Trump Might Be Changing His Tune on FEMA

Good morning.

All the hype must’ve gotten to me this weekend — and no, I’m not talking about the White House’s superhero Trump meme — because I ended up watching the new Superman movie. Judging by its record-breaking box office numbers, I wasn’t the only one. Also getting plenty of views: Quebec’s tourism ad, which is clearly striking a chord with many Americans, and President Donald Trump’s one-on-one interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump. (Missed it? Here are five key takeaways.) Unfortunately, I didn’t catch the FIFA Club World Cup final — where Trump crashed the trophy celebrations — or the surprise halftime show performance. Now, before we get to today’s headlines, don’t forget to join the waitlist to become a Founding Member of Skimm+...

— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI

What's Happening

Politics

Trump Might Be Changing His Tune on FEMA

What's going on: On Friday, President Donald Trump toured flood-ravaged central Texas and shut down a question about the emergency response. With at least 129 people killed and more than 170 still missing, concerns about the future of disaster response agencies — including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — are mounting. Trump has long slammed the agency and even threatened to dismantle it. Back in March, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said bluntly: “We are going to eliminate FEMA.” But now the administration could be changing its position. On Sunday, in an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press, Noem said Trump wasn’t looking to get rid of FEMA, but instead “wants it to be remade” — though she didn't explain what that entails.

What it means: The Trump administration won’t be able to escape the widespread criticism over its handling of the central Texas floods any time soon. According to The New York Times, FEMA failed to answer nearly two-thirds of calls to its disaster hotline two days after the flooding began. It’s also been reported that Noem delayed approval of key emergency contracts after she put in a new policy that requires her sign-off on anything over $100,000 — and didn’t act until after the floodwaters rose. She dismissed those reports, calling them fake news. Meanwhile, as the administration weighs FEMA’s future, experts worry that disaster response could be in limbo.

Related: Trump Rallies Behind Attorney General Pam Bondi as Epstein Fallout Escalates (CBS)

US News

"Alligator Alcatraz" Tour Raises Some Serious Flags

What's going on: After repeated requests, Florida lawmakers just got their first tour of “Alligator Alcatraz” — a migrant detention site set up in eight days in the Everglades. Democrats called the site worse than expected, describing smaller food portions for migrants than for staff and “appalling” conditions. Republicans on the same tour downplayed concerns, with one lawmaker commenting that one of the beds was “probably more comfortable” than his own at home. But the tour didn’t include the areas where migrants are actually being held, raising further questions amid reports of inhumane treatment — claims Florida officials have dismissed.

What it means: Homeland Security says the detention center meets higher standards than many US prisons. Border czar Tom Homan dismissed lawmakers’ concerns as unfounded — though he hasn’t visited the site himself. Meanwhile, advocates warn this site could be a preview of what's to come: the Trump administration may be laying the groundwork for remote detention and fast-track deportations to faraway countries like South Sudan. Under new ICE guidance, some migrants can be moved in as little as six hours — a speed some legal experts and UN officials say risks turning deportation into what they call “enforced disappearance.”

Related: Trump Is Pushing for Race-Based Immigration Arrests (Axios)

Health

What the DO Boom Means for Your Next Appointment

What's going on: You’re halfway through booking a doctor’s appointment when you spot the letters DO instead of MD. Suddenly, you’re unsure what that means — and you’re not alone. Even though the number of doctors in osteopathic medicine has grown 70% in the last decade, according to The New York Times, confusion still lingers about what they do. One of the top Google searches about them is: Are they real doctors? The answer: yes — and you’ve likely been treated by one without even realizing it. DOs are not just in small clinics — they’ve treated presidents, run NASA’s medical team, and staffed emergency rooms across the country.

What it means: For years, DOs were seen as second-class next to MDs — thanks to a mix of stigma around newer schools, the “holistic” label, and a lot of stereotypes. (Hasan Minhaj once dubbed them the RC Cola of medicine and had to apologize.) But that image is shifting. The American Osteopathic Association reports more than one in four medical students choose the DO route — not always for the philosophy, but sometimes because MD slots are limited and osteopathic programs are growing fast. Studies show patient outcomes match those of MDs. With a projected doctor shortage by 2036, the country might not just want more DOs — it may need them.

Related: Study Finds Severe PMS May Be a Red Flag for Heart Disease (NBC News)

Settle This

We’ve still got some time before the 2028 presidential race, but one Democratic governor said he’s exploring a bid. Who is it?

Extra Credit

Eat

Propaganda we are absolutely falling for? The dip-for-dinner movement. Especially when said spread looks — and tastes — like The Original Dish’s Whipped Feta Dip With Cucumber Salad. Located at the irresistible intersection of bright and refreshing, this no-cook recipe only requires a food processor, a handful of ingredients, and a reverence for free will: Salty feta and tangy Greek yogurt blend into a creamy, protein-packed base, then get topped with an herby, lemony cucumber salad. Serve it with colorful crudité, fluffy pita, or crackly chips — and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not a meal.

Game Time

Wake your brain up this Monday with a game of Flipart. Just rotate the pieces to fit within the frame and get ready to feel the rush when they all fall into place. Get into it.