Just after 4:00 this afternoon, Donald Trump walked out of the Oval Office and spent barely seven minutes with reporters before turning questions about Russia sanctions into another ugly attack on women. He called CNN’s Kaitlan Collins a “dummy” and a “low IQ person.” Minutes later, ABC’s Karen Travers asked about the same subject, and he demanded to know whether she was a “stupid person.” Then he headed to South Carolina for a rally that was supposed to promote Darline Graham, only to spend almost an hour and a half talking about himself. Protesters interrupted him at least a dozen times in the first 20 minutes. When a supporter punched one of them, he praised it: “That was great, man. Wow. Man, I loved that.” Just the night before, he had explained that saying “Please don’t hurt them” was a way to keep the press from getting him. Now he was openly celebrating the violence again.
As I watched, my youngest daughter walked into my room, and I immediately paused the television. She is old enough to understand what is happening, and she needs to recognize the warning signs of a would-be dictator. But I also wanted to preserve what little childhood she has left without the narration of a madman filling the background. I kept thinking about how impossible it would have been to imagine Barack Obama calling a female reporter a dummy for asking a question. There used to be a minimum standard of human decency attached to the presidency. Now we are watching a man praise violence, insult anyone who questions him, muse about renaming oceans, confuse the Nobel Peace Prize with the Pulitzer Prize, and insist that he is in a very good mood. Something is very wrong, and I keep thinking about what another two years of this will do to our country and to the young people learning what power looks like.
Taking back Congress will not make Donald Trump stop. It can slow him down, force hearings and subpoenas, create public records, and buy time for legal challenges and the institutions still functioning. We also have to prepare for the period after election night. He is already saying Republicans cannot lose unless the other side cheats, laying the groundwork for another attack on results he does not like. We could see pressure to keep winners from being seated and renewed attacks on anyone reporting that the election was fair. We are voting for the elections that follow this one, too, and for the next president to actually take office. More Americans are willing to confront him even when surrounded by hostile supporters. Their courage and coordination make the growing resistance visible. We can meet this moment by turning that determination into votes against him and the enablers who keep his cruelty and chaos in power.
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 media 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 video is based on my written post, available HERE, and based on the events of 10-21-2026.
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:
President Trump Gaggles with Press Upon Departure from the White House, Oct. 21, 2026: YouTube video
President Trump holds midterm rally in South Carolina: YouTube Video
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-cheers-on-violent-attacks-on-protesters-at-chaotic-rally
https://www.thedailybeast.com/live-cnn-segment-captures-chaotic-moment-at-trump-rally
https://ground.news/article/trump-rally-derailed-by-series-of-protesters-in-opening-minutes
