LetMyPeopleVote
LetMyPeopleVote's JournalNew report from Democrats: TrumpRx drugs could cost thousands more than generics
Democrats looked at the cost of the name-brand drugs on TrumpRx. Turns out, Americans could save thousands per year on many prescriptions by just purchasing generics.
New report from Democrats: ‘TrumpRx’ drugs could cost thousands more than generics
— News Wire - World 🌎 Independent News Network Pro-Democracy (@democracyblue.bsky.social) 2026-02-13T13:46:13.360Z
Democrats looked at the cost of the the name-brand drugs on TrumpRx. Turns out, Americans could save thousands per year on many prescriptions by just purchasing generics. www.ms.now/news/new-rep...
https://www.ms.now/news/new-report-democrats-trumprx-drugs-thousands-generics
But congressional Democrats have a new warning: The website directs Americans to brand-name drugs rather than generics, meaning consumers are frequently at risk of paying more than they should — in some cases, thousands of dollars annually.
In a new report shared first with MS NOW, Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee analyzed the prices of 15 common medications, comparing the discounted prices on the TrumpRx website to the cost of generics purchased using a GoodRx coupon.
The report shows, for instance, that a year’s supply of the atrial fibrillation medication Tikosyn, purchased at the TrumpRx discounted rate, would cost about $4,000. By contrast, according to the report, a generic version of the drug bought with a GoodRx coupon would cost just shy of $200 annually — a savings of roughly $3,800. (The report uses Manchester, N.H., as the location for the GoodRx search.),,,,,
Health care and consumer prices are primed to be a point of contention heading into the fall midterm elections.
Trump has touted the website and his negotiations with drug companies as part of his work to lower costs. Democrats, meanwhile, have accused Republicans of only making matters worse, pointing to the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies at the start of 2026 as a prime example.
MaddowBlog-IRS reportedly disclosed confidential tax data to the Dept. of Homeland Security
By Donald Trump’s reasoning, are the victims of this screwup entitled to $10 billion in taxpayer money?
IRS reportedly disclosed confidential tax data to the Dept. of Homeland Security. By Donald Trump’s reasoning, are the victims of this screwup entitled to billion in taxpayer money? www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
— (@jwwcan.bsky.social) 2026-02-12T20:12:10.124Z
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/irs-reportedly-disclosed-confidential-tax-data-to-the-dept-of-homeland-security
The consequences are starting to come into focus in striking ways. The Washington Post reported on a newly disclosed problem:.
The Internal Revenue Service improperly shared confidential tax information of thousands of individuals with immigration enforcement officials, according to three people familiar with the situation, appearing to breach a legal fire wall intended to protect taxpayer data
....The ensuing controversy was so significant that it led to the resignation of an acting IRS commissioner, who opposed the disclosures.
What we didn’t know until now is what happened after that decision 10 months ago. From the Post’s report:
Federal courts have since blocked the data-sharing arrangement, holding that it violates taxpayers’ rights, though the government appealed those rulings.
Before the agreement was struck down, DHS requested the addresses of 1.2 million individuals from the IRS. The tax agency responded with data on 47,000 individuals, according to court records. When the IRS shared the addresses with DHS, it also inadvertently disclosed private information for thousands of taxpayers erroneously, a mistake only recently discovered, said the people familiar, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.
So, to recap, DHS wanted sensitive tax information. The IRS reluctantly agreed in April, and the data sharing began in August. In November, a court ruled that this was illegal, and it now appears that the data sharing that had already happened led to DHS gaining improper access to information about thousands of people.
The next steps, including possible notifications to victims, are not yet clear, though one question is hanging overhead: Donald Trump recently filed a federal lawsuit, insisting that he’s entitled to $10 billion in taxpayer money because someone at the IRS improperly disclosed information about him.
The question for the White House seems rather straightforward: Does the president think the victims of this apparent disclosure are also entitled to $10 billion?
While we wait for that answer, the departments of the Treasury and Justice declined to comment about the underlying controversy. In a statement, a DHS spokesperson said that under the data-sharing agreement, “the government is finally doing what it should have all along.”
Trump privately lashes out at GOP lawmakers over racist video blowback, sources say
trump is upset that there are people out there who are NOT racists like him. trump's feelings were hurt because his fellow republicans called him a racist
From CNN: Trump privately lashes out at GOP lawmakers over racist video blowback, sources say
— Irene💙🎼ðŸˆðŸ¦‹ðŸŒ» (@mycatsmom99.bsky.social) 2026-02-14T00:22:54.559Z
www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/p...
https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/politics/trump-racist-video-gop-blowback
He spent last weekend complaining to allies about Republicans who had condemned the video depicting the Obamas as apes, questioning the lawmakers’ loyalty and vowing consequences, sources familiar with his comments told CNN.
The president railed against South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott — the sole Black Republican senator and chair of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm — throughout the weekend at Mar-a-Lago, arguing one of his top congressional allies was out of line to call his White House racist, the sources said.
“The president felt he could’ve handled that matter privately,” a senior Trump administration official told CNN of Scott. “He was like, ‘We work together all the time. He didn’t need to comment publicly.’”
Trump had even stronger words for Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, one of the sources recalled, using expletives to denounce her and declaring that she was dead to him.
Britt’s office slammed that account as “fake news” and touted her strong working relationship with the president, while the White House praised her as “an incredible ally” whom the president has “great respect” for. Scott’s office declined to comment.
MaddowBlog-Coal industry latest to reward Trump with an unnecessary, made-up award
Let this be a lesson to those hoping to curry favor with the White House: If you haven’t visited a store that makes trophies, you’re making a mistake.
https://x.com/LenisTheOrca/status/2022388429376622821
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/coal-industry-latest-to-reward-trump-with-an-unnecessary-made-up-award
Donald Trump, however, makes occasional exception to these rules. The New York Times reported:
President Trump on Wednesday directed the Pentagon to start buying more electricity from coal-burning power plants as part of his efforts to revive the declining coal industry.
Mr. Trump signed an executive order directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to enter into long-term contracts with coal plants across the country to power military installations. The move could provide financial support to dozens of coal plants that might have otherwise been set to retire in the coming years.
“We’re going to be buying a lot of coal through the military now,” the Republican said at a White House event. “We’re lifting up our hardworking American miners like nobody has ever done before.”....
There was one element of the White House event, however, that stood out.
"Sir, to show our appreciation, the trophy says 'the undisputed champion of beautiful, clean coal'"
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-02-11T21:56:52.736Z
.....This has been going on for a while now. Shortly after Trump left office in 2021, following his defeat in the 2020 election, the National Republican Senatorial Committee made up an honor for him called the Champion for Freedom Award.
More recently, after the president’s begging didn’t lead to a Nobel Peace Prize, FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, concocted its own peace prize in the hopes of making Trump feel better.
Let this be a lesson to those hoping to curry favor with the White House: If you haven’t already visited a store that makes trophies, you’re making a mistake.
Trump Administration Tells Judge It Will Release Gateway Funding (NYT Gift Subscription)
Payments for the $16 billion rail tunnel between New York City and New Jersey had been suspended for more than four months.
https://x.com/waynerdavies/status/2022439585049964738
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/nyregion/gateway-tunnel-funding-ny-nj-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.L1A.TvT3.r0-1U6wwx7rc&smid=nytcore-android-share
The suspension had left the government owing about $205 million to the tunnel’s planners, the Gateway Development Commission, and forced a halt to work on the project last week, as well as the layoff of about 1,000 union workers, the commission said.
The federal government had pledged more than $11 billion toward the tunnel project, which has been billed as the most urgent major infrastructure project in the United States. But at the end of September, administration officials said they would stop the flow of that funding while they reviewed the project’s contracts for compliance with revised federal regulations.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration shifted its explanation for the prolonged suspension of funds. In discussions with Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, President Trump suggested that he would release the funds in exchange for support of the renaming of two transportation hubs — Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia and Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan — after him, people familiar with those talks said.....
In a hearing before Judge Vargas on Friday afternoon, lawyers for the government said that about $30 million of the overdue payments was on its way to the commission and the rest should be paid by early next week. Delivery would be delayed by the need to relay the funds through the Treasury Department and the fact that Monday is a federal holiday, the lawyers said.
Just before 5 p.m., Mr. Schumer said that the commission had received the first chunk of the money.
“The first $30 million of federal funding for Gateway has arrived and we eagerly await the remaining money to be sent as quickly as possible so construction can resume,” Mr. Schumer said.
Trump Administration Tells Judge It Will Release Gateway Funding
Source: New York Times
Federal funding for the $16 billion Gateway rail tunnel between New York City and New Jersey, which had been suspended for more than four months, began to flow again on Friday after lawyers for the Trump administration told a federal judge on Friday that it would comply with her orders.
The suspension had left the government owing about $205 million to the tunnel’s planners, the Gateway Development Commission, and forced a halt to work on the project last week, as well as the layoff of about 1,000 union workers, the commission said.
The federal government had pledged more than $11 billion toward the tunnel project, which has been billed as the most urgent major infrastructure project in the United States. But at the end of September, administration officials said they would stop the flow of that funding while they reviewed the project’s contracts for compliance with revised federal regulations.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration shifted its explanation for the prolonged suspension of funds. In discussions with Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, President Trump suggested that he would release the funds in exchange for support of the renaming of two transportation hubs — Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia and Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan — after him, people familiar with those talks said.....
In a hearing before Judge Vargas on Friday afternoon, lawyers for the government said that about $30 million of the overdue payments was on its way to the commission and the rest should be paid by early next week. Delivery would be delayed by the need to relay the funds through the Treasury Department and the fact that Monday is a federal holiday, the lawyers said.
Just before 5 p.m., Mr. Schumer said that the commission had received the first chunk of the money.
“The first $30 million of federal funding for Gateway has arrived and we eagerly await the remaining money to be sent as quickly as possible so construction can resume,” Mr. Schumer said.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/nyregion/gateway-tunnel-funding-ny-nj-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.L1A.TvT3.r0-1U6wwx7rc&smid=nytcore-android-share
https://x.com/waynerdavies/status/2022439585049964738
trump cannot change elections laws by executive order-trump's last election executive order was struck down in Jan.
trump cannot change state election laws by executive order. The last election executive order was struck down. trump needs for congress to act which is NOT going to happen
https://x.com/marceelias/status/2022439480829857918
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-there-will-be-voter-i-d-for-the-midterm-elections-whether-approved-by-congress-or-not/
“The Framers of our Constitution recognized that power over election rules could be abused, either to destroy the national government or to disempower the people from acting as a check on their elected representatives,” Kollar-Kotelly wrote. “Accordingly, they entrusted this power to the parts of our government that they believed would be most responsive to the will of the people: first to the States, and then, in some instances, to Congress.
The idea that immigrants are being brought into the United States to vote is a far-right conspiracy theory that has been repeatedly disproven. It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote, and those that do so intentionally are easily caught, prosecuted, imprisoned for years, and then deported, all for the chance to cast a single ballot out of hundreds of thousands. Consequently, noncitizen voting is exceptionally rare, as election officials and court findings across the country have persistently shown.
Similarly, mail-in ballots are popular across the country and have shown no evidence of being particularly susceptible to electoral fraud. The SAVE America Act would not limit mail-in ballots, but another bill recently introduced in the House, the Make Elections Great Again Act, would.
Don Lemon pleads not guilty in First Amendment case in Minnesota
The former CNN anchor is facing federal civil rights charges related to his presence at a protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul last month.
BREAKING: Don Lemon pleads not guilty in First Amendment case in Minnesota
— MS NOW (@ms.now) 2026-02-13T19:20:02.649Z
READ MORE: www.ms.now/news/don-lem...
https://www.ms.now/news/don-lemon-pleads-not-guilty-in-first-amendment-case-in-minnesota
Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles in January after a federal grand jury indicted the former CNN anchor and several others at the demonstration, which disrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul.
They face felony charges of conspiring to violate religious freedoms at a house of worship and injuring, intimidating and interfering with the exercise of religious freedoms at a place of worship.
Lemon and his legal team have maintained that he was at the event solely in his role as a journalist, livestreaming the protest and interviewing participants.
He appeared alongside four other defendants, including civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, who were all indicted in connection with the incident. Prosecutors say the group’s actions interrupted a church service and intimidated congregants.
Ex-FBI official slams Kash Patel's 'inappropriate' behavior in Nancy Guthrie investigation
“He’s going back to the one skill that he thinks he has, which is self-promoting,” a former senior executive at the FBI’s counterterrorism division told MS NOW.
Ex-FBI official slams Kash Patel’s ‘inappropriate’ behavior in Nancy Guthrie investigation
— Lauren Ashley Davis (@laurenmeidasa.bsky.social) 2026-02-13T15:56:26.928Z
“He’s going back to the one skill that he thinks he has, which is self-promoting,†a former senior executive at the FBI’s counterterrorism division told MS NOW.
www.ms.now/news/ex-fbi-...
https://www.ms.now/news/ex-fbi-official-slams-kash-patel-inappropriate-behavior-nancy-guthrie
During a Tuesday appearance on Fox News, Patel told host Sean Hannity that “substantial progress” had been made in the probe and authorities had identified “persons of interest” in connection with the 84-year-old’s apparent abduction.
However, shortly after his interview, a man detained by authorities for questioning over Guthrie’s disappearance was released from custody.
On Wednesday’s “All In with Chris Hayes,” MS NOW national security intelligence analyst Christopher O’Leary, who served as a senior executive at the FBI’s counterterrorism division, called Patel’s comments on the investigation “incredibly inappropriate.”
“He’s going back to the one skill that he thinks he has, which is self-promoting: diving into the media, diving into social media to compensate for his complete ineptitude at being the director of the FBI, which should not surprise anybody,” O’Leary said. “He has no leadership experience, no operational experience, no investigative experience.”
The former FBI official told Hayes that Patel’s judgment is “certainly flawed” and “his character and integrity and virtue are absent,” adding that he believes the director “has no loyalty to the Constitution or to the American public or to the mission of the FBI and its people.”
MaddowBlog-Despite reality, Trump claims he has been '100% exonerated' in the Epstein scandal
“‘I’m 100% exonerated’ will go down in history with ‘I am not a crook’ as one of the great criminal confessions of all time,” Jamie Raskin said.
After Trump claimed he’s been “100% exonerated†in the Epstein scandal, I asked @raskin.house.gov for his reaction.
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-02-13T17:20:36.382Z
“‘I’m 100% exonerated’ will go down in history with ‘I am not a crook’ as one of the great criminal confessions of all time,†he replied.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/despite-reality-trump-claims-he-has-been-100-exonerated-in-the-epstein-scandal
AG Pam Bondi, under intense fire from the Trump Deranged Radical Left Lunatics, was fantastic at yesterday’s Hearing on the never ending saga of Jeffrey Epstein, where the one thing that has been proven conclusively, much to their chagrin, was that President Donald J. Trump has been 100% exonerated of their ridiculous Russia, Russia, Russia type charges.
...No such proof exists. In fact, MaddowBlog reached out to Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, to ask for his reaction to Trump’s claim.
“‘I’m 100% exonerated’ will go down in history with ‘I am not a crook’ as one of the great criminal confessions of all time,” the Maryland Democrat said.
While the investigation into the Epstein scandal moves forward, it’s likely that Trump will continue to claim that he has been exonerated, reality be damned. With this in mind, it’s worth pausing to appreciate the fact that the president has an unfortunate track record when it comes to this specific word.
In March 2018, Trump claimed that the House Intelligence Committee had completely exonerated him in the Russia scandal. That wasn’t true.
In June 2018, Trump said the Justice Department inspector general’s office had “totally” exonerated him in the Russia scandal. That was both wrong and kind of bonkers.
In February 2019, Trump claimed that the Senate Intelligence Committee also had exonerated him in the Russia scandal. That also wasn’t true.
In March 2019, Trump claimed the judge in a Paul Manafort trial exonerated him, too. That also wasn’t true.
In June 2021, Trump claimed he had been “totally exonerated” by testimony from former White House counsel Don McGahn, which was largely the opposite of the truth.
In February 2023, Trump insisted that a special grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, had rewarded him with “total exoneration.” Not only didn’t that happen, the same special grand jury called for his criminal indictment. (He was later charged by a regular grand jury, which relied on the special grand jury’s findings.)
In June 2023, Trump published an item to his social media platform, declaring that he’d been “totally exonerated” in the classified documents scandal. That was also the opposite of the truth.
In June 2024, Trump claimed to have been “exonerated” for referring to the “very fine people” he saw protesting in Charlottesville, Virginia. That wasn’t true, either.
In July 2024, Trump claimed “total exoneration” in the hush-money-to-a-porn-star case — the one in which he was ultimately found guilty of multiple felonies — a claim that didn’t make any sense at all.
In October 2024, Trump claimed he had been “fully exonerated” in the classified documents scandal, which was completely wrong.
...But either (a) Trump doesn’t know what “exonerated” means; (b) he has spent years trying to deceive the public about his culpability in a variety of serious scandals; or (c) both.
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