The Politics of Tragedies – “The Sunday Political Brunch”—December 21, 2025

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

President Donald Trump PHOTO: White House

By all measures, it has been a tough week. From the fatal shootings at Brown University and an MIT professor’s home, to the murders of an iconic Hollywood couple. There were also new developments in the Epstein case, some key votes in Congress, and another presidential controversy. Let’s “brunch” on all of that this week:

“DC Comments on Brown Mass Shooting” – Whether we like it or not, there are some on both sides of the aisle who stoke the flames of tragedy in an effort to make political points. “Why did Brown University have so few Security Cameras?” President Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “There can be no excuse for that. In the modern age, it just doesn’t get worse!!!” Democrats in Congress raised other issues. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) New York said, “For the sake of those who were killed this weekend, and for the sake of so many lives we can save moving forward, Congress must again act against gun violence and act against all forms of violent hate.” Both men may be raising legitimate concerns, but proposing legislation of some type within the first 48 hours of a tragedy seems insensitive when people are grief-stricken, and we know so few of the facts. Just give it a bit more time, that’s all I’m saying.

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“The Time to Put Politics Aside” –The famed Hollywood couple of Rob and Michele Reiner was murdered this past week. Their son Nick, who has a history of drug addiction, is accused of stabbing them to death. Rob Reiner was a liberal movie industry critic of President Donald Trump. So, it was not surprising that Trump was quick to write on his Truth Social platform, saying, “A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS.”

“Rapid Response” – To no one’s surprise, there was public outrage over Trump’s comments from prominent people in Hollywood and in the Democratic Party. But it was the comments of some of his fellow Republicans that really grabbed my attention. Rep. Thomas Massie (R) Kentucky said on X, “Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered. I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they’re afraid.” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) Georgia said, “Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak.” She added, “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”

“Trump’s Tone-Deaf Remarks” – There is oddity and irony about Trump’s initial statements, because there have been addiction issues in Trump’s own family. His brother Freddy died of alcoholism, and the president says that’s why he does not drink. The second example is Vice President JD Vance, who came to national prominence from his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” A major focus of the book and subsequent move by Ron Howard was the opioid addiction and legal troubles of Vance’s mom. Rep. Marjorie Greene added to her statement by saying, “Many families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues. It’s incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy, especially when it ends in murder.”

“When the Tables Turn” – In fairness, and on balance, there were a good number of harsh and insensitive things said by some Democrats and liberals after the murder of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk. They were booed by many conservatives and Republicans, and rightly so. That kind of language was inappropriate then, just as it is wrong now. I pray that we get back to a more civil political discourse.

“Free Maxwell?” – Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell wants to be released from her 20-year federal prison sentence. The former girlfriend of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein says there is “substantial new evidence” that her constitutional rights were violated in her trial. Her defense attorney said in his court petition, “In the light of the full evidentiary record, no reasonable juror would have convicted her.” So far, neither the Department of Justice nor the judge has responded.

“Number 2 FBI Leader Steps Down” – FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is stepping down. The former New York City cop, turned Secret Service Agent, turned conservative radio talk show host, plans to return to broadcasting. There was internal strife with Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. On his previous radio show, Bongino was a huge advocate of releasing all of the Epstein-Maxwell sex files. Once inside the FBI, Bondi and Patel stymied that effort. But Congress and President Trump approved legislation to release the files.

“The Show Must Go On!” – There are a lot of unhappy people in the arts community and elsewhere. President Trump’s hand-picked Board of Directors at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has voted to rename it the Donald J. Trump-John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The vote was unanimous. Trump is Chairman of the Board. Legislation to rename the facility was introduced back in July. Maria Shriver, a niece of President Kennedy’s, said at the time, “It makes my blood boil. It’s so ridiculous, so petty, so small-minded.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X, saying the renaming was appropriate, “Because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building.” Leavitt added, “Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation.” There are threats of a lawsuit, so, thus far, “that fat lady hasn’t sung.”

“The Senate Doesn’t ‘Rubber Stamp’” – Over the years, people have often criticized Congress as being a “rubber Stamp” for the White House. Budgets and legislation get sent over for approval without a critical review. I’ve seen it happen. But this week, the U.S. Senate pulled a fast one. It passed the $901 billion defense budget, but there is a catch. An amendment on the bill mandates that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth give Congress all the videos taken of airstrikes on suspected drug boats off the coast of Venezuela, including one in which a second strike killed two people clinging to their boat, presumably awaiting rescue. While the White House and Pentagon defended the strikes, some Democrats wonder if war crimes were committed. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D) Connecticut said, “The American people absolutely need to see this video. I think they would be shocked.”

“House Won’t ‘Rubber Stamp’ Either” – As the year ends, so too will federally-financed tax credits for people who get health services through Obamacare. So far, the Senate and House have failed to renew the tax credits. But, “hold your horses,” as the saying goes. Just as the House was ready to defeat a procedural vote on the bill, four Republicans joined Democrats in saying they want the subsidies renewed. So, the bill is back from the dead after it was barely defeated in the Senate. 2026 is an election year, and the 22 million Americans on Obamacare are worried and upset. If nothing happens, the average person will see their already expensive monthly premiums double, if not more. That will force many people to cancel Obamacare and go without insurance. There could be enough angry voters to determine which party controls the House and Senate next year. Three of the Republicans who flipped represent swing districts in the key state of Pennsylvania.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is a South Florida-based political writer and analyst who has covered news and politics all across the nation, including New England, for the past 48 years. Most recently, he was the Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations covering West Virginia, its five neighboring states, and the entire Washington, DC media market. He remains a MINDSETTER™ Contributing Political Writer and Analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.

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