Evening Roundup, December 17
Featuring: Tim Dickinson, Contrarians in Protest, Jeff Nesbit, Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, Roberto Valadéz, Lynn Sweet with Jen Rubin, Shalise Manza Young, Ben Sheehan, and The Contrarian Podcast
The Five Worst Things We Learned About Susie Wiles
After a year of intentionally avoiding the spotlight, Donald Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles is suddenly at the epicenter of a news cycle — thanks to the publication of a juicy Vanity Fair feature from reporter Chris Whipple that draws from nearly a dozen exclusive, on-the-record interviews, including from inside the White House.
The 15-Year-Old Ghost Haunting the Republican Party
By Jeff Nesbit
Why the GOP’s health care sabotage will dominate the 2026 midterms.
A Very Bad Year for Women’s Health
When I started writing for The Contrarian, a funny-not-funny inside joke was whether there would be enough fodder for a weekly democracy column that overtly centers gender. I think you already know the punchline. Suffice it to say, I did not miss a single Wednesday in all of 2025.
Bitter Bovino Is Back & As Brutal As Ever
If any state could speak to the insanity of 2025, Illinois would be a top contender. From an invasion of National Guard, ICE, & Border Patrol agents, to a governor stepping into the national spotlight, and a surprise election withdrawal, the prairie state kept busy. Spoiler alert: 2026 will be no different.
The ‘Second Nadir,’ Indeed: The Year in Race
By Shalise Manza Young
Trump, his Cabinet, and his advisers are dismantling civil rights and erasing evidence of Black history and achievement.
Top 10 Moments of Hope from 2025
Here are the top ten moments of 2025 that actually gave me hope...here's hoping they'll do the same for you!
Red States Deserve Better Elected Officials. Here are Two Running in 2026
Vivek Ramaswamy, a man so unpopular Elon Musk kicked him out of DOGE, is running for Ohio Governor. While he’s flying around Ohio in his private jet and receiving $10 million donations from billionaires, Dr. Amy Acton is standing up for everyday Ohioans.
Be inspired! Oregon residents protested mightily in Newport on Dec. 13 - "ICE Has No Business Here!". Enjoy this video of people demonstrating for democracy and community! Worth watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zenhc1rW0zg
It is now 1:34 am and I am in tears of relief and joy after listening to the 10 Top Reasons for Hope in 2025. Along with friends, I did actually carry signs in a few of those anti-Kings protests. Thank you for a bright spot before I attempt to sleep in this crazy state of affairs.