Letters from an American December 19, 2025
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Dec 20, 2025 A week marked by violence and political turbulence unfolds as Michael Moss addresses recent mass shootings and the deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner. Trump stirs controversy by linking their deaths to political opposition, while Vanity Fair reveals chaos within the White House. Tensions rise with a revolt among House Republicans, and Special Counsel Jack Smith aims to testify about Trump's 2020 actions. Amid panicked economic claims, Moss contrasts Reaganomics with Biden-era successes, while concerns about the Kennedy Center's name change and the release of Epstein files add to the growing political turmoil.
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A Political Era In Final Days
- The episode frames recent violent events and political chaos as signs of a collapsing political era.
- Heather Cox Richardson connects Trump's rhetoric and behavior to a broader end of Reagan-era conservatism.
Violence And A Politicized Response
- Richardson recounts three violent incidents, including the deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner.
- She notes President Trump's immediate politicized social media response and refusal to retract it.
White House Discord Exposed
- Vanity Fair reporting portrayed the White House as chaotic and ideologically extreme.
- The administration then pressured staff to post supportive messages, exposing internal dysfunction.