Opinion Today: Topline
Selected links from the December 30, 2025, edition of Opinion Today
Living Your Values Linked to Positive Life Outlook Telli Davoodi, Gallup Americans share a clear vision of what constitutes a good life, anchored in housing stability, meaningful social relationships, physical health and financial security. While many regularly experience what they value most, large portions of daily life are devoted to activities that Americans do not regard as essential to living well — particularly social media use and news consumption.
Half of Americans Want to Lose Weight Megan Brenan, Gallup
Trump is unpopular in Europe — even among right-wing populist supporters, POLITICO Poll shows Hanne Cokelaere, Politico
What voters in every state think about Trump and prices G. Elliott Morris, Strength In Numbers
What we learned about the state of the Trump coalition in conversations with 50 voters this year Ben Kamisar, NBC News 11 Voters on Trump’s First Year The New York Times [unlocked] Americans in 1998 tried to predict 2025. Here’s what they got right Ariel Edwards-Levy, CNN Why We Fall for Narcissistic Leaders, Starting in Grade School Adam Grant, New York Times [unlocked] ‘I Was Just So Naïve’: Inside Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Break With Trump Robert Draper, New York Times [unlocked] The Santa Presidency Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic [unlocked] What America Might Look Like With Zero Immigration Lydia DePillis and Campbell Robertson, New York Times [unlocked] In One Year, Trump’s War on Immigration Alters the Face of America Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times [unlocked] Why the Supreme Court Is Giving ICE So Much Power Nancy Gertner (Harvard Law School), The Atlantic [unlocked] Americans Hate AI. Which Party Will Benefit? Calder McHugh, Politico An Anti-A.I. Movement Is Coming. Which Party Will Lead It? Michelle Goldberg, New York Times [unlocked] The 10 Senate races that will decide the balance of power in 2026 Bridget Bowman, NBC News What did we learn about US politics in 2025? Seth Masket, Tusk For Muslim New Yorkers, Mamdani’s victory bridges long-standing divisions Mirna Alsharif, NBC News
There’s more in today’s FULL edition of Opinion Today:
PLAYLIST
Bill Kristol: Trump Has Lost the Plot
The Bulwark PodcastTamara Keith and Amy Walter on Trump expanding presidential power
PBS News Hour