Happy Tuesday and welcome to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Christmas is 2 days away but who’s counting? Let’s break down the latest news in politics.
DOJ’s Latest Epstein Release Directly Implicates Trump….A newly released Justice Department email tied to the Jeffrey Epstein files says flight logs show Donald Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least eight times between 1993 and 1996, including one flight with an unnamed 20-year-old woman. The internal 2020 email, sent by a federal prosecutor, notes Trump traveled more frequently on Epstein’s plane than previously known, sometimes alongside Ghislaine Maxwell and potential witnesses in her sex-trafficking case. Additionally, a new letter written from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar was briefly uploaded to the DOJ website saying “our president also shares our love of young, nubile girls” and “when a young beauty walked by, he loved to grab snatch.” It ends with “…we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system. Life is unfair.” The DOJ claims some references contain “untrue and sensationalist” allegations. Uh, huh.
Common Sense takeaway: First of all, what the f**k! I try not to curse on here, but this is outrageous. This letter directly implicates Trump in the worst way possible, and the DOJ is STILL covering for him! The flight logs don’t make anything better. How could someone spend so much time with two convicted child sex-traffickers and have zero idea of what’s going on? Exactly, they can’t. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck!
CBS Accidentally Airs “60 Minutes” Report on Trump-Era Deportations in Canada…..CBS News is facing backlash after delaying a “60 Minutes” investigation into deportees sent by the Trump administration to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison—even as the completed segment was accidentally streamed in Canada. The report features firsthand accounts from asylum seekers who say they were tortured and abused after being deported while awaiting immigration decisions in the U.S. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi accused CBS of pulling the segment for political reasons after the Trump administration declined to comment, a claim CBS leadership disputes. Free press advocates and an FCC commissioner called the delay “deeply alarming,” warning it sets a dangerous precedent for government influence over journalism.
Common Sense takeaway: When a news organization stops a fully vetted investigation from airing in the U.S. because the government won’t respond, that’s state-sanctioned media. Reporting on alleged torture and abuse in our immigration system is essential and something that every American deserves to know. Good thing Canadians are more informed now than us thanks to CBS.
U.S. Economy Posts Strong Q3 Growth, But Underlying Signals Remain Mixed…..The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 4.3% in the third quarter, beating expectations and marking the strongest quarterly growth in two years, according to an initial estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The gain was driven largely by consumer spending, exports, and government spending, but it follows a weak start to the year and leaves average growth through the first three quarters at a more modest 2.5%. Economists warn the surge may not be sustainable, pointing to a softening labor market, rising household debt, declining business investment, and worsening consumer confidence. Inflation has ticked back up this year, and surveys show many Americans feel worse about their finances despite the headline growth, underscoring the gap between top-line economic data and lived reality.
Common Sense takeaway: A strong GDP headline doesn’t mean the economy suddenly “feels good” for most people. When growth is driven by consumer spending fueled by debt, wages lag, confidence drops, and jobs soften, it’s not exactly an economic boom.
Former Sen. Ben Sasse Diagnosed With Stage-Four Pancreatic Cancer
Former Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., announced that he has been diagnosed with metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer, calling the prognosis a “death sentence.” Sasse, 53, shared the news in a post reflecting on mortality, family, and his determination to keep fighting. Sasse served in the U.S. Senate from 2015 until 2023, when he resigned to become president of the University of Florida, a role he later left amid his wife’s serious health challenges. A staunch conservative, Sasse was one of seven Republicans who voted to convict Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial. In his statement, Sasse said he plans to fight the disease while embracing advances in cancer treatment.
Common Sense takeaway: On a more human note, this is truly devastating. I have two family members who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the past year (one passed in October). I feel for Ben Sasse and his children as they have to navigate this disease like so many others have before, and it’s all the more evidence that we need more cancer research funding, not less.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Check back on Thursday for more, and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!





I am so sorry to read of your cancer…my diagnosis was last year for rare endocrine cancer in my lungs and else where. There is no cure or treatment and unknown prognosis. I have connected with so many souls experiencing life threatening conditions and my online friends have been of great assistance in helping me. I hope you’ll connect with me, and we can help each other. Substack will not allow me to follow, reason unknown…and thinks get wonky on here sometimes. But stay in touch and know many care for you, even those who don’t write.💕
Very sorry to hear two family members have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this past year and that one has passed away already. Sending condolences to you and your family. Thank you for your succinct news alerts and takeaways; I appreciate them very much. Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season and best wishes for 2026.