Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine agenda is one of the biggest political liabilities hanging over Republicans, but his suspicion of the medical system is likely to endure with the GOP base. Why it matters: Kennedy will one day leave public life, whether it's after the midterms or later, and it is an open question who — if anyone — will pick up where he left off merging vaccine skepticism with official health policy. Mistrust of the medical establishment and willingness to question foundations of public health like the childhood vaccine schedule are already baked into segments of the Republican faithful. - Even without Kennedy — the nation's most prominent vaccine critic before entering the Trump administration —…
Most Americans say the country's best days are behind it as the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday , even as they're personally hopeful about the future. Why it matters: A new Pew Research Center analysis reveals national pessimism, fueled by political polarization and institutional distrust. But the findings also show the American spirit isn't completely broken. By the numbers: Nearly 7 in 10 U.S. adults said in January 2026 they were dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country, compared with 29% who were satisfied, Pew found. - 59% say the country's best years are behind it, while 40% say they are ahead. - Only 50% said in January that the year ahead would be better than the year that just ended — the lowest share in…
After years of talking to hundreds of CEOs, elected officials, social scientists and ordinary Americans, this is our best take on how things stand in our country right now and a guide to how we got here. - On Tuesday, Jim will outline why he believes CEOs and business leaders are uniquely suited to step up and help fill the trust void in this moment. We're living through the most disorienting societal moment since World War II. Almost nobody in a position of power is explaining why, or what to do about it. - This is so much bigger than politics. It touches our jobs, our companies, our communities and our realities. Why it matters: By most objective measures, it's an extraordinary time to be alive. Americans are wealthier, safer and…