Happy Wednesday and welcome to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Let’s break down the latest news in politics.
Donald Delivers the SOTU….In a combative State of the Union address, Donald Trump declared a new American “golden age” while taunting Democrats and doubling down on his existing agenda despite slipping approval ratings and growing public anxiety about the economy. The president celebrated stock market gains, defended tariffs and a sweeping immigration crackdown, and blamed Democrats for inflation and high costs, yet offering few new policy proposals. The most dramatic moment came when Rep. Al Green was forcibly removed from the chamber after waving a protest sign and interrupting the president—the second year in a row he has been ejected during a Trump address. Other Democrats heckled from their seats, held up signs, or walked out entirely.
Common Sense Takeaway: This was not only an episode in gaslighting, it was just frankly…boring. His speeches are not captivating—they are monotone—and it sounded like any other campaign speech. It also was chalk full of lies and falsehoods in an effort to make Americans believe that things are better than they are (which never works, by the way). Yet of course right-wing outlets are reporting on the State of the Union like it was a fact-driven success. See this headline:
While left-leaning sources are reporting on it like it was a disaster:
The contrast in coverage is exactly why I use Ground News. Ground News pulls together reporting from newsrooms around the world—aggregating thousands of stories and letting you directly compare how the left, center, and right are covering the same events. Check out the coverage details for this story:
Ground News also shows bias ratings, factuality scores, and blindspots in reporting across the media, such as these stories:
Ground News makes staying informed easier, calmer, and smarter—the way news should be. And right now, if you subscribe using my link, ground.news/ally, you’ll get 40% off the Vantage Plan. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Subscribe to Ground News now.
Larry Summers to Leave Harvard Amid Fallout Over Jeffrey Epstein Ties….Larry Summers, former Treasury secretary and longtime Harvard professor, announced he will retire from his tenured position at Harvard University at the end of the academic year amid mounting scrutiny over his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Newly released emails revealed the two men remained in contact years after Epstein’s conviction, prompting investigations, public backlash, and calls for Summers to step down. While he has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing, Summers said he is “deeply ashamed” of maintaining the relationship, closing a decades-long chapter at the university where he once served as president.
Common Sense Takeaway: You don’t keep friendly contact with a convicted sex offender for years and then act shocked when people question your judgment. Even without criminal charges, the emails alone were enough to make his position untenable at an institution built on public trust and credibility.
Trump’s Surgeon General Nominee Is Nutzo….At her confirmation hearing, Casey Means, President Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, said she supports vaccines but declined to strongly endorse specific shots such as the flu vaccine, emphasizing personal choice and doctor-patient discussions. While she affirmed that vaccines save lives and backed the measles vaccine, her reluctance to directly state that the flu shot prevents severe illness drew a ton of scrutiny from senators. If confirmed, Means would become the nation’s top doctor, and her views—which align closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s focus on chronic disease and vaccine skepticism—signal an even worse downhill spiral in federal public health messaging.
Common Sense Takeaway: The Surgeon General is supposed to be the nation’s clearest and most trustworthy voice on public health. If the person in that role won’t plainly say a routine vaccine prevents serious illness, we are falling off a public health cliff and we may never find our way back up.
Trump Warns U.S. May Strike Iran Again Despite Earlier Claims Nuclear Program Was “Obliterated”….Donald Trump warned that the United States may have to strike Iran again over its nuclear program, despite previously claiming last year’s military operation had “obliterated” Tehran’s capabilities. His comments come as U.S. forces build up in the region and officials deliver mixed assessments of Iran’s threat, even while diplomatic talks continue. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has warned of severe retaliation if attacked.
Common Sense Takeaway: Claiming a threat was “obliterated” and then warning it may require bombing again can’t both be true. What I can say is true is that Americans do not care about Iran and definitely do not want to go to war with Iran, yet Trump is fixated on this more than almost anything else. Makes you wonder why.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Check back tomorrow for more.
HIYA Ally
Thanks again for your COMMON SENSE and telling it like it is!
I watched the SOTU last night and feel the Democrats missed a real opportunity. When Trump and the Republicans derided them for not standing when Trump asked everyone to stand who believed the number one job of the government was to protect Americans it was the perfect opportunity for the Senators and Congressman to remain seated (as they did) but have the Epstein Survivors stand and ask who among the clappers was protecting them. It would have been nice.