Do Not Listen to RFK Jr.

12.30.25

Happy Tuesday and welcome to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Only 33 more hours until January 2026—which means only three more years of the Trump presidency. Let’s break down the latest news and politics.

Kennedy granddaughter Tatiana Schlossberg has died…..Tatiana Schlossberg, an environmental journalist and the daughter of Caroline Kennedy, has died at 35 after battling acute myeloid leukemia, her family announced Tuesday. Schlossberg revealed in a Nov. 22 essay that she had been diagnosed earlier this year after doctors noticed abnormal blood counts while she was giving birth to her second child. She underwent chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and experimental treatments, writing candidly about the emotional toll of facing a terminal illness while raising young children. A former New York Times reporter and the author of Inconspicuous Consumption, Schlossberg was widely respected for her environmental reporting. In her final essay, she also criticized her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s elevation to federal office, warning that his vaccine skepticism could endanger immunocompromised patients like herself.

Common Sense takeaway: This news is truly devastating. Tatiana’s story is a powerful reminder that public health touches real people and real families, often at their most vulnerable moments. Her writing gave a voice to what it means to navigate a serious illness with strength and courage. Her loss is a tragedy, and her perspective on her cousin is one we should take seriously.

Flu activity is surging across the U.S….According to new CDC data, with at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations, and 3,100 deaths reported so far this season. A new strain of influenza A (H3N2), known as subclade K, is driving much of the increase and now makes up the vast majority of tested cases. At least 20 states are seeing “very high” respiratory illness activity, and experts expect cases to continue rising after holiday travel and gatherings. Children and young adults account for a large share of outpatient visits, and pediatric flu deaths have climbed to eight so far this season. Although this year’s vaccine is not a perfect match for the new strain, health officials stress it still reduces the risk of severe illness and urge eligible people to get vaccinated, noting that only about 42% of Americans have received a flu shot so far.

Common Sense takeaway: Flu cases are rising sharply, and vaccines remain our best protection—yet figures like RFK Jr. continue to spread doubt about them. Millions of Americans, including children, are at risk, and misinformation like this has real, dangerous consequences. Get vaccinated.

The DOJ sues UVA…..The Justice Department is suing Virginia over its policy allowing undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. The Trump administration argues the policy conflicts with federal immigration law by granting a benefit to students without legal status that is not available to out-of-state U.S. citizens. Virginia’s law, enacted in 2022, allows students who have lived in the state for at least two years to receive in-state rates regardless of immigration status. The lawsuit is part of a broader legal push against similar policies in other states, including Oklahoma, Illinois, California, and Texas. Immigration advocates note that federal law permits states to offer in-state tuition to undocumented students if the same criteria are available to nonresidents, and at least 22 states have adopted such “equity tuition” policies.

Common Sense takeaway: This lawsuit isn’t just about the law, it’s a politically motivated attack on students trying to get an education. Instead of focusing on real challenges facing Americans, the DOJ is targeting undocumented students who’ve lived in the state for years, making access to higher education the subject of their wrath…again.

Russia claims drone plot against Putin…..Russia is accusing Ukraine of attempting a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence—a claim Kyiv flatly denies and for which Moscow has provided no public evidence. The Kremlin says dozens of drones were intercepted near Putin’s property and is using the allegation to justify a tougher diplomatic and military stance, calling the supposed attack a “terrorist act.” Ukraine and Western analysts say the accusation appears timed to undermine recent momentum toward peace talks following President Trump’s meeting with President Zelenskyy. Experts describe the claim as political theater or a possible false-flag narrative designed to give Moscow cover to escalate the war or harden its negotiating position.

Common Sense takeaway: So Russia’s claim of a Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence is unverified and comes with zero public evidence. Interesting. It’s clearly just another way for Moscow to justify escalation and try to harden their position on territorial demands while hurting progress on peace talks. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that you can’t trust the Kremlin.

That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Check back tomorrow for more.