Health CEO murder suspect speaks out

Defense counsel for Luigi Mangione, is taking full advantage of public sympathy for their client. That and more from Today's American News.

Ally Sammarco Feb 15

Good Saturday morning, readers! If you celebrate Valentine’s Day, we hope you and your significant other spent some fun time together, and if you’re single, we hope you did something special for yourself! We welcome you to a special week-in-review edition of Today’s American News, your source for news and analysis on the circus that is American politics and entertainment. 

BRAIN DEAD UKRAINE PROPOSALS & GENUFLECTING TO PUTIN!

THIS WILL BE SUPPORTED BY TRUMP & PUTIN - NO ONE ELSE! THEY CAN'T BE TRUSTED!

Trump, Vance, Hegseth go on a “let’s piss off Europe” spree… Europe is angry at its transatlantic ally–and with good reason. After Trump’s phone call with Vladmir Putin, he made a statement indicating that he is negotiating with Russia over Ukraine’s future without Europe and Ukrainian representation at the table. Trump said he plans to meet in person with Putin in Saudi Arabia in the near future. At a major international security forum in Munich, Germany, VP Vance “publicly berated European leaders on a host of issues from free speech to security and mass migration, NBC reports. New defense secretary Pete Hegseth, meanwhile stood by comments in Munich in which he said that it was “unlikely” for a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders, unlikely that U.S. troops will take part in the security of Ukraine and unlikely that Ukraine will join NATO as part of a settlement to the war. Essentially, the Trump Administration is caving to Russia before negotiations even begin.

Today's American News with Ally Sammarco is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

(photo credit: Getty)

WHEN YOU CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE OR CAN'T FIND TAXPAYER FUNDED INFORMATION, ASK THE MUSKRAT!

Federal agency layoffs accelerate to breakneck pace… Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has turned into a department of termination for government employees, and the firings are happening so fast that it’s a frightening time to work for the federal government. “Federal agencies are accelerating layoffs and planning for even more cuts as the Trump administration moves quickly to slash the government workforce,” NPR reports. Departments of defense and housing are prepping for staff and budget cuts, while the ag department, CDC, and EPA were hit with layoffs yesterday, according to NPR sources. About 400 "non-mission critical personnel in probationary status" at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were informed of their firings on Friday.

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect thanks supporters on new website… Defense counsel for Luigi Mangione, the suspect in last year’s New York City shooting of a major health insurance company CEO, is taking full advantage of public sympathy for their client. On a website for “Legal Defense Information” on the case, Mangione says in a statement, "I am overwhelmed by - and grateful for - everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support… While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive.” Mangione notes, unsurprisingly, that support for him transcends racial, political, and economic lines. NBC News reports Mangione’s message to supporters mark his “first public comments since he shouted to reporters before a court appearance in Pennsylvania in December.”

(photo credit: GC images)

Never too early to teach a kid about guns, Utah says… This is a “yikes” story that reminds us of a deep divide between red and blue states on cultural issues. Guns are, by many statistics, the number one killer of kids, and Utah legislators believe they have found a way to curb accidental kid-on-kid gun deaths. On the other hand, should kids as early as kindergarten be taught about guns to such a level of detail as a required part of the curriculum?? The Associate Press reports, “Utah students in as early as kindergarten would be required to learn about firearm safety in the classroom under a bill that passed the state House with overwhelming support Friday. The Republican-controlled chamber approved the measure in a 59-10 vote and sent it to the Senate, despite concerns from some gun violence prevention advocates that it places an undue burden on children.”

Today’s Buzz

A bathtub full of cheese(!) for Valentine’s Day… If your significant other doesn’t like chocolate or flowers, is a bathtub full of cheese the next best option? When we heard about this, our first thoughts were: 1) we love cheese, so that’s awesome and 2) it would be different kinds of wrapped cheese stacked on top of each other. NOPE, it was neither awesome nor was it wrapped cheese. Music producer Benny Blanco decided to make a trail full of tortilla chips lead to a bathtub full of melted cheese as a V-Day gift for his fiancé, Selena Gomez. Watch Blanco’s Instagram video for a full view and let us know what you think. Gross? Thoughtful?? We’re honestly speechless.

(photo credit: Getty, @itsbennyblanco on IG)

We are grateful that you count on us to make sense of the chaos. Check back in with us on Monday for more Today’s American News.

Today's American News with Ally Sammarco is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.