RFK Jr. to Congress: Don't Take Medical Advice from Me

What's Happening

Politics

RFK Jr. to Congress: Don't Take Medical Advice from Me

What's going on: Yesterday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. walked into Congress to talk budgets — but handed lawmakers a soundbite that seemed to undercut his own legacy. Pressed on the deadly measles outbreak in Texas and asked if he'd vaccinate his children today, Kennedy said: “I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me.” Huh. The pair of hearings marked Kennedy’s first congressional testimony since taking office in February — and he had a lot to defend. He backed cuts to over $12 billion in federal health grants and the elimination of 20,000 jobs, claiming these moves would save money “without impacting critical services.” When Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician, questioned how the National Institutes of Health would “do more with less” to compete with research rivals abroad, Kennedy defended the funding cuts and said: “The Chinese are not spending a lot of money on DEI.” 

What it means: It’s unclear whether this testimony will change Americans’ sentiment toward what’s happening with health care. While some Americans support RFK Jr.’s policy plans on the US food system, a recent KFF poll shows most oppose deep cuts to the nation’s health agencies. Still, frustration is mounting on both sides of the aisle. Democrats accused Kennedy of being a frontman for Trump’s “war on science,” pointing to his long history of vaccine misinformation and evasive responses during the hearings. The Washington Post reports that some Republicans back the funding cuts, arguing that the agencies spend a lot on efforts that aren’t very effective. But others, like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), warn that Medicaid cuts could seriously limit access to care for working families.

Related: Amid Backlash, Duffy Defends Changing His Wife’s Newark Flight (Politico)

International 

Trump's Historic Sit-Down Could Reshape the Middle East 

What's going on: President Donald Trump sipped a cup of tea in Riyadh yesterday with Syria’s new leader — a former al-Qaeda-linked militant who, not long ago, had a $10 million US bounty on his head. Ahmed al-Sharaa, now interim president, led the offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad, once fought US troops in Iraq, and even spent time in American custody. The sit-down marked the first US-Syria meeting in 25 years. Trump didn’t hold back on the flattery, calling al-Sharaa “a young, attractive guy” and someone who might just “pull it together” for Syria. The meeting came just one day after Trump announced he would lift long-standing sanctions on Syria, originally imposed during Assad's rule.

What it means: Trump is wagering that Syria’s new leader can bring stability, push back on Iran, and help reassert US influence in the region. (Plus, Trump hasn’t shied away from cozying up to controversial strongmen like Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Orbán.) Some European leaders have already met with al-Sharaa, and Gulf allies like Saudi Arabia and Turkey also back the growing alliance. But not everyone’s sold: Israel warns working with Syria could embolden extremists near its northern border, and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) says lifting sanctions shouldn’t be done without Congress’s input. Meanwhile, rights groups warn al-Sharaa’s government has already started to crack down on minorities and roll back civil freedoms — raising doubts about just how different this new regime really is.

Related: The DNC Flew This Banner Over Mar-a-Lago To Troll Trump About That Qatar Jet (NBC News)

Health

Good News on the War on Drugs, but Will It Last Under DOGE Cuts?

What's going on: Overdose deaths are finally falling in the US. Last year, the estimated number of drug overdose deaths dropped by nearly 27% from the previous year, to 80,391 people, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control. It’s the first major decline after years of relentless increases, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, when drug deaths hit record highs. Not all of the CDC data is positive, however: Overdose deaths remain the number one killer of Americans ages 18-44, the majority of those from synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Still, one Brown University epidemiologist called the 2024 data “historically significant,” and it could be an indication that federal and local governments’ efforts to curb the opioid epidemic are working.

What it means: Experts aren’t united on what’s driving the decline, but over 300 academics warned the Trump administration Monday that proposed public health cuts could derail the progress. One major concern: plans that would eliminate access to naloxone (Narcan), a medication that reverses overdoses and has saved thousands of lives. Experts also warn that cuts to Medicaid could push low-income Americans toward street drugs if treatment becomes unaffordable. Trump, who declared the opioid crisis a public-health emergency in 2017, wants to stop fentanyl by doubling down on border crackdowns and labeling drug traffickers a national security threat. But if DOGE cuts the infrastructure behind local response efforts, critics say the administration risks undermining its own agenda.

Related: House Republicans Move Forward on Medicaid Cuts Despite Infighting (ABC News) 

Settle This

Warner Bros. Discovery dropped HBO from its streaming name two years ago. Now, Max is rebranding again. What’s the new name?

Extra Credit

Watch

Break out your biggest Swig cup — The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is back. The viral crew of Mormon momfluencers at the center of that headline-making swinging scandal is diving into season two. OGs Whitney Leavitt, Taylor Frankie Paul, Jen Affleck, and Demi Engemann are joined by newcomer Miranda McWhorter — who has deep ties to the original drama that nearly blew up the friend group. Expect baby daddy breakups, surprise pregnancies, and (of course) plenty of chaos.

Game Time

Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.