We start by debunking a PragerU video about why people believe lies and use it to examine how political media frames public health measures. The claim that pandemic masking and six-foot distancing were examples of manipulation is missing how science actually works. We note that the distancing guidance was based on reducing risk, even if the exact number was not fixed by a single clear standard.

LifeWise Academy setup a booth at a school open house in Rossford, Ohio. We explain that since LifeWise is a religious release-time program and schools must remain neutral under the relevant Supreme Court ruling from 1952 and related state rules. Recruiting students at school events can raise legal concerns and school districts often avoid challenges because of the cost of lawsuits.

Comments from Trump administration officials and House speaker Mike Johnson show that Republicans lie as a matter of course. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s claims about the relationship of immigration and rent, AG Secretary Brooke Rollins’ comments about SNAP recipients and luxury cars, and Speaker Mike Johnson’s defense of Republican economic policy is just some examples of the honest crisis in Washington DC. These arguments rely on scapegoating and proven failed economic policy that they do not match the evidence on housing costs, food assistance, or trickle-down economics.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Rand Paul and other Republicans were trying to trap him into statements they could use against him. The hearing was a political witch hunt and going on six years now.

There is a broader anti-science movement in conservative politics, including opposition to gender-affirming care, abortion rights, vaccines, and public health guidance. There is also misinformation, snake-oil products, and claims made by social media influencers and some television ads that are more about profit over health of people.

Trump's Religious Liberty Commission was sued for lack of diversity. Contrary to federal law, the commission was dominated by conservative Christians and evangelicals, with no representation from other faiths and atheists. The court dismissed the case by redefining what is meant by diversity.

We look at the backlash to progressive and Democratic Socialist wins in some Democratic primaries recently. We hear examples of the criticism from establishment Democrats and media figures, and we argue that voters chose these candidates directly. We say the panic over the DSA is overstated and that Democrats should focus more on fighting Trump and less on attacking progressives.

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While Graham Platner needed to end his campaign after being accused of rape some progressive commentators handled the story badly, especially the tendency to ignore Platner's PTSD and trauma as part of the context for his earlier behavior. We supported him based on the information available at the time, and we explain why the final set of revelations made continued support for him impossible. We are just disappointed that Platner's trauma was ignored by others.

Also in Maine, another legal fight over public funds for religious schools reached federal court. The state changed its Human Rights Act after the Carson v. Makin US Supreme Court decision in 2022. All schools receiving public money must follow nondiscrimination requirements for students. Religious schools filed a lawsuit.

We re-visit the topic of LifeWise Academy and note that its student enrollment is far below its stated goal. The group’s push for release-time Bible instruction during the school day is not impressing parents who have concerns about the program. Public attention appears to be reducing family participation in the program.

Finally the Trump administration and Fox News framing democratic socialists as communists is a reboot of the cold war. We argue that democratic socialism is not the same as communism, and we point to the DSA’s own stated goals, including Medicare for All, expanded democracy, and public ownership of key sectors - they don't support or demand revolution. We end by saying voters should evaluate candidates on their actual proposals rather than on scare labels. We are also disappointed that establishment Democrats are jumping on the bandwagon over the DSA.

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