In this episode of the Rational Response Podcast, we cover a NATO summit that felt more like a loyalty test than an alliance meeting, the quiet death of DOGE, and a new report putting hard numbers on what Trump’s energy agenda will actually cost American families.
Trump, NATO, Turkey, and the F-35 Problem. Trump arrived at the NATO summit still nursing a grudge against allies who didn’t follow him into the Iran conflict, and he wouldn’t rule out pulling more U.S. troops out of Europe. Meanwhile, he’s cozying up to Turkey, announcing that the U.S. will lift sanctions and saying he’d consider selling Erdogan’s government F-35 fighter jets. That’s the same Turkey that was kicked out of the F-35 program after buying Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, a decision Trump’s own first administration made over concerns that a Russian intelligence platform could expose sensitive U.S. stealth technology. Add in the “restraining order needed” meme he posted about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and it’s clear that allies who don’t personally back Trump get mocked and threatened, while authoritarian leaders he likes get major concessions.
DOGE Shuts Down, But the Damage Remains. DOGE has officially hit its termination date, and it’s leaving without a full public accounting. OMB Director Russ Vought told Congress there are no plans for a closing report. DOGE claims $215 billion in savings, but independent reviews from Politico and CBS found those numbers wildly inflated; in one review, actual savings were about 3% of what DOGE claimed. We do know that more than 260,000 federal employees left government under DOGE-led efforts, and some agencies are now hiring people back. The USAID cuts had deadly consequences. The AP documented children dying after feeding programs were cut, and a Lancet study projects continued USAID defunding could lead to more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030. The question isn’t just what DOGE saved. It’s what DOGE broke. Will we hold those responsible for the devastation responsible?
Trump’s Energy Policies Will Cost Families, Jobs, and Health. A new Energy Innovation report modeled the impact of Trump’s energy agenda, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, EPA rollbacks, attacks on renewables, and the cancellation of the $7 billion Solar for All program. The findings are brutal: households will pay an additional $650 billion in energy costs (about $4,500 more per household cumulatively through 2040), the economy will lose an average of 820,000 jobs per year over the next decade, and cumulative GDP losses will hit $2.3 trillion. Add $43 billion in pollution-related healthcare costs, including more childhood asthma, more ER visits, and more premature deaths. Trump promised cheaper energy. His policies deliver higher bills, fewer jobs, and dirtier air, all to protect fossil fuel companies from competition.
See the full story in the video.
We are living through a pivotal moment for our country, and my goal is to reach as many people as possible with clear, factual information about what is happening. The more people who understand what is unfolding, the better our chances of pushing back against chaos, cruelty, and corruption ahead of the midterms.
Thank you for your continued support. Your paid subscriptions have enabled me to add a video editor and reach more people.
Independent journalism is under attack. You can make a difference with a $5/month paid subscription. Your support allows me to keep telling the truth about the lies and destruction unfolding in our country, defend myself from constant pressure from MAGA extremists, and ultimately spread the message to more people.
I’m fighting to save our country (before it’s too late).
I’ll see you tomorrow,
Heather
*This commentary represents my personal opinions and analysis of matters of public concern, informed by publicly available information. Any references to individuals constitute opinion and commentary protected under the First Amendment.
Sources:
