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January 1, 2026
Capitol riot 'does not happen' without Trump, Jack Smith told Congress
(AP) The Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol “does not happen” without Donald Trump, former special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers earlier this month in characterizing the Republican president as the “most culpable and most responsible person” in the criminal conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee released on Wednesday a transcript and video of a closed-door interview Smith gave about two investigations of Trump.
Go to discussionZohran Mamdani Is Sworn In as Mayor of New York City
(NY Times) Zohran Mamdani, the left-leaning populist who deployed a mix of charm, social media savvy and an unyielding focus on affordability to catapult him to political stardom, was officially sworn in as mayor of New York City early Thursday, just after the New Year’s Eve ball dropped in Times Square. .. The ceremony, held underground at an abandoned showpiece of a subway station by City Hall, caps Mr. Mamdani’s yearlong rise from obscure state lawmaker to international figure, embodying the hopes of New Yorkers and Americans across the country who were enthralled by his journey to becoming the city’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor.
Go to discussionHere's everything Elon Musk promised in 2025 - and failed to deliver
(Mashable) By now, everyone knows that Elon Musk is very much an optimist when it comes to making predictions. That's the nice way to put it. To be blunt, Musk is a "bullshit artist." He makes promises he can't keep. With 2025 nearly over, Mashable decided to revisit his predictions related to this year. Time has run out. What did Musk promise for this year that didn't come to fruition?
Go to discussionMelania Trump Declared Least Popular First Lady Again: What's Behind Her Dwindling Approval?
(OK) By multiple measures, Melania Trump’s public standing continues to plummet. According to YouGov polling, her popularity stands at just 36 percent, with more Americans voicing their dislike for her than showing support — 43 percent disapproved while only 18 percent described their views as neutral. This figure reflects a significant decline compared to recent first ladies and even from Trump’s own standing when she departed the White House in 2021.
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