While foreign policy experts, analysts, and most Western European leaders recognize the threat Russian President Vladimir Putin presents, as of late, it seems many Americans view him through a different lens—one that prioritizes financial cost over geopolitical gains. Long gone are the days when the U.S. narrative of Russia is an existential and global throat. Today, it is more about the bottom dollar for U.S. taxpayers frustrated with the government funding the war effort.  Although Trump claims that Ukraine has received $300 billion in aid from the U.S. government, official figures reveal that as of 8 January 2025, U.S. military aid to Ukraine amounts to $66.5 billion, and another $31.2 billion is given as financial aid to Ukraine’s state budget. Many Trump supporters view this as a waste of American spending and feel that previous administrations have prioritized the needs of other governments over their own.  American media is also split on the issue: left-leaning outlets...

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives were the first on the chopping block for the Musk-Trump administration to remove the bloat and fester from the federal workforce. All federal agencies were forced to expunge any language related to or adjacent to DEIA. It is an all-out attack on what many refer to as wokeism. Phrases like gender-based , trans, and employment equity have been “registered as lethal weapons” against America (I made a Lethal Weapon reference—R.I.P. Lethal Weapon -era Mel Gibson). Corporate figures like Elon Musk and Chip Wilson, the founder and former CEO of Lululemon, have lashed out at diversity, equity, and inclusive policies embedded in their brands. Over a year ago, Wilson was at the forefront of the anti-DEIA controversy regarding his “you don’t want certain customers coming in” comment. Other companies like Walmart (whose prices aren’t really that cheap anyway), Lowe’s (# HomeDepot), Ford, and Toyota (my Prius heart aches) als...

Fans and patrons of the rap community were surprised and dismayed to discover veteran rappers like Snoop Dogg. Nelly performed at the Crypto Ball, one of a handful of pre-inaugural events for President-elect Donald Trump. The following day, backlash poured in, mainly from the Black community, primarily targeting Snoop Dogg and Nelly. So, why exactly was it a big deal? The months leading up to the November 2024 presidential elections witnessed a lot of discourse about the state of Black men as leaders within their communities. Such dialogues intensified after the election polls revealed that while 92% of Black women voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, only 78% of their male counterparts voted that way. The exit poll numbers, along with former President Barack Obama's fireside chat encouraging young Black men to vote and BET Black Men's Summit—hosted by D.L. Hughley and featuring influential Black male celebrities discussing critical issues in the Black community—highlighte...