Daily Skimm

Quote of the Day

"If you know the words, help me out here"

— Carrie Underwood before singing “America the Beautiful” a cappella at the inauguration due to a tech issue. She knew how to take the wheel.

What's Happening

Politics

Trump Promises To Usher In America's New 'Golden Age'

What's going on: Forget “Inauguration Day” — President Donald Trump would rather call it “Liberation Day,” as he declared yesterday after being sworn in as the nation’s 47th president. In his second inaugural speech, Trump condemned past leaders, promised a “revolution of common sense,” and declared that “America’s decline is over.” He added: “I was saved by God to make America great again.” (Then, there was the speech he gave after his swearing-in ceremony.) The indoor event brought Trump’s biggest supporters, including a gaggle of tech bros who got front-row seats (some with a better view than his Cabinet). Other notable moments: Melania’s hat, that air kiss, Hillary Clinton’s laugh, and Barron Trump all grown-up.

What it means: Ever since the election, pundits have marveled at Trump’s unprecedented political comeback. His return to office comes after multiple impeachments, attempted assassinations on his life, and a conviction of 34 felony counts. Another reminder of his past: The event was held in the Capitol Rotunda this year, the same space Trump supporters ransacked on January 6, 2021. Now, just four years after being ousted from the White House, Trump is vowing to reverse many of former President Joe Biden’s policies (more on that below). Unlike his first term, he has more support from wealthy tech titans and Republicans. As he moves forward with his agenda, Democrats will have to figure out where they fit in Trump’s “golden age.”

US News

Trump's First Day: A Wave of Executive Orders and Jan. 6 Pardons

What's going on: Hours after taking the oath of office, President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders, memos, and proclamations — fulfilling a campaign promise to take action on day one of his presidency. On immigration, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border and kick-started a process to end birthright citizenship (which is guaranteed in the 14th Amendment). His measures also rolled back DEI initiatives at the federal level, declared “male” and “female” as the only two sexes recognized by the US government, and reversed protections for transgender military personnel. In addition to rolling back dozens of President Joe Biden’s executive actions, including on energy and climate, Trump moved to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement (and the World Health Organization). The president also delayed the government’s enforcement of the TikTok ban by 75 days, renamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” and pardoned roughly 1,500 Jan. 6 rioters.

What it means: Many of Trump’s orders are expected to be challenged in court, with at least one lawsuit already filed. For instance, civil rights groups say ending birthright citizenship can’t be done through executive action — it would require amending the Constitution via Congress. While some executive orders may lead to changes in Americans’ lives (especially when it comes to the border), critics say that other actions will take more time to enact, with some remaining largely symbolic. Still, experts say Trump’s wave of executive orders reflects how he’s trying to reshape the government and flex his political power. As for other plans that are in the works, Trump said 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico could begin Feb. 1.

Health

Study: Some Weight-Loss Drugs Might Be Able To Lower the Risk of 42 Health Conditions

What's going on: A study published in Nature Medicine yesterday suggests that drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy might be able to do more than control diabetes and treat obesity. After analyzing data from nearly 2.5 million patients in the Department of Veterans Affairs’s (VA) system, researchers weren’t surprised to see that the GLP-1 drugs helped combat cardiovascular and kidney diseases. However, they weren’t expecting the drug to help lower the risk of substance abuse disorders, suicidal ideation, and dozens of diseases. Researchers also found GLP-1 drugs helped reduce the risk of dementia by 8% and Alzheimer’s by 12%. The lead researcher said no one designed GLP-1 drugs thinking they would be able to treat neurodegenerative diseases, but it’s more of a “side gig.”

What it means: There have been plenty of smaller studies on what GLP-1 drugs can do, but none as large or comprehensive as this one. Still, researchers found GLP-1 use is linked to gastrointestinal issues, arthritis, heartburn, and even stomach paralysis in rare cases. The dataset also has some shortcomings since it pulled the data from the VA population, which tends to be older, less racially diverse, and more male than the rest of the US. GLP-1 drugs have exploded in popularity in recent years, with nearly 1 in 8 US adults reporting that they have used or are using the drug to help with weight loss, treat diabetes, or prevent heart attacks. While health experts say these drugs could lead to off-label uses, it’s unclear whether the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would approve such uses anytime soon.

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