Voters concerned about the economy, DOGE, and Democrats
Following President Donald Trump’s election for a second term, there was a surge in optimism regarding the nation’s trajectory. However, voters are beginning to express skepticism about the economy and the president’s management of it thus far.
A recent NBC News poll indicates that only 18% of voters consider the economy to be “excellent” or “good,” with a majority disapproving of the president’s performance regarding inflation.
In general, Trump holds a 47% approval rating, while 51% of voters disapprove of his early actions in his second term.
While voters are receptive to addressing government inefficiencies, many harbor worries about Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency: 47% have negative perceptions of DOGE and 51% disapprove of Musk himself.
The poll does not bode well for Democrats, either. The Democratic Party has hit a historical low in popularity, with a mere 27% of respondents viewing it positively—its lowest score in NBC News polling since 1990. This decline is partly attributed to disgruntled Democrats who urge the party to confront Trump more aggressively.
Severe weather results in over 30 fatalities
At least 36 individuals lost their lives across states including Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, and Mississippi due to severe storm systems that ravaged the Midwest and South over the weekend.
The destructive storms not only injured dozens but also left hundreds of thousands without electricity and were linked to fatalities from wildfires.
With nearly 16 million people under tornado watches stretching from Florida to the Carolinas, the storm continued its eastern path.
American connected to missing student has passport seized
Obtained by NBC News
Joshua Riibe might have been the last individual to see Sudiksha Konanki before the 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student went missing in the Dominican Republic.
In an exclusive brief interview with NBC News at the resort where Konanki had been staying, Riibe stated, “I’m just trying to help them out,” adding, “The ocean is a dangerous place.”
Attorneys for Riibe informed NBC News that his passport has been confiscated and that he has been “restrained to the hotel since the investigation commenced.”
Riibe recounted to investigators that he was with Konanki on the beach shortly before her disappearance. He said they were “in waist-deep water, talking and kissing a little” when a wave came and swept them both “out to sea.” According to Riibe, he managed to bring her back to shore before she went missing.
‘Meet the Press’
Sen. Chris Murphy shared with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that although he retains confidence in Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the Democratic caucus needs to act with “urgency” and alter strategies to “preserve American democracy.”
When questioned why Democrats struggle to resonate with Americans, Murphy expressed, “I believe Americans expect the Democratic Party to assert itself and take risks.”
“I think both Democrats and the broader public desire to see our party fighting in extraordinary ways,” Murphy remarked.
“If we fail to achieve this, if we persist in collaborating with Republicans, if we continue granting Donald Trump more power, our democracy will be at risk,” he cautioned.
Political highlights
Immigration crackdown: Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport immigrants he accused of being part of a Venezuelan gang. Although a federal judge temporarily halted the action, the White House celebrated the deportation of nearly 300 individuals.
O Canada: A wave of Trump-related resentment has sparked renewed patriotism among Canadians and impacted the electoral chances of the party closely associated with him.
Return to the workplace: Numerous federal employees assert that Trump’s regular trips to Mar-a-Lago while demanding that government workers return to the office reflect hypocrisy.
Tariff effects: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted on “Meet the Press” that he’s “not at all” concerned amid a stock market downturn driven by Wall Street’s apprehensions regarding the administration’s tariff policy.
Selection Sunday arrives
March Madness begins tonight with Selection Sunday, during which the NCAA brackets for both the men’s and women’s tournaments will be unveiled.
One men’s team to watch is the Missouri Tigers, who have transformed their worst season in over a century into a remarkable comeback.
Just a year after finishing 0-18 in the Southeastern Conference and an overall record of 8-24, the Tigers are now entering the NCAA tournament with a record of 22-10—marking the first instance in SEC history where a team gone winless in conference play one year has achieved double-digit victories the following year, according to research by Missouri.
In case you missed it
- At least 31 individuals were killed after the United States initiated a series of airstrikes on Yemen, as reported by the Houthi health ministry, with a spokesperson telling NBC News that the group would respond with “more escalation.”
- Pope Francis was photographed for the first time since being hospitalized last month for double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff co-celebrated Mass in the hospital chapel on Sunday.
- A nightclub blaze in North Macedonia claimed 59 lives and injured over 100 after a fire was triggered by “pyrotechnic devices” during a concert, according to the nation’s interior minister.
- Once uncommon, Israel’s airstrike usage in the occupied West Bank has surged since the Oct. 7 terror attack, raising concerns that it may be employing similar military strategies as seen in the Gaza Strip, where 14 individuals were killed over the weekend.
- Following a demonstration by a neo-Nazi group in a majority-Black town, residents organized an armed protection group to guard locals from hate groups.
- The missing eaglet born to a well-known eagle couple in Southern California died during a recent winter storm, reported the nonprofit managing the eagles’ nest cameras.
