On the August 12, 2026 edition of Rob Schmitt Tonight, Rob Schmitt examines the latest headlines and key developments drawing attention across the political landscape. Featured guests include Katie Zacharia, Dan O'Donnell, Michele Tafoya, Josh Hammer, Abel Maldonado, Abby Johnson, Mary Margaret Olohan, Stephen Vaden and Todd Bensman.
AI:Rob Schmitt hosts a panel of various political commentators and analysts, including Josh Hammer and Abby Johnson, to examine the latest developments shaping the national political landscape during the August 12, 2026, broadcast.Open
Florida’s big cities are reporting historic lows in homicides while cities like Chicago continue to face surging violent crime. NEWSMAX Crime Correspondent Jason Mattera breaks down the contrast in numbers on “Wake Up America.”
AI:A stark divide has emerged in national crime statistics as Florida's major metropolitan areas report historic lows in homicide rates, standing in sharp contrast to the surge of violent crime continuing to plague Chicago. While much of the country sees a downward trend in homicides—aligning with President Trump’s recent reports of the greatest crime reduction in U.S. history—Chicago remains an outlier struggling to contain escalating violence and lawlessness.Open
By James Mullin Or what’s in a name? That which we call a communist by any other name would smell as foul.
AI:The article criticizes the political influence of Bernie Sanders and explores his impact on the trajectory of the Democratic Party, specifically regarding female candidates positioned to ascend to the presidency who share his radical socialist ideology.Open
By A.J. Rice Why shouldn’t a guy play in the WNBA?
AI:The WNBA continues to spiral into an identity crisis as it struggles to define biological womanhood and establish clear eligibility rules for transgender athletes. This ongoing controversy, characterized by task forces unable to reach consensus and mounting pressure from critics, has left the league facing intense scrutiny over its failure to protect women's sports. As debates intensify regarding what constitutes a woman in professional athletics, the league's inability to provide definitive answers is fueling widespread skepticism and accusations that it has lost sight of its fundamental purpose.Open
By Michele San Pietro Even when it makes no sense whatsoever, manic keyboard warriors want to blame the USA for everything.
AI:Keyboard warriors continue their relentless campaign of blaming the United States for global issues regardless of logic or fact, perpetuating a narrative of American culpability that ignores actual geopolitical realities.Open
The drills come amid rising tensions with China, which frequently sends military planes and ships towards Taiwan.
AI:Taiwan has implemented a defensive maneuver by temporarily throttling mobile internet speeds to text-only levels as part of an active military drill. This move is intended to bolster communications security and prepare for potential disruptions amidst escalating hostilities from the Chinese Communist Party, which continues its pattern of aggressive military incursions near the island.Open
The latest round of extreme temperatures, the fifth since May, is disrupting daily life and testing the region’s resilience.
AI:Europe is once again enduring a severe heat wave, marking the fifth major extreme temperature event in the region since May. This recurring pattern of punishing heat continues to disrupt daily life and strain infrastructure across Europe, following a series of global weather shocks including intense heatwaves, floods, and wildfires seen in recent months.Open
Mr. Mangione faces stalking charges in connection with the killing of an executive in Manhattan. Mr. Mangione could always change his mind at the last minute. A separate murder trial is set to begin next month.
AI:Luigi Mangione is expected to enter a guilty plea in federal court regarding stalking charges related to the killing of a UnitedHealthcare executive in Manhattan. While this federal plea may potentially influence his legal standing, he still faces a separate murder trial scheduled to begin next month for the fatal attack.Open
Lindsey Graham’s sister was hit with a blunt reality check after she tried to put a spin on her Trump-backed rise in the political world.
AI:Darline Graham faced a sharp rebuke from X users via a Community Note after attempting to misrepresent her political ascent and the nature of her Trump-endorsed momentum in the South Carolina Senate race. This fact-check serves as a reality check against her recent efforts to spin her rising profile, following a period of intense intra-MAGA maneuvering where Donald Trump has been weighing his support for her candidacy amidst broader tensions over funding deals and party unity.Open
The record-setting sum comes just weeks after LeBron James left the team to become a free agent.
AI:Bob Iger and Josh Kushner have completed a record-breaking $12.5 billion acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a massive consolidation of power in professional sports following LeBron James's departure from the team as a free agent. This blockbuster deal follows recent reports detailing the close personal relationship between Iger and Kushner and highlights an ongoing trend of skyrocketing valuations for major sports franchises.Open
