Today's News with Larry Schweikart
TODAY'S NEWS, May 21-22, 2026
Episode Summary
Argued that Republicans are gaining structural and electoral advantages through redistricting, voter-registration trends, Democratic infighting, and institutional investigations, while portraying Democratic leadership as fractured and financially weakened. Framed Trump-aligned governance as expanding influence across immigration, fraud enforcement, and AI strategy, while continuing broader critiques of climate policy, public institutions, pharmaceutical leadership, and Europe’s political trajectory. Also highlighted growing unease around AI infrastructure, cultural pessimism, and public-health fallout from the pandemic era.
Episode Notes
IN POLITICAL NEWS
- Internal Democratic House analysis reportedly viewed several GOP-held districts as safer for Republicans than even some Republican analysts expected.
- Democratic figures reportedly discussing replacing Ken Martin amid party frustrations.
- Tulsi Gabbard resigned while her husband battles bone cancer.
- Conservative activist Scott Presler elected to Pennsylvania’s Republican state committee.
- Commentary claimed influential online conservative personalities failed to shift key Senate races despite heavy engagement.
- GOP rejected a proposal aimed at limiting Trump’s anti-lawfare legal-defense fund.
- California’s high-speed rail project criticized again over alleged misleading AI-generated promotional material.
- National Democratic Party finances reportedly struggling despite individual candidates still raising money.
- Former attorney tied to Special Counsel Jack Smith charged over alleged theft of confidential investigative documents.
- DOJ charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over alleged involvement in a refugee-aircraft shooting.
- Minnesota fraud investigations expanding across multiple agencies and sectors.
- Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner criticized after comments about a wounded soldier.
- Florida nonprofits accused of serving as covers for extremist-linked organizations.
- Reports suggested growing concern inside DOJ circles over Trump-aligned staffing in investigations tied to John Brennan.
IN AI NEWS
- Public opposition to large AI data centers growing due to water and power consumption concerns.
- Trump reportedly delayed major AI decisions while weighing infrastructure strain versus competition with China.
IN ILLEGAL CRIMINAL ALIEN NEWS
- New Trump executive order directs banks to consider immigration status in financial-risk evaluations.
- Supreme Court rulings reportedly making undocumented drivers harder to insure.
IN ALIEN ALIEN NEWS
- Department of Defense released another batch of UFO-related videos and materials.
- Somewhere, a Pentagon intern probably labeled the folder “Definitely Not Space Jellyfish Final FINAL v7.”
IN CULTURAL NEWS
- Ryan Burge’s happiness-index analysis found “very happy” Americans declining while lower-income and less religious groups reported weaker overall satisfaction.
- Higher-income respondents still reported somewhat greater happiness levels overall.
IN ECONOMIC NEWS
- Meta laid off roughly 8,000 employees amid continued AI restructuring.
- Consumer sentiment reached its lowest level of the year.
IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- South African agricultural policies criticized over their impact on white farmers and regional food production.
- UAE pipeline project bypassing the Strait of Hormuz reportedly nearing midpoint completion.
- Greenland faced backlash over failed child-separation “competency testing” policies.
- One CEO reportedly eliminated an entire HR department and claimed business performance improved afterward.
- Alberta separatist sentiment continues gaining attention in Canada.
- Critics argued international climate organizations are softening earlier alarmist rhetoric after years of profit-driven messaging.
- STD rates reportedly rising sharply across Europe, especially in Spain.
- Austria and Denmark tightening immigration policies amid growing public concerns.
IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
- Reports circulated claiming NASCAR driver Kyle Busch had died at 41, alongside mention of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Craig Morton passing from sepsis.
- “The Mandalorian” film opening weekend described as underwhelming despite positive studio spin surrounding the The Mandalorian franchise.
IN MEDICAL NEWS
- Steve Kirsch cited AI estimates suggesting millions of Americans may have experienced serious vaccine-related disabilities.
- Former NIH officials tied to COVID-era vaccine policy reportedly removed or facing investigations.
- Amputation rates reportedly increasing, especially among opioid users.
AND FINALLY…
- A Florida man returned $30,000 he found, saying it “wasn’t mine to take.”
- Somewhere in the moral multiverse, a tiny cartoon angel got promoted immediately.