Vibe Check Keepers of the Grail
Dec 3, 2025
The hosts delve into the Trump administration's troubling decision to overlook World AIDS Day and its far-reaching implications. They passionately discuss the viral TV show "Heated Rivalry," highlighting its unique appeal and representation in the romance genre. Nostalgia for music videos and humorous banter about leftover reheating add a lively touch. A poignant poem reading for World AIDS Day wraps a thoughtful conversation about faith and loss, while exploring the complexities of empathy in policy-making.
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PEPFAR's Global Impact Is Huge
- PEPFAR saved over 25 million lives and its dismantling will devastate global HIV care.
- UNAIDS warns 6 million new infections and 4 million extra deaths could occur by 2029 if funding collapses.
Trump, Roy Cohn, And Cognitive Dissonance
- Zach recounts Trump's proximity to Roy Cohn and wonders how that relationship didn't produce more compassion around AIDS.
- He finds it baffling that someone who witnessed Roy Cohn's AIDS death now supports policies dismantling HIV care.
Visibility Alone Doesn't Ensure Compassion
- Exposure to marginalized people doesn't guarantee empathy or policy change.
- Saeed warns that visibility alone can fail to counteract deliberate political attacks on healthcare.
