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Good afternoon,
Yesterday, filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle Reiner, were found dead in their home. Reiner was a prominent political activist, championing same-sex marriage, early childhood education, and took on the tobacco industry in California. Reiner hosted many fundraising events for Democratic campaigns, donating nearly $3 million to various Democrats. As the world mourns the director of Hollywood hits like The Princess Bride and A Few Good Men, our President has attacked Reiner.
Reiner has been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, who took to social media on Monday morning to state that Reiner's death was caused by "Trump Derangement Syndrome." When asked about it, Trump doubled down on his comments, saying "he was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned." These comments prompted backlash from several Republican lawmakers who called the social media post "inappropriate," "disrespectful," and "unpresidential." The beloved director's death has sparked political discourse, raising concerns about how a President should act in the face of tragedy.
Here are a few important updates...
CONGRESS FUMBLES A HEALTHCARE FIX
Last week, the Republican-controlled Senate rejected two healthcare bills that would extend Affordable Care Act subsidies used by more than 20 million Americans. The votes were part of a deal made by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Democrats to end the government shutdown last month. The GOP bill would have expanded HSAs as an alternative to the expiring tax credits, while the Democrats' bill would extend the enhanced subsidies for three years. Both bills failed to reach the 60 votes needed to pass, both receiving a 51-48 vote almost entirely on party lines.
Following the failure of the two bills, House Republicans released a plan to address health care costs before the tax credits expire at the end of the year. Their plan does not include an extension for the subsidies – Republican leaders will instead allow a vote for an amendment to the plan that would include an extension. After the failure to pass the extension, it is incredibly unclear why Republicans think another promise for a vote is meaningful in any way.
The political stakes of rising healthcare premiums stand to be a key aspect of the 2026 midterms, as affordability concerns have emerged as a primary issue for American voters.
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CHINA'S GRIP ON U.S. SOYBEANS
To understand the U.S.–China tariff conflict, it is important to understand the significance of soybeans. Soybeans are the United States' most significant agricultural export, with China as the largest buyer. Last year, China purchased $12.6 billion worth of U.S. soybeans, accounting for over 40 percent of total U.S. soybean exports. This amount is roughly double the combined purchases of the following five largest export markets, according to USDA data.
Historically, China's role in the U.S. soybean market was even larger. Before the onset of trade tensions in 2018, China typically bought nearly 60 percent of U.S. soybean exports. Since then, China has diversified its sources, primarily turning to Latin American and Asian economies, thereby reducing its dependence on U.S. supplies. This shift has left American farmers vulnerable to political uncertainties. When China delays or withdraws from the market, soybean prices can drop quickly, leading to evaporating profit margins.
The impact of this situation was clear during the 2025 harvest season. China's delayed return to the market severely affected prices, forcing many farmers to sell their produce at a loss. North Dakota farmer Justin Sherlock described the predicament candidly: "We just have to find a way to hopefully make it to next year. That's the struggle right now for a lot of producers." For the more than 270,000 U.S. soybean farms, access to the Chinese market is crucial for survival.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
$1.23 trillion. The total amount of credit card debt held by U.S. households. The total credit card debt has risen over 2% since last year and shows no signs of stopping. Tariff-driven inflation is a major cause of rising household debts. The average American household has $9,326 in credit card debt.
WHAT WE'RE READING
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