The Brew: The Big and the Beautiful

In 2025, the world is caught in a whirlwind of change, controversy, and compassion. From the halls of Congress to the heart of small-town America, stories are unfolding that demand our attention. Today, we’ll dive into six headline-grabbing stories shaking up politics, media, health, and human connection. Buckle up as we explore what they mean, why they matter, and how they’ll shape the year ahead. Let’s get to it.

Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”

The political arena is buzzing with talk of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a bold legislative package advancing his 2025 agenda. Touted as a cornerstone of conservative policy, this bill promises tax cuts, Medicaid reforms, and a host of priorities aimed at reshaping America’s economic and social landscape. But it’s not without its critics, and the fight over its passage is heating up.

So, what’s in the bill? According to NBC News, it includes significant tax reductions designed to put more money in Americans’ pockets, alongside controversial changes to Medicaid that could streamline costs but risk limiting some group’s access to the program.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a vocal supporter, took to X to champion the bill’s progress, stating, “This is a historic step toward delivering on President Trump’s vision for a stronger America.”

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will bring the historic relief and prosperity President Trump and Congressional Republicans promised the American people.

This is a once in a generation opportunity to help restore our economy to greatness and solidify America’s new Golden Age…. pic.twitter.com/K4zzKFHRUM

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 19, 2025

Yet Politico reports that hardline conservatives are pushing for deeper cuts, while moderates fear voter backlash over the slashed safety nets.

Here’s what you need to know about the bill’s potential impact:

Tax cuts: Middle-class families could see bigger paychecks, but critics warn the wealthy may benefit most.
Medicaid reform: Streamlining could save billions, but reduced coverage might hit vulnerable communities hard.
Political divide: The bill’s fate hinges on unity within the GOP, with conservatives like Rep. Chip Roy demanding bolder action from his colleagues.

Tonight, after a great deal of work and engagement over the weekend, the Budget Committee advanced a reconciliation bill that lays the foundation for much needed tax relief, border security, and important spending reductions and reforms. Importantly the bill now will move…

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) May 19, 2025

The “Big Beautiful Bill” is a high-stakes gamble. Will it deliver prosperity or deepen divides? Stay tuned as Congress debates its future.

Investigation Autopen Revisited

Remember what President Joe Biden did as one of his last official acts before leaving the White House on January 20? He signed a flurry of preemptive pardons for people like Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and Liz Cheney — sparking outrage among conservatives nationwide. You might remember we previously reported on the Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project, which revealed that while the president signed his son Hunter Biden’s pardon by hand, others were allegedly signed by an autopen — a device that replicates signatures, often used for routine documents — raising questions about the legality of those and Biden’s awareness of all that was being done in his name.

Now, the scandal has exploded into a full-blown constitutional crisis, with new developments driving the narrative. On May 17, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced there will be a deepened investigation into Biden’s autopen use, citing concerns over his mental decline and if he was even fully aware of the decisions to pardon anyone except his son. Comer revealed that staffers who operated the autopen have been identified, and interviews — by subpoena, if necessary — are forthcoming.

BREAKING

Who was really running the Biden White House?

I’m bringing in Joe Biden’s senior staff for transcribed interviews. Here’s who we are starting with:

Neera Tanden
Annie Tomasini
Anthony Bernal
Ashley Williams

They propped up a man who was unfit to lead. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/vjMJumzGd7

— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) May 17, 2025

Leaked audio from Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur, released on May 16, intensified the scrutiny. They showed a man who was struggling with basic questions, fueling claims he wasn’t coherent enough to authorize something as complex as pardons.

NEW — Partial audio of the Robert Hur interview with then-President Joe Biden has just been released.

It’s BRUTAL.

He clearly had no idea what was going on — or when things had happened.

This was a scandal — The Democrats & the media covered it up. pic.twitter.com/d7m8co3M1w

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 16, 2025

The question of who was really running the Biden White House must be answered, and we should hold government accountable until that answer becomes clear.

CBS CEO Wendy McMahon Resigns

The media world is reeling from yesterday’s abrupt resignation of CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon — a move that’s sent shockwaves through an already turbulent industry. In a memo to staff, McMahon called her tenure “the honor of a lifetime” but noted that she and the company “do not agree on the path forward.” She expressed confidence in CBS’s leadership and thanked viewers for their trust.

Her exit follows the resignation of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens, who quit his job in April over a loss of journalistic independence amid a $20 billion lawsuit from President Donald Trump against the network. The lawsuit alleges that 60 Minutes producers deceptively edited an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris to tilt the scales in her favor ahead of the presidential election.

McMahon’s departure comes as CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, navigates mediation with Trump’s legal team to settle the lawsuit, potentially to avoid FCC interference in a planned merger with Skydance Media. Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, reportedly favors a settlement, though many CBS staffers and media observers say the lawsuit is an overreaction to standard editing practices.

Is this all a step in the right direction towards a path that informs the public rather than divides it? Let us know you’re thoughts by emailing us at contactus@stream.org.  

Joe Biden and Dilbert Creator Scott Adams Both Diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer

In a sobering turn, two prominent figures — former President Joe Biden and Dilbert cartoon creator Scott Adams — have been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that has already metastasized to the bone.

Biden reported increasing trouble with urination, prompting him to see a doctor who discovered a nodule on his prostate gland. Biden’s cancer, while advanced, is hormone-sensitive, meaning there is hope for effective treatments that could allow him to live for years.

Biden, now 82, shared a heartfelt statement on X: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”

Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support. pic.twitter.com/oSS1vGIiwU

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 19, 2025

After Biden’s announcement, Adams, known for his sharp wit, opened up to his supporters to share his diagnosis and outcome.

Scott Adams — I have the exact same cancer as Joe Biden, and it has spread to my bones. I expect to die this summer.pic.twitter.com/uBrYMihTg5

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) May 19, 2025

Both men’s stories shine a spotlight on a disease that affects one in every eight men. If you or a loved one is a man over 50, talk to your doctor about regular PSA screenings. Health challenges are no respecter of titles, but awareness can make all the difference in your personal outcome.

FBI’s New Dynamic Duo: Patel and Bongino

If it wasn’t clear before, it should be by now: The Federal Bureau of Investigations will not be the same under President Trump’s appointees, Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, as in previous administrations. The pair shared their plans Sunday for a different kind of FBI — one that is transparent, accountable, and hardworking — during their first interview together with Fox News Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo.

Do you want it done fast or do you want it done right? We may hear something in a couple of weeks. Take down the government gangsters @Kash_Patel pic.twitter.com/PvYiZgrSOw

— Karli Bonne’ (@KarluskaP) May 18, 2025

While all of their plans are very much needed, the main topic many conservatives want details on is convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein and who all the people are who visited his island. Patel and Bongino addressed lingering conspiracy theories about Epstein’s 2019 death in a Manhattan jail while he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. New York City’s chief medical examiner ruled it a suicide — yet theories of murder persist, fueled by lapses in security and weirdly malfunctioning cameras. Patel and Bongino insist the medical examiner is correct.

Bartiromo kept up the questioning, “You said Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide. People don’t believe it.”

REPORTER: “You said Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide. People don’t believe it.”

PATEL: “They have a right to their opinion but … you know a suicide when you see one, & that’s what that was.”

BONGINO: “He killed himself. I’ve seen the whole file. He killed himself.” pic.twitter.com/pduX7bU9AF

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 18, 2025

However, public skepticism remains high. Can Patel and Bongino restore faith in the FBI, or will their leadership deepen divides? One thing’s certain: This will be a pivotal year for law enforcement.

Texas Roadhouse’s Act of Kindness Touches Hearts

A small act of kindness has captured hearts nationwide. Recently, Hunter Metzger of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize his eight-year-old Great Dane, Iris, after unsuccessful cancer treatments.

Determined to give her a memorable sendoff, Metzger organized a party with family and friends to shower Iris with love and treats. For her final meal, he ordered an eight-ounce New York strip, steak fries, and mashed potatoes from a nearby Texas Roadhouse, noting in the order, “Last meal for our dog. Please prepare with love.”

Aww

I already loved Texas Roadhouse but this is so sweet and heart-tugging What a thoughtful gesture pic.twitter.com/2KTHGCATEs

— Jennifer Greenberg (@JennMGreenberg) April 26, 2025

The Texas Roadhouse staff, led by kitchen manager Kate Weston, went above and beyond Metzger’s request. When Metzger picked up his order, the entire staff offered their condolences. The receipt included a handwritten note about his loss, signed by the team, and the to-go container was marked “Made with Love.” The next day, Metzger discovered the cost of the meal had been refunded, leaving him deeply moved.

In a world of full of dehumanizing headlines and hashtags, Texas Roadhouse’s gesture stands out. Compassion can cut through the noise and chaos to remind us all to keep showing God’s love to everyone around us.

Along The Stream…

Come back later this morning to listen to Joel Malm and his father Rick discuss the joys and challenges  of “Grandparenting Well.”

And in case you missed it, Jules Gomes brought another interesting read yesterday with “Pope Leo XIV Drops Papal Supremacy, Urging ‘Full Communion’ with ‘All Christians’.” Be sure to check it out!

Gayle McQueary is The Stream’s social media coordinator. She has a background in production and is not a scary judge of acts of compassion and kindness.

The post The Brew: The Big and the Beautiful appeared first on The Stream.

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