May 5, 2026 - U.S. Tries To Force Open Strait of Hormuz

Watch TV, scroll social media, or listen to politicians, and the verdict seems clear: Americans are hopelessly divided and increasingly hateful. But what if that's wrong? Not just a little wrong - what if it's, as Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei argues, a "ubiquitous, emphatic, verifiable lie"?

VandeHei made that case in a March Axios column that resonated with me but probably stopped many cold. His argument: most Americans are too busy for social media, too normal for politics, too rational to tweet. They work, raise kids, coach Little League, and mow their neighbor's lawn – and never post a word about any of it. Jim will join me to discuss on radio today. I agree with him.

I've been saying something similar for years. The real problem in America isn't that we hate each other - it's that we no longer know each other. Too many have stopped mingling. They self-sort into bubbles, curate their feeds, and avoid community participation. So many things we used to do in the company of others – work, dine, shop – we now do solo from home. In those homes, we all have a flat screen, but we no longer watch the same television shows. The result is that we've lost the common experiences that once bound us together - Seinfeld, the school bus, the bowling league, the office water cooler.

And here's the thing about those algorithms VandeHei warns us about: only 21% of Americans use X, and fewer than 1% watch cable news on any given night. The loudest, angriest voices reach almost nobody – yet they've convinced us the country is on fire.

It isn't. Americans gave $592 billion to charity last year – a record. Over 130 million informally help their neighbors every year. That's not a broken nation. That's a reality not trending on X.

Finally, VandeHei is not alone among deep thinkers who believe we can solve our societal disconnect. Tomorrow night at 7 PM ET on YouTube, I am premiering the most important episode of my Mingle Project to date – a sit down with Harvard’s Robert Putnam, author of the seminal work “Bowling Alone”. Please plan to join me tomorrow night for more on this important subject.

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The U.S. military said it fired on Iranian forces and sank six small boats targeting civilian ships as it moved to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, as missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates signaled a dangerous escalation threatening a fragile ceasefire and global energy stability.

Associated Press

The Supreme Court fast-tracked finalization of its decision striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, enabling the state to redraw districts ahead of the 2026 elections amid sharp internal disagreement among the justices.

SCOTUSblog

As Sen. John Fetterman grows increasingly isolated within the Democratic Party, Republicans—encouraged by President Donald Trump—are quietly courting him to switch parties or become an independent in a bid to maintain Senate control.

Politico

Newly released documents reveal that over $300,000 in taxpayer funds were used to settle sexual harassment claims involving six former House members or their offices, shedding new light on how misconduct allegations were quietly resolved before reforms ended the practice.

CNN

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A temporary order from the Supreme Court restored access to mifepristone by mail, pausing a lower court ruling that would have required in-person dispensing of the abortion pill while the justices consider the case.

SCOTUSblog

Federal prosecutors have backed a request to unseal a purported 2019 suicide note by Jeffrey Epstein, arguing it no longer needs to remain secret after his former cellmate publicly described its contents.

ABC News

Axios' Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen argue that the widespread perception of a deeply divided America is a distorted narrative fueled by social media, partisan politics, and media amplification, masking a “silent majority” of everyday Americans who largely share common values and contribute positively to their communities.

Axios

Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman-winning quarterback from Indiana University, drew mixed reactions after declining a White House visit with the Hoosiers, citing his focus on proving himself as an NFL rookie and not wanting to miss practice.

USA Today

Maura Judkis with the Washington Post reveals that navigating bathroom breaks at the Met Gala often requires assistants, clever garment engineering, and, in some cases, extreme measures as celebrities contend with the impractical realities of high fashion.

The Washington Post

Facing a degenerative muscle disease called Inclusion Body Myositis, Peter Frampton embraces a late-career creative surge, collaborating with his son on “Carry the Light”—his first album of new songs since he received the diagnosis—while finding renewed purpose, acceptance, and joy in both music and life.

The New York Times