The Latest Bird Watch: Trump on the Brink, Abortion 'Moderation', RFK Jr.'s Campaign Misstep, and More
Politics
Hello everyone! Here is the latest bird watch to catch you up on the latest news you might have missed.
French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu once wrote that many of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in fact a rational management of symbolic capital. This week, Trump's former editor at the National Enquirer gave a stunning interview in which they claim that Bragg's theory of the case - that Trump's payments to silence women were 'hush money' - is wrong. If this story is correct, then framing Bragg's theory of the case as 'hush money' is wrong, and Trump becomes a sort of minor-League Berlusconi.
Trump has been screaming about election fraud for years. Now, he is trying to delay his upcoming trial on charges of fraudulently using funds from his presidential campaign to silence women. This week, appeals court judge denied Trump's bid to delay next week's 'hush money' trial. Can't blame a guy for trying!
This week, Trump took a moderate stance on abortion, saying that states should determine their own abortion laws. GOP senators and candidates running for Senate in swing states are largely embracing the states' rights message on abortion that Trump outlined. It's the latest evolution of Republicans' shifting position on abortion, as they have worked to find a message palatable for voters who have bucked Republican candidates' anti-abortion positions since Roe v. Wade was overturned nearly two years ago. Trump understands that all this is a major political liability and that the statement constitutes a sound political gambit.
According to Axios, baby boomers are on track to make President Biden the first Democrat to carry the senior vote since Al Gore in 2000.
Entertainment
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has qualified for the Nebraska ballot as an independent candidate for President. Nebraskans will be able to cast their vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as an Independent Candidate for President, as the Kennedy campaign announced they have collected the necessary 2,500 signatures needed to qualify for the 2024 November general election ballot.
Sports
A new survey shows that Trump's favorability among Latinos is rising while Biden's is falling. The Axios/Ipsos survey shows Biden's favorability among Latinos has fallen 6 points since last summer (47% in June 2023 to 41% last month). Trump's favorability among Latinos in the same time period rose from 29% to 32%.
Business
Trump has crashed out of the ranks of the world's 500 wealthiest people after the value of his meme stock nosedived. The former president has fallen off the Bloomberg Billionaires Index as his net worth has dropped below $5.8 billion. Forbes' rich list pegs Trump's total wealth at $4.8 billion, ranking him 659th in the world.
Science
According to the Gazette Xtra, Colorado officials warn of a new frontier in election denial as more Republicans refuse to certify vote totals. Since 2020, a small but growing number of county canvass boards have had Republican members refuse to sign off on vote tallies.
Health
According to the New York Times, more than 40% of American adults have prediabetes. Prediabetes is a blood sugar disorder that indicates a high risk for developing type