle weight impacts.
- Modern vehicles criticized as increasingly intrusive and surveillance-heavy.
- Jury ruled OpenAI lawsuit filed by Elon Musk came after the statute of limitations expired.
- Heart Attack Grill closed in Las Vegas.
- New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signaled tighter monetary policy alongside lower short-term interest rates.
IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- New reporting and books alleged continued organ-harvesting abuses in China.
- Mexican cartel figures and officials increasingly surrendering or being extradited to the U.S.
- DOJ reportedly preparing or pursuing actions tied to Cuban leadership figures, including Raúl Castro.
- China’s economy described as weakening, with government detaining executives to prevent corporate instability.
- UK authorities criticized for handling grooming-gang and assault cases involving Muslim offenders.
IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
- Peacock reportedly trailing competitors in the streaming market.
IN MEDICAL NEWS
- UK vaccine data discussed in claims about higher mortality among vaccinated populations.
- Obamacare enrollment projected to decline as costs increase.
AND FINALLY…
- India introduced “Good Samaritan” protections rewarding people who help accident victims.
- Ancient biblical parable meets modern traffic law: somewhere, a theologian and a highway patrol officer just nodded at each other across the cosmos.