Adam Schiff Claims Trump Wants to Starve Americans

November 9, 2025

adam schiff (1) — (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

On Sunday’s episode of ABC’s Face the Nation, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) launched a harsh attack on President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans, accusing them of prioritizing political fights over the basic needs of Americans during the ongoing government shutdown.

Schiff claimed that the Trump administration is actively pursuing policies that would strip health care access and food benefits from millions of Americans. “One thing that is just so shocking to me,” Schiff said, “they’re appealing to the Supreme Court for the right to cut off food from people. Who does that?”

The Democrat senator argued that the administration’s legal actions and refusal to approve short-term extensions of COVID-era health care subsidies amount to intentional cruelty. “The cruelty is part of the policy,” Schiff said, suggesting Republicans are weaponizing hardship for political gain.

Schiff responded to Republican rejection of a Democrat-led proposal to extend the existing health care subsidies for one year while Congress works on long-term solutions. He accused Senate Republicans of stonewalling and criticized House Republicans for remaining on vacation, while President Trump, he said, “went out to play golf.”

Schiff also warned that Californians are already feeling the pressure, claiming residents have contacted his office about skyrocketing health care premiums. “People with pre-existing conditions… tell me their premiums are going to go up $1,000 a month,” he said, predicting millions could lose coverage and “tens of thousands” of lives could be lost.

While Schiff’s comments echo the rhetoric of previous shutdown battles, Republicans have maintained that their goal is to rein in unsustainable spending and end pandemic-era subsidies that continue to inflate federal budgets. President Trump has called on Congress to pass more targeted spending bills while criticizing Democrat demands to tie health care and immigration funding to a continuing resolution.

The standoff in Washington shows no signs of ending soon, as both parties dig in ahead of critical midterm campaigns—and Americans wait for relief.

Record Debt Crisis: U.S. Households Owe $18.6 Trillion as Defaults Climb

November 9, 2025

money — U.S. Dollars (Alexander Grey/Unsplash)

U.S. household debt has reached a record high of $18.59 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The sharp increase was fueled by rising balances in mortgages, credit cards, and student loans, signaling growing financial strain on American families. At the same time, delinquency rates are climbing, especially among student loan borrowers.

The report shows total household debt rose by $197 billion from the previous quarter. Mortgage balances, which remain the largest component of household debt, increased by $137 billion to $13.07 trillion. Credit card debt also jumped by $24 billion, pushing the total to $1.23 trillion, while student loan balances rose by $15 billion to $1.65 trillion.

Student loan defaults showed the most significant spike, with 9.4% of borrowers now in serious delinquency, meaning payments are 90 days or more past due. This is the first major increase in defaults since the Biden administration allowed the COVID-era payment pause to expire. The overall serious delinquency rate across all types of debt now stands at 3.03%.

The New York Fed noted that the economic impact of inflation and interest rate hikes has been uneven. Higher-income households have maintained spending, while lower-income families are increasingly relying on credit and falling behind on payments. The data reflects a growing divide in financial stability across the country.

These developments raise urgent concerns for fiscal policymakers and financial institutions. The rise in delinquencies, particularly in non-housing debt like credit cards and student loans, may signal deeper systemic issues.

As Washington debates student loan forgiveness and credit regulation, the reality on the ground shows a nation leaning on borrowed money. The record debt levels and rising defaults highlight the consequences of easy credit and federal mismanagement.

Michigan State Backtracks on ‘All‑Gender’ Bathrooms After Student Pushback

November 9, 2025

Michigan State University (MSU) has rescinded its plan to make all bathrooms gender‑neutral in its newly renovated dorm, following concerns from students. The reversal signals growing tensions around campus gender‑policy experimentation and the balancing act between inclusivity and privacy.

MSU unveiled a $37 million renovation of Campbell Hall, a dorm first built in 1939, that reopened this fall with modern amenities and fully gender‑neutral bathrooms. The design featured private enclosed stalls and showers, replacing traditional communal male/female‑separated layouts.

The initiative aimed to foster inclusivity for the dorm’s 245 residents, who are mostly first‑year students. However, reports of student discomfort emerged within weeks of the semester starting.

In response, MSU administrators changed course. Some restrooms were relabeled “male‑only,” some “female‑only,” and some remained gender‑neutral. The university stated that the adjustment is designed to offer more flexibility and to address student concerns.

MSU’s Student Life and Engagement office emphasized that the goal remains “to balance inclusivity and privacy while ensuring all students feel comfortable.” The university also said it will continue collecting feedback throughout the academic year and may make further changes.

The case at MSU raises broader questions about campus policy and the extent to which universities should redefine traditional bathroom divides. The MSU reversal may underscore concerns over universal “gender‑neutral” mandates and their impacts on student comfort and modesty. The decision illustrates a pushback in higher education against social‑engineering models that bypass longstanding privacy norms.

MSU’s willingness to reverse the policy suggests that student sentiment and the practical realities of dorm life matter. It also may serve as a cautionary tale for other institutions planning similar gender‑neutral bathroom roll‑outs.

Texas Drag Show Ban Upheld, What It Means for Parents

November 8, 2025

Matthew Blake Drag — Flamy Grant in music video (Screenshot from Twitter/@@realstewpeters)

A federal appeals court has cleared the way for Texas to enforce its 2023 law banning drag shows in public spaces or in the presence of children. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Senate Bill 12 (SB 12) can now take effect, marking a significant win for lawmakers and parents concerned about sexually explicit content being exposed to minors.

Under the law, drag performers are prohibited from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics—like exaggerated breasts or genitalia—when in public or around minors. Violators face a Class A misdemeanor, while businesses that host these performances could be fined up to $10,000.

The court’s three-judge panel found that the plaintiffs—drag performers and LGBTQ advocacy groups—failed to demonstrate that their intended shows qualified as “sexually oriented performances” under the law. As a result, the court determined they would not be harmed by the enforcement of SB 12.

The law specifically defines a sexually oriented performance as one involving nudity or sexual conduct, including contact or simulated contact with another person’s “buttocks, breast, or any part of the genitals,” and it must also appeal to a “prurient interest in sex.” Most drag shows cited in the lawsuit did not meet this threshold, the judges ruled.

The ruling comes amid broader national concern about drag shows targeting children. Texas lawmakers have also advanced SB 1601, which would block state funding for libraries that host drag events. That move came after the Houston Public Library allowed a registered sex offender to participate in a drag queen story hour for children.

Texas A&M University already banned drag shows from its campuses earlier this year, directing presidents across its college system to cancel all such events.

The court’s decision strengthens Texas’ ability to regulate sexually explicit performances in public spaces and around minors, while affirming the state’s right to protect children under existing legal standards.

Claudia Sheinbaum Drug War Bombshell, ‘It’s Fascism!’

November 8, 2025

Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is facing international backlash after denouncing the country’s decades-long war on drugs, calling it a “fascist” strategy that violates the rights of drug traffickers. In a controversial statement during a press conference this week, Sheinbaum said her administration will not resume military-style operations against cartels—despite a surge in cartel violence and mounting civilian deaths.

“Not an option,” Sheinbaum declared, arguing that prior administrations’ policies amounted to extrajudicial killings and ignored due process. “The war against the narco is illegal,” she said. “It’s permission to kill, without any trial… It raised the number of murders and the level of violence.”

Her remarks come just days after the assassination of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán. Manzo had gained international attention for confronting cartel power in his city and was shot and killed by a cartel-linked gunman on November 1 during a public Day of the Dead event. His murder has sparked widespread protests across Michoacán, with furious citizens setting fire to government buildings and demanding action.

Rather than doubling down on law enforcement or military crackdowns, Sheinbaum rejected what she described as “authoritarian” approaches. “These calls to go back to that are a call to fascism,” she stated.

The backlash hasn’t been limited to inside Mexico. Peruvian lawmakers recently cut diplomatic ties with Mexico, accusing Sheinbaum of harboring a corrupt former Peruvian official. They went so far as to declare her “Persona Non-Grata,” labeling Mexico a “narco-state.”

Critics argue Sheinbaum’s rhetoric emboldens cartel leaders and signals a government retreat in the face of escalating violence. As cartels expand their influence and murder rates soar, many inside and outside of Mexico view her approach as dangerous appeasement that sacrifices law and order for ideology.

Kanye West Antisemitism Apology Shocks Fans, ‘I Was Wrong’

November 8, 2025

israel gaza — (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Ye, the rapper and fashion mogul formerly known as Kanye West, has publicly apologized for his past antisemitic remarks during a sit-down meeting with prominent Kabbalist Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto in Manhattan. The conversation, captured on video, marks Ye’s most direct acknowledgment yet of the harm caused by his years-long pattern of inflammatory statements.

“I feel really blessed to be able to sit here with you today and just take accountability,” Ye told Rabbi Pinto. He admitted to struggling with bipolar disorder, explaining that his mental health issues had led him to embrace “extreme ideas” and lose sight of himself. “Sometimes people aren’t that knowledgeable about bipolar… what causes it or how it affects people,” he said.

Ye compared the damage caused by his words to a child messing up the garage, saying he now feels the responsibility to clean up the mess. “For me as a man to come and take accountability for all the things I’ve said,” he told the rabbi, “I really just appreciate you embracing me with open arms and allowing me to make amends.”

The meeting appears to be part of Ye’s effort to rebuild his public image after facing widespread backlash, loss of sponsorships, and financial consequences due to his past antisemitic outbursts. He described the meeting as his “first step” in strengthening his mental health and repairing the damage.

Rabbi Pinto responded with compassion, noting that Judaism provides a framework for those seeking to make amends. He expressed hope for Ye’s healing and referred to him as a “very good man” who now has the opportunity to grow from past mistakes.

The two ended their meeting with a brief embrace, symbolizing a gesture of forgiveness and the possibility of redemption. Ye’s apology marks a rare moment of public contrition in a career often defined by controversy.

Illinois Redistricting Controversy Erupts

November 8, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling on Democrat-led states like Illinois to redraw their congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election cycle—a move critics say could undermine public trust and harm minority representation. The push comes amid growing national pressure among Democrats to counter Republican redistricting efforts in states like Texas and Indiana.

Speaking during his Proposition 50 victory speech, Newsom didn’t hold back. “We need our friends in New York, Illinois, and Colorado,” he said. “We need to see other states… meet this moment head on and recognize what we’re up against in 2026.”

In Illinois, that message isn’t landing well with election watchdogs. Ryan Tolley, executive director of CHANGE Illinois, a nonpartisan voting rights group, warned that Illinois already has “highly partisan gerrymandered” maps and that any attempt to redraw them now could weaken Black voter influence.

“For Illinois, the challenge is that our maps are already heavily drawn to favor one party,” Tolley said. “Redrawing them now would likely come at the expense of Black voting power in Cook County and Chicago.”

He also noted that mid-decade redistricting is unusual and typically only triggered by lawsuits or federal mandates—such as those under the Voting Rights Act. With the U.S. Supreme Court now reviewing Section 2 of the Act, the law’s future remains uncertain.

Tolley also cautioned that further gerrymandering, even for political gain, could backfire. “If Illinois starts redrawing maps to offset what’s happening in Indiana, it could just escalate partisan remapping across the country,” he said. “That may be what national Democrats want, but it won’t restore public trust.”

Instead, Tolley called on Illinois lawmakers to pursue reforms like passing a state-level Voting Rights Act or establishing an independent redistricting commission. These steps, he said, would help protect communities from being carved up for political advantage and ensure minority representation is not sacrificed.

With election cycles approaching and legal battles mounting, the debate over redistricting is far from over—and Illinois may soon be the next major battleground.

Chicago Loop Office Vacancy Soars, Is Downtown Dying?

November 8, 2025

columbus — Chicago (Pedro Lastra/Unsplash)

Chicago’s downtown office space has hit a record-breaking 28% vacancy rate, signaling a deepening crisis in the city’s core business district. According to new data from the third quarter, the Loop has lost over 2.3 million square feet of occupied office space in just the last two years—nearly double the losses seen during the Great Recession.

Illinois Policy Institute researcher LyLena Estabine says city leadership is partly to blame, failing to adjust to the dramatic shifts in workplace dynamics brought on by COVID-19. With remote work now entrenched in corporate culture, many companies no longer see a need for large downtown offices.

“One of the problems being faced right now in Chicago is that downtown has been the business center for so long,” Estabine said. “But in a post-COVID world, companies are realizing remote work is possible, and people are wondering what downtown has to offer.”

Estabine suggests that Chicago should follow New York’s lead by easing the path for converting vacant office buildings into residential housing. New York has seen success revitalizing Midtown Manhattan by promoting such conversions.

The issue isn’t just economic—it’s cultural. Chicago’s downtown has become a transient zone: people commute in, work, and leave by evening. The lack of a permanent residential population drains local businesses and erodes neighborhood vibrancy.

“By looking at this not just as a vacancy issue but as a revitalization opportunity, downtown could become a true community,” Estabine said.

With rising interest rates, high crime concerns, and an ongoing housing shortage, Estabine argues that policymakers must move quickly. A new “central area plan” is reportedly in the works, targeting downtown revitalization through 2045. If acted on, such a strategy could kill two birds with one stone—reduce office vacancies and ease the housing crunch in one of America’s largest cities.

Abby Zwerner School Shooting Verdict, Big Payout

November 8, 2025

Child Preschool — Child coloring (Erika Fletcher/Unsplash)

A Virginia jury has awarded former elementary school teacher Abby Zwerner $10 million in a civil lawsuit against her assistant principal, following a 2023 shooting in which Zwerner was critically wounded by a six-year-old student. The verdict holds former assistant principal Ebony Parker liable for failing to act on multiple warnings that the child had a firearm on school grounds.

The incident occurred on January 6, 2023, when Zwerner, a first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, was shot in the chest by a six-year-old boy during class. She survived the shooting but still carries a bullet fragment lodged in her body. Zwerner and Parker both resigned after the incident.

According to court filings, several teachers had alerted Parker that the child might be armed. Despite repeated warnings throughout the day, Parker allegedly dismissed the concerns and did not allow staff to search the child, a decision that proved catastrophic. Zwerner’s legal team argued that the attack was preventable and that Parker’s inaction constituted gross negligence.

Zwerner had originally sought $40 million in damages. The jury’s $10 million award, with interest dating back to June 1, 2024, sends a strong message about school accountability and the importance of responding seriously to potential threats—no matter the age of the student involved.

The child’s mother was previously convicted for making false statements during the purchase of the firearm used in the shooting. That conviction highlighted additional failures in gun ownership responsibility and storage.

One of Zwerner’s attorneys told reporters after the verdict that the decision affirms what many believed from the start: “This could have been prevented.” The case has reignited debates on school safety, administrative oversight, and how early intervention could stop tragedies before they unfold.

Bill Maher Torches Democratic Socialism, ‘Drop the Act’

November 8, 2025

mamdani — Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

On Friday’s episode of HBO’s Real Time, host Bill Maher delivered a blunt critique of the Democratic Party’s far-left shift, warning that figures like New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani are pushing socialism too far from the American mainstream. In a conversation with Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Maher questioned whether this is truly the direction Democrats want to take their party.

“They call themselves democratic socialists,” Maher said. “I think they should drop the ‘democratic’ part, because that means that you have to answer for everything the socialists do.” Maher speculated that Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, might even align with communism, noting, “Whatever it is, it’s very far left.”

Rep. Moskowitz responded by distancing himself from Mamdani’s ideology but admitted that Republicans are using far-left voices to define the Democratic Party. “They’re trying to make me and others answer for everything he does,” Moskowitz said. “I don’t remember Eric Adams being the head of the Democratic Party, or Michael Bloomberg being the head of the Republican Party, but Republicans are trying to make him now the head of [the] party.”

Maher pushed back, arguing that Mamdani’s extreme views are not just fringe but now threaten to become the new face of the party. “Those guys weren’t as out of the mainstream… but they’re trying to make that the mainstream,” Maher warned.

Maher said Democrats should be asked directly: “Should this be the direction the party is going?” He emphasized that Mamdani is far from alone. “There are about 100 [democratic socialists] in different offices in places where they’ve won in this country,” Maher added.

The segment highlights growing concern—even among liberals—that the Democratic Party is veering too far left, and that voters deserve clear answers on where the party truly stands.