News Vérité

When I criticize President Trump, it’s not because I oppose the man or his policies. I voted for him three times. However, his words and actions may now be sinking Republican chances not only in 2026 but in 2028 as well. His immigration policies and what has been termed an affordability crisis have been the most visible catalysts not only in his approval rating’s tanking but also in recent Republican losses by wide margins in gubernatorial, mayoral, and other races. Trump has now added disrespect for someone whom a family member apparently murdered to probable causes for voter disapproval and distancing themselves from the MAGA movement. I’m referring, of course, to the weekend death of Hollywood actor and director Rob Reiner, whom Trump suggested died due to the effects of Trump derangement syndrome. Reiner was an outspoken critic of the president, as well as a lifelong liberal advocate and donor to Democrat candidates and causes. Upon hearing of Reiner’s death (whose wife was also murdered), Trump took to Truth Social to write that Reiner’s death was “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT

Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, has created one of the greatest catchphrases ever coined — “mind virus.” My hat goes off to Ms. Kirk for creating this epithet. I stand in awe. “Mind virus” perfectly describes today’s media, although in Erika’s case, she was referring to social media and podcasts more than traditional media. The phrase stems from Ms. Kirk’s and Turning Point’s hesitance to reveal where Charlie is interred. Some say he is still unburied. Podcaster Candace Owens, whom I’ve always respected, says he was interred as a Catholic, though he always claimed to be a Protestant. When asked on Fox News where Charlie is interred, Ms. Kirk responded: “Can I have one thing? Can my children have one thing? Everything was public. We will be building the most beautiful memorial for my husband at Turning Point USA, and it will be for the world to see.” When pressed further about the burial site, she tersely replied: “This is not okay. It’s not healthy. This is a mind virus.” I agree that the media, in whatever form, should let the widow grieve in her own way and handle her husband’s remains in any respectable way

I grew up near the coast in Southern California many a decade ago, and Jan and Dean (who they?) had a hit song titled “Surf City.” Part of the lyrics went: “Surf city, here we come “Surf city, where it’s two to one” For whatever reason, that song came to mind last night as I lay trying to drift off to sleep. I immediately made a modern connection to The Swamp in D.C., which I renamed “Turf City.” Dreamified, modernized lyrics can thus read: “Turf city, here I come “Turf city, where the mon is fun” Problem is, most people won’t immediately be able to equate “mon” with “money” bar some sort of explanation. “Turf” might also be a little obscure, but that’s what politicians build throughout their careers, as well as lining their pocketbooks. Anyway, hopefully you get the idea. For me, it’s back to sleep.