Opinion Today: Topline
Selected links from the February 19, 2026, edition of Opinion Today
Americans believe Epstein files show the powerful get a pass, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds Jason Lange, Reuters Americans believe that wealthy and powerful people are rarely held accountable, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found after the release of millions of records on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's connections in elite U.S. business and political circles.
Americans say Epstein files lowered their trust in U.S. political and business leaders Alec Tyson, Annaleise Azevedo Lohr and Bernard Mendez, Ipsos
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, just 23% of Americans are confident the vote will not be 'rigged' Andrew Romano, Yahoo News
How many Americans rank Trump as the 'worst' vs. 'best' president in U.S. history? Andrew Romano, Yahoo News
Many Democrats are still down on the Democratic Party, a new AP-NORC poll finds Linley Sanders, Associated Press
Mountain West Voters Show Growing Concerns Over Public Land Protections Heading into 2026 Elections Colorado College
Democratic groups wage populist fight on Trump tax cuts Burgess Everett, Semafor
Interracial cooperation in the United States Jonathan Rothwell and Telli Davoodi, Gallup / Brookings Institution
We asked Americans how they felt about their interracial interactions. The answers may surprise you. Andre M. Perry, Brookings Institution The right’s obsession with American ‘heritage’ is all about who gets to be seen as ‘white’ Philip Bump, MS NOW The MAHA Coalition Is Falling Apart David Wallace-Wells, New York Times [unlocked] The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves John Halpin, The Liberal Patriot Is “Abolish ICE” the Right Political Strategy? Andrew Levison, The Democratic Strategist Over 65? Congratulations, You Own the Economy Greg Ip, Wall Street Journal [unlocked] The ‘boomcession’: Why Americans feel left behind by a growing economy Alex Harring, CNBC One Man Stole $660 Million. He’ll Never Pay It Back. Brendan Ballou (Public Integrity Project), New York Times [unlocked] Billionaires Gone Wild Paul Krugman Hegseth invited Christian nationalist Doug Wilson to preach at Pentagon Amy B Wang, Washington Post [unlocked] Why Other Democracies Don’t Gerrymander Like the U.S. Christina Morales, New York Times [unlocked] Can Newsom Live Down His Record? Karl Rove, Wall Street Journal [unlocked] The Racial Desegregation Case You've Likely Never Heard Of The Great Transformation with Mike Madrid
There’s more in the FULL edition of Opinion Today, sent to paid subscribers today at 5 a.m. ET:
PLAYLIST
For the Sake of Transparency (with Natalie Haynes and Michael Gove)
Strong Message HereWhat the Texas primaries could reveal about the midterms
PBS News Hour‘Massive problem' for Dems: Enten on governor elections
CNN