Measles Is Spreading, The Economy Is Crashing, And Free Speech Is Dead

3.10.25

Ally Sammarco Mar 11

Happy Monday and welcome to another edition of Today’s American News, your source for news and analysis on the circus that is American politics and entertainment.

Dow falls more than 1,000 points as Trump tariffs crush economy… As the Dow craters, Americans have only Donald Trump to blame as their retirement savings hemorrhages and the economy is left in ruin. One of the devastating effects of Trump’s tariffs hit American agriculture: “China heated up on Monday as Beijing began implementing retaliatory tariffs on a range of American farm products for which China is the largest market,” CBS reported. The S&P had its worst performance of the year, falling 187 points, or 2.7 percent. The Nasdaq plummeted 728 points, or 4 percent. Elon Musk’s Tesla saw its shares lose 15 percent on the day.

(photo credit: NYT)

Millions in USA get energy from Canada. Their bills will be $100 more a month… Canadian leaders are making clear they won’t hold back in retaliation for Trump's 25 percent tariffs on imports of goods from their country. Here’s Ontario premier Rob Ford, announcing a 25 percent tariff on Canadian energy, which supplies Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. Ford also left open the option of cutting off energy supply to the U.S. entirely.

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With measles on the rise, fringe treatments are being pushed by RFK Jr, others… Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has brought his anti-vax posture to his post in Trump’s cabinet, declaring vaccination a personal choice even as measles cases are on the rise in states like Texas and Florida. RFK Jr., who should only be promoting treatments proven by science, promoted Vitamin A as prevention over the objection of the medical community. NBC News has a story out of West Texas, where the measles cases have spiked (big surprise) among a relatively unvaccinated population and where families are lining up for unproven treatments rejected by mainstream medicine. “Vitamin C, cod liver oil, and the inhaled steroid budesonide” are being distributed in West Texas, apparently advised by RFK, Jr., Mother Jones reports. Vaccines, folks. Vaccines work.

Legal U.S. resident set for deportation for speaking out against civilian deaths in Gaza… This is Trump’s dystopian America: instill fear, abuse power, and silence opposition. “Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful U.S. resident who was a graduate student at Columbia until December, was detained Saturday by federal immigration agents in New York and flown to an immigration jail in Louisiana,” the Associated Press reports. Trump threatened “many” more arrests like Khalil’s. The AP later updated its story: “A federal judge in New York City ordered Monday that Khalil not be deported while the court considered a legal challenge brought by his lawyers. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.”

Today’s Buzz

Lady Gaga delivers absurdity in iconic SNL hosting performance… This weekend’s Saturday Night Live was one to watch, with Lady Gaga serving delight to us Little Monsters. Her opening monologue was ripe with self-deprecation, including this quip: “The last time I hosted was in 2013, and every aspect of my performance aged amazingly. There’s no reason to Google SNL 2013—Lady Gaga featuring R. Kelly.” For the cultural icon, the performance was well-timed with the Friday release of her Mayem album. Vogue has Gaga’s 8 best moments from the show.

Today’s Furry Friend

Tiny fairy penguins get knitted sweaters from 109-year-old man… Shortly after moving into a retirement home, Australian Alfie Date was asked by nurses if he would knit sweaters to help save oil-covered fairy penguins. He kept on knitting – both for penguins and for premature babies – until his death at 110. Alfie’s story is a reminder of the good we can all do in the world, and a complete contrast to how dire the world seems from day to day.

Thanks for reading Today’s American News. Check back in every evening this week as we help you make sense of the chaos.