Your BRIGHT Week in Review
Plus: Dinner and a Movie
Photo of the Week
Edan Alexander reunites with his family at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv after being released by Hamas terrorists.
MAGA States Thriving
At Hot Air, Ed Morrissey highlighted a growing divide in the U.S., driven by migration patterns since the pandemic. Red states with lighter lockdown ruless and lower taxes, like Florida and Texas, have seen significant population gains. Blue states like California and New York face capital flight. (You can count me as one of those migrants!)
The Wall Street Journal noted that census data from 2020-2021 shows a net gain of 822,064 people in states, noting, “It’s impossible to quantify precisely the cause-and-effect impact of school closures and lockdowns on population migration. But the correlation is clear from the data.”
Morrissey wrote:
This has turned into full-blown capital flight, as middle-class families with investment potential looked for and found greener pastures. Tax bases have shrunk in states like California and New York while growing in lower-tax states with more conservative policies and governance. If these current trends continue, the states that gave Donald Trump the victory in 2024 will have several more Electoral College votes in 2032, not to mention greater influence in the House of Representatives.
Economically, MAGA-favored companies (e.g., John Deere, Harley-Davidson) have outperformed progressive ones (e.g., Etsy, Lyft) over the past decade. This trend strengthens red states’ electoral and economic influence, potentially reshaping America's future. Morrissey concluded, “It's still good to see the data confirm it, and that poses the real question. Will blue states learn the lessons from it ... or condemn their economies to permanent second-tier status?”
Reforming the Department of Defense
In her latest on Hot Air, Salena Zito wrote that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently spoke at the Army War College, emphasizing military reform. Maj. Gen. David Hill highlighted the institution’s 268-year history and diverse international student body. He also noted, “I've been here for four years as the commandant of the Army War College. This is the first opportunity we've had to host the secretary of defense.”
Zito reported that Hegseth aims to restore a “warfighter ethos” and eliminate DEI policies. He faces Pentagon resistance but remains steadfast, drawing inspiration from Rumsfeld’s reform efforts. Hegseth stressed learning from Ukraine’s warfare advancements and prioritizing budget decisions to counter China. “If we don’t get that right… I don’t want to look back 10 years from now and say, ‘I didn’t fight hard enough.’”
Zito wrote:
Hegseth said what the military looks like 10 years from now will be a direct result of what they do today.
"So we need to make some hard choices right now. What is our forced posture in Europe? How do we ensure we don't get bogged down in Middle Eastern wars that keep wanting to pull us back so we have clear, limited objectives?" he continued. "How do we prioritize the defense of our own homeland? And you see that on the southern border and Iron Dome. How do we protect our own backyard in the Southern Hemisphere? And all of that is in service to saying, 'Communist China, we want to be friends with you.' We don't want war, but we're going to be the strongest nation on Earth to ensure that that never happens."
Hegseth said that all takes real leadership, real choices and a real vision to keep going because the institution of the Defense Department or any bureaucracy wants to keep doing what it's been doing.
Trump Prioritizes Commerce Over Chaos on Middle East Trip
In his speech at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh, President Trump announced the lifting of all sanctions on Syria to support its new government, stating, “I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness.” Politico reported that he credited Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, joking, “Oh, what I do for the crown prince.”
Trump also extended “an olive branch” to Iran, urging a nuclear deal to ease sanctions, saying, “Iran can have a much brighter future. The choice is theirs to make.” He warned, however, that the offer “will not last forever,” threatening “maximum pressure” if negotiations fail. Trump continued to highlight a Middle East vision of “commerce, not chaos.”
Ever the dealmaker, Politico also reported:
The evening speech came after Trump, during his first day in Riyadh, met with billionaire investors and touted a $600 billion U.S. investment commitment by Saudi Arabia. Trump’s lofty remarks about the region’s development and future sought to broaden the focus on his week-long trip to the region, which he described as a place of growth and limitless potential.
During his evening speech, Trump contrasted his approach with past U.S. nation-building, noting, “A new generation of leaders is transcending the ancient conflicts of tired divisions of the past.”
RELATED: Saudi Arabia rolls out a mobile McDonald's during Trump’s visit (Fox News)
Good News for Weekend Warriors
MDEdge reported that a recently released study revealed that weekend warriors, those who concentrate exercise into 1-2 days, achieve similar digestive health benefits as those exercising regularly throughout the week. Analyzing data from 89,595 UK Biobank participants, the study found both groups engaging in 150-300 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity reduced risks of digestive diseases, compared to sedentary individuals. This flexibility allows weekend workouts to effectively lower gastrointestinal disease risk, offering a practical alternative for busy schedules.
A fun, high-impact routine (with music playlists!) is included in my upcoming book, The Gen X Handbook for Middle Age: The Pursuit of Health, Success, and Human Fulfillment!
Dinner and a Movie
In honor of Joe Don Baker, who passed away last weekend, we’re watching Walking Tall.
For dinner, a favorite Blue Apron recipe — Mexican Beef & Rice Bowls with Fresh Tomato Salsa & Cotija Cheese.
