I will share here some articles this past week that shed light on America and the times in which we are living.
In a brief post on X, Alex Jacquez remarked that 20 million people saw their health care premiums double because they were told, it would cost $30 billion to keep the service going. But now we are involved in a war costing $1 billion per day and the president wants $200 billion more from Congress to pay to keep his war of choice going while asserting we have already won it.
In a new list of the happiest countries on earth, America now ranks at 24. At the top are Finland, Denmark and Iceland.
Of 23 cabinet members, 20 have given direct payments totaling $30 million to President Trump or his pet projects. “This isn’t normal—it’s corruption in plain sight,” remarks CREW. “Wealthy people should NOT be able to buy influence within the administration and put their interests above those of the American people. Period.” *
Education Secretary Linda McMahon gave over $20 million; Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over $10 million; and Small Business Secretary Kelly Loeffler and husband over $3 million. In addition, McMahon and Bessent donated to the Trump Inauguration Fund which raised $251.4 million—“more than double any other previous inauguration on record.” Bessent also contributed to Trump’s $400 million dollar ballroom project.
Robert Reich reports that “Paramount is on the verge of becoming the largest pro-Trump media monopoly in America.” Two of America’s largest news organizations—CBS and CNN—along with CBS Entertainment (home to Stephen Colbert who has been expelled beginning in May) and Comedy Central (Jon Stewart) and HBO (John Oliver) and TikTok (where 1 out of 5 Americans now get their news) “are all about to become one giant mega-media monopoly” controlled by father/son Trump sycophants, multi-billionaire Larry and David Ellison.
This merger “could make Rupert Murdoch’s media empire of Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post look scrupulous by comparison.”
Thus, Trump, who spends much of his day and night watching Fox News and hiring their employees (having made a part-time Fox host head of the Defense Department) “is on the verge of having effective control over a gigantic media monopoly.” **
Citizens can do something about this gigantic media monopoly, however. State attorneys general hold the power to enforce antitrust laws, and nine states are suing to stop this merger. While the DOJ will not oppose it, Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California, is leading the antitrust fight in court. Reich urges “everyone to urge their state attorney general to join California’s lawsuit or launch a separate lawsuit.” The American people have the power to interfere with this merger, but must act quickly.
Another corporate media merger looms: Nexstar with Tegna. Rob Bonta is also suing them and warns that if these two companies merge, they’ll consolidate their power into a behemoth that covers more than 80% of TV households in the country. This is a clear violation of federal antitrust laws and FCC rules. It would constitute a “gut punch to our democracy that relies on an informed population.” Donald Trump is pushing the merger. It would swallow up local news and “significantly lessen competition….It’s illegal, plain and simple.” ***
Amidst the barrage of news about the war in Iran, Epstein files, corruption in high government places and media monopolies, we dare not lose sight of the calamity of climate change and the suffering of Mother Earth, a crisis that promises catastrophe for millions of humans and other species as this century unfolds.
To be continued.
* Gabrielle Corporal and Honora Overby, 20 White House cabinet members have directed at least $30 million to benefit Trump, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), March 10, 2026.
** Robert Reich, The Biggest Pro-Trump Media Monopoly Ever, Substack, March 6, 2026.
*** Rob Bonta, Attorney General Bonta Files Lawsuit Seeking to Block $6.2 Billion Nexstar/Tegna Broadcasting Merger, State of California Department of Justice, March 18, 2026.
To read the transcript of Matthew Fox’s video meditation, click HERE.
Banner Image: Trump’s second cabinet, August 2025. Photo by the White House. Wikimedia Commons.
Queries for Contemplation
How are you staying grounded while praying the news and paying attention to the stark realities of our times? How are you interfering and finding allies to interfere with the bad news of our times?
Related Readings by Matthew Fox
A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice.
Sins of the Spirit, Blessing of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul & Society.
Trump & the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ.
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth.
Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox, Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision For a New Generation.
Matthew Fox, Skylar Wilson, and Jen Listug, Order of the Sacred Earth: An Intergenerational Vision of Love and Action.
Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality.
.svg){kind=link}
4 thoughts on “Current America: Important Stories From Today’s News”
Thank you Matthew and DM team for continuing to be prophets among other lightworkers for Truth Peace Justice for Humanity and for Sacred Mother Earth/Her living creatures/Her graceful and essential abundance that we all depend upon for our existence with all living species… I pray for All Lightworkers, human and nonphysical spiritual beings, to work together in alliance with Our Co-Creator Source Spirit with-in All of Us for Divine Love Truth Peace Justice Healing Transformation Freedom Creativity Beauty Joy Compassion… to manifest daily in the Sacred Process of the Eternal Present Moment of Our Evolving LOVING DIVERSE ONENESS of Our Co-Creation Cosmos….
Sometimes I wonder if I am fiddling while Rome is burning, but I know I need to continue enjoying life while using what abilities I have to support democracy and stand up for Jesus’ message of love, justice, and peace. I refuse to let this narcissistic non-leader and his sycophants drain all joy out of our lives as they’ve made a darn good attempt at since 2015. I cannot let the Via Positiva and the Via Creativa languish while I engage in the Via Transformativa in the midst of the Via Negativa. Even so, Rome is burning. We are either in the death throes of the fascist, anti-Earth, toxic masculine era; or we are seeing the end of the Earth as we know it. I feel I have to believe the former and stand up for the founding principles of our country. MAGA has walked away from any and all attempts to limit and reverse climate change. If I don’t dstand up for democracy and the rule of law, I know that our environmental laws will stay dead. The fascist government we have now does give a lick about the future of the planet. Meanwhile, I write and do my best to produce my plays and those of others. I travel. I walk in nature. I swim. I meet with my girlfriends. I spend time with my mate. I chant Buddhist mantras. I dialogue with others who share my values.
I share Hermann Hesse’s view of trees as “the most compelling preachers.” Their daily sermon, which I attend faithfully, is a compelling lesson on “staying grounded,” a vital skill when deadly winds of madness are blowing over the land.
Never give up hope! Keep your watchword, “Trust God.” Remember that, per Matthew’s Gospel, at the death of Jesus numerous dead rose from their graves and appeared with good news to their fellows in Jerusalem.